CAT 2020 score calculation was one aspect that kept bugging the CAT aspirants as soon as the announcement that stated the official release of the CAT 2020 response sheet and answer key was released on the IIMCAT website.
The initial consensus after CAT 2020 held on 29 November, 2020 was that the slots went progressively tougher than their predecessors. This was echoed by the feedback given by many aspirants across the spectrum. Claims stated that “Slot 1 was relatively easier because candidates appearing for that slot had the disadvantage of not knowing the pattern at all.” Which seemed to be true to an extent.
But then…
8 December happened. The answer key was released, and the scores across sections in different slots seemed to convey something else altogether.
What is the inference?
People at 2IIM who took the examination across different slots crashed/scored well, irrespective of the slots they were in. The feedback was also palpable from the scores of many of our students.
Which means?
This brings us to the most important aspect of CAT 2020 score calculation. Broad-brush assessments of Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3 could be true to an extent, but they have to be taken with a pinch of salt.
The ‘Whaaat?’ and the ‘Okay, what now?’
The ‘Whaaat?’ part is obvious. The assumption that candidates taking the examination in Slot 1 had a free run might not entirely be true.
The ‘Okay, what now?’ part brings me to our CAT 2020 score calculator (which can be accessed, here). To be clear, we at 2IIM are doing a score calculator only, and it has nothing to do with percentile prediction, the reasons for which can be found, here.
We need more tangible evidence
An incessant rat-race has ensued, with different people/providers guesstimating the percentile ranges. There are several problems with the estimates.
- The sample is insufficient to extract tangible data points and predict an accurate score vs. percentile mapping.
- The sample is heavily skewed in favour of high scores, since high scoring candidates tend to show more inclination to give out their scores.
To compare and contrast the numbers across the three different slots and arrive at the most accurate scores vs. percentile mapping, we need to consider the scores – both sectional and overall – of candidates who form different points of the broad spectrum.
For this to happen, more and more candidates with different ranges of scores should make use of 2IIM’s Online Score Calculator. A larger sample would give us a more representative range of scores for different percentiles.
The range vs. the individual
To be clear, we are not going to give out any individual a percentile number rounded off to gazillion decimal places. We are trying to get an exact range of scores for a range of percentiles.
For example, you would not get a percentile of 9x.yz for a score of 90+. Rather, you will get to know that your percentile would range between a range for a particular score.
Confidentiality of data
There is an obvious sense of skepticism about data privacy whenever a provider/organization asks you for your personald etails. Which is why our CAT 2020 score calculator does not require you to furnish any personal detail – be it your name, email ID, phone number or anything else at all.
Any data you give to us will never be shared for external purposes at all. Even internally, Team 2IIM will not cold-call you or bug you with unnecessary spam information.
In a nutshell
Visit our CAT 2020 score calculator, here. Upload your response sheet WITHOUT LOGGIN IN OR SIGNING UP. It might not take more than a minute or two from your end, but it would matter to us as we try and research more data points.
What we intend to do
We will publish the following:
- An in-depth analysis of how the different slots fare against each other, and what the likely percentile ranges could be across the three different slots
- An open database of ANONYMIZED scores and attempts of the candidates so that you can also do your own analysis.
Stay tuned for further updates, and please make use of 2IIM’s Online Score Calculator.
Stay safe, and best wishes for all the upcoming examinations.
Written by Giridharan Raghuraman
Leave a Reply