Thrash Da CAT

I was just going through a couple of postings on forums when I happened to chance upon this post.

Nowadays, most students start their MBA prep from BA II year itself. And why not, with the stiff competition, it’s almost impossible to get a good CAT score without coaching. So why would anyone want to sit for CAT without adequate preparation? I don’t think giving CAT without any prep work is an indicator of your strength or weakness. The only point I see here is that by giving CAT this year, the student in question may very well be starting her journey to master CATOPHOBIA.

CATOPHOBIA or phobia of CAT is the fear psychosis that typically grips the entire student population from the time they start their MBA preparation. The hysteria increases as the days creep nearer to the 2^nd week of November.

Clearing CAT and getting into the IIMs is the stuff of dreams. And, the best way to do it is to understand the exam pattern and decipher ways of how to clear the hurdles. Technically speaking, if you can clear 8 questions from each section, it’s safe enough to assume that you can get into the crème de la crème of B schools in India. How do you do it? Well, to tell you honestly, I don’t know…but this is how I cleared it.

• Time management is absolutely crucial. Even if the current pattern gives you more time for each question, maintain a balance of time/accuracy per question. It helps if you take simulated tests.

• If you look at a question that you think is difficult, I suggest you move on, especially in the DI & LR.

• When preparing for the quant section, pay attention to the basics as well as the application of a formula to a particular problem. Application is the Most Important thing.

• Some institutes will ask for a higher verbal score. So, don’t scrimp on the verbal practice.

• Make a list of all the formulae and keep revising it. I followed the 3-1-3 system i.e., I revised all the formulae in 3 days, took one day off and then repeated the process again.

If it helps, I will make a list of all the formulae and put it up for reference.

And last but not the least…Don’t fear CAT. As the slogan for a popular cola tells you: Daar Ke Age Jeet Hai!