There were about half-a-lakh more applicants for the CAT examination this year than last year, according to some estimates. The international counterpart GMAT, used by more than 1,700 graduate management schools, has also seen a rise in the number of applicants from India by about 20% each year.
Although there has been an increase in the number of seats in some existing IIMs and an IIM at Shillong has been launched, the level of competition is unlikely to reduce. About 1,600-odd seats at the IIMs are up for grabs among the 2.3 lakh CAT applicants. However, there are also thousands of seats available at over a hundred business schools other than the IIMs on the basis of the CAT score. If admission to an MBA in India is the major goal, CAT serves the purpose of keeping many business school doors open.
No one says it was easier, but some analysts have said that this was a ?real? CAT, perhaps because the ?data sufficiency? questions were back and the ?verbal ability? questions included vocabulary and grammar. The pattern of CAT 2006 continued in this year?s CAT, so there were no surprises. The bottom line was that you had to have superior reading speed to get through the lengthy questions or comprehension passages, in-depth understanding of concepts and exceptional skill with calculations to do justice to CAT 2007. Multiple choices were close and negative marking made the decision-making really tough.
The advantage of GMAT is that the score is valid for five years while CAT 2007 stands relevant only for admission to the 2008-2009 session. CAT is a paper test held once a year in various parts of India, while GMAT is computer-adaptive and can be taken as per scheduled appointments by individuals at various testing locations across the world.
Both aim to evaluate verbal, mathematical and analytical skills, but they go about it in different ways. GMAT has a clearly defined structure and pattern of questions, whereas CAT continues to remain largely unpredictable, though the previous year?s CAT paper, and answer key for the same, are now made available. CAT does not have a subjective or written section while GMAT does test analytical writing skills.
Candidates are short-listed for the interview and group discussion on the basis of their performance in the Common Admission Test (CAT), their academic record, including secondary, higher secondary, under-graduate, post-graduate, professional certification and relevant work experience. Final selection is based on all of the above parameters, as well as their performance in a group discussion, a written summary of the group discussion, a personal interview and letters of reference from three teachers or superiors who know the candidate well.
The CAT score is, therefore, but one of the inputs at every stage of the selection process. It is possible for a candidate with a lower CAT score to be selected for interview and group discussion, and to be offered admission in preference to a candidate with a higher CAT score on account of better performance in the other criteria mentioned above.
Studying analyses and estimates of cut-off scores do not matter as much as the actual score card. While you wait for it, do not forget to apply to all those business schools that use CAT scores and where you may like to seek admission, if the IIMs are not for you.
Beyond that, just focus on the other management entrance tests coming up, and start preparations for the group discussion (GD) and personal interview (PI). Many of the parameters affecting your selection are now beyond your control, so quit worrying about those. Instead, exercise control over your level of confidence and preparedness for GD and PI. Do not wait for your scores before starting your preparation because by then, you would have put yourself on the back burner. These are used to assess your suitability for the MBA programme and the professional life that would follow.
Being well-read is an asset. Keep yourself updated on current affairs?not just corporate but political, economic, social and media, as well. If your communication skills and social confidence levels are low, participate in mock GD sessions to understand the process, evaluate your weaknesses and take remedial action.
Personal interviews are just that?personal; you are actually on your home turf here. You should be able to communicate confidently about your subjects of study, your goals, your purpose in doing an MBA, personal background, priorities for choosing a business school.
The author is a career counsellor
