Understanding Raw and Scaled Scores in the CAT Exam: A Comprehensive Guide
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a competitive entrance exam for Indian business schools. It comprises two slots held on the same day, each with distinct sections in Quantitative Ability (QA), Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). One critical aspect of the CAT exam is the calculation and interpretation of raw and scaled scores.
What Are Raw Scores and Scaled Scores?
Raw Score: A raw score is the actual marks you score in the CAT exam. For example, if you answer 10 questions correctly in the Quantitative Ability section, you would get 30 marks. These marks are straightforward and reflect your performance based on the number of correct answers.
Scaled Score: A scaled score, on the other hand, is a normalized score that adjusts for the varying difficulty levels between different slots and sections. This adjustment is made to maintain fairness and reduce bias. Scaled scores ensure that a high performance in a difficult slot is not unfairly penalized compared to a consistent performance in an easier slot.
How Are Scaled Scores Calculated?
Slot-wise Normalization: To calculate scaled scores, CAT takes into account the performance of the top 10 scorers from each slot (1, 2, and 3). The average score of these top scorers is used as a benchmark. The difference in the average scores across slots is analyzed to determine the relative difficulty level of each slot.
Slot-wise Adjustment: Based on the analysis, the raw scores are adjusted upwards or downwards to neutralize any discrepancies in difficulty levels. If a slot was more challenging, the raw scores of candidates in that slot might be scaled up to reflect their performance accurately. Conversely, if a slot was easier, the raw scores of candidates in that slot might be scaled down.
Example: In the CAT 2020 exam, the first slot was found to be more difficult. Therefore, the raw scores of candidates from the first slot were scaled up to ensure fairness. Conversely, in the CAT 2017 exam, the first slot was slightly more difficult compared to the second slot. As a result, raw scores from the first slot were scaled up, while raw scores from the second slot were scaled down, such that a 3% difference was introduced.
Example Calculation: In the CAT 2017 exam, for a 90th percentile, the raw score required from the first slot was 105, while for the second slot, it was 112. This scaling meant that the scaled score for the first slot would be approximately 108-109, making it equivalent to the 90th percentile.
Factors Affecting Scaled Scores
Exam Day Slots: The CAT exam is conducted in two slots, with the first slot typically being more challenging due to the fresh start and potential changes in the pattern after the formalities. The second and third slots generally follow the corrected patterns, which might be easier.
Sectional Difficulty: Different sections within each slot (QA, LRDI, VARC) might also vary in difficulty. For instance, in the CAT 2017 exam, the logical reasoning and data interpretation sections were more challenging in the first slot, while they were moderate to difficult in the second slot. This variation necessitates scaling to ensure fairness.
Significance of Raw and Scaled Scores
Fairness and Consistency: Raw scores alone do not provide a comprehensive picture of a candidate's performance due to varying slot efficiencies and difficulty levels. Scaled scores, however, offer a more accurate reflection of a candidate's performance by normalizing the scores across different slots.
Admission Decisions: Admissions to prestigious B-schools are made based on the scaled scores. Therefore, understanding the difference between raw and scaled scores is crucial for candidates aiming for a favorable admission.
Concluding Remarks
Understanding the difference between raw and scaled scores in the CAT is vital for candidates aiming to perform well and secure a favorable position in the admission process. While raw scores provide an initial assessment of your performance, scaled scores offer a fair and normalized evaluation, ensuring that your performance is accurately reflected irrespective of the slot or section difficulty.
For more detailed insights and tips on the CAT exam, refer to our comprehensive guides and resources.