Get ahead in the CAT race
Sandeep Manudhane

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is upon us again, slated for November this year. This year, the expected figure of students appearing for CAT is about 1,60,000. Make sure you stand out in this crowd. If you have missed out anything, don’t forget to take Prac-CATs. Prepare for it as if it is the real thing. There is still time for you to test yourself.

CAT is unique in the sense that the attributes required to clear it are more than what meets the eye. Not only is knowledge important, a capacity to stay cool under time constraint is also required. Intelligence is no doubt crucial but a basic common sense plays an equally important role.

Remember to manage your time efficiently. Past experience suggests that many intelligent and sharp people at times miss out just because of time mismanagement. Although each person has his/her strong/weak areas and tries to attempt the paper as per his/her strengths/weaknesses, still, if possible, you should follow the following points to exploit your potential to the fullest.

Mathematics and English are the main focus. Logical and Verbal Reasoning is what candidates should have on their fingertips. Like most exams, good study material, study frame, group-study and some coaching are all mandatory. However, due to CAT being one of the older MBA entrance exams, a lot of the study material is available. Then again, reading is what counts. Try to cultivate a reading habit; start reading variety of topics; be open to all kinds of knowledge. It is considered as the most scoring part of the test. Conceptual understanding is a must. Moreover, one needs to understand that simply getting to the right answer is not enough and it is better to focus on the right pattern and concentrate on the speed meter.

Strategies before you begin with the test. Scan the test paper first in 30-40 seconds and then start with any section. Never break the time limits set by you for individual sections. Within a section always solve the easiest questions (or at least those which you think are the easiest) first. Never ever spend disproportionately large amount of time on any one question. Try to solve questions that you have seen earlier, do not enter unchartered arena `85 till possible. Neglect the tough questions in the beginning. The examiners tend to give you the toughest questions in the beginning or the end of a section to frustrate you. Use the art of eliminating wrong answer choices by approximation/intelligent guesses.

Remember, all these exams expect you to strike a very mature balance between speed and accuracy. If you try to go exceptionally fast, you will commit not only mistakes but also blunders and if you are too cautions about your accuracy, you may just fail to reach the desired cutoff. Take this point very seriously because, it does not matter how high your total score may be, unless you score the cutoff in each section, it is meaningless. Finally, the oft-repeated advice - read the directions very carefully. Otherwise be ready to lose a lot of marks.

The English Usage section generally takes (or should take) the least time in any particular test, so attempt this section first. In CAT, you should be able to complete this section (if there is no separate section) in the first 12 - 15 minutes. But the past trend observed in CAT (past few years) reveals that this section has very close options.

Make sure that you do choose the correct option. The Reading Comprehension section should not be attempted last and preferably not even first. The ideal sequencing would be to place RC (to be attempted) just after EU.

The Data Sufficiency questions take less time compared to other Maths/DI questions. Hence these should be attempted before other Maths and DI questions. DI questions have typically been easy for the past few years now. Please do scan the section carefully and then prioritise on taking up either DI or LR after DS. Generally, unless you have an extraordinary knack of solving reasoning/puzzle type questions, it is advised that you take them after other easy questions.

The maths section can be taken at the latter part of the test. You should solve the complete section in two – three rounds. In the first round try solving the easy questions or the questions similar to what you have solved earlier. You should also include questions that can be worked backwards in this round. Immediately after this pick up as many of the remaining questions as you can.

It’s boring to remind that practice makes a man perfect; but this is the only route to crack any test. And when it comes to CAT, the mother of all tests, there are only three short cuts: Practice, Practice and Practice.

Finally, keep in mind:

• Take a good night’s sleep before going for the actual test.

• Don’t study anything just prior to your exam. Keep your mind light and fresh.

• Don’t forget to take your Admit Card, HB pencils, watch, sharpener, eraser and the other absolutely essential prerequisites.

• Do not let your past performance at CAT affect your test

• Be high on your morale. Give it your best shot.