If you’re preparing for the CAT exam, you’ve likely faced this question more times than you can count: Should I try to attempt as many questions as possible, or focus on getting fewer questions right with absolute certainty? This isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a psychological battle that can define the outcome of your preparation.
At the heart of every serious aspirant’s strategy lies the constant tension between speed and accuracy. Go too fast, and you risk making careless errors. Go too slow, and you may not attempt enough questions to secure a high percentile. The CAT, with its unique structure and negative marking scheme, demands not just knowledge but smart decision-making.
In this blog, we’ll dissect this ongoing dilemma in detail, explore real scenarios, toppers’ insights, and section-wise strategies to help you strike the perfect balance. Let’s break it down.
Understanding the CAT Exam Structure
Before diving into the debate, it is essential to understand how the CAT exam is structured:
- Total Duration: 120 minutes
- Sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Number of Questions: Approximately 66 questions (distributed across the three sections)
- Marking Scheme:
- +3 for a correct answer
- -1 for an incorrect MCQ
- 0 for unattempted or TITA (Type In The Answer) questions
This means that accuracy has a significant role in determining your final score, especially due to negative marking.
The Dilemma Explained
1. Why Speed Matters
- The CAT is a time-bound exam. With just 40 minutes per section, managing time becomes critical.
- In Quant and DILR, solving problems quickly allows room to attempt more questions, thereby increasing the scope for maximizing scores.
- Speed helps you stay calm and gain confidence as you progress through the paper.
2. Why Accuracy Matters
- Each incorrect answer penalizes you with negative marking.
- A high number of attempts with poor accuracy can drastically reduce your percentile.
- B-Schools value consistent performance, which includes a good balance of attempt rate and accuracy.
3. How Aspirants Typically Struggle
- Some students focus too much on solving everything quickly, sacrificing comprehension.
- Others are too cautious, aiming for 100% accuracy, but end up attempting too few questions.
- The pressure of the ticking clock can often cloud judgment, leading to silly mistakes.
Real-World Scenarios
Let’s understand this dilemma with two hypothetical aspirants:
- Aspirant A: Attempts 25 questions in a section, gets 15 correct, and 10 wrong.
- Score: (15 x 3) – (10 x 1) = 45 – 10 = 35
- Aspirant B: Attempts 18 questions, gets 16 correct, and 2 wrong.
- Score: (16 x 3) – (2 x 1) = 48 – 2 = 46
Despite attempting fewer questions, Aspirant B scores higher due to better accuracy. This shows that accuracy can sometimes outweigh speed in terms of net score.
What the Toppers Say
Most CAT toppers agree that:
- Accuracy > Attempts
- Attempting all questions is not necessary to score 99+ percentile
- The strategy should be to maximize correct attempts, not total attempts
They often recommend:
- Attempting 18-20 questions per section with at least 85-90% accuracy
- Avoiding guesswork unless you can eliminate 2 out of 4 options
Section-Wise Strategy
1. VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
- Accuracy is generally low in RCs due to subjective interpretation.
- Focus on reading speed and comprehension.
- Choose RCs you are comfortable with – don’t attempt all.
- In VA (para jumbles, summary), practice pattern recognition.
Tip: Eliminate obviously wrong options first and then make educated guesses if needed.
2. DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning)
- Speed and accuracy both are crucial here.
- Sets vary in difficulty; don’t waste time on tough ones.
- Choose 2-3 doable sets and aim for 100% accuracy in those.
Tip: Practice identifying easy sets within the first 2-3 minutes.
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Focus on conceptual clarity to improve both speed and accuracy.
- Memorize formulas and shortcuts.
- Solve easier questions first to boost confidence.
Tip: Don’t spend more than 2 minutes on any question in the first round.
How to Improve Speed Without Losing Accuracy
- Timed Practice: Regular mock tests with sectional timers simulate real pressure.
- Topic-Wise Drills: Focus on weak areas, and solve 30-50 questions from one topic daily.
- Use of Shortcuts and Tricks: Only after mastering the basics.
- Analyze Mistakes: After every mock, spend time reviewing incorrect answers.
- Mindful Practice: Don’t just aim to complete questions, aim to understand them better.
Mock Tests: Your Best Teacher
- Take one full mock per week in the early stages, and 2-3 per week closer to the exam.
- Track the following after each mock:
- Time per question
- Accuracy rate per section
- Questions left unattempted
- Adjust your strategy based on data, not just gut feeling.
Should You Attempt All Questions?
The answer is No.
- The CAT is designed so that attempting all questions is nearly impossible without making errors.
- Even 60-70% correct attempts can result in a very high percentile if accuracy is high.
- Focus on maximizing your score, not number of attempts.
Final Words: Striking the Balance
The key lies not in choosing between speed and accuracy but in aligning them. Here’s how:
- Start with accuracy: Build confidence by solving slowly and correctly.
- Gradually build speed: As your familiarity with questions increases, your speed will naturally rise.
- Use a two-pass strategy: First solve easy questions quickly. Then revisit the tougher ones if time permits.
Conclusion
The CAT isn’t just a test of knowledge; it’s a test of strategy, temperament, and time management. While speed helps you attempt more questions, it should never come at the cost of reckless attempts. Accuracy is your shield against negative marking, but over-caution can rob you of potential marks.
The smartest approach is a well-balanced strategy that begins with conceptual clarity, is strengthened by regular practice, and refined through mock analysis. So, the next time you’re caught in the speed vs. accuracy dilemma, remember: it’s not a choice between the two, but a dance where both must move in harmony.
Stay consistent. Stay strategic. And may the percentile be ever in your favour!