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The IIMs have released the much awaited CAT 2015 official mock test on the CAT website. Here is the link:  CAT 2015 Official Mock. The mock test has the same interface as the actual CAT exam and hence it is imperative that you practice taking the mock so as to get a feel of the actual exam.

Here are a few pointers to help you get started:

1. We had earlier written about how the CAT website gave the order of the sections – CAT 2015 Notification | Order of sections . It seems that the order is pretty much going to remain the same i.e.

Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

Section III: Quantitative Ability

2. The time allotted to each section is 60 minutes. (80 minutes for PWD/DA candidates). There is no option to end the test early. Hence, you will not be able to proceed to the next section even if you have completed the current section within time.

3. As per the instructions, for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, each set will have 4 questions whereas for Reading Comprehension, each passage will consist of a set of 3 or 6 questions.

4. The interface is quite similar to the CAT 2014 interface and hence students who have appeared for CAT 2014 will only have to get accustomed to the minute changes introduced in this year’s CAT. As can be seen in the screenshot below, the right side of the screen displays the question numbers along with a colouring scheme helping you decipher the questions you have attempted/yet to visit/marked for review. Clicking on the question number will help you navigate through the questions quickly.

5. There is also an option to view the question paper at a single glance on the right bottom of the page (check the screenshot above). Utilize this option in the first minute of each section to get a feel of the questions in the section.

6. The option for the on-screen calculator is on the top right of the screen. Clicking that opens a scientific calculator with all the bells and whistles. Familiarize yourself with the calculator, especially with the log buttons. Also, the calculator can only be operated by clicking on the individual buttons using the mouse. You cannot type in your answers using the keyboard.

7. For questions without options, there is a small keypad provided below the answer box. Using this you have to input your answer. Since there is no negative marking for such questions, our advice is to intelligently guess the answer even if you have no clue how to solve such a question.

8. A lot of students are positively thrilled/petrified as to the prospect of 24 RC questions as is present in this mock. Our suggestion is to not read too much into the allocation of questions. The questions have been picked from previous CAT papers. We don’t know if much thought has gone into choosing the questions though. Hence, it is better to keep your mind open to a CAT paper format different to the one in the CAT 2015 official mock.

9. After completing all 3 sections, you will be presented with an exam summary as shown in the screenshot below. You will get a good idea of the number of attempts using this screen.

10. After submitting the test, you will be presented with a feedback form. Those who have been given far-away exam centres can vent their frustration using this form

 

Hope this is useful. As always, feel free to provide your thoughts/queries regarding the CAT 2015 official mock in the comments section below.