With the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore taking over the reins of conducting the 2016 prestigious Common Admission Test (CAT), MBA aspirants are likely to face a tougher level of examination this year. Over the years, IIM Bangalore has built a reputation for adopting a unique approach to recruit MBA aspirants. The institution is known for creating a balance between candidates with unique skill-sets and academic rigor instead of just going after higher percentiles.
Although IIMs have raised the bar every time (with pattern changes 6 times in last 11 years) including in CAT 2015, but like previous CAT editions, the structure of examination likely will stick around testing an aspirant’s QA, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Verbal and Reading Comprehension. With IIM Bangalore at the helm, however, aspirants can expect the level of QA and Data Interpretation to go up this year. The Total number of questions might be same as last year i.e. 100 Questions and time as 180 minutes. At the same time, the quality of Verbal Questions may further go up to test the Manager in you. Until now, the Verbal section has broadly revolved around three areas: grammar and vocabulary, comprehension, and verbal reasoning.
The sections are designed to assess both the obvious and non-obvious or reading between the lines skills of an MBA aspirant. The latter especially helps in unraveling managerial qualities of a person and his/her ability to respond in critical situations. With Indian business environment showing promise for start-ups and a culture gradually picking up, QA could be formed on a pattern that tests aspirants’ skills to think like a start-up firm manager or owner. Mathematics could become more conceptual.
CAT Exam will always surprise aspirants and in a way challenge and test the core concepts and understanding of the examinee. With CAT 2016 just a few months’ away aspirants have already started to build their strategy on Speed and Accuracy to crack CAT Exam.
Unpredictability will always prevail in a high-profile test like CAT and the best way to mitigate is to: hope for the best, and plan for the worst. While it is good to keep in mind which institution will convene CAT, it should not affect your preparation levels and alter your strategy. Planning for the worst could help overcome any surprises on the MBA entrance examination day. The key will be to plan all sections well, minimizing your weaknesses, and making significant gains on your strength areas. And don’t forget: when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.