CAT 2017: Convener IIM Lucknow may bring changes in exam; Insights of Last year exam

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
June 27, 2017
Apart from the 20 IIMs including IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta, and the newest IIMs, other top rated MBA colleges in India namely FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, MI, IMT, NITIE, Management departments of IITs, JBIMS will also accept CAT 2017 scores for admission to their flagship programme 2018-20.
IIM Lucknow MBAuniverse.com
MBA aspirants who wish to appear in CAT 2017 to get admission in IIMs and other top rated B schools have to keep in mind the different parameters adopted by IIMs

CAT 2017, the largest MBA entrance test will be conducted by IIM Lucknow in the month of November/December. The exam will be a computer based test of 3 hours duration and will be without any break in between. For the last 2 years CAT has been conducted on the same pattern and according to experts it is expected that IIM Lucknow may bring substantial changes in the exam.

Apart from the 20 IIMs including IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta, and the newest IIMs, other top rated MBA colleges in India namely FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, MI, IMT, NITIE, Management departments of IITs, JBIMS will also accept CAT 2017 scores for admission to their flagship programme 2018-20.

Below are shared the key facts about last year CAT exam with expert insight to guide you further.

IIM Lucknow to conduct CAT 2017

After many years since CAT was computerised in 2009, IIM Lucknow is going to conduct CAT exam in 2017. Last year CAT was convened by IIM Bangalore and CAT 2015 was conducted by IIM Ahmedabad. According to the experts it is possible that CAT 2017 to be convened by IIM Lucknow may bring a few changes in the structure and content of the exam.

In fact since 2014 CAT has gone for a change in test pattern. The testing partner agency Prometric was replaced by TCS in CAT 2014. Since then there are more and more changes being introduced every year in CAT exam.

In 2015, IIM Ahmedabad totally revamped the CAT exam pattern. Apart from increasing the sections from 2 to 3, 28 questions of non-MCQ nature were also introduced for the first time.

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CAT 2017: A different test
CAT 2016 following the pattern of CAT 2015, brought significant changes and did away with  the liberty to allow the test takers to toggle between the sections freely. In CAT 2014 it was allowed to move between the sections within the overall time limit.

Based on his deep insight and analysis of changed face of CAT 2017, Prof S K Agarwal Verbal Ability expert and mentor on CAT 2017 preparation suggests the CAT 2017 aspirants to come out of their cozy and easy going mode and must fasten their belts to prepare with determination to crack CAT 2015 with high sectional as well as overall percentile.

CAT 2017: Key facts

  • CAT 2017 is a computer delivered exam but is not online exam
  • Notification for CAT 2017 is proposed to be released on July 30
  • You will be able to register and apply for CAT 2017 from Aug 7 onwards
  • CAT 2017 application fee is proposed to be Rs.1700/- to be paid online only
  • You must have secured minimum 50% marks in graduation to apply for CAT 2017
  • More than 30000 candidates can get admission in IIMs and other top B-schools on the basis of CAT 2017

CAT 2017: Minimum scores for IIMs & top B schools
MBA aspirants who wish to appear in CAT 2017 to get admission in IIMs and other top rated B schools have to keep in mind the different parameters adopted by IIMs and other highly ranked B schools.

IIMs would need high sectional as well as overall CAT 2017 scores. On the same lines other B schools like FMS, SPJIMR would also consider overall CAT 2017 percentile and the candidates should score fairly good score in each of the 3 sections of CAT 2017 exam.

IIMs require minimum 80-90 percentile in each of the 3 sections and due to this fact many candidates despite scoring overall high percentile in CAT are not able to get shortlisted by IIMs while other B schools shortlist them for final admission round.

CAT 2017: When proposed
Going by the changes brought about in CAT, the test is to be conducted in 1 day test window in the months of November-December 2017.

CAT 2017: No offline activity permitted
Since 2014 CAT application process has been further simplified. Candidates can now register, apply online and can make online payment of the requisite fee without wasting time by going to the designated Bank to purchase the CAT vouchers which are sometimes out of stock.

CAT 2017 convener IIM Lucknow would not permit the candidates to pay fee by draft, affix photo on printed copy of the form, or sign. Instead you need to upload the scanned image of photograph and signature, pay the fee online and submit the form online.

CAT 2017: Exam pattern and duration
Common Admission Test (CAT) 2017 conducted by Indian Institute of Management Lucknow  will be a computer based test of 3 hours duration. CAT 2017 organizing IIM Lucknow will provide a practice test beforehand to familiarise the candidates about the type and pattern of the test.

The exam is proposed to be divided in 3 sections with sectional time constraint of 1 hour each.  

Now in CAT 2017 the first section of Verbal Ability & Reading comprehension (VARC) would have 34 questions; Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) will have 32 questions and Quantitative Ability section will have 34 questions.

CAT 2017: How to prepare
Describing the CAT 2017 preparation strategy, Prof S K Agarwal, mentor and expert on verbal ability, shares that an aspirant needs to know what and how to prepare before moving on the tricky path of CAT preparation module.

While the strategy on how to prepare for CAT may differ from person to person, meticulous self study has no substitute.  Most of the candidates coming from Engineering or other technical background find it easy to get along well with Quant, DI and LR but when it comes to Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, they find the section too difficult.

Self Preparation is the best preparation strategy for CAT 2017 however time is also an important factor. If a candidate gets stuck on some question due to his/her lack of conceptual clarity, the wastage of time is more and depression begins to set in. It could be a small quant formula, LR logic, or Verbal usage clarity which might need a simple push to come out of the shallow waters. This help can be provided by your mentor online or offline depending upon your preference or a mix of both.  

Improve the speed and accuracy
Another fact in CAT 2017 preparation journey is the difficulty level which is more wanting. The quest for speed and accuracy has increased- a challenge which is to be met by the examinees. Till CAT 2013 the test taker had 2.32 minutes per question to solve but now the time is reduced to 1.8 minute per question to solve.

The four parts of CAT namely Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability and logical reasoning need a systematic study schedule. Looking at the level of difficulty and surprise elements that appeared in CAT 2016 examination, a thorough preparation of 5-6  months will be required to crack CAT 2017.

Ironically it will not be sufficient to score overall high in CAT 2017; your section wise score should also be high. CAT 2016 takers with 99+ percentile couldn’t get admission in any of the top rated B schools as the percentile in one of the three sections was low.  On the other hand candidates with 89+  percentile could get through the IIM Ahmedabad as the percventile was balanced in all the sections.

The best talent of country aspires for IIMs which are highly ranked in imparting management education. There are around 2 lakh candidates who go for CAT preparation to appear in this most coveted test every year. Return on investment at IIMs is probably the best. Two years fee at IIMs come to around Rs.15 to 21 lakhs.  Top recruiters from India and world eye these institutes for their placement season and feel proud when a few of the students from these B schools join them.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on CAT 2017

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