How to Use CAT Exam Screen Calculator: Step By Step Guide
August 5, 2024
Overview: 2015 was the first time candidates witnessed solving questions with the help of the CAT exam screen calculator. The first calculator, however, was scientific. Since 2016, a basic calculator has been introduced with only restricted functions like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
The CAT exam is renowned for its rigorous nature, making it one of the most challenging entrances to postgraduate admission in our country. It is a gateway to prestigious programs like MBA, PGDM, and MMS offered by premier b-schools such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other non-IIMs like JBIMS, SPJIMR, etc.
In this blog, we will explore how to make the most of the CAT exam screen calculator!
CAT Exam On-Screen Calculator
You must know that every candidate or test taker get an on-screen calculator while appearing for the online CBT CAT exam.
It becomes important for you to learn how to use that CAT exam screen calculator so that you do not get stuck with its operations and functionality and waste your time only to figure out how it works.
Although candidates have access to the CAT exam screen calculator, many prefer to do mental calculations or rough work on a sheet of paper. Since candidates have different preferences, on-screen calculators and rough sheets are provided in the CAT exam.
This is how the virtual CAT exam screen calculator looks like.
The on-screen calculator in the CAT exam is designed to assist with simple arithmetic and modern math calculations and is available throughout the CAT exam time duration, which is 120 minutes.
However, it’s important to note that it’s a basic calculator, not a scientific one, so its functionalities are limited to basic arithmetic operations.
How to Use CAT Exam Screen Calculator?
Features of On-Screen Calculator
- Basic Operations: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- Square Root and Percentage: Buttons are used to calculate square roots and percentages.
- Memory Functions: Memory recall (MR), memory clear (MC), memory add (M+), and memory subtract (M-) functions are available.
- Clear Function: The ‘C’ button clears the current input.
Steps for Using the Calculator
- Access the Calculator- During the exam, click on the calculator icon to open it. It will appear on your screen; you can move it around if needed.
- Perform Calculations- Use your mouse or keyboard to input numbers and operations. For example, to calculate 15% of 200, type “200 * 15%” and press the equals (=) button.
- Utilize Memory Functions- Use the memory functions for a series of calculations. For instance, if you need to add multiple numbers, use M+ to store each result and MR to recall the total.
Conclusion
The on-screen calculator in the CAT exam is a valuable tool that, when used effectively, can help you manage your time and reduce basic calculation errors.
By familiarizing yourself with its functions and practising its use during preparation, you can enhance your efficiency and accuracy on exam day.