One of the toughest entrance exams in the world, the CAT 2011 (Common Admission Test) will be held in a 20 – day window period viz Saturday 22 Oct. to Friday 18 Nov.
CAT 2011 is going to be different. You could see some major changes –
ØThe number of sections has been reduced. There will only be 2 sections instead of 3. These will be
•Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation
•Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning.
ØAnother major change isthe introduction of Sectional time Limit. Time Limit allotted to each section is 70 minutes. The duration of the test has been increased by 5 minutes (from 135 to 140 minutes).
ØStudents will now have section-wise time limits, i.e. each section will have to be completed in 70 minutes. Once you are done with Section 1, you can no longer revert back to it; nor can you go to Section 2 without completing Section 1. However, you can certainly go back to questions done earlier, as you could in CAT 2009 and 2010, but now within the sectional time limit of 70 minutes. This time students will have to go through the test sequentially.
Do these changes call for a new strategy?
Definitely a Big Yes! The introduction of sectional time limits and a reduction in the number of sections does indeed mean a change in strategy is necessary. Candidates who used to allocate extra time to the sections where they felt they could score well, can no longer do so.
The sectional time limit also takes away the decision making aspect with respect to time allocation. Candidates will have exactly 70 minutes for each section and they do not need to decide how much time to give to each section. You also cannot decide to leave certain questions for ‘later’-to come back to once you finish the entire test; though you can do this within the sectional time limit.
You must be thinking whether these changes will be beneficial or will have adverse effect. So my say on this is that every coin has two sides.
My opinion is that these changes could benefit those who struggled in clearing out a particular sectional cut – off even though they did well on an overall basis as now the sectional time limit takes away the decision making aspect with respect to time allocation.
Life will be easier for you as the number of sections have been reduced. Its more easy to crack sectional cut off for two instead of three.
Also the toughest sections DI & Quant has been merged, so if you are even weak in say DI, you can make up doing well in Quant & vice versa. Thus clearing the sectional cut – off for the merged DI & Quant is easier than it was before.
Now since there would be 30 questions per section (i.e. Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning), so this time CAT offers you more choice than the earlier 20 questions per section.
It’s never been a cake walk cracking CAT as CAT has every time something new to offer, so what you need to do is adapt to these changes, study rigorously. Also does not much rely on Coaching Institute Material & try to build in your own capabilities.
BEST OF LUCK & GIVE YOUR BEST SHOT.