The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a prestigious entrance exam in India that is conducted for admission to postgraduate management programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools in the country. The CAT exam is conducted every year by one of the six old IIMs, namely IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, and Kozhikode. As per the trend analysis, it is most likely that IIM Lucknow will conduct CAT 2023. In this article, we will discuss what to expect from the CAT 2023 exam and how to prepare for it.
Past Trends of CAT Exam Conducting IIMs
Before discussing CAT 2023, let's take a quick look at the past trends of CAT exam conducting IIMs. Based on past years' data, it is expected that since IIM Lucknow is conducting CAT 2023, the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section is expected to be moderate to difficult, the Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI) section will be difficult, and the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section will be easy to moderate. However, it is important to note that the level of difficulty of the exam is not influenced by the CAT exam conducting IIMs. The CAT exam is designed and conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management, in collaboration with the testing agency Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). And the questions are pooled in by different IIMs and the final questions are randomly selected by the software. There is no human role involved in deciding the difficulty level of the paper.
Predicting the Difficulty Level of CAT 2023 Sections
Now let's focus on the CAT 2023 exam. Based on past trends and analysis of previous year's CAT exam, we can predict which section could be comparatively easier and which section could be difficult in the CAT 2023 exam. In the CAT 2022 exam, the VARC section was relatively easier compared to the LRDI section, which was considered to be the toughest section. The QA section was moderate in terms of difficulty level. Therefore, we can expect a similar trend in the CAT 2023 exam as well.
Tips to Prepare for the CAT 2023 Exam
Now that we know what to expect from the CAT 2023 exam, let's discuss some tips to prepare for the exam.
- Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: The first step to prepare for the CAT exam is to understand the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. The CAT exam consists of three sections, namely VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes, and there are a total of 66 questions in the exam. The syllabus includes topics such as Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, and Mathematics.
- Create a Study Plan: Once you have understood the exam pattern and syllabus, the next step is to create a study plan. A well-planned study schedule can help you cover all the topics and subtopics in a structured manner. Divide your time equally among all the sections, and focus on the topics that you find difficult. Moreover, analyse which topics have more weightage and give special emphasis on those. For important topics for each section, subscribe to InsideIIM for regular updates.
- Practice Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers: Practice is the key to success in the CAT exam. Make sure to practice mock tests and previous year papers to get a feel of the actual exam. Analyze your performance in the mock tests and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Mocks are the single most important factor to excel in the CAT exam. Mocks help you prepare a strategy for exams and manage your limited time effectively.
- Improve your Time Management Skills: Time management is crucial in the CAT exam. You have only 40 minutes to solve each section, which means you need to be quick and accurate in your approach. Moreover, for each section you have a fixed time, you cannot use one section's time in another section. Also, the order of sections is fixed. Practice solving questions under time pressure to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Stay motivated: Lastly stay motivated throughout the CAT preparation journey, you’ll have your ups and downs, days when you won’t be able to study due to one or the other reason. But remember, CAT is an easy exam to crack if you're consistent throughout your preparation journey and intrinsically motivated.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CAT 2023 will be conducted by IIM Lucknow, and we can expect a similar level of difficulty in the exam as the previous year. However, it is important to note that the difficulty level of the exam is not influenced by the CAT exam conducted by IIM. Therefore, prepare well and stay focused on your goal. With the right approach and hard work, you can crack the CAT exam and secure admission in the top B-schools in India.