CAT 2015 Analysis

The LEADER in Online Test Prep

CAT 2015 was being watched with a lot of anticipation due to the major changes in the pattern this year both
on the content and technology front. The actual exam seems to have gone some way in changing the growing
perception over the last 3-4 years that CAT had diluted its quality. However, the exam this year (across both
slots) was highly skewed in terms of difficulty level across sections, which would have made planning of
attempts difficult.
The general feedback across both slots was that VA was on the easy to moderate side followed by an extremely
tough DILR section and a relatively easy QA section. Hence, the sectional cut-offs are also expected to have large
variations. The number of direct entry questions also varied significantly across sections. However, all of them
should have been attempted as there was no negative marking for them.
One issue with the test was the presence of incorrect instructions given before the start of the test. The demo
test released earlier had clearly mentioned that RC passages will have 3 or 6 questions (which was also followed
by the actual test) whereas the instructions incorrectly mentioned blocks of 4 questions each, which would have
added to students anxiety before the test.

Summary
Number of Sections

Number of questions

Variable

Options per Question

4 (only for MCQs)

Marks per Question

Negative Marking

1 for MCQs, 0 for Direct Entry

Total Time

180 minutes

Sectional Timings

60 minutes per section

1. Section I Reading Comprehension + Verbal Ability

There were two sub-sections (RC and VA in two separate tabs) and the breakup of the section was exactly as
given in the demo test. There were 5 RC passages comprising 24 questions (3 passages with 6 questions each
and average word count of 450-500 words and 2 passages with 3 questions each and average word count of
300-350 words). None of the RC questions were direct entry questions. Student feedback is that RCs were from
diverse areas like history, economics, socio-economic trends (clothing, housing, energy generation, and the
internet), and geography. Most passages, while not dense, were analytical in nature and involved serious
reading of the subject matter. Some of them had questions with very close options or ambiguities in the question
stem. On the whole, this part of the section could be rated easy to moderate.
Verbal Ability was the tougher of the two sub-sections. Questions were asked from only three areas Jumbled
Sentences, Odd sentence in a sequence, and Paragraph summary. All 10 questions here were direct entry type,
which made some of them (especially jumbled sentences) difficult to solve. There were no questions from some
common types like critical reasoning, fill in the blanks, and word usage. In that sense, this section completely
replicated the demo mock.
On the whole, 27-28 attempts in this section (approximately 18-19 in RC) with 80-85% accuracy could be
considered a good performance in this section.
CAT 2015 Analysis

www.TestFunda.com

CAT 2015 Analysis

The LEADER in Online Test Prep

2. Section II Data Interpretation + Logical Reasoning:

This was, by far, the toughest of the three sections. Each slot had four DI sets and four LR sets, with one direct
entry set in DI and LR each. DI and LR were present as two distinct sub-sections like the earlier section.
However, neither sub-section in the two slots had a single set that could be classified as easy.
Each set in DI typically had a small-moderate table or chart (no humongous numbers) but lot of additional data
and conditions. The DI sets were less of calculations or typical DI and more LR type with a table/chart.
The sets in LR focused on areas like arrangements, grouping, numerical logic and miscellaneous puzzles. Again,
they were characterised by a lot of data and conditions. Most LR sets had a mix of direct and conditional
questions.
It would have been virtually impossible to attempt the entire section in an hour. Hence, selection of the best 3-4
sets to attempt would have been very critical. Since we expect cut-offs to be only at a section (DILR) level rather
than the sub-section level (DI or LR), you could have skewed your attempts based on whichever sets you found
doable.
On the whole, the sets were more on the lines of the tough to very tough sets that used to be asked from 20042008 (e.g. Erdos number) and students may need to brace themselves for such sets in subsequent years.
18-20 attempts (assuming both the direct entry sets were attempted) with an accuracy level of 80-85% could be
considered a very good performance. This section is expected to be the game changer for the entire exam.

3. Section III Quantitative Ability:

This section was relatively easy but had the maximum number of direct entry questions (average of 15 per slot).
There were a lot of sitters (average of 10-12 per slot) interspersed with moderately difficult questions.
However, identifying the sitters was crucial. Most of the direct entry questions were conceptually simple and
could have been done faster with basic use of the calculator. However, they judged your basic knowledge of
these concepts. One of the direct entry questions in the second slot is reported to be a copy of a question asked
in the actual UPSC CSAT exam this year.
The MCQs had relatively spread out options, which made elimination easier. The focus this year was
predominantly on geometry and arithmetic while a traditional favourite (numbers) took a relative backseat.
Modern maths was also present but was skewed towards a couple of topics. Based on student feedback, the
most common topics this year were:

Arithmetic Averages, Percentages, Profit and Loss, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Distance
Algebra Logarithms, Linear and Quadratic Equations, Inequalities
Geometry Properties of geometric figures (circles, triangles, quadrilaterals), co-ordinate geometry and
mensuration
Modern Maths Sequences and Series, Functions, Set Theory and P & C
The high difficulty level of the previous section (DILR) may have affected the confidence of students at the
beginning of this section. However, on the whole, 25-27 attempts with atleast 85% accuracy would have
been a good performance.

A student attempting 72-74 questions in this test could consider it a good performance.

CAT 2015 Analysis

www.TestFunda.com