Dear Student,
The CAT is out of the bag. The IIMs have finally come public with their decision on conducting the CAT online from 2009. It is time now to act.
At the outset, we assure you that there is nothing to “fear” about this online CAT. We at CL are well prepared to take it head on and ensure that you have the requisite. We have anticipated this and have been silently working at the backend to create requisite Computer Based Tests to make you comfortable with this format. We have been doing this for a long time now. CL started its first CBTs under the name “Web Sprints” way back in 2000 itself. In 2002, XLRI proposed conducting the test online and at CL we came up with a series of tests, which were considered the best in this Industry.
In terms of the impact of this decision on your preparations, it has been addressed below in a question and answer format.
1) I am not very comfortable working on the computer? Will this affect my performance in the exam?
Absolutely, if you continue to keep yourself off from taking computer based tests. There are two stages of getting used to this. One, getting used to working on the computer. Two, getting used to reading and comprehending from the computers.
The first is still a smaller problem to tackle. Almost all students taking GRE/GMAT have no problems getting used to the interface of the test. You just need to know how to click on the correct answer, submit the answer or skip the answer by clicking on the relevant radio buttons on the screen.
The second is a slightly long drawn process. Reading from the computer and comprehending is slightly different from doing the same from sheet of paper. That is because we have been used to the “paper formats” for such a long time that our eye – mind coordination has got used to it. So you need to practice quite a bit to make yourself as efficient through a computer screen. Practice is the key factor.
2) Where can I practice tests from?
Are you aware that there are batteries of tests that are being updated every week on your SIS. There are a large number of students who are already taking tests regularly on the SIS. If you still have not done it, you better get cracking fast. Please visit your SIS today. Better late than never.
3) If CAT is conducted on different dates, would the students get different papers?
Absolutely. The plan is to conduct it on 10 different days. You may be asked to book your time slots and take the tests at some designated centers which has the “computer Infrastructure” to conduct the tests. You may be aware that BITSAT is computer-based tests conducted for admissions into the Engineering programmes for BITS – Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad campuses. About 1.8 lakh students are taking this test this year. So each of you, in different time slots, could get a different paper. But care would be taken to ensure that all the papers are of “similar” levels of difficulty. You should not be worried about this aspect much.
4) Would the paper pattern change?
Not much. Do not think that the paper would be a lot easier. It may be marginally. The length of RCs is bound to reduce, so also would be the amount of data in DI. Prepare the way you are preparing now. We will take care of these in our online tests.
5) What should we do now?
There are a few things that you must immediately do.
a) Start taking tests on the SIS immediately. Make sure that you have sufficient practice of taking computer-based tests especially in RC and DI.
b) Read e-newspapers, e-books.
c) Make sure that every test that is made available to you by CL is completed. This would be more than sufficient for you to get cracking in CAT.
6) What is CL planning for me?
We have anticipated this for some time now. We have planned it out completely. The ‘appetisers” have been put on the SIS now. There are broadly 2 things that you would see happening
1) More tests on the web – Many more sectional tests will be uploaded onto the SIS across sections.
2) Mocks in the CBT formats – We will conduct the mocks both in the CBT formats as well as in the paper based formats. Please check your SIS in a day or two to see the schedule of these tests. We shall ensure that you get comfortable with all the possible formats that CAT can try out.
7) What should be my preparation strategy?
There are two three stages for your preparation …
a) Learn: You learn as you are doing now. Just because CAT has gone online the conceptual learning is not going to change. Just stick to your Fundabooks and move onto the online tests for practice.
b) Practice: Part of this must be offline and part of it online. We would upload many more tests online in the next few weeks to enable you to get as much practice as possible online. Note that practice on SIS is essentially to get you used to taking a test on the computer.
c) Testing: Testing for a significant part must be online. This is because your strategies would significantly change since it is no longer a paper-based format. You need to experience enough Full duration tests on the comp to make yourself be aware of what is working for you and what is not.
8) Anything else I need to know?
Normally CBTs are of different formats
a) A computer based test that lets you scroll all the questions. So you can access any question randomly.
b) A computer based test that throws question one at a time. You can access questions randomly. This is the most likely format for CAT 2009.
c) A computer based test that is adaptive. This means the test adapts to how you are attempting the paper. The questions thrown at you are based on whether you have got the earlier questions right or wrong. We expect this pattern from 2010 or 2011.
If you have any queries please mail us through the SIS.
Regards
CL Academic Team
Filed under: CAT 2009 | Tagged: Career Launcher, CAT 2009, How to prepare, preparation
Dear CL Team,
Thank You so much for the useful information.
It has already cleared a lot of my questions.
sir i have to knew that when your test series is istarted for cat 2009
sir also tell me that what about the placemet condition in jmet colleges
is result will declare on the spot or only we get the marks and after 10 days exam schedule result will be declared?
sir,
I am studying student of B.Tech final year got 65% in CAT2008 looking for intenssive coaching in your institute near by delhi please suggest me prior location and fee structure for class room program
Oh no !!!! CAT 2009 is going to be online.
It will be difficult to Read Comprehensions on computer screen….And then finding answers……
And moreover, we cant get back to the questions……..
But anyways, i can (will) crack it !!!!!!!!
Thanks for the info.
But I wish that there are some tips and tricks to solve the test faster online. Like some short-cut keys and some commands. Because I find Keyboard better over the mouse. Can you tell us any..(Apart from Page-up/down,or Tab,Enter)
Also please try and keep Revision lectures after ever module. Then the Review tests will be helpful…
I find that Revision has been a key for me in remembering things in the past while preparing for competitive exams.
[...] CAT 2009: Message from Career Launcher Academic Team Dear Student, The CAT is out of the bag. The IIMs have finally come public with their decision on conducting the CAT [...] [...]
Sir, is it officially declared by the IIMs??
wy do u think that size of RC and DI section will come dowm
Hi,
I really appreciate this article on CBT for CAT 2009, even a visiting faculty like me who gets quite a few queries on the preparation for CBT , is helping me to handle those queries .Most importantly , the article by the Acads team is available immediately after the CAT announcement , really shows the concern and preparation levels of CL on handling this new dimension in preparing students for CBT ,
I am sure that when students visit CL centres and after they have taken on line test ;there are counselors to guide them on how to improve further in test taking capabilities based on their test scores !
cheers,
Umesh
Dear Counselor,
I am currently in USA and willing to take the CAT 09. As the test goes online is there any facility to take the test from USA?
Regards
Deepak
Hi Deepak,
Career Launcher will have an online Test series starting May end. You regulary visit CL website to get the updates about the same.
Sir,
Can you please tell me the date of commencement of test series of CL and its fee structure?
Hi Sneha,
Test Series enrolments have already begun at CL centres and we will be giving the facility to Enrol Online in a few days as well.
There are three products:
CAT Test Series:
a. 6 Proctored Mocks (at CL Computer Labs) + 16 Online Mock CATs. Rs 1999/-
b. 3 Proctored Mocks (at CL Computer Labs) + 8 Online Mock CATs. Rs 999/-
Non-CAT Test Series: 6 paper based mocks for SNAP, XAT, FMS and MAT and 15 Full Length Tests. Rs 999/-
CAT Test Series + Non-CAT Test Series: Rs 2499.
More details are available at http://www.careerlauncher.com/mba/online_cat/Test_series.html
To find the Career Launcher centre closest to you, please visit http://www.careerlauncher.com/location/location.jsp
Sir,
Please tell me that CAT will be like BITSAT or like GRE/ GMAT?? Its written that it will be GMAT based from 2010. Is this confirmed we can skip questions in CAT like that in BITSAT?
Sir,
I am a student of B.Sc(Biotech) final year and looking for intenssive coaching in your institute in delhi.Please suggest me prior location and fee structure for class room program.What will be better for me??…
Thank You,
for the useful information thus provided. This will prove to be very useful as it is the first time CAT is going online.
My concern related to CAT is with RC passages, considering the tough RC passages that have been coming in cat for last 3-4 years. Would taking the cat online make them much more difficult as it’s not possible to get the same level of comphrehension while reading the test online, further we can’t mark text while giving it on hard copy and it would be difficult to get used to online reading the RC in 3-4 months time…….
“But care would be taken to ensure that all the papers are of “similar” levels of difficulty. You should not be worried about this aspect much.”
.
I would disagree with you here sir. How can any two “distinct” papers be rated on their difficulty ? The level of difficulty is relative and cannot be applied uniformly across all questions. For instance, some students may have their area of strengths in quant topics like probability/permutations; they are likely to find even difficult questions from these topics to be “easy”. While others whose are weak in these topics will find even the easy questions to be difficult. Also in verbal ability, how can two distinct RC passages be classified as “equally difficult” or how can two different grammar based/jumbles be termed equally difficult ?. Difficulty is more about perspective and it is simply impossible to classify two different questions to be in the same level of difficulty as every test taker has his own distinct difficult and easy levels. In a single question paper format, this problem does not arise as all test takers have to answer the same set of questions. However, this practise of giving different question papers to candidates gives unfair advantage to a select students and undermines the spirit of fair competition. Therefore, I feel, CAT has to be conducted in a single day and all aspirants must get the same questions. However, it should continue to be a computer based so that evaluation can be mush easier, efficient and error-proof. Also the risk of question paper leak will be minimized.
Needless to say, such an exercise will involve additional investment by the IIMs on infrastructure, but that would be a necessary evil. However, all test takers will have to have the equal opportunity to realize their dreams.
sir,
i m preparing for CAT2009 at CL
please tell me about online test
in CAT CBT format, questions depending on your performance pattern will be apply from this year?
when will cat online application forms realise
Sir, thank sir for such a valuable info.
I want to know about the price of : Complete test series(CAT + Non CAT) + MBA on demand+ Test Gym+ CAT SCAN.
If I purchase these product online how can i choose the center for proctored test.
Before every proctored test whether i have to book my slot at particular CL center or it will CL decide.
Please response me soon.
Thanking You
sir,
i want to buy mba on demand(300 hrs)+CAT SCAN
do this come under any of the combo packs?
(as far as i know)the online mock cats( apart from proc) can be written at home …am i right?
if so
according to my need i ll buy online mock cats one by one…is it possbl?
and if any one is writing online cat how they are goin to check the percentile?
please reply soon
thanking you
Hi Harika,
CATScan is not presently available in any Combo Packs at the centres. You will have to buy it online from the Career Launcher website.
All mocks available for purchase through the Career Launcher website have to be taken in the online mode only. Yes! it is possible to buy them one by one.
Online Mocks are activated as per the dates mentioned on the purchase screen. One has to take the Online Mock CATs through the Mock Tests section in CL SIS at http://www.careerlauncher.com/sis
After one submits that Online Mock CAT, you can view the analysis in the Analysis section of the SIS.
Regards,
The CL Team
hello sir
Thank You so much for the useful information.
sir,actually i did not get good marks in my proc.cat test,yet i work hard, and my confidence level down ,what should i do now,i m student of CL
pls suggest me soon