Serious MBA aspirants are now getting all set to prepare for CAT 2010. You too need to chalk out a proper preparation plan and then abide by it. We at MBAUniverse.com are publishing series of articles, tips and guides on CAT 2010. Here is a special article by IIM Bangalore alumnus Vivek Gupta on how to prepare for CAT.
Vivek Gupta, an alumnus of IIM Bangalore and author of CAT preparation books is going to share with you five tips on cracking CAT. Let us know what the five tips are. To put it into Gupta’s words, “Given below are few tips which can turn you into Formula 1 racer for CAT! Read them carefully and imbibe them in you right now so that you are equipped well when the D-day arrives.”
Analytical skill: Being an application driven test, CAT would test your analytical skills. It is mandatory to develop strong problem – solving skill rather than memorizing the age – old math formulae and grasping the theories. So, after going through Study Lessons and solved examples, start solving the Practice Tests. Follow the 48-hours Principle which means do not look for solutions till 48 hours. You are free to seek outside help during this time. If you are still confused then only see the answer. The most common mistake students can make is to look at the solved answer as soon as they realize that they are unable to work out a question. This hampers the building up of their analytical power. It is necessary the building up of their analytical power. It is necessary that you strain your brain to solve a question. As a result you would be able to understand the concept in – depth as well as develop sound problem solving skills.
Think long term: Our brain functions like a computer’s memory. Whatever we learn either gets stored in the short term or long term memory. One critical mistake which most students make is that whatever they learn gets stored in their short term memory. This is why students forget about the concepts and principals which they have learned before the exam. To tackle this problem, follow the ‘Times 3 principal’. According to this principal, practice every concept/question three times. First is attempt, then a solution and finally the last one makes for revision. Revision is an integral part of any preparation. You must not take this lightly.
Start speeding up: As mentioned earlier, speed is a major factor while appearing for CAT. You will not be able to suddenly start solving questions quickly at the time of the examination. Once you are through with the entire course, start giving mock entrance tests. The higher the number of tests, the better it is. However, do not err by thinking that this solely would increase your speed. Rather, you need to analyze every mock examination that you take to ensure that you don’t end up making the same mistakes again. Keep a note of time that you take to solve the paper and the marks that you attain in every mock test. A better option would be to track your rank at a national level. Remember one thing; never fall in love with a question! So if you can’t solve a question, leave it ASAP. Also, you all have heard that you should never throw good money after bad. This thing is applicable here also. Even if you have spent two to three minutes over a question, do not hesitate to leave it, the question might take another six to seven minutes or more. So do not worry about wasted three minutes, save the next seven minutes which you are going to waste on this question.
Work smart: Good decision – making skills go a long way in helping you crack CAT. It would be a better idea to deal with simple and less time – consuming questions. Once you have attempted the easier ones, your nervousness would take a back seat and you would be geared up to handle the difficult questions. This in turn would also increase the probability of getting the right answers for such problems. So always start with a section in which you are most comfortable. Get seven to eight right questions in your kitty and you are on the right path to tackle the difficult questions/sections. So if the paper contain questions with different maximum marks, it is better to attempt questions with lower marks first as they logically should be easier. Remember, nothing matters more than your confidence during those two to three hours.
Practice Online: With the CAT exam going online, the test pattern might change considerably. Hopefully, it would follow the structure of GMAT and GRE entrance examinations. It is thus critical to familiarize yourself with the computer and internet as the test is conducted online. So take a lot of mock tests online so that you are comfortable in using online testing software.
Vivek Gupta has over eight years of experience in managing Business operations, Analytics, sales and marketing in organizations as Coca Cola, American Express and an internet startup – Studyplaces.com where he was Vice President – Business Operations and Strategy. Due to his urge to benefit the society, he has been associated with coaching and counseling students.
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