CAT still tests speed: not in calculation and reading but speed in thinking; it has emerged as a true test of aptitude.
The significant reduction in the number of questions in the recent CATs shouldn’t be mistaken to be a de-emphasis on speed (CAT was always referred to as a speed test). It is, no doubt, a good sign in two ways- one, the CAT is moving more toward aptitude, two, the verbal section with proportionately more questions serves as a leveler for students from various subject disciplines.
CAT 08, with the verbal section comprising 40 questions and the quantitative section with 25 questions were reported to be easier most test takers. The logical reasoning and data interpretation section were considered more difficult. One possible reason is that conventional coaching wisdom dictates that aspirants attempt verbal and math before the DI section, leaving comparatively less time for the section, thereby creating cutoff fear. This affects performance.
Thinking put to test
Yet another way to interpret changes in the CAT is from a thinking skills perspective. The verbal and reasoning section are increasingly reasoning based. So are most questions in the math section, calling for high speed thinking.
This trend calls for building your thinking skills rather than rely on practice. If you empower yourself with the ability to restructure problems, diagram the variable relationship, draw inferences and re-strategise your solution process, you are entering the exam hall with a set of thinking tools, in addition to the strength of concepts. Then your performance becomes a true indicator of your aptitude to process data of any kind. Build your thinking skills and succeed.
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