CAT 2015: 15 Non MCQs with no penalty to prove Percentile booster; Prepare strategically

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
September 3, 2015
CAT 2015 with the first of its kind Non-MCQ type of questions in each of the 3 sections has given an opportunity to test takers to boost their percentile without fearing for negative marking
For questions other than MCQs, 3 marks are assigned for correct answer and no marks for ‘wrong or no attempt CAT 2015 exam centre

CAT 2015 with the first of its kind Non-MCQ type of questions in each of the 3 sections has given an opportunity to test takers to boost their percentile without fearing for negative marking. There are expected to be about 4 to 6 questions categorized as Non-MCQs whose answers options will not be available for CAT 2015 takers. The answers will have to be typed on computer screen by CAT 2015 test takers after solving the questions.

The on-line Registration and application process for Common Admission Test (CAT) 2015 gateway to 19 IIMs will close on September 20, 2015 while the CAT 2015 exam is scheduled in a single day on November 29, 2015 in 2 sessions.

15 Non-MCQs with no penalty clause
It is expected that in all there would be 15 questions without any answer options. While the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) will have 4 answer options with one third negative marking, the non-multiple choice questions (Non-MCQs) will have no negative marking, even if you write an incorrect answer on computer screen after solving the question. According to CAT Centre 2015 ‘For questions other than MCQs, 3 marks are assigned for ‘correct answer’ and no marks for ‘wrong or no attempt’.

The scoring scheme for non-MCQs is a great relief to the candidates who prefer solving the questions first and then arrive at the answer instead of jumping straight to the answer options and then going backwards to go through the question.

Equal weightage
All the questions in CAT 2015, whether MCQs or Non-MCQs will carry equal weightage of 3 marks each. However, incorrect response to each MCQs will result in no-marks for the wrong answer and deduction of 1 mark out of your earned score. It means if you mark 3 correct and 3 incorrect, you will score only 6 marks.

On the other hand, while answering Non-MCQs and typing a wrong answer on computer screen, although you are not entitled for 3 marks assigned for the correct answer, you will not be imposed any penalty of negative marking also. If you mark 3 MCQs correct and 3 non-MCQs incorrect (which you will not, if you are serious enough) you will score 9 marks without losing any credit for incorrect answers to non-MCQs.

Give a shot to your percentile: Prepare well
To get the benefit of full weightage in Non-MCQs, you have to prepare well the topics without leaving anything to chance, says Prof S K Agarwal, expert on Verbal Ability and mentor on CAT 2015 preparation. According to him the 3 important aspects of preparation for Non-MCQs are - in-depth study of concept; good deal of practice and taking more mocks followed by error analysis. If you can follow this strategy, you will sure win the race.

Another important point is to do away with the habit of jumping to answer options without reading and attempting the questions. Since answers to Non-MCQs in CAT 2015 will need to be written in the short given space on computer screen by using the key board, this habit of scanning the answer options first may prove detrimental as there will be none and you will end up wasting your time only.

The best way to improve your reading speed is to concentrate on the question, solve it and write the answer. Once you do this exercise, you may get your answer checked and in case of any error, practice more with a view not to recur the mistake.

Every section to have Non-MCQs
With the introduction of 3rd DILR section comprising 32 questions in CAT 2015, the exam will now have 3 sections instead of 2. In each of the 3 sections there will be a few Non-MCQs in a range of 4 to 6.

CAT Centre 2015 will be sharing the format of probable type of Non MCQ questions expected to appear in CAT 2015 exam through the practice test proposed to be made available in the middle of October, 2015. IIM Ahmedabad in partnership with testing agency TCS is convening CAT 2015 on November 29, 2015 and has introduced many innovative changes like introduction of Non-MCQ type questions in the exam.

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