Every new announcement invited a flurry of questions that had to be answered. But, the nail in the coffin was the announcement that came out yesterday. Last year, COVID 19 had necessitated certain changes to the Common Admission Test exam format which will be continued this year as well. There will be 3 sections – VARC, DILR and Quant. However, the number of questions in each section may be reduced, which is aimed to help the candidates with adequate time to complete the exam. Candidates will be given 40 minutes to answer each section. The entrance exam is scheduled on 28th November, 2021.
Some perspectives
While it is human to fret and panic, there are certain very pragmatic ideas that all CAT 2021 aspirants need to keep in mind.
The basic idea behind the CAT exam remains the same
There is a crying need to make the differentiation between the structure of CAT 2021 and the framework. Though we do not have complete idea on the number of questions yet, we can clearly see that the overall framework of the exam is going to be the same as stated in the official information.
CAT has been an examination that tests basic English comprehension skills, along with Math abilities and solving a few puzzles. It was the same in 1980, and has been the same after every passing decade, up until now.
Have not started taking mocks yet? You have a gift!
In any other CAT season, I would have definitely be critical of people who have not started taking mocks even with odd 65 days to go for the D-Day. I am critical even now. But, you have been given a chance now. Now, you have been given a chance to level up. This is a Godsend. Make sure to capitalize on this change.
Does this mean all is well, and that there is no need to worry at all?
Of course, absolutely. If you have survived this pandemic, and have been preparing for a competitive examination from the confines of your home, all is well, of course.
Coming to the second part of the question, you do not need to worry. There is a subtle difference between worrying about the impending and imminent changes, and adapting to those changes. Worry is not taking us anywhere. Adaptability does and will.
So, what are the changes you have to make in terms of your preparation?
Question selection is the important factor
As you prepare from now on, you must be very particular about question selection. And, this becomes especially crucial when it comes to the DILR section. You simply would not have enough time to bounce back from a setback. In 60 minutes, you could. In 40 minutes, it is highly unlikely.
The accuracy and question selection are going to be significant determiners of who comes on top of this new examination pattern. So, be very wary about selecting the right passages, puzzles and problems.
Manage the 120 minutes well
For most aspirants, success on RC passages directly linked to their comfort level with the content of the RCs. But if you get 3 out of 4 RCs that are on topics, you do not like? Then in that case, do not panic. Or do not try to attempt the passages half-heartedly. Doing this would mean self – sabotaging the 40 minutes of your VARC section. Instead, take your concentrations level up a notch and steel yourself to the reality that it is going to be testing time. Go into the CAT, expecting this to happen. As they say, hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
The DILR section is going to be the most crucial section on CAT. How this section goes is going to determine how you approach the Quant section. In terms of mental energy you will be a bit tired to say the least. If you are psychologically down as well then it is game, set and match before the Quant section begins. So prepare for the worst. Do not spend more than 20 minutes on a set until you have solved all the easy and medium sets. “Do not put all your eggs in one basket”.
Unlike the 40 minutes of VARC and DILR, during which you will be operating in chunks of time divided between sets, QA will be an uninterrupted stretch of 40 minutes. Given the fatigue, it can happen that you let the section drift – you start well for about 15 minutes, drift for 20-30 minutes and then switch back towards the end. You cannot afford to ease into the exam. So, when you take mocks, remember that this is a T20 game. So let the T20 idea be with you for your CAT preparation as well.
There is no option of losing time oscillating between questions. It is going to prove to be a rabbit-hole, even if then umber of questions are reduced. Make sure to choose a set or puzzle or a Quant sum, and get it done.
A final note!
As prospective leaders, one of the biggest qualities you will need to display over your career is the ability to soak up the pressure and face up to adversity. Having a great plan B is sometimes as important as having a great plan A. Having a good second serve is as important as having a good first serve. So do not go into the test expecting a particular kind of paper, and panic upon not finding it. That would be relying upon hope and not on ability.
Go in expecting a few twist and turns, and be prepared to navigate the same. Prepare for the exam like everything depends on it, but write the exam like nothing depends on it.
Best wishes for CAT 2021!!
Abhishek Mukherjee works for 2IIM. Apart from solving interesting math questions he likes to eat biriyani and watch movies.
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