It’s again that time of the year that sets the onset of MBA Entrances – The most talked about being none other than The Common Admission Test – CAT !!

A CAT 2013 taker would tell you how controversial can an online examination can get around. The pattern that existed – 2 Sections [Quantitative Ability – Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability – Logical Reasoning]  with 30 questions each in a span of 70 minutes. Over that we had the slots spread across cities for over 30 days. And, this particularly called for the normalization process that has blown away the minds of the stalwarts alike. The mystery surrounding this so-called fair process was put to questioning and protest when IIM Indore revealed CAT 2013 scores on January 14, 2014. When some tears were out of sheer happiness and joy.. The same carried shock, surprise and dismay at the sight of completely unbalanced scores. Candidates attempting questions in single digit numbers scoring way above 90 percentiles when the confidant lot who attempted a minimum of 15 questions or so had abysmally low scores in the range of 22 percentiles and below. They were the same candidates who scored exceptionally high [more than 95 percentiles] in the other sections. A complete non-belief prevailed that led to a series of protests out of anguish that costed the dreams of so many aspiring candidates.

Though nothing fruitful arised out of the protests, there seems to be an effect that I realised when I happened to come across the below article shared on facebook.

 

 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/entrance-exams/CAT-2014-notification-out-with-major-changes-in-examination-pattern/articleshow/39056464.cms

 

So many changes over one year ?! :O

No more windows available for slot booking. CAT is now a 2 day show only spread across 4 slots – the major change I see. And, dates are now going to be decided by IIM Indore. Candidates can just now apprise the conducting agencies of their 4 preferences of the location for taking CAT with the most preference being given to the very first choice. This, in turn, might imply diminishing effect of ‘Normalization’. Further, no more rushing for FCFS kinda slot booking to get the desired slot – a huge relief indeed.. Pheww !

The number of questions have now been increased to 50 in each of the sections with an extension of overall time limit to 170 minutes from 140 minutes. And, most importantly, candidates now have a flexibility to choose questions between the sections as well. Now, this is something great. Looks like IIM Indore is taking efforts towards making CAT a more candidate friendly examination. Candidates now need to adapt to the new pattern that calls for speedier attempts due to the increase in the number of questions. Also, candidates get quite good amount of time as well as the dates happen to fall in November end. In addition, candidates need not wait till January for results. Results would be out even before the New Year arrives.

Hope things smoothen out this time. May the best ones sail through and land in their desired B-Schools.

Cheers and All The Best ! 🙂