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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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