With just a fortnight to go for CAT 2013, we are sure that you all are busy revising the syllabus and wouldn’t have the time to look up anywhere else. But there are certain things beyond the text books that one should take into consideration to be able to crack an aptitude test like CAT.

In an exclusive interview, Alok Bansal, IMS Director Delhi region, has provided a few tips that will provide a boost to your preparation journey.

With just 15 days to go for CAT 2013, what are the areas where candidates should focus?

CAT is a test that has been designed to test students’ ability to solve problems. Therefore, aspirants should focus on revising their concepts thoroughly and should also know how to apply those concepts to solve a problem. They should also focus on building-up on their strengths and work on their weaknesses. I would also like to add that practice is the key to excel in any paper. Therefore, aspirants should take a certain set of mock tests and analyze them every now and then to review their performance.

What are the most difficult sections of CAT and how to prepare for them?

You may find some difficult questions related to probability, permutations and combinations, number systems or geometry. When you are faced with such questions, don’t spend too much time on them. Keep them aside, for you can always come back to answer them if there is time left. You should focus on questions that you know you can answer well.

There are also some sections in the CAT paper that are perceived to be difficult, but there are always some easy questions available in those segments. You should look for such questions to maximize your scores.

How should working professionals prepare for CAT 2013?

Working professionals should clearly set out their goals i.e. which institutions they want to join. Basis their goal, they should decide which exam to take and make a preparation plan accordingly. Doing mental calculations, reading informative magazines like India Today or Business Today, solving puzzles during office breaks and reading newspaper editorials are some ‘on the go’ tips for working CAT aspirants. Besides this, they should devote at least half an hour everyday to practice math questions and take weekend coaching classes if possible.

What is NDA agreement in CAT 2013?

Since candidates appear for the examination in various slots over a month, there is a possibility that early test takers would share test information which may either become an advantage or a disadvantage for other candidates. NDA or Non-Disclosure Agreement in CAT 2013 is signed by aspirants appearing for the exam to ensure that they don’t disclose the test information in any form or by any means. It is meant to ensure that there is uniform code of conduct for everyone and everybody is treated and evaluated on the same level.

What are the do’s & don’ts while taking CAT?

Before taking the exam, ensure you carry your photo ID cards, admit cards and pen & pencil. Do not take your mobile phones inside the examination hall, do not wear a watch that is electronic and do not carry any documents that could be perceived as something that would allow cheating to happen.

When you’re logging in, make sure you enter your admit card details or personal details carefully. You will also be given a rough sheet to solve the paper, do not misplace it or drop it. It should be closely held by you.

When you see the question paper, read the instructions carefully as they change every year. If you encounter a difficult question, come back later to solve it. Don’t waste time thinking about it, for you may lose out on other easy questions. Remember, your objective is to maximize your score.

Once you’re done with the paper, go through all the questions and answers once again to make sure you’ve marked the right answers and that you’ve submitted the paper correctly.

What is the importance of professional coaching for CAT?

As long as you are thorough with your concepts and have the self-discipline to study, you don’t need professional help to prepare you for the Common Admission Test. At the same time, professional coaching is like a simulation exercise that guides you when it comes to applying the concepts you’ve learnt. The idea behind CAT coaching is to define the methodology required to attempt the exam. Attending coaching classes puts things in a different perspective. For instance, your way of answering a question could be different from how other batch mates tackle the same problem. Also, coaching institutes provide you a competitive environment.

CAT vs other MBA exams

Does CAT prepare students for other MBA exams like XAT, SNAP, CMAT, MAT?

These are all aptitude tests that have been designed to test your ability to solve problems using the concepts you’ve learnt throughout your preparation. Therefore, the course content is more or less similar. The advantage of preparing for CAT is that it largely prepares you for most other MBA entrance tests in India. However, if preparing for CAT gets monotonous for you, you can always work on your general knowledge which will be helpful when you take exams like XAT and IIFT.

How is CAT different from other MBA entrance exams?

As I said, the course content is more or less similar as these are all aptitude tests designed to test your ability to solve problems using the concepts you’ve learnt. However, the pattern of the examination is different from other MBA exams. For instance, the level of XAT in terms of Verbal Ability is slightly higher than that of CAT. XAT has a general awareness section also. Similarly, IIFT has a general awareness section. Candidates need to understand that each paper is designed differently. Moreover, the negative marking in all these papers is different.

Conclusion

Amid preparation stress, candidates tend to ignore the larger picture. Knowing all the answers is not good enough. Can you apply the concepts you’ve been learning for months to solve a problem? Can you answer all the questions in a given time frame? What is it that you do when faced with a difficult question? Do you follow instructions carefully? How do you prepare for the paper when you have strict working hours?

These are some of the questions or situations that you will face even as a leader in an organization in the future. Remember, CAT seeks to test your ability as a manager of tomorrow. Therefore, it is imperative to understand that the way you prepare for the paper and the way you tackle it will be a reflection of your managerial skills.

IMS Learning Resources Pvt Ltd. is the undisputed market leader in the field of Management Entrance training.

Interviewed by Nidhi Bahl

Tagged in MAT MAT test pattern MAT exam AIMA MAT exam structure

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