What's CAT?

CAT is a national level, computer-based standardized test conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management as a qualifier for admission to the topmost b-schools in India including all 20 IIMs and over 1200 other b-schools. The exam tests a candidate’s general aptitude, analytical ability, and problem-solving skill over the course of the 2-hour test that consists of 3 sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).

Why?

An MBA education opens up a whole spectrum of opportunities and high-paying job profiles to students. An evidence of incredible opportunity is the fact that the 2020 B-school placements have been at an 8-year high despite lockdown restrictions and a contracting economy. But acquiring management education from a premier B-school guarantees more than just the perfect launchpad for your career, but also tremendous personal growth. It allows you to interact and build a robust professional network with a very diverse breed of bright minds. This enhances the way you think, perceive, and make decisions. It also adds enhanced credibility and recognition in your quests, be it climbing the corporate ladder or undertaking your entrepreneurial journey.

Who?

Aspirants who have completed their undergraduate education with at least 50 percent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 percent for SC, ST, and PWD/DA category) from a recognized board/university, or are set to do so in the current year may appear for the exam. There is no cap on the age of the candidate.

While there is still a debate as to whether it is best to pursue an MBA after at least a year of work experience, the fact remains that the final year graduation students appearing for CAT have many advantages. They can invest more time in preparation while avoiding a gap year and can join the workforce at a much better position than their peers.

When?

This year’s CAT is set to be conducted by IIM Indore on November 29, 2020, in 3 slots - morning, afternoon, and evening. The deadline to register closed on September 23, 2020, and the admit cards are expected to be released by October 28, 2020.

Given the fact that CAT exams are open to candidates from all streams of education, the number of candidates who appear for the test is high and is increasing year on year. Candidates who wish to secure top percentiles need to dedicate time and effort preferably for at least 6 months till the date of the test.

Where?

The computer-based examination will be conducted across 156 cities in more than 4000 test centers. The test centers are allotted based on the preference made by a candidate in his/her application form.

How?

CAT tests a candidate’s aptitude to perform in a management job. Though topics covered in CAT exams are not complex, the preparation required to secure a good percentile in the exam cannot be understated. This is because the exam is not merely a test of your knowledge but rather your ability and efficiency. It measures the participant’s decision-making skill and discipline with regards to time management in the face of stress. The key is to maintain speed while not compromising on accuracy and logical thinking.

This is where the need for dedicated, structured preparation and mentoring comes into the picture. Thus, a CAT preparation institute has subject experts who have studied the pattern of papers inside out. They equip you with tips, shortcut techniques, and strategies you may employ to crack even the most difficult-seeming questions.

It is important to be thorough with the basics of every topic in QA and VA. But it is equally important to test out what you learned using time-bound sectional tests. To familiarize yourself with questions on DILR, constant practice is mandatory. Sectional tests help you gauge your grasp on the topic and improve speed. Periodically undertaking entire CAT mock tests will help you familiarize yourself with the exam pattern. Conducting in-depth analyses of your performance after each test helps develop insights on areas that are of particular strength or weakness to you. One should come up with strategies to leverage these strengths while working on your weaknesses.

A CAT preparation institute generally has these aggregated into their training program. But what keeps them truly effective is personal mentoring and guidance by experts to harness the best out of you. This is especially important as the MBA admission procedure does not end at undertaking the CAT exam but includes a written test/group discussion and personal interview at the subsequent stages. The experts at your institute can be of great value in grooming you for this.

To sum up, desire, determination, and perseverance along with the right guidance are all that you need to ‘bell the CAT’!