This year, the Common Admission Test (CAT) aspirants will have to deal with many new features while competing to secure a seat in the premier Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The online registration for CAT 2011 has started and one must apply before September 28, 2011. Aspirants should get themselves an IIM-CAT 2011 voucher, which is essential for registration on www.catiim.in
The total duration of CAT 2011 will be 140 minutes. Earlier, the total time allotted was 135 minutes. Candidates will be allotted 70 minutes to answer 30 questions from each section. In addition, this year, a special on-screen countdown timer will be installed on every computer to help candidates to keep a track of time. As soon as the time ends for the first section, they will move to the second and will no longer be able to go back.
This year, a number of changes have been incorporated for the CAT examinees, right from the number of sections they will have to attend to the time allotted for each section and the total time allotted. There's a considerable shift from the old pattern. However, there is good news, as candidates will be tutored for the next couple of months through practice tests that will be available on both IIM and Prometric websites, so that candidates can prepare themselves. To make the students acquainted with the same, Career Launcher has introduced a 'strategy session'.
Earlier, CAT comprised of three sections - Quantitative Aptitude, Logical reasoning and data interpretation and lastly, English. However, this year, it has been reduced to two sections. The first section will focus on Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, while the second will focus on Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning. These two sections will be executed in sequence with separate time limits. Candidates will be offered 15-minute tutorial before the start of the test, in order to assist candidates relax and prepare themselves mentally to take up one of the most challenging entrance examinations. Also, candidates will be able to check in at the exam venue one and a half hours prior to the actual test time, instead of the previous two hours.
A spokesperson for Prometric, the company that is partnering with the IIMs to organize CAT, said that since practice tests will be uploaded in their websites soon to help candidates, they would advise them to go through these tests regularly to familiarize themselves with the screens, layout, and navigation. The spokesperson also added that the 20-day period for taking the examination would provide candidates with the flexibility of choosing a suitable test day. In addition, additional support will be provided as required to the candidates who are differently abled.
