4,548 candidates take the test in the morning session on the first day

Time management playing a crucial role, say students who took the test
 

Hyderabad: The much awaited Common Admission Test (CAT), which started on Wednesday across the country, tested the aspirants more on time management skills despite the questions being relatively easy compared to last year.

The pattern remained the same with 60 questions, of which 20 each were allotted to Quant, Verbal Ability and Data Interpretation sections. Aspirants found questions relatively easy and they were happy that technical glitches did not bother them like last year.

A total number of 4,548 candidates registered for the CAT in the morning session on the first day and it concluded successfully, according to Soumitra Roy – Managing Director, Prometric India, which is conducting the test online on behalf of IIMs.

Shyam Murali of Career Launcher said the Quant section was of higher difficulty level compared to DI and VA sections. The DI and VA sections were easy compared to last year. He felt that if students are able to answer 80 per cent of questions, they stood a good chance to crack the test.

Ramnath Kanakadandi, CAT course director, TIME, said that no complaints of technical glitches were reported from Hyderabad. Students who attempted the test, however, felt that time management played a crucial role in taking the test.

Sharat, who appeared in the morning session at K.G. Reddy College of Engineering in Moinabad, said the questions were not lengthy but logical that consumed lot of time. He could attempt only a few questions in Data Interpretation and English sections as he was concentrating more on Mathematics section.

Aditya, another aspirant opined that questions were not so difficult and those who have prepared can attempt it easily. He also agreed that questions consumed lot of time. One needs to have lot of practice to do well in the vocabulary section, he felt.

Original documents

He advised the candidates to take their original driving license as the security guys were insisting on original and not the colour photocopy. However, he was lucky to carry the voter identity card as he was let in after showing the card.

Nearly 2.4 lakh candidates are appearing for the test this year at 240 computer labs in 78 test centres across 33 cities. The results of CAT 2010 will be declared on January 12.