IIMs announce new pattern for CAT
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Common Admission Test (CAT) for 13 Indian Institutes of Managements (IIMs) in the country will see a new pattern of examination from this year.
The CAT, which traditionally comprised of three sections to evaluate a candidate’s quantitative — verbal, logical and data interpretation, will have two sections – quantitative ability and data interpretation followed by verbal ability and logical reasoning from this year. This new pattern of examination will be managed by IIM-Calcutta.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Prof Rohit Dwivedi, Chairman, Admissions Committee, RGIIM, Shillong on the new examination pattern said, “This will be like the same old system as students appearing in the CAT will not experience any change,” adding that the system was also earlier in place. It is learnt that this new format in the computer based version of CAT was previously practised in paper and pencil years. The CAT is executed by Prometric – a US based testing agency and the leading global provider of comprehensive testing and assessment services.
The two sections will be implemented sequentially with separate time limits i.e. 140 minutes altogether wherein candidates have to opt 30 questions in 70 minutes in each sections. The test will also have an on-screen countdown timer. A 15 minute tutorial will also be provided to the students before the start of the main examination. The total duration of the examination will be two hours and 35 minutes including the tutorial.
Besides this the CAT 2011 question papers, will have few statistically and psychometrically validated questions randomly inserted as equating blocks for assessing post test equality across the days. Explaining this Prof Dwivedi said, ‘Technically when such a test is prepared to assess candidates, the technology in place has to be reliable since it is a scientific way of testing. The candidates here are psychometrically (the branch of psychology that deals with the design, administration, and interpretation of quantitative tests for the measurement of psychological variables such as intelligence, aptitude, and personality traits) tested.”
Meanwhile, three more locations have been added to the existing 33 test locations available all over the country to provide convenience to more candidates, now.
The three new test locations are Bhilai, Jammu and Dehradun, which is an attempt to help the northern states. Shillong and Guwahati are the two test centres available in the north eastern region for CAT aspirants.