CAT: Repeaters find new pattern more challenging

CHENNAI: A number of students who, on Saturday, wrote the Common Admissions Test (CAT), the qualifying examinations for getting into the IIMs, said that Quantitative Ability section of the paper took longer time to complete compared to the Verbal section.Those who appeared for the test in the various centres across the city were the first lot to take the online examination this year, which was presented with a brand new pattern and several changes to the duration. Several candidates who spoke to this reporter said that the trend of the IIMs changing the pattern every year ensured that they were ready for the surprises.While those who took the test for the first time said that they did not find the paper tough, those who had appeared for the online examination in previous years said that they found the going a little challenging. According to Shiva Kiran, centre manager of IMS, Tambaram, who also took the test, it was tough to differentiate between the Data Interpretation and Quantitative questions as both involved lot of calculations. Satviki, a candidate, said that questions were jumbled even with one section and this consumed more time. She said that the Verbal Ability questions were slightly tougher compared to the previous year.While those from the engineering background, as is the case every year, found the Quantitative part relatively easy, Mythili, a commerce student, said that each question in the quant section took a solid three minutes to understand.Though many candidates finished the first section early, they were forced to wait for the completion of 70 minutes before they could begin the next set of questions. This, many said, made matters slightly difficult as they could have had more time at their disposal if they were allowed to attend other questions right away. However, CAT trainers were of the view that with the first set of students completing the exam, other following them would have more confidence as they now have an idea about how the new pattern works. The CAT test window would open till November 18.