Quantitatively, the good student MUST score better than the not so good ones to ensure that CAT does its job! Let us go one step further. This means that each question in the CAT should and must differentiate between the good and the not so good. This in turn would mean that in each question the good student should be able to answer correctly and the not so good MUST make a mistake. I am emphasizing the word must. For instance, let us say that all answer the first question. Is it a good question? No. The question is ineffective since it failed to differentiate between the good and the not so good. What if everyone got a question wrong? It is again a ‘bad’ question since it did not do the job of differentiation. We can logically conclude each CAT question should be created in such a manner that around 20 pc would get it right and 80 pc would get it wrong. A CAT question is not about toughness. It is about its ability to differentiate 20 pc from the 100 pc.
Let me give you an example. Syllogisms used to frequently appear in the CAT in the early nineties. Here is a question:
You need to figure out whether the third statement logically follows from the first two.
1. All IIMs are in India
2. Some BIMs are in India
3. Some BIMs are IIMs
This seems to fit in as a good CAT question. The CAT expected the students to use their logical and reasoning ability to answer the question. But the students started solving the question mechanically using a Venn diagram!
So, the CAT had no choice but to remove the question, since it was not doing the job!
So then, the changes in the CAT are only to extent that the CAT can to do its job. Rest assured, CAT 2008 will be reasoning-intensive. Each question would require you to use your logical and reasoning ability in addition to the concepts.
Learning 1 : The CAT will be reasoning-intensive
Practice Tests: Insanity is defined as doing the same thing the same way and expecting different results.
The above is apt when it comes to test taking. Many have the tendency of taking test after test without doing any analysis. Understand that each test is like a mirror. You cannot wake up the next week and look at the mirror and expect a change. Therefore, it is imperative that you do a thorough analysis of each test. Let me illustrate.
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Let us say that you took a test of 100 questions, Attempts: 50, Correct: 30; Incorrect: 20. If you continue taking 50 tests without any analysis, you would not have any clue of the 2500 (50 Q x 50 tests) that you would not have attempted or the 1000 (20 Q x 50 tests) questions that you would have got incorrect. You will know only the 1500 (30 Q x 50 tests). This, to me, is clearly insanity!
After you have taken the test, spend at least 5 minutes each on questions that you have not attempted, 3 minutes each on questions that you have got incorrect and 1 minute each on questions that you have answered correctly. Let us do simple math.
Time for feedback
Unattempted : 5 min x 50 = 250 min = 4+ hours
Incorrect : 3 min x 30 = 90 min = 1.5 hrs
Correct : 1 min X 30 = 30 min = 0.5 hrs
Total = 6 hours
To incorporate the learning, you will need to revise each area for at least an hour.
Revision = 3 hours
The total time for a test
= 2.5 hrs for taking the test + 6 hours for feedback + 3 hours for revision
= 10.5 hours
Assuming you spend 2 to 3 hours per day, you will need 3 to 4 days for one test! How many tests can you take in 90 days? Answer: 90/3 or 90/4 = 25 to 30 tests!
Where was 50 and where is 25! Remember, in the 50 tests you knew only around 1500 questions but in the 25 you will understand all the 2500 questions! Feedback and self-analysis are a must if you want to clear the CAT.
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