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Approximately 1,60,000 students will battle out for seats in the IIMs on 20 th November, 2005. That's the day the Common Admission Test (CAT) will be held this year. To crack the written exam, coaching institute PT Education has put together certain strategies and tips that you should keep in mind.
- Develop a strategy: It is very important that you work on a strategy as CAT in not just about intelligence but intelligence per second. At this stage you should try out various strategies in the mock CATs and try and ascertain the one that suits you best. Certain guidelines for framing strategies are: focus on your strength; spend some time studying the paper pattern; set time limits for each section and try to achieve the sectional cut-offs; adhere to the time limits set for each section; and most importantly believe in yourself .
- Simulate the D-Day: Write as many tests in the simulated environment as possible and be prepared mentally for changes in the pattern of the test. Mental strength is extremely important for belling the CAT.
- Math phobia: Overcome the same. Practice and self-belief will help you a lot. Don't take the decision of not attempting a particular topic right now. This decision should be taken while writing the test. Prepare all the topics; try out mental calculations in day to day life, in colleges etc. In the test, try and select the easy questions but while evaluating yourself do not leave the tougher ones or the ones you have not attempted. Try to solve them and look out for a different approach to the solution. Figure out weather generalisation of the same is possible. Keep an eye on the time limit for each question also. Do not be over involved with a particular question during the test.
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning: Practice a lot. Take all types of questions, all varieties of graphs from standard to strange and try to solve them. Try not to use the pencil for solving questions for DI. Learn tables, squares, cubes, inverse of numbers and so on. There are questions that are not to be solved during the test. Leave them but solve them while doing the analysis of the test. Question every solution that you have worked on during the analysis of the test. Explore all options and practice a lot.
- English Usage, Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension: Read a lot and try to make it a habit as this will help in the long run. Associate words with objects, find out their antonyms, synonyms and roots. These will help you in the vocabulary section. Pick up a passage in the reading comprehension section which is of your interest. Also look at the ratio of the length of the passage to number of questions. Pick the one in which this is least. Start reading a variety of books and newspapers. This is the most scoring section in the least time limit so strategise and give it your best shot.
- Personality assessment: Start today. Analyse yourself and remember there is always scope for improvement. Speak whenever you get a chance, participate in all activities that come your way, come out of the fear of facing the crowd. Read a lot, think in all directions and have a broader perspective towards life in general.
These are just a few tips that you should regularly try and enforce to improve your performance. You must ensure that you put in the right effort for each section and follow what your mentors suggest. Most importantly, believe in yourself. |
