Most Competitive exam CAT goes Online

The CAT exam which is used for admissions by most of the MBA institutes in India and most importantly IIM’s is going online. This move was contemplated in 2008 but, it will be implemented from 2009. CAT 2009 will be a computer based test with a window of 10 days to choose from.
Students will book a slot in the designated 10 days and give the exam. 250000 students took the exam in 2008. That is some serious number and poses a large logistical challenge. Not as big as the electronic voting machines but a challenge which needs computers and Internet connection.
Students in most of the metros and to-be metros will not have a problem. But, students who are far from cities, computers and Internet might have a problem. No other details are available on how the CAT administrators will meet the new challenges.
Coming to the format of the CAT, the standard of paper CAT is not suited for a computer based test. Paper CAT is tough and requires a lot of calculations. The same thing cannot be reproduced with a computer based test. I am expecting the test makers will look into this and tweak the format accordingly.GRE and GMAT use a bin of questions and present the questions randomly to the test takers. The questions are recycled and so are the bins. Will the same strategy be used by CAT is something to be seen. There are pros and cons for the strategy. Lets see how IIM goes arround with this stratergy. The cost would also go up as it is computerized. GMAT and GRE are arround Rs 10,000 and the numer of people giving CAT also is huge.

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Tips to win group discussions

The group discussion stage forms an integral part of the admission process to most IIMs. It tests you on several aspects. The GD is an excellent platform for you to showcase your communication skills, reasoning ability, ability to be a team player and also your leadership qualities. All of these are essential in order to be a good manager.
The weightage that the GD carries in your final admission decision is also significant, ranging from 15-20%. More importantly, the GD is your first opportunity to make an impression on the panel that will be interviewing you later. First impressions always count, and you don't want the panel to have any negative preconceived notions about you.
The GD can follow any of several formats. Usually, the groups are of 8-11 people. The topic is given at the start. At this point, the panel may ask you to write on the topic for 5-10 minutes and then discuss it, or to gather your thoughts for a couple of minutes and then start. In either case, there is absolutely no excuse for not carrying a pen and paper into the GD room. If you are required to start after a couple of minutes, quickly jot down some points that seem relevant to you. Concentrate on thinking of as many points as you can at this point instead of trying to frame the points in your best language. If you have more time, you can present the points in a more coherent fashion. However, remember that substance is always more important than style. This does not, of course, mean that you should write abbreviations, sms-language, or use poor grammar, but there is no point in being unnecessarily verbose.

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Tip from CAT Topper

Very honestly, there is no one success mantra to crack CAT," says a CAT topper.
He knew what his weaknesses were and worked methodically to tackle it.
"Of the three CAT sections I was weakest in the verbal section. I realised this very early," he says.
Shantanu scored 84 out of 160 in English. In maths and logic & data interpretation he scored 80 and 46 respectively out of 100.
He received calls from all seven Indian Institutes of Management and will begin preparing for the group discussion and personal interview in about a week's time.
"The past few days have been a blur of excitement and jubilation," he says, overwhelmed by the attention.
At the outset he will read about current affairs from newspapers, magazines and whatever else he can lay his hands on. He says he loves to read about sport as well as fiction.

Having been born and brought up near Mumbai, cricket is his favourite game and his favourite player is obviously Mumbai Badshah Sachin Tendulkar.
He believes one must be honest to himself during the group discussion and personal interview.
"Being honest and sincere has helped a lot whenever I have given a personal interview. The person across the table appreciates your point of view," he explains.

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CAT 2008 results

Click Here for Results

Best of Luck to All

The results of CAT 2008 are available on the cat website: www.catiim.in. The scores can be accessed by keying in the test registration number and either the date of birth (preferred) or the cat application number.
CAT-takers can also access their CAT-2008 scores by using SMS facility of mobile phones. For SMS, candidate can type ?CAT test registration number date of birth (ddmmyy)? or ?CAT test registration number application number? for example: ?CAT 5370082 030482? or ?CAT 5370082 123456? and SMS to ? 57333

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Other Exams

CAT 2008 may not have gone well, not to worry many exams are on the way SNAP is scheduled on December 21, 2008 and would be an objective type test of two hours duration carrying a total of 180 marks. Each question has four responses. The test has four sections. The General English section (40 marks) comprises questions on Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Verbal Ability; Quantitative, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency section carries 40 marks as does the General Awareness section with questions on General Knowledge, Current Affairs and Business Scenario, while the Analytical and Logical Reasoning section carries 60 marks. Deadline: Nov 25, 2008 XAT 2009 on January 4, 2009 would be used by more than 60 management institutes for short listing applicants for their MBA programmes. XAT consists of a two-hour multiple choice type test followed by an essay test of 20 minutes duration. Visit www.xlri.edu or www.xlri.ac.in for details of the application procedure. Deadline: Nov 30, 2008 [issue of XAT Bulletin and XLRI Prospectus) FMS Admission Test on January 11, 2009 will have objective type multiple choice questions to assess English usage and reading comprehension, quantitative aptitude, logical and analytical reasoning skills. Online registration can be done at www.fms.edu

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Detailed Analysis of CAT

The Data Interpretation (DI) section looked deceptively simple. Unlike last year CAT, DI was relatively tougher this year. There were 25 questions in DI just like the previous two years. Surprisingly, questions based on logical reasoning were back after a gap of five years. Students would have been delighted to see the questions based on logical reasoning which were very simple; however there were only three questions from the set. The set based on six teams playing in two stages was also very easy and hence another four questions from this set could have been solved easily.
Quantitative Aptitude, on the other hand was relatively simpler than data interpretation. There were 25 questions again in this section. For the first time, some questions looked familiar and there was a sense of déjà vu . The question on the last two digits of seven raised to 2008 was a sitter.
There were two questions based on data sufficiency, which were time consuming. There was a direct question from time, speed and distance. The question on five horses participating in a race was tricky and there was high risk of missing out some cases while solving. There were at least 10 easy questions in this section which could have been easily solved.
Test takers comfortable with math would have found this section easy and scoring. The section this time covered almost all topics from maths like arithmetic, algebra, geometry and modern maths unlike last year where there were hardly any questions from geometry and arithmetic. Those who were pining to score from DI would have been disappointed as the quantitative section was relatively easier than DI.
Expected cut offs for both the sections could range between 32-35.
Verbal Ability had a good representation of usage/ verbal reasoning and reading/ comprehension questions. The time allocation for this section, despite the increased number, need not have veered away from the normal one-third, i.e approximately 50 minutes. This was because the reading, comprehension passages were of a much simpler level than those of CAT 2006 and CAT 2007. The topics ranged from a personal narrative to humanities to art. Questions were mainly direct and were a fair bet by virtue of their unambiguous structure. The passage on the ice cream cone was eminently doable and safe attempts would have been three out of five. Similarly, the passage on language had short, crisp answer choices. All that was required was an understanding of the view of the author.
The highlighted words that first made their appearance in CAT 2007 were back. At least two questions could have been safely attempted with a reasonable knowledge of usage. The question type ‘Identify the incorrect sentence’ was slippery territory as it required the test taker to know spelling and punctuation in addition to logical consistency. ‘Double Fill in the blanks’ made a comeback after a couple of years in hibernation. One had to know what ‘disingenuous’ meant and that ‘victims’ and ‘perpetrators’ were at opposite ends of the spectrum and not ‘exploiters’ and ‘perpetrators’.
Fair attempts in this section would range between 18-20 and the cut offs in the range of 46-49.
In the final analysis, test takers employ their strategies based on their areas of strength and weaknesses. The emphasis is still on good old reasoning and cool headedness. CAT 2008 has lived up to its promise of a demand from the test taker of a heady combination of subject matter proficiency, a calm and collected approach and deployment of reasoning.

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CAT 2008 General Post Analysis

Analysing the paper post CAT always involves a lot of heartburn but a post mortem sure helps MBA aspirants to evolve future strategies and avoid silly mistakes. After all success on the CAT is a function of selecting the right question, time management and D-Day dynamics. Every year, test-takers attempt the CAT as an aspirational tool to reach the portals of the prestigious B Schools. The surprise element in the CAT has become a sine qua non nowadays and this year too saw the playing out of the unpredictable element! Though the traditional threesection format was retained and the marking system remained the same, what was different was that it was a 360-mark paper with increased weightage given to Verbal Ability. Thus, out of a total of 90 questions, 25 pertained to Quantitative Ability, 25 pertained to Data Interpretation and 40 to Verbal Ability [English]. The rationale underlying this move on the part of the IIMs could be to affirm the fact that basic reading and interpretative skills combined with knowledge of elements of usage are indispensable for effective managerial skills.

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Cut Offs and your Colleges

Quant Expected Cut-offs - 34-37 (Out of 100)
DI Expected Cut-offs - 32-35 (Out of 100)
VA Expected Cut-offs - 48-52 (Out of 160)
OVERALL Cut-Offs :
To get 1 call : 126+

To get 2-3 calls : 134+

MDI,SP Jain : 110+

IMT,NITIE 105+

Other A class B-schools : 100+

CAT 2009 : >100

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CAT 2008 Analysis

CAT paper was surprise for us with 90 questions,25 in quants,25 in di and 40 in va.

4 marks for right and with 1/4 negative marking.

quants was easier than previous exams. DI,there were some calculation work more Wish it could have replaced quants questions were on data suffiency,bar graphs,matches played and percentage based.

Took longer time to attemptVA 4 RCs were there but not too long 1s.More of vocab based questions and correct english based questions

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CAT 2008 Answer Key

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CAT Exam Day Tips

As you prepare for the final countdown to CAT, here are some tips to keep in mind as you take the exam.How to beginYou will be given the Question Booklet in the beginning and have some time to read it and go through the instructions. Go through the instructions in the booklet very carefully for it will give you information on various topicsScanning the paperScanning the paper is the most important thing to do in the beginning, as soon as you get the CAT paper. Spend at least the first three to five minutes glancing through the paper at the outset. Try to quickly grasp how many sections, number of questions in each section, what are the kinds of question sets, the marking system (is there differential marking or not: ie some questions may have two marks and some may be of on emark etc). This should play an important role in deciding your strategy. Deciding your final strategyIt is only after you scan the paper that you can decide your final strategy. This will include all the following: How many questions you wish to attempt and try to solve What you think the expected cut-off will be. Remember, the marking system is relative -- this means that it is does not matter whether the paper is easy or difficult. Whatever the nature of the paper, the top one or two percentile of students will get a call. The easier the paper, the higher the expected cut-off in each section. Thus you will have to make a quick call on how many questions you should attempt in the given time limit to clear the cut-offs and further maximise your score. It is here that all the mock-tests and practice CATs will help -- in estimating both sectional and overall cut-offs. Attempting the paperMake sure you are conscious of time: It is amazing how often students get so involved in the paper that they lose track of time and suddenly realise that they have far exceeded the time they allocated for a given section! Try to stick to your strategy: Don't let panic make you forget your strategy. If you find a particular section extremely difficult, remember that it is so for everybody and hence there is no need for you to panic and forget your basics. Make sure you have planned correctly: Attempt the paper in a smart manner. Some types of questions, such as Reading Comprehension and Analytical Reasoning may require your mind to concentrate intensely and without too much time pressure. Do not leave such types of questions for the end when you are likely to be mentally tired and exhausted. Accuracy: Accuracy is of paramount importance in business school entrance exams. This is because most exams have negative marking for incorrect answers. Candidates should attempt to have accuracy levels of close to 80 percent overall. Strategies for questionsUse the answer choices for solving some questions. Some questions in the Quantitative Ability section can be solved by using the various answer options -- always watch out for these. Locate the sitters: Every section has some fairly easy, straightforward questions that are termed as 'sitters'. If you have practiced regularly, you will find these easy to solve. Look out for these while attempting the paper-it is here that the initial scan of the examination question paper before you start attempting it should help. Make sure you do the questions that give the maximum return for your time: You have to spend whatever time you have on hand in the most profitable manner possible. This may mean doing the questions that take the least time to solve individually or doing sets of 'linked questions' or caselets. While solving these may take time, you get the answers to a set of 3-4 questions and hence more marks once the problem is solved. Watch out very carefully for the 'speed breaker' questions in the CAT exam. Such questions can end up wasting your time as they may take too long to solve. Questions on Vocabulary, GK/ Current Affairs: Make sure you attempt the questions on Vocabulary and General/ Business Awareness or Current Affairs (for the examinations that have such questions like MAT, SNAP etc) as these questions take the least time to solve individually. It should not take you more than 10 seconds to do each individual question on General Awareness -- either you know the answer or you don't, you do not have to solve anything!Other tips~ Make sure you are marking the answers on your OMR sheet periodically while solving the questions. If you leave this for the end when there is no time left, you may make a mistake and circle the wrong option even though you have marked the correct answer on your question booklet!~ Make sure that all the circles you make are made properly -- circles must be darkened completely and there should be no stray pencil or pen marks on your OMR sheet.

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CAT FAQ 2

Do I get negative marks even for questions that I do not attempt at all?

No. Questions that you do not attempt at all will not attract negative marks. Only questions that you have attempted and got wrong will attract negative marks.

Should I send mark lists of each semester along with the CAT application form?

You need to attach a copy of mark sheet indicating percedegree education has been completed, or the latest available mark sheet in case you are in the final year. ntage marks scored in graduation if your

Should I start applying to other institutes also or should I wait?

You can start applying to institutes once they start accepting applications.

How many institutes should I target?

The cardinal principle is that to safeguard your interests and reduce your risk, you should apply to institutes in at least three different categories. The categories will themselves depend on your position in the Mock CATs that you are writing.

Let us say that you have decided to apply to seven institutes. First, check where you stand in your AIMCAT scores. What is your percentile score?

Let us say you are in 85-95 percentile in TIME AIMCATs. Then apart from the IIMs, you will need to apply to three institutes in A+ category and two institutes in A category.

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CAT, India FAQs- 1

As this is the CAT month, AIM MBA has brought to you FAQs of CAT answered by TIME . This is special FAQs Post, Divided in 2 parts

1.What is the duration of the CAT?
The actual time for answering the question paper is two and half hours.

2.Is there a minimum cut-off in each section of the CAT paper?
You should remember that CAT is used as an admission test by more than 100 institutes including the IIMs. And the CAT score is just one of the components of the admission process for most of the institutes. Some of these institutes (including the IIMs) expect you to cross a cut-off mark in each section. But the cut-off marks themselves will differ from institute to institute. Further, a lot of institutes DO NOT have section-wise cut-offs for admission.

3.Can we get the question paper back with us after we write the CAT?

Yes, you can retain the test booklet after you complete the test.

4. Is there negative marking for wrong answers?

Every year, CAT has been awarding negative marks for incorrect answers.

5.What is the level of negative marks given for wrong answers?

On the basis of the analysis that we at TIME have done over the last 16 years (when the level of negative marks were not specified) as well as the information that has been released by the IIMs over the last couple of years, it is observed that when questions have four choices, one-third of the marks allotted to the question are deducted for wrong answers and when questions have five choices, one-fourth of the marks allotted to that questions are deducted.

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CAT 2008: What can one expect?

The only information disclosed by the IIMs so far is that the paper will be of 150 minutes and that there will be three sections akin to CAT 2006 and CAT 2007. To understand what one can expect to see in CAT 2008, one must understand the history of CAT. CAT has always bucked the trend and has consistently sprung surprises when students least expected it to.

Therefore, the best way to prepare for CAT 2008 is to go with an open mind and have a plan in place for any kind of paper that is given. Since the paper is given 10-15 minutes before the start of the exam, one can read through the directions on the cover page and prepare for the surprise in terms of the pattern, number of questions, and number of choices.

Source: Time

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