The number of Non Multiple Choice Questions as revealed in the CAT 2015 sample test released by IIM Ahmedabad on October 29, 2015 comes to 28 questions spread over the 3 sections. It is expected that the same number of Non-MCQs would appear in the exam, although the slight sectional variation in their number may occur.
Before releasing the CAT 2015 sample test, CAT Centre 2015 shied away from revealing the expected number of Non-MCQs in CAT 2015. However the CAT Centre 2015 has clarified on the scoring pattern for non-MCQs ‘For questions other than MCQs, 3 marks are assigned for ‘correct answer’ and no marks for wrong or no attempt’.
While making the guesses on the expected type and number of Non-MCQs in CAT 2015, it was contemplated that their number would not be more than 15 to 18 in the entire question paper. But now the number has grown significantly and any laxity in their preparation level could reduce your percentile from 99 to 69, please remember.
Section wise division of Non-MCQs
It is expected that Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), the first section of CAT 2015 will have 10 Non-MCQs out of total 34 questions; Data Interpretation and Logical reasoning (DILR), the second section with 32 questions would have 8 Non-MCQs and the third and last section Quantitative Ability (Quant) will have 10 Non-MCQs out of total 34 questions.
If we try to calculate, DILR section has 25% non-MCQs; VARC and Quant taken together propose to have 29% non-MCQs in CAT 2015
Add 84 marks to your raw score
Total maximum marks that you can score in CAT 2015 are 300, if you crack all the 100 questions correct with 100% accuracy. Out of this 84 marks will come to you from Non-MCQs only.
Now think of the score and the percentile that you can add, if you can solve with accuracy these 28 Non-MCQs in CAT 2015 on November 29, 2015. An addition of 28% marks with 84 more marks can improve your percentile from 69 to 99 or can reduce it by the same standard, if you attempt them casually.
Extra muscle to prepare and attempt
With no penalty of negative marking for wrong answer to Non-MCQs, candidates should understand the negative effect of non-serious preparation for these type of questions. CAT toppers and experts alike suggest that to score high in Non-MCQs it is very much necessary to prepare the fundamentals and concept of the topic as without proper understanding you will end up putting a wrong answer in the given space on computer screen.
Be careful: Write answer, not mark
You will be required to choose the right answer option out of the given options to a non-MCQ. Instead of clicking at the number of the answer option like A, B, C, D or 1, 2, 3, 4 to mark your answer, you will have to key in the correct answer out of the 4 options that you think is right.
You will have to be careful while writing your answer option on the screen as the options would be close ones and in case you write anything even slightly different to the given choices, your answer goes wrong, although it won’t attract negative penalty but will also not get you any credit and will result in loss of marks due to little carelessness.
Good Opportunity: Utilize
With the introduction of 3rd DILR section lying between VARC and Quant sections, with 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 minimum 8 to 10 Non-MCQs carrying equal marks. The number of Non-MCQs that you attempt in CAT 2015, will sure fetch you additional marks without any fear of losing the marks due to wrong answers. This is a twin opportunity to score high since the answer options are given like MCQs but you don’t lose due to negative marking even if you write a wrong answer.
Expert’s advice
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 on the lines of CAT 2015 sample test followed by error analysis. If you can follow this strategy, you will sure win the race.
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