The perceptible changes adopted both in structural and content level in CAT 2015 are only the glimpses of the evolutionary process though which computer based Common Admission Test is still going. From one day single session CAT to 20 day 2 session and again going back from the 40 sessions to 2 sessions, CAT 2015 settles for one day exam. Another feature of CAT is while you come to know the structural changes with the release of notification and opening of registration process, you do not get acquainted well about the content level changes in exam format till the practice test for CAT is out.
For the last many years CAT has had 2 sections. Now suddenly they have become 3; there were no questions without answer options but in CAT 2015 you are going to have a good number of Non-MCQs in each of the 3 sections. You will have to solve these questions and will have to write their answers in the space provided on the computer screen.
No MBA entrance test has gone through so many changes as CAT has gone. However, as CAT 2015 opens the gates to IIMs and other top rated B schools despite these changes and surprises, varying number of questions, changing pattern and composition, CAT 2015 will again be the aspirants’ most favourite of all the MBA/PGDM entrance tests conducted in the country. No other test than CAT gets around 2 lakhs registrations despite its high level of difficulty.
CAT in 90s was single day affair
The single day CAT that used to contain 240 questions in 1990 had to be solved in 120 minutes. While the single day CAT continued till 2008, the time to attempt the test and number of questions continued changing from year to year. However, CAT remained an efficiently managed paper pencil based test till 2008. There were fewer testing centres than now, across India which contributed to glorify this top rated MBA entrance test
In 2006 & 2007, CAT had 75 questions equally divided in 3 sections of Quant, DI & LR, and Verbal Ability. Number of questions was again increased to 90 in 2008 while the paper pencil mode of CAT continued. CAT aspirants thought as if CAT was going back to higher number of questions but CAT had other plans and in 2009 the test went green throwing more surprises and technical glitches in its first year of computer based test.
Switching from single day paper pencil based CAT in 2008, the test adopted 11 days computer based testing window in 2009. CAT 2009 convening IIM Ahmedabad in partnership with newly appointed testing agency Prometric had to bear the brunt of poorly organized CAT 2009.
Those who appeared in CAT 2008 and planned to appear in CAT 2009 felt the heat of changed pattern of CAT. The test takers had to go through number of technical glitches and at some testing centres CAT continued from morning till evening without moving on for next session in the day. The problem was so severe that Ministry of HRD called for the detailed report from the CAT convener Prof Satish Deodhar of IIM Ahmedabad. Second phase of the test had to be conducted in the month of January 2010 for those who couldn’t attempt their test due to these technical problems.
Questions in CAT reduced since 2009
The first computer based test CAT 2009 had 60 questions divided in 3 sections. While Quant and Verbal had 2 separate sections with 20 questions each, DI & LR were clubbed into one section comprising 20 questions. The trend with 3 sections and 60 questions continued in CAT 2010 also. The testing window days were increased from 11 to 20 to give more leverage to CAT 2010 aspirants. However, 2010 didn’t see so many technical problems and CAT aspirants were also not mentally tortured as in CAT 2009
2 sections since CAT 2011
CAT 2011changed its face by switching from 3 sections to 2 sections. The testing window that began on October 22, continued till November 18, 2011. The section of DI & LR was split. While Data interpretation part was merged with Quant, Logical Reasoning found the place in Verbal Ability section. Number of questions remained 60 with 30 in each section.
In 2012, CAT had a testing window from October 11, 2012 to November 6, 2012. There were however, 2 sections with 60 questions as were present in CAT 2011. But CAT 2012 sprang up with surprise questions like ‘out of context sentence in a paragraph’ the challenge was again accepted by the aspirants and they adapted themselves to such unanticipated level of difficulty.
CAT remained stabilized till 2013
CAT 2013 increased test sessions to 40 in 20 day testing window. The Computer Based test (CBT) began on October 16 and continued till November 11, 2013. Number of questions remained the same but surprise element of CAT 2012 was repeated in CAT 2013. Ironically CAT 2013 despite being a smooth CAT season was confronted with scaling/equating normalization of scores issue.
CAT 2014; journey to past began
With the change in testing agency from Prometric to TCS in CAT 2014, the exam began its journey to the pristine glory as CAT 2014 was conducted in 4 sessions in 2 days on November 16 and 22, 2014.
This journey continued and in CAT 2015 the exam will be confined to one day 2 sessions only. It will not be surprising, if you see the next CAT in 2016 as a single session exam completing the full circle of its journey wherefrom its started 7 years back.
CAT 2015: Changed to 3 sections; circle complete
In 2014 CAT increased the number of questions from 60 to 100 while keeping the structure of 2 sections intact. However CAT 2015 has entirely changed the structure as well as the contents.
Although the number of questions in CAT 2015 will remain 100, the test will be divided in 3 sections instead of 2 in CAT 2014. The first section on Quant questions will have 34 questions followed by new second section with 32 DILR questions. The third VRC section will comprise only 34 Verbal Ability and RC questions.
Sectional time limit re-introduced
The sectional time limit removed in CAT 2014 has been reintroduced and in CAT 2015 test takers will be allowed to attempt the exam in the pre arranged order of sections. The exam will have the Quant questions in the beginning section with 60 minutes to solve each section. You will not be allowed to visit other section before the completion of 60 minutes as your computer screen will remain fixed to the particular section you are solving.
You will neither be allowed to go back to earlier section nor can you go to next section. All the 60 minutes will have to be spent to the current section.
While the change in pattern is again a challenge before the CAT 2015 aspirants, another feature in CAT 2015 is that now the support from DILR questions in Quant or Verbal section will not be available as these sub parts form a new section. Not only this, you will have to score the minimum prescribed percentile in this section apart from other 2 sections to get shortlisted by an IIM. In fact candidates in earlier CAT exams focused more on Quant and VARC and spent very less time on DILR. But now this section also calls for concerted preparation strategy.
Non-MCQs: Gateway to success
The new added feature in CAT 2015 is Non-MCQs. The CAT 2015 test taker should be happy to know that each of the 3 sections will have this type of questions in exam. You will have to write the answers of these questions in the given space on the computer screen.
Why to be happy? Because these questions will not attract any negative marking. So even if your answer is wrong, no penalty will be imposed upon you by deducting the one third marks from your credit score.
If you are not confused, if you know the concept well and have practiced well, just solve and type the answer on computer screen. IIM Ahmedabad the CAT 2015 convening IIM has introduced Non-MCQs to increase the academic diversity in IIM Class rooms.
CAT 2016: single day single session exam
With the consistent evolution of CAT in a circular form and its nature of throwing successive surprises, it won’t be out of place, if it goes back to its old pattern of limiting the CAT 2016 in a single day, single session with more number of questions without any increase in duration.
This could happen once CAT 2015 passes off successfully and without any technical glitches which can be considered as the only obstacle to organize CAT in a single session - single day.
Please remember CAT was organized in a single day without any problem even when it was paper pencil based, the process required more manual intervention and more efficient administration. Now when CAT is computer based test and requires lesser administrative interference, it can be organized more efficiently in a single day.
CAT 2015 at 650 test venues
The need to have more test centres and test labs has been addressed in CAT 2015 as the exam will be conducted in 136 testing cities with 650 testing venues. This will further reduce the financial burden since the expenses will be a bit less; will reduce the time taken in declaration of results and will also not pose any difficulty in scaling/equating of scores.
Single day CAT 2015: Impact on test takers
The impact is again on the test takers which they will accept in the same spirit as they have always done with a slight modification in their preparation strategy. With a few expert tips they will surely adapt to this revised pattern.
Prof S K Agarwal, expert on CAT preparation is of the view that although these changes undoubtedly add to the difficulty level, they need a bit modified & innovative preparation strategy and require taking the different type of mocks.
CAT 2015 aspirants, raising the query whether they would be able to cope with the changed new pattern of CAT 2015 shouldn’t be worried. How can they come out with flying colours despite the revised CAT 2015 pattern, is shared for the benefit of CAT 2015 test takers by CAT verbal ability expert Prof S K Agarwal.
Although CAT 2015 has not yet shared the practice test on its site, it has already shared its intention to overhaul the test pattern by bringing about substantial changes by increasing the number of sections and number of questions in each section, total allotted time and testing window. Don’t forget to solve all the questions of CAT 2015 practice test going to be live in a month or so The good aspect is that you have additional 10 minutes as CAT 2015 has increased the test duration from 170 minutes to 180 minutes. The freedom to switch to either section without any time constraint during CAT 2014 was cited detrimental to improve the performance by many test takers as they stuck to their preferred area of study and could wake up when the time remained quite short of attempting questions in other section. The time constraint of 60 minutes allotted tyo each section aims to do away with this problem.
You will also need to practice more as the need is to have more concentration to drain your brain for continuously 180 minutes without break.
With IIM Ahmedabad convening CAT 2015, please understand well that in CAT 2015 difficulty level will not be low and even MCQs may be found on different pattern. A good practice of non-MCQs is also required. So practice more on all the topics. In CAT 2015 with more number of sections and clear division of questions, you will have the option of choosing more questions from more topics.
Related Article
CAT 2015: DILR section to be the game changer; 32 questions in 60 minutes to have Non MCQs also
Puzzled! How to synchronise CAT 2015 & IIFT 2015 preparation; expert advice
CAT 2015: Girls get priority in test centre allocation; female candidate number may shoot up in IIMs
CAT 2015: No need to rush for registration but avoid last few days - CAT Convener
CAT 2015: 'Starting early is the key' success mantra by Karan Shah, CAT topper
CAT 2015: Section Comparison between two and three; know why need to put-in extra effort
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more preparation tips on CAT 2015
