Common Admission Test (CAT), is the common entrance exam that you have to take to get admission to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, and Kozhikode. Many other institutes like, MICA, Nirma Institute of Management, S.P. Jain Institute, also draw out their candidates based on the performance in CAT.
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The Common Admission Test or CAT as it is popularly known, is a multiple choice written exam designed to test a candidate’s ability & aptitude, under a time constraint. Held by the IIMs, CAT has now become the entrance examination for several other leading institutes.
Held on the second Sunday of December, CAT has test venues spread across the country thus ensuring participation from the country’s best.
A Brief Overview
Knowledge, as it should be is the prerequisite for this examination but its unique feature remains its unpredictability.
Although the examination details have outlined the course covered as spread over 4 distinctive sections of Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation (DI), Reading Comprehension (RC) & Verbal Ability (VA) the actual paper need not have any preset pattern or division of sections.
The other features, which require mention, are Negative Marking & Adequate Competence across all sections. Though the actual extent of negative marking remains undisclosed, it is an integral part of evaluation. Adequate Competence across all sections requires of a student to perform in all sections to a certain minimum level & once again though under the purview of the evaluation committee, section cutoffs must be catered to during preparation.
Individual Sectional Insight
Quantitative Ability (QA)
- The questions are designed to stress more on reasoning skills of the candidates, rather than on their computational skills.
- The level of difficulty of this section is perceived to be higher because the questions are not only lengthy to read but at times require more effort in terms of understanding and solving.
Data Interpretation (DI)
- As the name suggests, this section presents data to the candidate in forms such as caselets, pie diagrams, bar graphs, etc and questions are set to evaluate the candidate’s skills at analyzing the given information.
- Data Sufficiency questions in this section are based on basic mathematics (at times Data Sufficiency is a part of the Quantitative Ability section).
Reading Comprehension (RC)
- CAT usually has 6-8 passages in the RC section, with an overall length of 4500-5500 words and about 50 questions to answer in a span of about 30 minutes. However this too can vary according to the level of difficulty of questions.
Verbal Ability (VA)
- This section explores your understanding of the English Language and also tests you on Reasoning Skills.
- The questions in this section typically comprise sentence correction, sentence sequencing , verbal reasoning etc.
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1995 to 1998:
Total Questions - 185
Time - 120 minutes
Verbal Ability - 50 Q
Reading Comprehension - 50 Q
Problem Solving - 45 Q
Data Interpretation - 40 Q
In 1995 and 1996, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension sections were grouped and had a time limit of 1 hour.
Similarly, the Problem Solving and Data Interpretation sections were grouped and had a time limit of 1 hour.
There was no such time limit in 1997 and 1998.
1999:
Total Questions - 165
Time - 120 minutes
Section 1 : 55 Q - Verbal Ability - 25 Q and Reading Comprehension - 30 Q
Section 2 : 55 Q - Problem Solving - 55 Q
Section 3 : 55 Q - Data Interpretation - 31 Q and Verbal Reasoning - 24 Q
2000:
Total Questions - 165
Time - 120 minutes
Section 1 : 55 Q - Verbal Ability - 15 Q and Reading Comprehension - 40 Q
Section 2 : 55 Q - Problem Solving - 55 Q
Section 3 : 55 Q - Data Interpretation - 31 Q and Verbal Ability - 24 Q
2001:
Total Questions - 150
Time - 120 minutes
Section 1 : 50 Q - Verbal Ability - 20 Q and Reading Comprehension - 30 Q
Section 2 : 50 Q - Problem Solving - 50 Q
Section 3 : 50 Q - Data Interpretation - 31 Q and Logical Reasoning - 19 Q
2002:
Total Questions - 150
Time - 120 minutes
Section 1 : 50 Q - Data Interpretation - 40 Q and Logical Reasoning - 10 Q
Section 2 : 50 Q - Problem Solving - 50 Q
Section 3 : 50 Q - Verbal Ability - 25 Q and Reading Comprehension - 25 Q
2003 (re-exam format given):
Total Questions - 150
Time - 120 minutes
Section 1 : 50 Q - Verbal Ability - 25 Q and Reading Comprehension - 25 Q
Section 2 : 50 Q - Data Interpretation - 30 Q and Logical Reasoning - 20 Q
Section 3 : 50 Q - Problem Solving
2004:
Total Questions - 123 Total marks: 150
Time - 120 minutes
Section 1
Data Interpretation: 20Q of 1 mark each
Data Sufficiency: 6 Q of 1 mark each
Logical Reasoning: 12 Q of 2 marks each
Section 2
Math problems: 20 Q of 1 mark each
Math problems: 15 Q of 2 marks each
Section 3
Verbal Ability: 10 Q of 0.5 marks each
Verbal Ability: 14 Q of 1 mark each
Verbal Ability: 5 Q of 2 marks each
Reading Comprehension: 21 Q of 1 mark each
There was no section wise time limit in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
REMEMBER : It is essential that you demonstrate your competence in all the sections.
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The Must-Read-Books section exists to help you stay on top of the most popular business publications. Never find yourself at a loss for words when discussion turns to the latest best seller or that premier publications that everyone has been talking about. Not only is it important to stay up-to-date, but you must also know what others are reading.
The following titles reflect a list of books suggested by Ascent for MBA aspirants interested in reading diverse topics in Management. This section gets refreshed at least once every month. Visit us often and ensure you always know what to say!
Pepsi to Apple
This book by John Sculley is a spectacular narration of Sculley's journey from being the marketing head of Pepsi (A company reverred for its Marketing Prowess which sells sugared coloured water through its marketing strength) to becoming the CEO of Apple Computers(A Leader in PC Technology in the early 80s which demystified computers). The book talks about similarities and differences between the two companies and therefore, provides an insight into how traditional and new-economy industries operate.
Behind the Arches
By John F. Love - The story of McDonalds, the largest fast food chain in the world. The narration brilliantly blends management concepts (particularly a fastidious approach to quality) with heroic deeds of Ray Kroc and his team. If you have an enterpreneural streak in you, you should buy this book, not just borrow to read it.
Books on Management of Self and Others
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Steven Covey (Simon & Schuster, 1994 book and video series). Helpful for communication but also helps to broaden your way of thinking to lead to greater opportunities and effective problem solving.
Wisdom Inc.,
Seth Godin (Harper Business, 1995). Useful for everyone in both work and personal life; gives short messages and inspirational quotes on general leadership qualities.
Maximum Achievement
Brain Tracy (Simon & Schuster, 1993). Discusses how high achievers meet their challenging goals and how you can unlock your individual potential to help yourself and others.
Beyond the Myths and Magic of Mentoring
Margot Murray with Marna A. Owen (1991). Step by step guide for putting together cost-effective mentoring programmes - book is intended more for the originator of a programme than for an individual mentor but still includes useful information.
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M A T : 10 Mock Test Papers
by Career Launcher
This book contains 10 Mock Test Paper for Management Aptitude Test Conducted by All India Management Association...more>>
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Target C A T ( Mock & Solved Papers )
by AIETS Editorial Team
Target CAT consists of CAT-Topic-wise Solved Papers and Mock Test Package of CAT
CAT-Topic-wise Solved Papers: Consists of 10 years solved papers of CAT distributed in 23 topics...more>>
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CAT, GMAT used second hand study material
Buy used CAT Material from other students / sell used books to future MBA aspirants by registering at this forum. By providing this service, Ascent Education does not stand guarantee or vouchsafe the veracity of the posting(s) in this forum. Buyers and sellers are advised to take their own precautionary measures before actually concluding the transaction. By proceeding to use this forum you agree not to hold Ascent Education and/or its associates liable for any losses or damages that might accrue to you by responding to the posting(s) on this message board.
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MBA-in-India
This group has been started by Management Graduates from India's premier B-Schools for helping aspiring MBAs. We help out the management aspirants with choosing the right B-School, which exams to appear, what are the cut-off dates, how to prepare for the exams, tips and techniques for cracking exams like the CAT, XAT, FMS, MAT etc, converting the interview call successfully etc. We will try to answer all your queries and we encourage all members to come forth with their queries and share their ... more
cat-verbal
IIM CAT and other MBA aspirants ( FMS XLRI etc) This group is for posting messages related to sentence correction arranging scrambled paragraphs word usage advanced english grammer tips and tricks to improve verbal spped. Don't post messages related to general topics. Don't post topics not related to cat - verbal. Make it a habit to share good verbal Q? with other group members. If you envision an active role, please send a message to owner for becoming a moderator.
Cat-05
Preparing for CAT 2005? Join now. A GROUP FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO DO MBA FROM IIM, XLRI, FMS......... NOTE : You can SPAM ONLY ONCE HERE. YOU WILL BE BANNED AFTER THAT.
ascent4cat
This group is moderated by Ascent Education, an IIM Alumni venture. The objective of the group is to have an online forum to discuss issues and post messages relating to CAT preparation leading to an admission into one of the IIMs or other top business schools in India. Any message relating to B Schools, entrance tests, preparation for MBA entrance, B School rankings, how to attempt specific sections, difficult questions, GD and PI tips etc can be sent to this group. Information about IIMs and ... more
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| Doubtfire - CAT Math, Verbal, DI, Logical & Analytical Reasoning Doubts |
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CAT Math - Quant Doubts
Use this forum to post your doubts and interesting problems that appear in the Math section of CAT. The topics include problems from arithmetic, geometry, algebra, modern math and permutation and combination. Ascent Education posts a question a day by e mail for CAT aspirants. You can receive the same by registering for the Question - A - Day service.
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Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:39 am
Srikanth
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CAT Verbal - Verbal, Reading Comprehension Section
This forum discusses doubts, tips, tricks from the verbal section of the Common Admissions Test. Sentence correction, sentence re-arrangement (paragraph jumbling), vocabulary based questions, critical reasoning questions and reading comprehension questions appear in the CAT verbal section.
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Sun Mar 13, 2005 10:18 pm
Rajeev
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CAT DI & DS Section
Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency questions together account for about 30 to 35 questions in CAT. Data Interpretation in CAT includes questions based on tables, pie charts, bar graphs, line graphs and many a times combinations of two or more of these forms of data.
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Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:16 pm
jerrya
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CAT Logical & Analytical Reasoning
CAT Logical & Analytical Reasoning section comprises logical puzzles. These questions account for about 10 to 25 questions in CAT. Syllogisms (Deductive logic) and critical reasoning (inductive logic) based questions also appear as part of the Logical & Analytical Reasoning Section
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Wed Feb 16, 2005 2:50 am
Rakesh
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Query related to Maths. DI, English, GD & PI. Help on English is provided by EnglishMantra.com for free!
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Striking a right balance - Accuracy vs Speed in CAT
Hi
The usual dilemma that one faces while preparing for CAT takes the form of a trade off between accuracy and speed. Honestly, one need not trade off one for the other. In fact, to use a combinatorial term, these two are not mutually exclusive events. However, I will not definitely conclude these two events to be independent ones.
The question of coaching is very subjective and relative to each candidate. The following really are very broad and general guidelines.
When it comes to preparation there are two separate things to talk about:
a) Written Exam
b) GD and Personal Interview(PI)
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