CAT (Common Admission Test) is the most competitive entrance exam for the admissions in the elite MBA colleges in India. The elite
accepting institutions include all the
Indian Institutes of Management (IIM). Around 2 lakh candidates compete for around 1550+ seats every year. The level of the exam is too high that makes it one of the toughest competitive exam in India. To compete at such a level, proper planning for the CAT preparation is needed. Let us decode all the sections of CAT entrance exam and know how to crack
CAT 2017 exam with higher probability.
What is CAT Exam?
Before entering into the sections of the CAT exam, it is crucial to know each and everything about CAT exam. You must be wondering that why it is so important to understand the CAT exam completely. It is because, before starting the
CAT preparation of the exam it is always beneficial to analyze what the exam is expecting from the candidates. What should be the traits of a student who clears the CAT exam? The nature and expectation of the exam can also be known well when a candidate has analyzed everything about the CAT exam pertaining to the syllabus, nature of questions asked, exam pattern, the level of exam, exam pattern and other such information.
About CAT 2017 Exam:
CAT registrations for the 2017 attempt will start from the month of August. The authorities do not yet disclose the
date of the CAT 2017 registration and the students are advised to get regularly updated regarding the release of the notification. The CAT exam date is expected to be scheduled in the month of December. The exact CAT 2017 dates will be known to the students when the CAT notification will be released. CAT 2017 Admit Card will be available from the month of November. To appear for CAT 2017 exam, the candidates have to clear the CAT eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for CAT 2017 is mentioned below-
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A recognized graduation degree with minimum 50% marks. For SC/ST/PwD candidates, the minimum percentage criteria are 45%.
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Final year students can also appear for CAT 2017 subject to the submission of necessary documents before 30th June 2018.
CAT 2017 Sections:
To decode the sections of CAT 2017, it is indispensable to know the CAT exam pattern. The exam pattern of CAT 2017 is structured as follows-
|
Elements |
Details |
|
Sections |
Quantitative Ability (QA)
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DA & LR)
Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC)
|
|
Duration (Section wise) |
1 Hour Each
|
|
Question Types |
MCQs and Non-MCQs
|
|
Marking Scheme |
MCQs-
Correct Answer: +3 marks
Wrong Answer: -1
Unattempted: No Negative Marking
Non-MCQs-
Correct Answer: +3
Wrong Attempted: No Negative Marking
Unattempted: No Negative Marking
|
|
Total Time Alloted |
180 minutes
|
CAT Quantitative Ability Section-
In this section, 34 questions are asked in the main CAT exam. CAT Syllabus for the Quantitative Ability Section is mentioned below,
Core Topics=
|
Algebra |
Geometry |
Modern Mathematics |
Trigonometry |
|
Arithmetic |
Higher Maths |
Number System |
Mensuration |
Sub-Topics=
|
Arithmetic Progression |
Average |
BODMAS |
Geometric Progression |
HCF and LCM |
Installments and Payments |
|
Median |
Partnership |
Ratio and Proportion |
Pipe and Cisterns |
Work and Time |
Arithmetic Mean |
|
Mode |
Clocks |
Geometric Mean |
Harmonic Mean |
Lines |
Angles, Triangles, Cubes, Cone, Rectangles |
|
Percentage |
Profit and Loss |
Speed and Distance |
|
|
|
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Number System- Clearing the basic concepts should be the priority while preparing for CAT. Number System Question would also help the candidate in solving the questions of other topics also.
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Geometry- This is one of the most important topics of CAT 2017. Every year around 4 to 5 questions are asked from this topic. A lot of practice can help to solve the problems quickly. Getting command on the formulas of geometry is essential.
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Arithmetic- Don't waste much time on this topic as not much questions are asked from this topic. Go through previous year questions on this topic and just practice the questions related to the nature of the question asked from this topic.
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Algebra- Algebra can be easily tackled if the student gets an understanding of it. Work on the formulas and its application. Practice a lot of questions on this topic.
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Permutation and Combination/Probability- This topic is vast in approach but easy to handle. This topic is interesting, and a lot of questions can be solved without getting bored.
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Miscellaneous Topics- The remaining topic like logical problems, trigonometry, set theory cannot be taught easily. This section needs to touch in the end. If there is no time left for it then just practice the previous year questions.
CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Section-
In this section, 32 questions are asked. CAT Syllabus for DI and LA section is as follows-
Data Interpretation=
|
Bar Graph |
Tables |
|
Combination of Graphs |
Pie Chart |
|
Caselet |
Line Graph |
|
Data Sufficiency |
|
Logical Reasoning=
|
Assumptions |
Venn Diagram |
Blood Relations |
Syllogism |
|
Binary Logic |
Sets |
Clocks and Calendars |
Seating Arrangement |
|
Constraint Puzzles |
Statements |
Data Arrangement |
Proposition |
|
Family Tree |
Matching Puzzles |
|
|
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The very first thing a candidate should do is to skim through all the questions of this section. The prioritize the questions on the basis of level- easy, moderate and difficult. The preparation of this section should be like that the candidate would be able to attempt all the questions.
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Make sure that you don't waste time on any one question. Some questions like that of Seating Arrangements are very engaging. Don't get trapped.
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In the Logical Reasoning section, the best strategy is to adopt the elimination method. Logically eliminate the options and don't just try the luck. Practice as many questions to increase the speed.
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Data Interpretation questions are pretty much time taking. Practice as many questions as you can. Learn the shortcut methods of calculations that will help in saving the time.
CAT Verbal and Reading Comprehension Section-
In this section, 34 questions are asked. CAT Syllabus for Verbal and Reading Comprehension section is given below,
|
Fact Inference Judgement |
Word Usage (Vocabulary) |
|
Fill in the Blanks |
Verbal Reasoning |
|
Grammer |
Sentence Correction |
|
Para Completion |
Para Jumble |
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In this section, attempt Non-MCQ questions first.
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Reading Comprehension- The questions asked can be of inferential or factual in nature. If you are good in critical reasoning, then it is fine to leave its preparation else you need to work hard over it. Develop reading habit through the newspaper. It will help you to save time in the main exam, increase the vocabulary and make you understand the context of the passage. Practice a lot of passages to solve the questions within the time limit. Do not answer the questions going off-passage.
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Vocabulary Questions- There is no shortcut for this topic. Synonyms and Antonyms will be asked in this section. All you have to do is to search for the online matter of Synonyms and Antonyms and just cram up at least 1000 words.
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Sentence Correction and Sentence Completion- The questions of this topic can be solved only when the grammar of a candidate is right. Start with basic grammar books and learn the basic rules of grammar. Then practice the questions with the application of grammar rules. Practicing a lot of questions will increase the level of solving with time.
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Para Jumbles- Logic-based questions are asked from this topic. Any candidate without any prior knowledge of the topic can solve the questions. The best way to solve the questions on this topic is to move back and forth between the question and choices to get the right answer.
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Para Completion- This is an easy topic. The questions can be solved by the application of logic and use the elimination method.
In the end, the most valuable advice to the students that they cannot afford to avoid at any cost is to join the mock test series and solve as many test paper as they can. Assess the performance of each test and improve the mistakes. The
CAT results will be declared in April 2018 along with the CAT 2017 cutoff and CAT Score Card. Before releasing the results, the authorities will release CAT 2017 Answer keys using which the candidates can match their answers.
