Déjà vu - CAT '06 and '07..

A few days ago, I was asked to write an article on the possible patterns of CAT '07 paper to send to one of those online dailies. As I sat down to write the article sometime today evening, I was reminded of the article I had posted precisely a year ago on the same topic. And so I decided to open the post and go through it. To my surprise, I found that I had predicted two things correctly back then - that it might be a 75 question paper and we might be given 5 options. Although I did think these scnearios would be unlikely, I was pleasantly surprised when I found the same in the paper. On the whole, I believe I was prepared for those cases and hence was least shocked. And when the shock element goes missing, the paper looks much more easier, right?

So lets fast forward to CAT '07. Considering the trends that are being followed over the past few years, the number of questions are being reduced gradually - from 123 in 2004 to 90 in 2005 and then finally to 75 in 2006. Now one could expect the number of questions to go down to 60 which would just mean that the paper might be on a higher difficulty level. Or they would stick to 75 and raise the bar slightly.

Also every CAT paper has something new and different to offer - at least one of the three sections are more difficult than usual. (Assuming there are only three) In 2005, it was DI with more logic-oriented questions; for us in 2006, it was Verbal with the "Judgement, Inference and Fact" types of questions. So there is a good possibility that this year, the Quant section will be the toughest with something new added just to spice things up a bit.

On a final note, I guess I will repeat the same words as last time - do not waste time in questioning whether the changes in the paper are justified or not. Be flexible. Do not enter the exam hall with a fixed mindset. Do not panic on seeing the changes. If it is difficult for you, it will be difficult for the majority of CAT aspirants. Believe in yourself. Nothing is better than a good dose of self-belief! And do not get stuck on any question. And most importantly.. do not forget your admit card! ;)

All the best to all the exam takers. May the force be with you! :D

Note: You can find my post on CAT '06 here. And my views aired here are pure speculations. You are not told the CAT question paper even if you're studying in an IIM! :D

Quote of the day:

The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.

PS1: I completed 2 years of blogging sometime last month.. Oct. 24th I think.
PS2: I forgive my father.. I forgive my boss.. I forgive my friends.. I forgive my barber.. I forgive the government.. I forgive my past.. I forgive them all.. I feel like.. I feel like God.
PS3: I am very, very happy! :D Tomorrow only 3 classes - 2 of them require no pre-class reading! Alright!! :D Of course, that is not the only reason why I am happy.
PS4: PS2 was the Bajaj Avenger Ad lines tailored to my context. That ad is legendary!
PS5: Ate awesome food.. freaked out with friends.. rode at 75 kmph.. and a very memorable night! A starry one too.. :D