With the change in weightage to MCQs and non-MCQs in VRC section and scoring pattern in CAT 2015, it would be better to revise your preparation strategy accordingly to aim for a high score in modified CAT 2015 is the specific advice from Prof S K Agarwal Verbal Ability expert and mentor on CAT 2015 preparation. Since CAT 2015 is going to be convened by IIM Ahmedabad on November 29, 2015, less than 90 days remain to prepare, practice, analyse and update the accuracy level for the exam.
Common Admission Test (CAT) 2015 will be convened by IIM Ahmedabad in a single day 2 sessions on November 29, 2015 in 136 test cities at 650 test venues. CAT 2015 is the gateway to pursue MBA from 19 IIMs and top rated non-IIM Business schools like FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IMI, IMT, NITIE, JBIMS, BIMTECH, TAPMI, Great Lakes among others.
It is expected that around 55000 candidates will be shortlisted by IIMs only for next phase of admission round to offer admission to 5000 candidates in 2016. In all it is expected that about 25000 to 30000 CAT 2015 takers will get final admission offers from highly ranked B-schools on the basis of their CAT 2015 scores, academic profile, work experience, academic diversity and gender diversity. Each IIM awards different weightage to above parameters.
Another important point is that only domestic job market is expected to grow by billions of dollars in next 2 years and the placement for MBAs in 2018, after you complete your MBA, is also expected to be more than doubled by then. With the rise in e-commerce and online retail business, thousands of MBAs would be getting absorbed in this segment only with lucrative placement packages.
Take the decision now, whether to continue struggling at a low job profile or prepare hard for CAT 2015 to become a leader after completing your MBA from top rated B-school.
Modify the prep strategy as per 3 sections in CAT 2015
There will be 3 sections in CAT 2015 instead of 2 as were there in earlier CAT exams. There will be 100 questions in all. The first section on Quant will have 34 questions, the second section on DILR will have 32 questions, and the third section on VRC will have 34 questions. There will be individual time limit of 60 minutes to attempt each section. You will not be allowed to move from once section to other unless the time limit for the current section is over.
Be prepared to concentrate on the section well and target the questions in which you have better clarity of concept.
How to proceed for VRC with no LR in the section
The VRC section with 34 questions will comprise Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) as well as Non-MCQs on English Verbal Ability and 4 RC passages without any question on Logical Reasoning. While each of 34 questions will carry the maximum credit of 3 marks, the weightage changes on MCQs and Non-MCQs.
According to Prof S K Agarwal Verbal Ability expert a wrong answer to the MCQ will attract a penalty of one third mark but wrong answer to non-MCQ will not be imposed with any penalty. The number of Non-MCQs in VRC section are expected in the range of 5 to 7 in CAT 2015.
Attempt Non-MCQs first; prepare accordingly
If you adopt the strategy of reading the topic concept first, attempt variety of practice questions; analyse the shortcomings and improve your speed with accuracy, it will be better to attempt the non-MCQs first in VRC section as unlike Quant and other topics, you can arrive at the answerfaster and write it in the space provided on the computer screen. The questions on correction of errors, vocabulary based or the Non-MCQ based on RC passage can be solved without confusion if there are no close choice answer options.
If you are able to solve even 4 out of 7 correct, you will get a credit score of 12 marks which will increase your percentile by more than 20. On the top of it, there is no fear of any negative marking for the wrong answers of Non-MCQs.
You have to prepare in the manner that conceptual clarity on error correction, vocabulary, Reading comprehension, paragraph summary, FIJs, Jumbled paragraphs should come to you.
If you have the habit of jumping to answer options even before properly reading and understanding the question, please give it up and avoid temptation of visiting the answers first.
Segmentalize the VRC to prepare better
There are number of segments and topics on which questions may or may not be asked in CAT 2015. While CAT 2014 had no question on Vocabulary, it can find place again in CAT 2015. It is therefore advised not to leave anything to chance.
Segmentalise VRC in following areas and prepare well-
1. Sentence correction/ error correction on Grammar/Vocabulary words
2. FIJ (Fact, Inference, Judgement)
3.Contextual usage of vocabulary
4.Para Summary
5. Grammar/phrases/Fill in the blanks
6. Parajumbles/Out of context sentence
7. Reading comprehension
For the past many years, CAT has been awarding maximum weightage to RC passages and with no questions on Logical Reasoning (LR) in VRC section in CAT 2015, you may expect more number of RC questions. Better to improve your reading speed with understanding.
None of the candidates solve all the questions fearing imposition of penalty marks. As such a candidate armed with the accurate solution of 24-28 questions can get 99+ percentile in this section.
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