What is CAT?

CAT/ MBA is one of the toughest management entrance examinations in India. This is conducted by SEVEN IIM (Indian Institute of Management). More than 2 Lakhs of students take CAT every year, but only 1700 (approx) get selected in IIMs. They become cream de la cream of the country. They become demigod in business world with passing years. They get Unimaginable Pay packets which a normal mortal can only dream of.

Almost all the careers get affected when recession hits that sector. But an MBA from IIM is something different. It's an evergreen degree, which helps in whatever you do, wherever you do and however you do. Young Students aspire for doing an MBA from IIMs because they get an opportunity to live their dream.

Why CAT is TOUGH?

It is one of the toughest examinations in India. Toughness of CAT lies in the time constraints and the type of problem asked. Normally,IN PAST CAT comprises of 165-175 problems, which is to be solved in 120 minutes (2 hours). If we try to find out the allocated time per question then it comes to roughly 40 seconds. If there is no time constraint then any normal student can solve the paper. The complexity arises when all this is constrained by time. One is required to take care of negative marking and sectional cut-offs as well.

CAT is Tough because it is

Unpredictable

CAT pattern is not predictable. One year there might be four sections while another year there might be three sections only. One year there may be sectional timing restrictions whereas another year there might not be any restrictions at all. One year the Quantitative Aptitude may be very lengthy whereas another year RC might be tough. And in between a year may come when all sections are easy. It's difficult to predict it. Due to this very nature of CAT, students are unable to decide their preparation strategy and choice of coaching Institutes.

Lengthy

CAT paper is normally lengthy. The questions are asked in long paragraphs, the language used cannot be termed simple therefore it is difficult to read and comprehend.

Difficult

CAT is difficult because it does not ask direct questions. The questions are put in such a way that it tests the ability of a student to apply the fundamentals to a given situation. In schools and colleges the students are exposed to direct questions. They are not taught the application of fundamentals. Therefore, most of the students find it difficult.

Sectional Cut-offs

Sectional cut-offs are another hiccup. CAT looks for all round performance. Every student has his strength or weakness. One might be good in one area and so-so in another area. Attempting only sections in which one is strong does not work in CAT. A student is required to show all round performance.

Negative Marks

It's an area of concern. If you are doing blind guessing, you are doomed. You will end up with negative score. No body knows the actual negative marks in CAT but it is assumed to be ¼.

Time Management

Given all the above factors time management becomes a Herculean task.

This means that you cannot sit upon your laurels, instead you need to work upon your weaker sections as well.

This is quite tough- "Doing what you hate doing".

A lot of planning is required if you want to make it to IIMs.

Syllabi:

The CAT (Common Admission Test) has become a mega affair in the field of management entrance examination and can be termed as the mother of all MBA entrance examination. Mainly it tests a student in Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation (DI), Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA). I have tried to provide you little more insight in each section.

Quantitative Ability (QA)

This section comprises of questions on Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, higher mathematics and reasoning.

Arithmetic

Number System Profit & Loss Time, Speed & Distance Boats & Stream Ratio Proportion & Variation Pipes & Cistern Allegation of Mixtures Clocks Calendars

Algebra

Set Theory Quadratic Equation Factorization Simultaneous Equation

Geometry

Line Angles Triangles Circle

Higher Math

Probability Permutation & Combination Maxima & Minima Progression Mensuration Height & Distance

Reasoning

• The questions asked are based on application of these concepts. They are designed to stress more on reasoning skills of the candidates rather than on their computational skills. But normally slow calculation & Reading speed of student play havoc.

• The level of difficulty of this section is perceived to be higher because the questions are lengthy to read and at times require more effort in terms of understanding and solving.

Data Interpretation (DI)

• As the name suggests, this section presents data to the candidate in forms such as Tables, Line Graphs, Bar Graphs, Venn Diagram, Pie Diagrams, Case lets etc and questions are set to evaluate the candidate's skill at analyzing the given information without the help of a calculator.

• It requires a lot of computational effort on student's part. He is required to perform addition of rows, addition of columns and find out averages, percentages to arrive at the answer. Like QA section, the questions are not direct.

• Data Sufficiency questions in this section are based on basic mathematics (at times Data Sufficiency is a part of the Quantitative Ability section).

Reading Comprehension (RC)

• CAT usually has 6-8 passages in the RC section, with an overall length of 4500-5500 words and about 50 questions to answer in a span of about 30 minutes. However this too can vary according to the level of difficulty of questions. For example CAT'99 had only 28questions to be answered in this section.

• The type of passages includes scientific, philosophical, historical, fact based etc.

• One passage may contain 4 to 8 questions.

• Te language of the passages is a bee wit difficult and comprehension may require reading and re-reading of the passages.

• Most of the time questions are not direct. Students are required to deduce the inference. Only some times you will get direct questions where it looks for facts.

Verbal Ability (VA)

• This section explores your understanding of the English Language and also tests you on Reasoning Skills.

• Questions on Verbal ability are asked in two formats viz. vocabulary based and grammar based questions.

• Questions on vocabulary would not be straight synonyms or antonyms. The types of questions would be either odd word out, analogies, fill in the blanks or any other innovative type.

• Grammar is tested either through sentence correction, error identification or fill in the blanks.