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CAT(Common Aptitude Test)
The Common Admission Test to the six IIMs is also the entrance test for few other
top B-Schools such as SP Jain, MICA, and T A Pai. CAT tests your skills in five
broad areas viz.
CAT Sample Questions are
also available.
The test comprises between 150 to 200 objective type questions and is usually divided
into three to four sections. Each question has a question statement followed by
four alternate answer choices and the candidate has to choose the best answer for
each of the questions and mark it on a special Optical Reader answer sheet.
The duration of the test is of 120 minutes. This literally translates to answering
a CAT question in 48 seconds. Most successful aspirants do not attempt anything
more than 120 plus questions. And quite a lot of them attempt between 85 and 100
questions. The key to success, therefore, lies in two important parameters
1. The accuracy
or strike rate :
Each correct question carries 1 positive mark, while each incorrect question
carries negative marks. Though, it is not clearly known what the negative mark,
it would not be way off the mark to assume it to be one-third of a mark. Hence,
it is important to get a strike rate of over 85% - that is reduce the number of
negatives.
2. Smart Selection
:
it is clear that you will not be generally able to attempt all 150 question,
and you skip between 30 and 50 questions, key to success lies in selecting questions
properly. Remember, every correct question carries the same 1-mark and each incorrect
answer carries a one-third negative. Hence, there are no kudos, nobel prizes or
awards waiting for attempting the tough questions. Be smart to choose, the easiest
of the questions and the ones that you have practised a lot and smash them. Do not
venture into unsafe territories or to questions which you only have a vague idea.
CAT and entrance tests of other top B Schools are a unique breed of entrance exams.
They focus on testing some of the basic qualities essential for managers - the grit
to work hard, smartness to choose the best alternative, quick thinking and above
all perseverance. Exams like IIT JEE test the depth of your knowledge, while the
Civil Services exams test your width of knowledge. CAT evaluates your presence of
mind and the ability to perform under pressure. You cannot prepare for CAT during
the last 10 days, as one generally does for semester exams. A minimum of 3 to 9
months of regular preparation is essential.
How To Apply:
The Application Form and Bulletin containg information about CAT can be obtained
from the main branches of State Bank Of India on payment of Rs.1,000/-(Rs.500/-
for SC/ST,provided they present th SC/ST certificate to the Bank)during the month
of September.This amount includes the PGP applications for all IIMs.Canditates should
mention in the Application Form whether they are applying in the sub-institutes
of CAT or not.
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