Introduction
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most prominent entrance exams in India that tests a candidate’s aptitude for admission into the top management institutes in the country. It is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) annually to screen applicants for their flagship Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) and other Management Programmes [1].
The CAT exam is a computer-based test that aims to evaluate a candidate’s Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation skills and Decision Making abilities. It consists of 3 sections with a total of 100 multiple choice questions that need to be solved in 180 minutes [2].
Scoring in the CAT exam is crucial as it opens up opportunities to get into the premier IIMs and other top B-schools in India. The overall selection process takes the CAT score, academic profile, work experience and performance in Written Ability Test and Personal Interview rounds into consideration.
Scoring Pattern
The CAT exam consists of three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Each section has a different number of questions and sectional time limit. Candidates get 40 minutes for Verbal Ability, 35 minutes for Data Interpretation, and 45 minutes for Quantitative Aptitude (Shiksha, 2022).
The marking scheme is +3 marks for each correct answer and -1 mark for each incorrect answer. There is no negative marking for unattempted questions. Each section has a different weightage in the final score – Verbal Ability (34%), Data Interpretation (32%), and Quantitative Aptitude (34%) (Byjus, 2022).
CAT uses a normalized percentile scoring system to account for variations in exam difficulty across different test takers. The raw scores are standardized using a statistical method called equi-percentile equating. This ensures fairness and makes scores across different CAT exam sittings comparable. Finally, the normalized scores are converted into percentiles for selection purposes (MBA Universe, 2023).
Sectional and overall cut-offs are used for shortlisting candidates in the selection process. The cut-offs vary for different IIMs and are not publicly disclosed. Typically, an overall percentile above 90 and sectional percentiles above 80 are considered good. However, this can change based on the exam difficulty and profile of the applicant pool.
Verbal Ability
The Verbal Ability section is considered to be the most difficult section in CAT by many test takers. This is because the questions test a wide range of skills like vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension and logical reasoning. According to experts at 2iim.com, “Difficulty in the CAT is in the questions and closeness in the answer options, not in the passage. You will never find a passage in the CAT that is boring or too difficult to comprehend” (Source).
The three main question types in this section are Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Vocabulary Based Questions. The reading comprehension passages can be from a diverse range of topics and time periods, making it essential to have good general knowledge. You need strong vocabulary and grammar skills to tackle the vocabulary based questions. Verbal reasoning questions like logical connectives and strengthen/weaken questions require strong analytical abilities.
According to experts on Quora, “You’ve to study both the sections equally and it is wrong to say that one section is easier than the other. The level of difficulty is moderate and intense practice is required” (Source). The key is to build speed and accuracy through regular practice to master this section.
Data Interpretation
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI-LR) section of CAT is considered one of the most challenging sections of the exam. This section tests a candidate’s ability to analyze data presented in tables, charts, graphs and passages. It also examines logical reasoning and critical thinking skills.
According to experts, the DI-LR section has become progressively more difficult over the years. An analysis of the past 5 years’ CAT papers shows that the number of sets has increased from 4 to 6 and the number of questions has gone up from 24 to 32 [1]. The level of difficulty is also higher with more inference-based questions instead of direct queries.
The Data Interpretation part specifically tests a candidate’s ability to analyze data presented in charts, graphs and tables. Questions can involve calculations, critical reasoning or may require candidates to read and comprehend the data thoroughly. The DI sets often have an uncommon theme or structure of data which makes quickly grasping the context more challenging [2].
Logical Reasoning
The Logical Reasoning (LR) section of CAT is considered one of the most difficult sections by many test takers. This is because the questions test your logical thinking and reasoning abilities through unfamiliar and abstract topics. According to experts, the difficulty level of LR has been increasing over the past few years.
The LR section tests your ability through different types of questions like Syllogisms, Logical Deductions, Analogy, Classification, Logical Matching, Binary Logic, Sequencing, Arranging, Puzzles, etc. These questions are often very convoluted and require strong analytical abilities to crack them within the time limit.
As per an analysis done by InsideIIM of CAT papers from 2017-2020, around 60% of the LR questions in recent years have been rated high difficulty. Only those with sharp logical thinking and sound elimination strategies can tackle this section efficiently.
Experts advise that CAT takers should not ignore LR preparation and work extensively on sharpening their core logical skills. Having strong basics in different types of LR questions along with timed practice is key to maximizing scores in this unpredictable section.
Quantitative Aptitude
The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section of CAT is considered to be moderately difficult by most test takers. This section tests a candidate’s math skills through questions on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mensuration and data interpretation (DI).
The arithmetic questions involve topics like percentages, profit & loss, ratio & proportion, time & work, time, speed and distance, etc. Algebra questions cover sequences & series, quadratic equations, inequalities, functions, etc. Geometry questions test concepts like mensuration, coordinate geometry, triangles, circles, etc. The DI questions have data presented in the form of tables, charts, graphs and paragraphs – testing the ability to analyze data.
As per the CAT 2022 exam analysis, the QA section difficulty level was moderate. Over 35% of the questions were Easy-Moderate, 50% were Moderate and 15% were Moderate-Difficult (Source). The major weightage was given to Arithmetic (25-30%) followed by Algebra (15-20%). Geometry and Mensuration questions accounted for 10-15% of the section.
To score well in the QA section, having conceptual clarity and being quick with calculations is important. Regular practice of previous year CAT questions is the key to getting familiar with the exam pattern and question types. Attempting questions correctly rather than solving more questions should be the focus area.
Key Strategies
When preparing for the CAT exam, having the right strategies and techniques can help maximize your score. Some key tips to keep in mind include:
Master the basics first. Before diving into advanced concepts, make sure you have a strong grasp of the fundamentals in each section – vocabulary and grammar for Verbal Ability, formulas and concepts for Quantitative Aptitude, and reasoning principles for Logical Reasoning. Spending time strengthening your basics will pay off later.
Practice makes perfect. Solving previous years’ CAT question papers and mock tests is essential. Get familiar with the exam pattern and the types of questions asked. Identify your weak areas and work on improving them.
Learn shortcuts and tricks. For certain types of Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning questions, there are useful shortcuts and tips that can help you solve them faster. Learn these time-saving techniques.
Work on your speed and accuracy. The CAT exam requires both – you need to answer questions accurately at a brisk pace. Practice solving questions against the clock to improve your speed.
Be focused while attempting the exam. With 100 questions in 180 minutes, there is little room for errors. Be alert and focused, avoid silly mistakes due to haste or carelessness.
Attempt questions selectively. Since there is negative marking, avoid attempting questions you are not fully sure of. Better to leave them unanswered than get them wrong.
Go through the questions first. Skim through the entire paper before starting to get a sense of the easier and more difficult sections.
Stay calm. Don’t let exam pressure get to you. Take deep breaths during the exam to stay composed. Avoid getting stuck on a difficult question – move on and come back later.
Attempts vs Scores
The number of attempts versus scores in CAT is an important factor to analyze. This helps students understand how accuracy is more vital than speed in CAT. As per experts, an attempt of 60-65 questions with an accuracy of over 90% is ideal to score well in CAT (Source).
As per the CAT 2021 data, an attempt of around 60 with an accuracy of 90%+ gave a percentile of above 90. While a higher attempt of around 76 with 80% accuracy gave a comparatively lower percentile of 80-85. This clearly shows how scoring high requires a balance of speed and accuracy, with more weightage to accuracy (Source).
Experts recommend focusing on accuracy first and then gradually building speed through mocks. Rushing through questions to attempt more can lead to more negatives and a lower score. It is important to balance speed and accuracy, rather than simply attempting more questions within the time limit. With practice, you can find the right pace and attempt around 60-65 questions accurately to score high in CAT.
Expert Tips
Scoring well in the CAT requires thorough preparation and strategic planning. Experts like Hemang Panchmatia, who scored in the 99.98 percentile in CAT 2022, recommend focusing on improving speed and accuracy through constant practice (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGue1QTzc1g). Attempting mock tests under realistic exam conditions is crucial to gauge your performance and identify areas of improvement.
Experts emphasize maximizing your attempts in each section as compared to focusing only on accuracy. Attempting more questions correctly will lead to higher scores (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S59ddpYubE4). Having a sectional strategy and allocating time wisely is key.
Practicing from real CAT questions of previous years ensures exposure to the exact pattern and difficulty level. Staying calm on exam day, revising formulas/concepts just before the test, and not getting stuck on any question are some valuable tips from CAT toppers for scoring high.
Conclusion
To summarize, scoring well in CAT requires a strategic approach and diligent preparation across all sections – Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. While the exam difficulty level varies year to year, typically ranging from moderate to difficult, with regular practice and an analytical mindset, achieving a high percentile score is certainly achievable for most aspirants. Key factors for success include attempting a high number of questions accurately, effective time management across sections, learning from past exams and mocks, and honing your test taking skills. While the CAT sets a high bar, with the right strategies and expert guidance, more students every year are able to clear the cutoffs at top IIMs and other institutes. The key is to build your skills steadily over time and peak at the right moment. With a comprehensive preparation plan, students can aim to tame the difficulty level of CAT and realize their management education dreams.