Common Admission Test (CAT)

Common Admission Test (CAT)

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Common Admission Test (CAT) Structure and Section-Wise Composition

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a very formal test, testing a number of competencies critical for management education. The test for the CAT is computer-based and divided into three sections:
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
The VARC section covers language skills, reading comprehension, and verbal reasoning. Questions under this section are generally divided between reading comprehension passages and questions on grammar, vocabulary, and critical reasoning. Reading comprehension passages make up the majority of this section where the candidate is expected to read fast and critically analyze information.
The skills tested comprise understanding main ideas, arguments, and inferences.
A sound grasping of the English language, combined with constant reading and practice, will equip the applicant to do good in VARC .
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
DILR evaluates a candidate's ability to understand complicated data using logical reasoning for solving problems. The contestants need to read data quickly while spotting the answer in time.
DILR needs a mix of numerical strength combined with logical acumen. Hence, practice with data sets of different kinds is imperative to crack this section.
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
QA tests the mathematical ability that comprises elements of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems. Tests the candidate's potential for problem-solving and basic quantitative concepts. Questions are expected to test the speed and accuracy of candidates. Thus, acquiring mathematical shortcuts and formulas is useful.
This requires a good practice of previous years' questions and focus on weaker math areas to crack QA well.
Pattern and Marking Scheme
CAT is a 120 minute test, with 40 minutes allocated per section. Common Admission Test (CAT) is format bound and does not allow the candidates to switch from one section to another.
Multiple choice as well as non-multiple choice type questions fall in each section.
There is no negative marking for the former type, but for the multiple choice type, every right answer carries three marks while each wrong answer carries a minus one mark.

Conclusion
A candidate, in general, for the whole structure of Common Admission Test (CAT) and sectional decomposition of the test, would require language, logical reasoning capability, and quantitative ability. Hence, focused preparation for both sections would be needed to succeed in the test.

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