Our MBA expert, Sidharth Balakrishna gives his analysis of CAT 2011 & tries to explain what it means for a CAT 2012 test-taker:

This year’s CAT was better administered than previous years in the sense that there were fewer technical glitches and a major effort seems to have been undertaken to ensure better standardization across the different slots. In earlier years, many complaints had been received that some slots saw tougher sets of questions and hence a normalization factor had to be applied.

(How was CAT 2011 different from previous years’ CAT)

The unpredictability was also reduced owing to the fact that the number of sections as well as the number of questions in the two sections had been specified in advance. The introduction of sectional time limits and the fixed order of the sections also meant that the unpredictability and lack of standardization was removed to a greater extent.


If we make an analysis of CAT 2011 we'd realise that CAT 2011as a whole was not too difficult. There were some fairly easy, straightforward questions and a few tough ones. In all, a total attempt of 42-45 would have been adequate. Amongst the two sections, these attempts should have been around 20-24 each, with a slightly higher number i.e. closer to 24 being attempted in the Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning section.


So what does this mean for the CAT 2012 taker? 

Here are some tips:

• First, accuracy is vital. Since you have a defined time limit for each section and a relatively fewer number of questions than in easier years, you have to ensure that your accuracy is over 80 percent in both sections. 
• Next, balance is key. In the new CAT 2011 pattern, you cannot devote extra time to the section in which you are strong. You have to be reasonably good in both sections to clear both the sectional and overall cut offs. 
• A related point is that the combination of two parts in each section (i.e Quantitative along with Data Interpretation and Verbal along with Reasoning) has meant a better and more even spread of questions. The focus is on conceptual clarity, so candidates must make sure that they are strong on the basics and the fundamentals.
• Choice of questions is important. As mentioned, there were some easy and some tough questions. Make sure you spot the easy ones! Within a section, there were choices to be made: for example, in the Verbal cum Reasoning section, many students felt that attempts pertaining to Verbal should have been maximised.
• Finally, one hygiene point: the administration staff was very strict about the documents carried and some candidates were turned away due to their not carrying original proofs etc. So make sure that you carry all the required stuff and carry out a check before you leave for the centre!

Sidharth Balakrishna

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