The Common Admission Test (CAT) is known for its surprises. This year, too, it was no different with an unexpected weightage given to the verbal section, which tests a candidate’s language proficiency.

The test was held on Sunday in 230 centres across the country, including 17 in Lucknow and around 42 in Delhi.

For the authorities, the reason behind this move was to balance the ratio between male and female students in each batch. According to a senior official, after conducting a proper research, it was found that female candidates perform better in the verbal section.

Prof S K B Nair, chairman of the admission cell at IIM- Lucknow, told The Indian Express from Delhi: “Two things have been kept in mind while increasing the weightage. First, we want multi-faceted people to enter the IIMs and additional knowledge could certainly give them an upper hand. Secondly, it’s kind of an experiment to maintain a balance between male and female students in the class.” 

Unlike previous years, the three sections in the question paper — Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Reasoning and Data Interpretation — had different weightage.

Earlier, there were 25 questions for each section. Now, while the number of questions in Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation section remained the same, the Verbal Reasoning section was expanded to contain 40 questions.

The change was, however, not welcomed by all candidates.

For Amit, who is from a Hindi medium background, this change was indeed unpalatable. “I cannot compete with those coming from convent schools. The increased weightage given to English left us surprised.”

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