CAT ’11
Views
The change in CAT 2011 module has caused aspirants looking forward to crack the entrance test to put their aspirations on hold. The candidates are apprehensive about the changes and the surprises it will throw and plan to test the waters before sitting for the exam.From 2011, CAT will have two sections instead of three. The first will focus on quantitative ability and data interpretation and the second on verbal ability and logical reasoning. Candidates will have 70 minutes to answer 30 questions within each section with an onscreen countdown timer. Once the time ends for the first section, they will move to the second and will no longer be able to go back to the first. Although new in the computer-based format, this method was previously practiced few years ago too.
The candidates will also be provided 15 minutes tutorials before the examination starts. Including the tutorials timing, examination will be of two hours and 35 minutes — (140 minutes of exam and 15 minutes of tutorials)
Hitesh Devalia, Director, Endeavor management coaching institute says, “This change is good for serious CAT aspirants as they will be able to concentrate well in one particular section. However, the number of CAT aspirants appearing for the test will go down as most students would like to wait for a year to see the impact of the change.”
According to experts, the advantages of the new module are that students will be able to channelise their energy in one particular section and thus will be able to get the best out of that section. They will have to manage only two cut-offs, unlike last year, where students had to balance their score in all three sections.
“However, the cons of the modules are that students who finish a section quickly, will not be able to move on to the other section before time for that particular section is up” experts said.
CAT 2011 will be a second attempt for Bhavesh Nainani. He says, “The module has its own advantages and disadvantages. This process will make sure that better people get selected. All the students will be given proportionate time and will be expected to perform in a particular time frame.”
He adds, “I will be taking mid-slot or end-slot as I want to see what students have to say about the new module. As this will be the first year that the process has undergone some change, I would like to wait, watch and then appear for the test.”
Eljo Kurian, 20, will be appearing for the first time. He says, “I will go with the flow as I don’t know how the previous years were. I think, with the change, time management will be much easier specially for me as I am a commerce student and hence I would be able to focus more on Quant and Data Interpretation.”
The number of test days has been retained at 20 within the window — from 22 October to 18 November 2011. This would provide candidates with the flexibility of choosing a suitable test day based on their convenience. For those candidates who are differently abled, additional support will be provided as required.
