With CAT 2016 exam staying on exactly the same pattern as that of last year, it may prove to be more advantageous for the second chance takers as they have the experience of taking a fully revamped and modified CAT last year.
In fact CAT aspirants who appeared in the exam last year, whether experienced or freshers, got perplexed with a different type of question pattern, increased number of sections, re introduction of sectional time constraint, introduction of most tricky DILR section, facing new type of questions in Non-MCQ format among other factors.
However, since Prof Rajendra K. Bandi, Convener CAT 2016 and faculty at IIM Bangalore has preferred not to change anything in the structure and content in CAT 2016, the second timers will be at advantage and can devise their preparation plan and D-day strategy, in view of the exactly same exam pattern in CAT 2016.
CAT 2016 Notification reveals all
3 sections in same order as last year
The CAT 2016 notification has many sub-parts that are full of information. If you go through it carefully, you will find that CAT 2016 will have same 3 sections as were there last year. The sections according to notification are-
-- Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
-- Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
-- Section III: Quantitative Ability
Not only the sections are the same their order is also the same. Prior to last year CAT, the Quant used to be the first section followed by Verbal Ability. Since last year, this order has been changed and now Quant has become the last section in CAT.
The change in order also impacts a little adversely with Quant placed as the last section. Quant, in fact requires more calculation and is more formula based, by the time the test takers get the opportunity to attempt Quant section, they are exhausted.
CAT 2016 aspirants appearing for the first time will now need the strategy to prepare with a focus to attempt the Quant questions after 2 hours of mind boggling exercises on Verbal, DI and LR. This will help test takers to get good experience with hands on practice which will help in attempting more Quant questions with accuracy.
Those who appeared in CAT 2016 know it well and should move accordingly.
Presence of Non-MCQs
Non-MCQ types of questions were introduced for the first time in CAT last year. Those who appeared for the first time in CAT had to first understand how to deal with these questions.
A non-MCQ is not followed by answer options. You have to solve it and arrive at the correct answer and then type the answer in the given space on the computer screen.
When it was amply clear that Non-MCQs would not carry any negative marking for wrong answer, candidates resorted to solving them first to avoid time constraint.
28% Non-MCQs present last year
Without informing the expected number of non-MCQs, CAT 2016 Notification shares ‘The number of questions varies and cannot be disclosed’. Last year they carried substantial weightage of 28% in CAT. Out of 34 VARC and 34 Quant questions, there were 10 Non-MCQs in each of the 2 sections. The newly created DILR section with 32 questions also had 8 Non-MCQs.
Sharing that second timers in CAT 2016 would be at advantage, Prof S K Agarwal expert on Verbal Ability and mentor on CAT 2016 preparation, is of the view ‘those who are appearing for the second time in CAT 2016, they know very well that there is no fear of losing marks due to negative marking, even if your answer goes wrong in Non-MCQs’. According to CAT Centre 2016 “For questions other than MCQs, 3 marks are assigned for ‘correct answer’ and no marks for ‘incorrect answer or no attempt'.”
Managing the sectional time limit
The sectional time constraint to attempt one section within allotted time was removed in 2014. It was again introduced in 2015 and will continue in CAT 2016. CAT 2016 will probably the only exam which has this sectional time limit. The biggest disadvantage of imposing sectional time limit is that you cannot utilize your time saved from one section to solve questions in other section.
The candidates who appeared in last year CAT however, have learnt how to best utlize the sectional time limit to its optimum level. They maximise their attempts to score more marks as they have to remain to same section during the sectional time of 1 hour.
Picking the right questions
Like last year, this year also, all the sections in CAT 2016 will consist of MCQs and Non-MCQs. Those who appeared in CAT last year preferred to attempt Non-MCQs first beginning with first section on VARC.
After that you should move to the MCQs of your choice – preferably from easy to difficult. The key advice of past CAT takers and Prof S k Agarwal, expert on CAT preparation is, not to take any question as a challenge and don’t get tempted to attempt more MCQs unless you are sure of the outcome else you will lose substantial chunk of percentile due to negative marking in MCQs.
It should be noted that you have to begin with first section. CAT Centre 2016 clarifies “You must answer the sections in a pre-specified order and this order will remain same for all the candidates.”
It implies that you cannot attempt any section first but have to move from first section to second and third section according to the order of sections in CAT 2016.
No change in CAT 2016 scoring pattern
All the questions whether MCQs or Non-MCQs in CAT 2016 will carry equal 3 marks. According to CAT Centre 2016 “For questions other than MCQs, 3 marks are assigned for ‘correct answer’ and no marks for ‘incorrect answer or no attempt'. The scoring scheme for Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) is as follows: Each correct answer is awarded 3 marks; An incorrect answer fetches -1; No marks are given or deducted for un-attempted questions.”
Registration for CAT 2016 will start at 10AM on Monday August 8 and the computer based CAT 2016 will be held on Sunday December 4, 2016 in forenoon and afternoon sessions. This is the first time after computerization of CAT in 2009, that the exam is conducted beyond the month of November.
Common Admission Test (CAT) 2016 gateway to IIMs is not going to be a cake-walk for the aspirants. Despite no changes in the exam pattern, it is expected that the exam may turn out to be more difficult. Anticipating a higher difficulty CAT 2016, the admission policy announced by IIM Ahmedabad has reduced its minimum qualifying percentile for 1st stage shortlisting from 90 to 80 for admission to PGP 2017-19 batch.
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Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on CAT 2016
