As assured by Prometric, CAT, a Computer Based Test, like last year (2009) was conducted without many technical glitches with the level of question varying from moderate to high depending upon the slots.The actual duration of the test was 2 hours and 15 minutes.


Sections covered:
Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning; the order of the three sections varied from slot to slot.


Test Format and pattern:
A  total of 60 questions with 20 from each section. The pattern was similar to CAT 2009.


Negative Marking:
There was negative marking. However, the weight-age per question and the actual negative marking was not known.

The level of difficulty of the three sections varied from slot to slot. In some slots, certain DI sets were found quite difficult. In some other slots, Quant questions were of above average difficulty level. Verbal questions varied from moderate to high level of difficulty. An attempt of 12- 14 questions with 9-12 correct may fetch 95 percentile and above and ensure an IIM call.

The level of difficulty in LR/DI in certain slots was quite easy but the lengthy statements and sets made it time consuming and one could, probably, attempt 15-16 questions here. And if an accuracy rate of about 85 – 90 percent is achieved then one could expect a good percentile score.

A total number of 40-45 attempts can be seen as decent attempt.

Verbal ability section offered questions, which are generally a part of every year’s question paper, including areas like Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Para jumbles, Para completion, Vocab etc. The focus was again on application of language skills. Some questions were tricky and difficult. However the overall difficulty level was moderate. An attempt of 14-15 questions can be taken as good.

Looking at QA section of the past years’ CAT papers, the cut off marks (93-95 % ile) of this section are around 25-60 % of the marks allotted to the section in the last 7-8 years, at the same time LRDI sectional cut off marks have been varying between 25-50 %. VA Cutoff marks have also been approximately 25-50 percent of the allotted marks in the last few years of CATs. For certain test slots it was heard that for some questions in QA and LRDI sections, the choices provided had some mistake, i.e. the correct answer was not found in any choice given. In all, the test was properly conducted and the test appears all set to regain its lost reputation.

You might also like following articles