CAT 2015: 10 additional minutes to win the race of 3 sections in 3 hrs; make the best use

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
August 31, 2015
Despite the division of CAT 2015 into 3 sections instead of earlier 2 and increase of time limit from 170 to 180 minutes, the number of questions remains the same 100
10 more minutes without increasing the number of questions in CAT 2015 is a boon for the test takers who used to be left with no time to review and rearrange the concluding section

The additional 10 minutes to attempt CAT 2015 exam without any addition of questions may prove to be a bonanza, if used judiciously. Despite the division of CAT 2015 into 3 sections instead of earlier 2 and increase of time limit from 170 to 180 minutes (full 3 hours), the number of questions remains the same 100.  It is now upto the CAT 2015 aspirants how they utilize the additional time of 10 minutes to score more.

Take the best out of 10 minutes
These 10 minutes will be crucial and may prove a game changer for many CAT 2015 test takers. While the 1st and 3rd sections on Quant and VARC will have 34 questions each, the 2nd section on DI-LR will have 32 questions, making the total tally of questions to 100. All the 3 sections will have the separate time limit of 1 hour each to solve.

In view of Prof S K Agarwal expert on Verbal Ability and mentor on CAT 2015 preparation the additionally allotted time could be utilized to score high by observing greater level of accuracy and reviewing the answers instead of making attempts to answer the ambiguous and difficult questions whose answers in all probability could go wrong and would result in loss of more marks instead of gain.

Since the test takers in CAT 2015 may not have to fight against the shortage of time while reviewing the questions at the last moment, you can focus more on the right approach to solve the MCQs and Non-MCQs. While the time division of 60 minutes for each of the 3 sections has already been done by CAT Centre 2015 with no liberty to switch over from one section to other, you have to spend full 1 hour to one section and use the time to maximize your attempts with accuracy.

3 sections in CAT 2015 to manage now
CAT 2015 will be divided in 3 sections with an increased time limit of 3 hours (180 minutes) as against 2 hours 50 minutes (170 minutes) in CAT 2014. Now CAT 2015 will have Section I: Quantitative Ability (Quant); Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Section III: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VRC)

The liberty to move from one section to other within overall time limit stands withdrawn in CAT 2015. Apart from this change, which in view of some aspirants is good and for some is difficult to manage, another change is that you must answer the sections in a pre-specified order without the option to attempt any section in any order.  This order will remain same for all the candidates.  Now you may not choose the Section-II to answer in the beginning and go to section-I to answer in the end.

Strategy to prepare & utilize 10 more minutes
In fact 10 more minutes without increasing the number of questions in CAT 2015 is a boon for the test takers who used to be left with no time to review and rearrange the concluding section and had to submit the test which left no option to review the answers and mark/un mark the answers at the last moment.

The key points which a CAT 2015 aspirant should remember while preparing and going to take the exam are

1. You can no longer depend upon DI part in Quant and LR part in Verbal as they form another section now. So more preparation and practice on core topics on Quant and Verbal is needed.

2. Similar situation exists for those who used to depend on DI&LR as percentile booster for each of the 2 sections as the additional section will need high score separately now.

3. There will be the facility of onscreen calculator that will be available throughout the exam in CAT 2015. It can be used to solve good number of questions in Quant section and Data Interpretation(DI) questions in DILR section with accuracy. The time available after attempting calculation intensive questions can be utilized to review the answers.

4. Although there is no increase in number of questions, you are not allowed to toggle between the sections. It will be better to improve your speed while keeping the time deadlines for the question topics in those sections where you feel you are still weak.

5. CAT 2015 despite with additional grant of 10 minutes offers less time per question to answer as compared to CAT 2013 and earlier exams. You now have less than 2 minutes for one question as 100 questions are to be answered in 180 minutes. Earlier it was 60 questions to be answered in 140 minutes implying more than 2 minutes to answer one question. Hence judicious management of time is the key to success in CAT 2015.

6. Instead of 2 now the high balanced percentile is to be scored in 3 sections. Earlier, separate DILR scores were not required but you need to score a minimum of 80-85 percentile in this section in CAT 2015 else you will not be shortlisted.

7. Divide your CAT 2015 preparation in equal time slots. Earlier CAT aspirants did not take DILR as seriously as they used to consider Quant and Verbal. The perception of IIM Ahmedabad, the CAT 2015 convening IIM is that the 60 minutes to solve 32 questions in DILR are allotted to provide equal time to each of the three sections irrespective of number of questions in each section.  You can not overlook this section anymore and use the extra time in DILR section to attempt with good preparation and practice.

Win the race in last 10 minutes
Those who do well in last 10 minutes may turn the table in their favour. CAT 2015 convener and IIM Ahmedabad faculty Prof Tathagata Bandyopadhyay has specific reason behind increasing the time limit for CAT 2015 takers without increasing the number of questions and says “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.”

All candidates start the test at the same time when the invigilator signals to start. Candidates are to remain at their seats for the entire duration of the test even if they complete their test early. The Submit button is enabled only upon completion of test time. According to Prof S K Agarwal expert on Verbal Ability and mentor on CAT 2015 preparation, now if you practice well and attempt your mocks on the new announced pattern of CAT 2015, you may get a higher score in the newly added section of DI-LR.

Common Admission Test (CAT) 2015 will be a Single day exam on November 29, 2015 to be held in 2 sessions- forenoon and afternoon. CAT 2015 application fee is Rs 1600/- and the Registration and application process for CAT 2015 will close on September 20, 2015. A Graduate with 50% marks can apply to appear in CAT 2015 and explore admission opportunity in top rated IIMs.

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