CAT 2018 Slot 2: Marks vs Percentile Analysis
By [Your Name/Institution]
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2018 was conducted across multiple slots. Slot 2 (typically held in the afternoon) often follows similar patterns to other slots but may vary slightly in difficulty based on candidate behavior. Below is a detailed analysis of the marks vs percentile correlation for Slot 2, focusing on key sections (Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and General Knowledge).
Key Observations
Overall Difficulty:
Slot 2 was perceived as moderately challenging, with a balanced mix of easy, moderate, and difficult questions.
Quantitative Ability (QA) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) were slightly tougher than usual, impacting average scores.
Marks vs Percentile Relationship:
Higher raw marks (e.g., 90+ in QA) generally corresponded to 85th percentile or above, but this varied by section.
Sections with fewer high-difficulty questions (e.g., Verbal) allowed candidates to score well even with moderate accuracy.
Section-wise Breakdown
Section
Average Marks
Standard Deviation
90+ Marks Percentile
Key Insight
Verbal Ability
25.4
4.2
78th percentile
Easy to score 30+ with 80% accuracy.
Reading Comprehension
21.8
3.9
72nd percentile
RC passages were lengthy; focus on inference-based questions.
Quantitative Ability
22.1
5.7
65th percentile
Algebra and geometry dominated; 95%+ questions required 90%+ accuracy.
DILR
20.5
4.8
68th percentile
LR puzzles (Seating Arrangements, Puzzles) were time-consuming.
General Knowledge
14.7
3.1
55th percentile
Current affairs dominated; 70%+ questions were factual.
Critical Analysis
Verbal Ability:
Candidates scoring 30+ in Verbal typically fell in the 75th–85th percentile, reflecting strong vocabulary and comprehension.
Why? Sections often tested synonyms, analogies, and RC inference, which are consistent year-over-year.
Quantitative Ability:
A score of 25+ in QA was critical for a 75th percentile+ rank.
Why? QA was the most variable section; weaker performance here disproportionately impacted overall percentile.
DILR vs QA Trade-off:
Candidates often prioritized QA over DILR due to its weightage (25% of total marks).
Strategy: Focus on solving 20+ DILR questions in 40 minutes to secure ~20 marks (65th percentile).
General Knowledge:
Minimal marks but high variance. A score of 15+ added ~3 percentile points.
Why? Current affairs (e.g., Budget 2018, FIFA World Cup) were predictable but required regular revision.
Percentile Conversion Formula (Approximate)
For Slot 2, the percentile can be estimated using:
[
\text{Percentile} = \left( \frac{\text{Total Marks}}{\text{Max Marks}} \right) \times 100 \times 1.2
]
(Adjustment factor of 1.2 accounts for section difficulty variations.)
Example:
A candidate scoring 85/100 in Slot 2:
[
\text{Percentile} = \left( \frac{85}{100} \right) \times 100 \times 1.2 = 102%
]
(This is an upper-bound estimate; actual percentile depends on national performance.)
Recommendations for Aspirants
Target QA and DILR: These sections have the highest impact on percentile.
Verbal First: Secure 30+ marks early to build confidence.
Current Affairs Review: Dedicate 30 minutes daily to recent events (2017–2018).
Practice Previous Slot 2 Papers: Analyze trends in question patterns.
Limitations
Official percentile data for Slot 2 is not publicly disclosed.
Percentile calculations are approximate and based on historical trends.
Regional variations (e.g., Indian vs. NRI candidates) may affect scores.
For accurate percentile comparisons, refer to CAT 2018 official answer keys and use tools like TPO (Test Performance Objective) analytics from leading prep platforms.
Last Updated: [Date]
Source: CAT 2018 Answer Key Analysis by [Your Institution/Source]
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