Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most sought after MBA entrance exams in the country. Aspirants looking forward to it must know the important dates, changes in exam pattern and the marking scheme.
Common Aptitude Test (CAT) is one of the most contemplated exams in India. This year it is scheduled on 29 November and is being conducted by IIM-Ahmedabad. The official notification of CAT 2015was a jolt to the aspirants as the pattern and the marking scheme changed. It left the students in doubt about their planned approach and strategies.
Pattern:
CAT 2014 had 100 multiple choice questions divided in two sections Quantitative aptitude and Data Interpretation, and Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning. The total time duration was 170 minutes. Further, the sections were not time bounded and one could switch between them. While, this year, there are three sections Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Also, all the questions are not objective type some of them are subjective type questions for which answers have to be written manually. Total time allotted is 180 minutes and navigation between the sections is not possible. So, even if one has attempted the section before time, they cannot move on to the next as per their wish. The candidates will also be allowed to use an on-screen calculator. Further, the Quantitative Aptitude and Verbal Ability are independent sections and the candidates need to score well in these sections for a better sectional and overall percentile. Equal weight is assigned to all the three sections.
Marking Scheme:
Candidates will be awarded +3 for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect answer while, there will be no negative marking for descriptive type questions. There is no addition or deduction of marks for un-attempted questions.
Important Dates:
CAT registrations began on 6 August, 2015 and the last date to apply is 20 September, 2015. Admit cards will be available from 15 October, 2015 and the results will be out in the second week of January 2016.
Other notifications:
CAT 2015 will be conducted in 136 cities across the country. More than 2lakh applicants are expected this year. Moreover, the female applicants are given a choice of centers so that it is easier for them to be available on the day of the exam.
Expected Cut-offs:
As the top colleges demanded 98+ percentile last year, the same is expected this year as well. Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) had the highest cutoff with 99+ percentile. Also, the new IIM’s had set cutoff as 96+ percentile. Thus, there will be a lot of competition this year. These cutoffs are just the qualifying factors; each college has their own final selection process.
Best ways to prepare for Logical Reasoning Section for CAT 2015
With around one and a half month left for CAT 2015, aspirants must gear up and focus on preparing well. Moreover, given the changes in the exam pattern one must be well-equipped with the sources to rely on and informed about the expected pattern and questions. Here, we elaborate on how to prepare well for acing the Logical Reasoning section.
CAT 2015 Preparation: Sources to Rely on
CAT 2015 is scheduled for November 29, 2015. With less than 80 days left for the exam aspirants must know the sources to rely on for an intact preparation strategy. Here are some of the best of sources one can depend on to prepare for the most sought after MBA exam.
