CAT 2018 SLOT 1 - A Comprehensive Guide to Success

Introduction

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to their flagship management programs. The exam is highly competitive, with over 2 lakh candidates appearing for it each year.

The CAT 2018 exam was held on November 25, 2018, in two slots: slot 1 from 9 AM to 12:30 PM and slot 2 from 2:30 PM to 6 PM.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to CAT 2018 slot 1, including the exam pattern, difficulty level, section-wise analysis, and tips and tricks for success.

CAT 2018 Exam Pattern

The CAT 2018 exam consisted of three sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Quantitative Ability (QA)

Each section had 34 questions, for a total of 102 questions. The total duration of the exam was 3 hours 30 minutes.

CAT 2018 Difficulty Level

The overall difficulty level of CAT 2018 slot 1 was moderate to difficult.

• VARC: The VARC section was considered to be moderate in difficulty. The reading comprehension passages were lengthy and required careful reading. The verbal ability questions were a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult questions.
• DILR: The DILR section was considered to be difficult. The sets were complex and required a strong understanding of data interpretation and logical reasoning concepts.
• QA: The QA section was considered to be moderate. The questions were a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult questions. The geometry questions were particularly challenging.

Section-Wise Analysis

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

The VARC section had 34 questions, divided into three types:

• Reading Comprehension (24 questions): The reading comprehension passages were lengthy and required careful reading. The questions were a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult questions.
• Verbal Ability (10 questions): The verbal ability questions were a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult questions. The questions tested a variety of skills, including vocabulary, grammar, and sentence completion.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

The DILR section had 34 questions, divided into two types:

• Data Interpretation (16 questions): The data interpretation sets were complex and required a strong understanding of data interpretation concepts. The questions were a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult questions.
• Logical Reasoning (18 questions): The logical reasoning questions were a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult questions. The questions tested a variety of skills, including analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Quantitative Ability (QA)

The QA section had 34 questions, divided into four types:

• Arithmetic (16 questions): The arithmetic questions were a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult questions. The questions tested a variety of skills, including number systems, algebra, and geometry.
• Algebra (8 questions): The algebra questions were a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult questions. The questions tested a variety of skills, including equations, inequalities, and functions.
• Geometry (6 questions): The geometry questions were particularly challenging. The questions tested a variety of skills, including triangles, circles, and coordinate geometry.
• Measurement (4 questions): The measurement questions were a mix of easy and moderate questions. The questions tested a variety of skills, including speed, time, and distance.

Tips and Tricks for Success

Here are some tips and tricks to help you succeed in CAT 2018 slot 1:

• Practice regularly: The key to success in CAT is regular practice. Solve as many mock tests and practice questions as you can.
• Focus on your strengths: Identify your strengths and weaknesses and focus on improving your strengths. Don't waste time on topics that you are weak in.
• Time management: Time management is crucial in CAT. Practice solving mock tests within the time limit.
• Accuracy: Accuracy is more important than speed. Don't rush through the questions. Take your time and make sure you answer them correctly.
• Guessing: If you are not sure about the answer to a question, guess intelligently. You get negative marks for incorrect answers, so it's better to guess than to leave the question blank.
• Stay calm: Don't panic during the exam. Stay calm and focused. You can do it!

Pros and Cons of CAT 2018 Slot 1

Pros:

• More time to prepare: Candidates who appeared for slot 1 had more time to prepare for the exam.
• Less competition: The competition was expected to be less in slot 1 as compared to slot 2.

Cons:

• Morning slot: Some candidates may find it difficult to perform well in the morning slot.
• Longer day: Candidates who appeared for slot 1 had to wait for a longer period of time before getting their results.

FAQs

1. What was the overall difficulty level of CAT 2018 slot 1?

The overall difficulty level of CAT 2018 slot 1 was moderate to difficult.

2. Which section was the most difficult in CAT 2018 slot 1?

The DILR section was considered to be the most difficult section in CAT 2018 slot 1.

3. How can I improve my score in CAT 2018 slot 1?

You can improve your score in CAT 2018 slot 1 by practicing regularly, focusing on your strengths, managing your time effectively, and staying calm during the exam.

4. What is the ideal score in CAT 2018 slot 1?

The ideal score in CAT 2018 slot 1 depends on your target percentile and the competition level. However, a score of around 90 percentile is considered to be a good score.

5. What are the benefits of getting a high score in CAT 2018 slot 1?

Getting a high score in CAT 2018 slot 1 will give you a better chance of getting into a top IIM.

6. What are the top IIMs that accept CAT scores?

The top IIMs that accept CAT scores include IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, and IIM Indore.

Stories and what we learn

Story 1

A student named Akash was determined to get a high score in CAT 2018 slot 1. He prepared for the exam for months, practicing regularly and focusing on his strengths. On the day of the exam, he was nervous but confident. He managed his time effectively and answered the questions carefully. He scored 99 percentile and got into his dream IIM.

What we learn: Hard work, dedication, and time management are key to success in CAT.

Story 2

A student named Priya was not so confident about her preparation for CAT 2018 slot 1. She had not practiced regularly and was not sure about her strengths and weaknesses. On the day of the exam, she panicked and made many silly mistakes. She scored only 70 percentile and did not get into any of her target IIMs.

What we learn: Lack of preparation and panic can lead to failure in CAT.

Story 3

A student named Rahul was very confident about his preparation for CAT 2018 slot 1. He had practiced regularly and was confident about his strengths and weaknesses. On the day of the exam, he was calm and composed. He managed his time effectively and answered the questions carefully. He scored 95 percentile and got into a top IIM.

What we learn: Confidence, preparation, and time management are essential for success in CAT.

Conclusion

CAT 2018 slot 1 was a challenging exam, but with proper preparation and time management, candidates could achieve success. By following the tips and tricks provided in this article, you can increase your chances of getting a high score in CAT 2018 slot 1 and getting into your dream IIM.

Tables

Table 1: CAT 2018 Slot 1 Exam Pattern

Table 2: Section-Wise Difficulty Level of CAT 2018 Slot 1

Table 3: Tips and Tricks for Success in CAT 2018 Slot 1