In the first and exclusive interview session with MBAUniverse.com after release of CAT 2015 notification on July 26, 2015 which has brought many surprises and changes in the exam pattern in deviation from earlier CAT exams, Prof Tathagata, CAT 2015 convener shares the key changes, reasons behind such changes in CAT 2015 registration and examination pattern in a Q&A session.
MBAUniverse.com in order to help CAT 2015 aspirants to understand what exactly lies underneath the notification got the opportunity to have a brief interaction with awfully busy CAT 2015 convener Prof Tathagata Bandyopadhyay, faculty at IIM Ahmedabad.
It is a well known fact that IIM Ahmedabad is going to conduct CAT 2015 and Prof Tathagata Bandyopadhyay, senior faculty in the area of Production and Quantitative Methods (P&QM) and admission chair at IIM Ahmedabad has been assigned the responsibility to convene CAT 2015.
Excerpts from the interview with CAT 2015 convener are appended
MBAUniverse.com: CAT 2015 notification has brought many surprises & changes. Please share a few in regard to changes in exam pattern
Prof Tathagata (CAT 2015 convener): Every year we review CAT and make certain changes- both operational and content. This year also there a few aspirant friendly changes introduced in CAT 2015. Some of them that may help the aspirants are here
We have decided to introduce a new section on DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning). Last year DI was a part of QA (Quant)and LR was a part of VRC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension). However, the number of questions from each section will remain same as that of the last year. The decision is taken keeping in view that the three sections are supposed to test different abilities of the candidates.
MBAUniverse.com: The notification has increased the time limit although total questions are 100. Please the reason behind it.
Prof Tathagata (CAT 2015 convener): The reason behind increasing the duration by 10 minutes is simply to allot equal time (60 minutes) to each of the three sections. This year the students will be given exactly an hour to complete each section.
MBAUniverse.com: The sectional time constraint was removed in CAT 2014, it has again been introduced in CAT 2015. Will the candidates have to go to next section or it will be a spontaneous process?
Prof Tathagata (CAT 2015 convener): The test will automatically move to the next section once a candidate spends an hour in a section. Also a candidate cannot switch from one section to another while answering questions in a section. This is another change from the last year's test.
MBAUniverse.com: Till CAT 2014 there were only Multiple choice questions (MCQs) in the exam. There has been some change in the type questions proposed to be asked in CAT 2015. Please throw light on this new type of questions and why the need was felt for such change?
Prof Tathagata (CAT 2015 convener): We have decided to introduce a few questions which will require candidates to solve the problems and key-in the correct answer/s instead of just selecting the right options among the given choices.
This we are planning to introduce for reducing the impact of guess work on the performance.
MBAUniverse.com: No calculation aid has so far been available in any CAT exam. You have made some aspirant friendly changes in it. Please share
Prof Tathagata (CAT 2015 convener): Yes, in the examination candidates can use basic on-screen calculator for computation. This has been done to help the candidates focus more on the problem than on the computation.
MBAUniverse.com: What is your in general advice to applicants regarding CAT 2015 registration which will open on Aug 6, 2015 and to understand the exam format?
Prof Tathagata (CAT 2015 convener): It is very important for you to go through the tutorials to understand the registration process before the registration.
Also, you should work on the tutorials to understand the test format once it is uploaded.
MBAUniverse.com: Should students register early to avoid last minute rush? Your suggestion please
Prof Tathagata (CAT 2015 convener): Take your time to register. You don't need to rush. But avoid registration during the last few days.
MBAUniverse.com: Any other advice to applicants for making the best use of CAT opportunity? Your message to aspirants
Prof Tathagata (CAT 2015 convener): You need to do well in all the sections. Prepare for the CAT accordingly.
Prof Tathagata is known for his flair for research and writing. He has been the editor of Calcutta Statistical Association Bulletin in 2009 and has been an active member on number of editorial boards. His Publications, case studies and reviews are widely read, referred and quoted across the globe. His past and present Research works include Nonparametric Testing, Categorical Data Analysis, Measurement Error Models, Inference on Survey Data, Statistical Genetics, Reliability Analysis, Survival Analysis, and Survey Sampling among others.
A PhD and a statistician with M.Sc (Statistics) from University of Calcutta Professor Tathagata has been the visiting Professor at Michigan State University, USA (2010); Birmingham University, UK (2009); University of Umea, Sweden (2009); Iowa State University, USA (2003,2005,2007); University of Georgia, Athens, USA. (2003, 2005) among other prominent Universities of the world. He was the Visting Scientist at University of Windsor, Canada (1995, 1999, 2000); National University of Singapore, Singapore. (2002, 2007).
Common Admission Test (CAT) 2015 is the mandatory exam for admission to management programmes at IIMs and other top B schools in India. The first computerized CAT was also convened by IIM Ahmedabad in 2009.
Common Admission Test (CAT) prior to CAT 2015 was divided in 2 sections now there will be 3 sections. While Quant and VARC sections will have 34 questions each, the 3rd section on DILR will have 32 questions. Each of the 3 sections will have to be solved in 60 minutes. There will also be questions of descriptive type in CAT 2015 although total number of questions will remain 100 with total time limit of 3 hours divided in 1 hour for each section.
Related Article
CAT 2015: Exam Notification out; 1 day exam on Nov 29; Result in Jan 2016; website functional
CAT 2015: Exam date announced prior to notification; chaos among aspirants; convener unaware
CAT 2015: Exam date announced; aspirants surprised with the late test
CAT 2015: Exam date announced Nov 29; Registration to commence on Aug 6, 2015
CAT 2015: Notification out on July 26; what new is anticipated
CAT 2015: No need to panic: Aim for high score; tips and guidelines for first & second timers
CAT 2015 the best opportunity ever with 20 IIMs Functional in 2016; 50000 expected to be shortlisted
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on CAT 2015
