CAT 2016: 10 Top Topics That Can Help Score Well

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2016, which is conducted for entry into the top B-schools of the country, is scheduled to be held on December 4. For the last-minute targeted CAT preparation, prepare these 10 topics- categorized by section.

As per the official notification, IIMs will conduct the CAT examination in two sessions for admission into various management programmes. The selection of candidates will be done on the basis of written ability test (WAT), group discussion (GD) followed by personal interviews (PI) round.

The registration for Common Admission Test 2016 has ended at 5.00 PM on September 27, 2016. Compared to last year, the registration count has gone up by 6%. The total number of CAT 2016 applications received is reported to be 232,434. Though, the registration has ended but the duly registered candidates will be able to edit some limited details in their submitted form. This year, IIM Bangalore has given an opportunity to make corrections in the form from October 1 to 5, 2016.

For the last-minute targeted CAT preparation, definitely prepare these 10 topics- categorised by sections.

Note: MCQ – multiple choice questions and NE – numerical entry questions

CAT 2016 Verbal Ability:

Reading Comprehension: (4-5 sets – MCQ)

Tests reading and analysis skills, rather than vocabulary. Questions are more inferential than factual. Identify a summary, central idea, title, tone, arguments for/against passage, for each passage you practice
Focus on contemporary issues like economics, politics, environment, socio-cultural issues than old favourites like sociology, philosophy, literature and arts

Jumbled Sentences: (3-5 questions – NE)

Very difficult as sentence sequences are absent from options. Hence, you have to directly identify the correct sequence instead of eliminating options
One variant is where one of the 4-5 jumbled sentences doesn’t fit the logical sequence. Here, identify the correct sequence and then eliminate the odd sentence

Paragraph Completion and Summary(2-3 questions – NE)

Paragraph Completion – complete the passage
Paragraph Summary – identify the most appropriate and concise summary
MCQ questions, asked as numerical entry questions. Similar to RCs in terms of practice

Quantitative Aptitude: (All topics – MCQ + NE)

Numbers

Involve lot of formulae and properties. Make notes on each formula, applicability and conditions of use. Focus on smart solutions using value substitution, answer elimination etc rather than practising in bulk. Each question may require a new approach.

Geometry

Comprises concepts from circles, triangles, quadrilaterals and co-ordinate geometry.

Concept and formula-driven chapter but application oriented questions. Identify relevant concept(s) and solve each question.

Arithmetic

Less weightage but concepts critical for later QA chapters and DI section. Master this before starting DI or other QA chapters.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning:(All topics – MCQ + NE)

Tables and Graphs (4 sets)

Covers tables, case lets, bar, pie, line and advanced graphs
Sets tend to be logical and conceptual, rather than calculation oriented. Focus on selecting and completely solving the right set

Venn Diagrams(0-1 sets)

Concept-driven. Covers tabular, caselet-based or chart-based sets
Focus on concept clarity and variety in practice

Arrangements (1-2 sets)

Covers circular, rectangular, square, linear, multiple row/column, complex or combination
Tedious but ensures full marks, if solved correctly

Numerical Logic(1-2 sets)

Mathematical puzzles asked as DI/LR sets. Involve application of mathematical concepts and logic. Can give full marks but require a lot of practice.

CAT 2016: Registrations at a seven-year high, more than 2.32 lakh apply

Registrations for the Common Admission Test (CAT) to IIMs and other leading B-schools have shot up to a 7-year high with 2,32,434 candidates applying for the entrance test scheduled to be held on December 4 .

There were 2,18,664 registrations last year. The last date for applying originally was September 22 but it was extended by five days .

Important Dates related to CAT 2016

The test has never been specifically held in the month of December earlier, it will be the first time that it will be held in December. However, in 2009, the test was held from November 28 to December 7 but it was only the exam session which was stretched till December.

Keep track of the important dates of CAT 2016 from the table below.

Event	Date
Official notification released on	31 July 2016
Online Registration commenced on	8 August 2016 (from 10.00 AM)
Last date to fill and submit the application form was	27 September 2016 (till 5.00 PM)
Application form correction window to remain available from	1 to 5 October 2016
Admit card to be made available for download in	18 October 2016 (from 1.00 PM)
Admit card can be downloaded till	4 December 2016 (till the exam date)
CAT 2016 to be held on	4 December 2016
Declaration of result	second week of January 2017 (tentatively)