Shiksha exclusive: CAT 2015 to be held on a single day over two sessions; exam not to be skewed towards Quant

 

CAT 2015 exam pattern

CAT 2015 notification is all set to be released on July 26, 2015. Aspirants can expect some major changes in the latest exam pattern of CAT 2015.

For starters, CAT 2015 exam will be held on a single day, spread over two sessions.

“Every year we review CAT and make certain changes- both operational and content. For CAT 2015, at an operational level, we are planning to have it on a single-day in two-sessions rather than on two-days in four sessions like last year. This will help in enhancing operational efficiency and quality of the test content,” said Professor Tathagata Bandyopadhyay to Shiksha.com. Professor Tathagata Bandyopadhyay the new CAT 2015 convenor

Apart from it, CAT 2015 authorities are also planning to address the issue of diversity in MBA classroom. Currently, the exam leans towards candidates from engineering background. All this is may change drastically with CAT 2015.

Authorities are planning to change the CAT 2015 test pattern (again!) keeping in mind candidates from different backgrounds. This move will take in to account the issues of academic and gender diversity at the IIMs.

“Regarding the content part, one of our concerns is, score in Quant dominates the percentile rank in CAT. As a consequence it brings in skewness to the selection process towards a particular set of candidates from a particular background. This year we intend to address it by making some changes in the test content and also by rationalising weights assigned to different components of the test. This we hope will create a level-playing field for all candidates, no matter what educational background they come from, and will remove skewness to a large extent that we referred to above. We believe such a move will help us identify candidates from varied backgrounds who will become future leaders in their chosen profession. Such a move will also help IIMs bring in greater diversity in the classrooms and will go a long way in enriching the learning experience," said CAT 2015 convenor.

CAT 2015 authorities are also going to make the number of cities where CAT will be conducted to 115 this year, up from last year's 99 cities. “In order to increase accessibility, the number of cities where CAT will be held is increased to 115 this year from last year's 99,” said Professor Bandyopadhyay.

The authorities are also taking into account the problems of women candidates. “We are also trying to accommodate the female candidates in centres near the city areas as far as possible so that the travel for them could be reduced,” said the convener.

 

Here are the six major changes that will be incorporated in CAT 2015 exam:

 

1. CAT 2015 will be held on a single day in two-sessions.
2. Authorities will try to accommodate the female candidates in centres near city areas to reduce long travel
3. The number of cities where CAT will be held will be increased to 115 this year (from last year's 99).
4. Quant will not dominate the percentile rank in CAT, thus opening up the playing field for non-engineering students.
5. CAT exam and CAT scores will not be eschewed towards a particular set of candidates from a particular background.
6. CAT 2015 Test content will be changed by rationalising weights assigned to different components of the test, to create a level-playing field for all candidates from various backgrounds.

 

Other useful links:

CAT 2015 syllabus details

CAT 2015 important dates

How can I effectively prepare for CAT 2015 without attending coaching classes?

Scored well in CAT, but didn't make it to IIMs. Where did I go wrong?

Top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores

Take a look at the MBA colleges accepting CAT 2015 scores in the following cities: