With CAT only a week away, this is the time of the year when students must start looking at a ‘dynamic’ strategy to be followed while taking CAT. Different factors that you should keep in your mind while deciding upon your strategy are: Your proclivity lies in which section (QA or Verbal or both), your Mock CAT scores, and which B School exams you are going to face in the next 2-3 months.

Following is my Five point Action formula to do well in B-School exams:

(a) Establish a minimum accuracy percentage

While “accuracy percentage” may differ from person to person across the sections depending upon the individual’s background, thumb rule is - minimum of 80% accuracy in each of the sections.

Strategy 1: If QA is your relatively strong area and Verbal is average

Strategy 2: If Verbal is your strong area and QA is average 

Note for the tables: 

(i) I have assumed 1/3rd negative marking.

(ii) English Usage= [All the questions in Verbal Section minus RC].

(iii) Practice more and more DI and LR questions. Once you have exposed yourself to different types of questions in DI and LR, it is more about practice only.

(iv) Net Right Questions is total attempts minus the negative marking.

The numbers mentioned in the above strategies (or more than these numbers) will get you above 98 percentile (on an average as per the online CAT pattern so far).

You may also observe the room of improvement –you can increase your attempts in RC and QA, in 1st strategy and 2nd strategy respectively. Though, needless to say, attempts should not be increased at the cost of accuracy.

(b) Analyze the Mock CATs thoroughly 

Look at two defining criteria in every MOCK – One is your potential and other is your performance.

Your potential = Existing Number of right questions + (Number of wrong questions that you could have got correct) + Number of extra attempts you could have done accurately

Your performance is your existing number of Net Right questions.

If there is a 20% gap between these two figures, I would suggest you to discuss the wayout with your trainer. Ultimately, on the CAT Day, it should not be more than 10% with ideal being, of course 0%.

(c) Consolidate your knowledge base

Till now, you must have identified you ‘strong’ areas and ‘not-so-strong’ areas. Keep working upon your strong areas and try to solve questions from these areas 1st in the MOCKs. But, do not get EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED to a question.

(d) Improve upon your Test Taking Skills

CAT tests not only your IQ, but your EQ also.

In the 1st 4-5 minutes, just go through the whole section marking the questions to be attempted in the 1st round. Finish this 1st round in 35-40 minutes and simultaneously mark the questions for the second round of another 25-30 odd minutes. Idea is to weigh an opponent before you challenge and choose your fight wisely.

Solving the section in two rounds will ensure that you are giving ‘adequate’ time to each question.

(e) Prepare yourself for the exams beyond CAT

Fill in the other examination forms like XAT, SNAP, NMAT (IIFT’s last date is over). This will give you a window period of another 50-60 days to prepare. Top colleges in these examinations are under Top 15 B School ranking.

Lastly, the B School you get into will matter for the next couple of years only. In the long run, the knowledge you derive out of your management education, your acumen, people skills and desire to excel will be the most important factors deciding what your achieve in life.

Best of Luck!!

By Nishit Sinha

Nishit Sinha is a postgraduate in Management from IIM Lucknow. He has written several books on QA, DI & LR published by Pearson Education, including the recently launched Pearson Guide to LR & DI for CAT and other MBA exams.

Related Links:

CAT 2013 Do's & Don'ts

7 Preparation Tips to Crack CAT 2013

CAT 2013: Plan those 2 Hours 20 minutes

Regular Studies is the Key to Crack CAT 2013

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

Like us on :