This year’s CAT exam is going to be held in the computer-based Format. In addition, other exams such as MAT have also decided to follow suit and this year MAT will have a paper-and-pen and computer-based Test both.
The change has created many apprehensions in the minds of students, especially those not familiar with taking tests on a computer. As it is, the Quantitative Ability section has been the one section that students are generally slightly afraid of, especially those who have had a fear of Maths from school days. There are some questions that have come up in the minds of students. Some are mentioned below:
• How should students tackle the Quantitative section now
   that that the questions shall be delivered over a computer?
• Will there be any difference in the nature of questions
   asked?
• Will the test become tougher or easier?
Let us try and address these and also come up with some general points for preparation: The Computer-based version of the CAT is unlikely to be too different from the normal paper-and-pen test. The test is in all probability, not going to be a Computer-Adaptive one such as the GMAT has (where the level of questions you get depends on how you do the previous questions and you are not allowed to scroll through the paper).

All you have to do is go through the questions as usual, choose the ones you wish to do, solve them, and then use the mouse button or keyboard to choose mark your answer.
• You shall be allowed to use a rough sheet for your calculations, so not everything needs to be done mentally. However, to save time, try and do mental calculations wherever possible.
• The stress will remain on the application of your thinking skills, as has been in past years. Just the knowledge of correct formulae will not be sufficient.
• Knowledge of basics or the so-called ‘fundas’ will remain extremely crucial.
• You should first conceptualize how you wish to go about solving a question and then use pen-and paper on your rough sheet.
• Since you are likely to be able to scroll down and view the questions before attempting them in the Computer-based format, it would be a good idea to scan the paper before attempting it. Take one or two minutes in the beginning to look through the paper.
• Try and assess the difficulty level of the questions and the section as a whole. This is important for you need to have some idea of how many questions you would need to attempt to clear the sectional cut-offs. Remember, if the section appears to be tough, it is so for everybody. If it appears easy, you will need to make sure you attempt a larger number of questions to clear the sectional cut-off.