With the announcement that the CAT will be a computer-based test from this year on, MBA aspirants are understandably confused about what to expect and how to go bout tackling the test.
How will it differ from the previous pen-and-paper test?
How will the scoring system differ?
Do you have enough time to prepare for the new format?
To answer these questions and many more, R Shiva Kumar from Career Launcher hosted a chat with Get Ahead readers on May 18. For those of you who missed the chat, here's the unedited transcript:
Shiva Kumar says, Hi All, i am ready to take your questions
vf asked, sir, will there be a change in the time limits of CAT?
Shiva Kumar answers, Most probably not. As Prof Krishnaswamy of IIMB said, that experience will be 'similar' to a pen and paper test. I think 150 minutes will remain unchanged for this year
abhinav asked, sir what should be our method of preparation provided that now only solving booklets(on paper) wont help?
Shiva Kumar answers, Yes. You have to take lot of online test. Online learning (Redaing RC from screen) and online comprehending (Practicing DI from screen) will also help you a lot
sdv asked, any tips on how to prepare for cat on computer?
Shiva Kumar answers, You have to lots of Online Tests, starting from small 10 minutes test to long 150 minutes test. Also be very very familiar reading on screen....RC passages and also e-Books. Practice lot of DI online since on screen comprehension will be an issue
mm asked, will there be any more info coming from the IIMS regarding cat?
Shiva Kumar answers, Yes mm, more info will come on 1st Week of July during CAT notification
ninad asked, wat will be the time optimisatin tips now that cat is online sir?
Shiva Kumar answers, You have to practice lot of online tests to optimise your time consumed. Reading speed drastically reduces and comprehension goes down when you read from on screen source. Also you will have to scribble your rough work on paper. Screen reading and paper-scibbling integration has to be faster
atanu asked, what is cet
Shiva Kumar answers, CET is andentrance test conducted in Maharashtra for studying MBA in different Universities of Maharashtra
ashish asked, how i prepare for rc in cbt.
Shiva Kumar answers, start reading e-Books and e-newspapers. Practice lot of RC from online tests
somak asked, Sir, this time is the VA section will be more grammar and short RC passage oriented??
Shiva Kumar answers, Yes somak, but a major part will be verbal logic...incluidng para jumble, para-completion, down-stream up stream arguments etc
mayank asked, any chance iim may lower cutofs since this is first year of online cat?
Shiva Kumar answers, Absolute marks Cut offs will be dependent upon the performance of the entire country. Percentile cut offs will not be lowered (will remain 99 percentile) since there will not be any increase of seats
destiny asked, sir how many iim colleges in India?
Shiva Kumar answers, 7 IIMs are there
harshal asked, wheather it would be based on GRE type
Shiva Kumar answers, may not be exactly GRE type, CAT will maintain its own flavour,
indian asked, suggest me some god institute in delhi from MBA
Shiva Kumar answers, FMS (DU) is the best, IIFT, MDI are also good. Are u looking for MAT affiliated institutes also?
Saurabh asked, Hello Sir, Will online CAT exam be available outside india also?
Shiva Kumar answers, NO. Till now, the available info suggests that the test centers will only be in India and only Indian Citizens can write the exam.
somak asked, Sir, this time is the VA section will be more grammar and short RC passage oriented??
Shiva Kumar answers, Yes somak, but a major part will be verbal logic...incluidng para jumble, para-completion, down-stream up stream arguments etc. I have replied earlier also
Atishay asked, Will the new CAT remain the same in format, or will it take up the GMAT format, where the next question depends on how you answered the previous one?
Shiva Kumar answers, Atishay, NO CAT will not take GMAT format. CAT will be a Computer Based Test, not a Computer Adaptive Test as in case of GMAT. Here in CAT your response will not determine the next Qs.
vijit asked, sir , for a obc candidate 96+ percentile will fetch atleast one call from iim this year ? after full implimenttaion og quota this year?
Shiva Kumar answers, yes, if full implementation happens next year, probably a 96 percentile and above will fetch IIM call
Amit asked, Sir would the online CAT have tougher English section on the pattern on GMAT
Shiva Kumar answers, May not be. As the announcement suggested CAT will be similar to a pencil paper test. So the flavour may not change
garry_t asked, Hi, I am presently preparing for GRE and also plan to take the CAT eyam. According to you, how much minimum time is sufficient to prepare for CAT? Also, now with online CAT, do you predict any similarities with GRE exam?
Shiva Kumar answers, no Garry, it will not be similar to GRE. Probably you have to spend some 'exclusive' time preparing for CAT. But yes turning online may help you, as the interface will be similar
indian asked, yes sir. i m also looking for MAT affilated institutes also
Shiva Kumar answers, NDIM, JIMS Rohini, Asia Pacific, IILM Greater Noida, IILM Gurgaon, AMity are few of them....you may try
kalpana asked, do u think online exam is more reliable than written
Shiva Kumar answers, yes Kalpana, I think so. There will be no anomaly due to not darkenning the ovals properly, no mistake in tyransfering the right answer to an OMR sheet....it is off course more reliable
tamaghna asked, shiva, can u suggest any websites for taking online mock cats?
Shiva Kumar answers, yes you can try www.careerlauncher.com/mba....you have to enroll in some test series related product...I think this is the best and most comprehensive site
Rahul asked, Sir, Following the content taught in the classes of CL is enough for the maths side or we need something more?
Shiva Kumar answers, I think CL classroom level for QA is sufficient....you dont have to practice more. Please take online test available in SIS
JackSparrow asked, would CAT be spanned over several days? Wont it be unfair then?
Shiva Kumar answers, yes 10 days. But the they will probably use multiple papers of same difficulty level.
Nikhil asked, Wud the level of difficulty fall, as students are new to this online based tests
Shiva Kumar answers, Nikhil, The level of difficulty can always change - it is better to be prepared for a harder level and get an easier variety
brijender asked, cat 2008 seemed to lay a lot of emphasis on academic backgrounds,esp iim-s. do you think with an online paper this trend will be reversed?
Shiva Kumar answers, Brij, IIMs have always laid emphasis on a consistent academic performance of a student - now of course, it is made public.
PuneetRaheja asked, Sir, What , according to you , would be the key areas in cracking the CAT this year , as it becomes online now?
Shiva Kumar answers, Puneet, the key will still reamian to be the aptitude of cracking qs in areas of quant and english - at the same time online will make the test-taking practice different from earlier - it is imp to practice a lot of tests online....
gaurav asked, will there be change in any sections this year in cat......as it is about to go online..
Shiva Kumar answers, Gaurav, not known yet .....may ne CAT bulletin will have some info.
Zishan asked, what will be strategy to attempt CAT 09..??as CAT will be in december so can we expect that will be more tougher this time ...??
Shiva Kumar answers, Zishan, the strategy will be to attemp a large number of online practice tests after you have completed the basic modules of quant and verbal....taking test on computer screen is not the same experience as doing it on paper
Samrat asked, Hello sir I have started CAT prepn from scratch from this month.How much time should I spend per day considering the fact that i am a working executive ? Please suggest.
Shiva Kumar answers, Samrat, You need to give time regularly - at least 1-2 hr everyday with 4-5 hrs on weekends (till end Aug) - after that give at least 2 full tests online every week.
JackSparrow asked, But if CAT spans over 10 days, luck plays a great part. Because a sum difficult for me would not be difficult for other guy in today's exam. And probably a sum difficult for some guy would be easier for me in tomorrow's exam. So who gets which paper would depend on luck. So isn't this unfair??
Shiva Kumar answers, This may not be unfair - GMAT/GRE/BITSAT happens over a period of time and the test scores are standardized. CAT will also work on these aspects - remember, Prometric is a veteran in such tests.
satyajit asked, when do u think we are going to face the cat exam?? and who is gng to decide when we are going to take the exam in the window period : us or iims?
Shiva Kumar answers, Satyajit - As per press reports, it is expected that the student will be able to choose the time and day (provided of course the slot is still available).......GMAT has a online booking engine ......CAT may also have the same.
Narasimham asked, My daughter is completed her B.Tech now she want to join MBA how to preapre for ths when will be the notifcation wll come
Shiva Kumar answers, Mr. Narasimhan, the CAT notification is usually released in mid-July in all national newspapers........but if she is serious, she needs to start preparation now.
sreya asked, what will be the options for rough work? will we be provided with rough papers?
Shiva Kumar answers, Sreya, As per press releases, CAT will alow people to use rough sheets and pencils for doing rough work.......this is definitely different from GMAT
asad asked, will the CAT be unfair to students not very familiar with comps?
Shiva Kumar answers, Asad, If you are looking at pursuing a career in management, familiarity with computers is a must. Hence, you need to get familiar anyway.
ragothaman asked, how to prepare for cat should i atten any class
Shiva Kumar answers, In order to prepare a regular study schedule with good study material is important....a class is required when you think you need some additional help.
Basu asked, Sir I am a working executive having a yr experience in the IT line.Can I get a call at around 92-93 % from a good B-School considering the fact that I have work ex than a fresher?
Shiva Kumar answers, Basu, you definitely have an edge on the work-ex parameter. However, a good percentile in CAT and then a good performance in the second round of assessment is also equally important.....
catcat asked, When tests are made online, dont you think it should be made like you can take the exams anytime and there is a validity time for your scores and apply to the college before it expires, just like GRE and others?
Shiva Kumar answers, It may happen that way in future....however, as of now CAT is only taking the exam online and not changing any other parameters.....
Karthik asked, The number of questions keep changing every year in CAT. Will it mean we will have different pattern on different days?
Shiva Kumar answers, Karthik, Across different days of CAT this year, it is expected that the structure and level of the papers wil remain the same.
test asked, Whats the best way to crack CAT so that we can expect it to clear?
Shiva Kumar answers, You need to brush up your fundas in quant and verbal abilities and then practice a lot of online tests.........can try some of the online test series options that Career Launcher is providing.
ka asked, sir my tenth & 12th percentage is very low it take matter.if i have 100 percetile
Shiva Kumar answers, If you have a low percentage and can do well in CAT, you can surely expect to get a call from some of the good B-schools
Karthik asked, How many attempts can one make within the 10 day period. Are we allowed to sit for the exam more than once?
Shiva Kumar answers, Karthik, As of now, it appears you can attempt once only during this 10-day period
sreya asked, the very important question that is doing rounds? CBT or Computer adaptive teat? any confirmation?
Shiva Kumar answers, One of the press reports quoted one of the IIM spokesperson that the test will allow moving back and forth from one question to another and that the test experience will be similar to pen-paper test........hence CBT is what it is likely......as an inference.....however, no official confirmation that I know of.
Saurabh asked, DO IIM accepts GMAT scores also ?
Shiva Kumar answers, Not for PGP - it is accepted for Executive MBA
alok asked, sir, from when the CL online All India is going to start, whats the fee for it(approx).
Shiva Kumar answers, Contact your nearest CL center or visit CL website for online test series products
Deepak asked, sir, I joined Career Launcher Test Series, was curious to know that like last yr, can we ve access to the mock paper once we ve written it, as its online now
Shiva Kumar answers, You should be able to access the question paper along with your responses after the test is over.
chats asked, Hi Shivku! I am chetna here I want to knw as I work in a call center I hardly get time for the studies as my shift keeps changing ...? I am bit apprehensive where any coaching classes will be able to help me as becoz even my weekly off are not fixed ...?
Shiva Kumar answers, Yes, it is difficult - you need to make a choice..if you are keen, you need to find time daily for preparation and then join a test series....
gaurav asked, sir....regaeding the calculations...wil they be more mental than subjective...as it is online
Shiva Kumar answers, Since taking rough sheets will be allowed, you may need to do some calculations.......
ka asked, sir please ans my tenth & 12th percentage is very low it take matter.if i have 100 percetile
Shiva Kumar answers, Focus on getting your 100 percentile.....dont worry about anything else
Debanjan asked, Sir i wanted to join CAT coaching, what do you think would be the best coaching institute for CAT preparation at Bangalore?
Shiva Kumar answers, Please visit the centers of different players - CL, TIME....make your own choice........if you ask me - it is ofcourse, CL
catasp asked, Which all online test series are available if i want practice more even after completing Career Launcher test series
Shiva Kumar answers, Anyway CL will be providing for unlimited 'Create Your Own test' from our huge database of questions........if you still want to try some more...take some free tests....loke some others are suggesting
ka asked, sir i have to go please if i have 100 percentile the i can expect call from iim but low percentage in 10th & 12th.
Shiva Kumar answers, Ka, I have responded to you already....Wish you all the best
Yogesh asked, Do you think internet based online coaching using synchronous learning technology like video conferencing help ?
Shiva Kumar answers, Coaching does not necessarily need to be online....but if that allows you for flexible asynchronous coaching and that is your need, you may go for it
Carl asked, Sir,is it gonna be the same set of questions for everyone whoz giving the exam or will the questions be chosen from a big pool of questions (GMAT Style)?
Shiva Kumar answers, It is likely to be similar set of qs across different time slots..
gyan asked, Hi sir, I am already selected for MBA from IIT Kanpur. CAT is going online from this year, so traffic on other exams like JMET is also going to increase. Looking at current economic scenario, is it wise to wait for next chance or should I accept the offer?
Shiva Kumar answers, A bird in hand is worth two in the bush......in case you have no compelling reason not to join IIT Kanpur, please go ahead with your MBA
grahul007 asked, What kind of assessment engine will be present while the exams are conducted online? hope this is tried, tested and approved and without any loop holes...
Shiva Kumar answers, Expected to be so - with Prometric being the assessment partner for CAT.
ragothaman asked, pls reply i am an arts student whether i can write cat exam
Shiva Kumar answers, Yes - you can
jagan asked, Sir, is it wise to do MBA during this recession time?
Shiva Kumar answers, Recession is temporary, MBA qualifucation is a life-time investment........
Shiva Kumar says, This is all we have time for, today. Until next time, goodbye.
