5 new changes introduced in the CAT 2013 paper:
1 More difficult Quant as compared to previous years
2 More importance to Modern Maths (Geometry 6, Functions Graphs 3, Inequalities 2)
3 Easy to understand DI but with little calculations
4 50% RC questions based on Inference
5 Two logical puzzles set easy one difficult to do
Questions based on Cetking books
Reaching early at the center is waste of time as they make u wait till the end. So make sure you just reach one hour before the start date.
Section 1: Quant
Quant section was little difficult as compared to last year’s CAT
paper. Around 9 – 10 questions were directly based on the Cetking books
and study material you have. Brush up the formulas for Equations and
topics like Geometry areas and volumes and others will definitely help.
Solve CAT 1990 – 2004 papers.
Some of the questions more logic based not a direct application of
the formulas. If you have done the quant thoroughly with proper
understanding of the topics then solving these questions will not be a
problem.
There were 9 calculations based but straight forward Data Interpretation questions. DI was easier than last year but still little calculation intensive with equal mix of Bar, Table and statement based questions. If you have attended my workshops then solving DI without won’t be a problem for you.
Verdict:
Ideal attempt: 16 – 20 with good accuracy
IIMs: 18+ questions right
Few IIMs and Top 10 colleges: 15+ questions right
Top 25 colleges: 12+ questions right
Quant: Moderate but tricky!
DI: Easy but calculation based
Section 2: Verbal
Verbal section was of same difficulty as last year. Perfect mix of all topics so solving last year papers 1990 – 2008 will definitely help to understand the type of questions. No experimentation done this year.
There were very few questions which had confusing or close options.
RC was typical, mix of science, philosophy, politics and culture
based questions. RC was very similar to CAT 2010 in the level of
easiness.
Logic was the total shock was expecting difficult sets like last year
but was surprised to see two easy sets direct questions. One difficult
puzzle set. Go through the easy puzzles given in cetking green books and
avoid the difficult problems in your mock papers.
Ideal attempts in verbal section were 22 – 25 /30.
Verdict:
Ideal attempt: 22 – 25 with good accuracy
IIMs: 18+ questions right
Few IIMs and Top 10 colleges: 15+ questions right
Top 25 colleges: 12+ questions right
Verbal: Easy towards moderate!
DI: Easy very easy
Last minute advice
1 More difficult Quant as compared to previous years
2 More importance to Modern Maths (Geometry 6, Functions Graphs 3, Inequalities 2)
3 Easy to understand DI but with little calculations
4 50% RC questions based on Inference
5 Two logical puzzles set easy one difficult to do
Questions based on Cetking books
|
Area
|
From Cetking books
|
Questions
|
| Quant |
11
|
21
|
| DI |
9
|
9
|
| Verbal |
13
|
21
|
| Logic |
6
|
9
|
Reaching early at the center is waste of time as they make u wait till the end. So make sure you just reach one hour before the start date.
Section 1: Quant
|
Level of difficulty
|
Ques
|
| Easy |
10
|
| Medium |
10
|
| Difficult |
10
|
| Type of question | No. of ques |
| Book based |
10
|
| Cetking Shortcuts |
14
|
| Speed breakers |
6
|
There were 9 calculations based but straight forward Data Interpretation questions. DI was easier than last year but still little calculation intensive with equal mix of Bar, Table and statement based questions. If you have attended my workshops then solving DI without won’t be a problem for you.
|
Type of questions
|
No. of ques
|
| Arithmetic |
3
|
| Algebra Equations |
4
|
| Numbers |
3
|
| Visual Geometry |
6
|
| PnC without nCr |
1
|
| DI without pen |
9
|
| Dirty Quant & Functions |
4
|
| Type of questions | No. of ques |
| Tables |
3
|
| Bar Chart |
6
|
Ideal attempt: 16 – 20 with good accuracy
IIMs: 18+ questions right
Few IIMs and Top 10 colleges: 15+ questions right
Top 25 colleges: 12+ questions right
Quant: Moderate but tricky!
DI: Easy but calculation based
Section 2: Verbal
Verbal section was of same difficulty as last year. Perfect mix of all topics so solving last year papers 1990 – 2008 will definitely help to understand the type of questions. No experimentation done this year.
There were very few questions which had confusing or close options.
|
Level of difficulty
|
Ques
|
| Easy | 10 |
| Medium | 14 |
| Difficult | 6 |
|
Type of questions
|
No. of ques
|
| RC in half time |
10
|
| Grammar/Sentence Cor/ Usage |
2
|
| Vocab & FIBs |
2
|
| Paragraph Comp & Jum |
6
|
| Critical Reasoning |
0
|
| Logical Reasoning Puzzles |
9
|
| Logical Reas others |
0
|
Ideal attempts in verbal section were 22 – 25 /30.
Verdict:
Ideal attempt: 22 – 25 with good accuracy
IIMs: 18+ questions right
Few IIMs and Top 10 colleges: 15+ questions right
Top 25 colleges: 12+ questions right
|
Type of questions
|
No. of ques
|
| Puzzles Matrix |
3
|
| Puzzles Investment |
2
|
| Puzzles Sitting Arrangement |
3
|
| FIJ |
1
|
| Truth liar |
1
|
DI: Easy very easy
Last minute advice
- Through all difficult mock papers you have out of the window, CAT Verbal is much easier than that.
- Revise all basics – there will be 10 plus questions directly or indirectly based on formulas from the books.
- Solve actual CAT papers from 1990 – 2004
- Go through Cetking Orange (basic books), Green books (advance) and Shortcut Workshops
