The Common Admission Test (CAT) is held annually to select the best 1,100 among more than 120,000 students. Candidates from a variety of backgrounds show up for CAT, including CPAs, engineers, doctors, working professionals, and even recent graduates. Most students attend CAT prep classes to get a general idea of ​​the test pattern and also to brush up on the fundamentals.

“We are in the final race for the CAT, there is no time to start studying now. This is the time to consolidate what the student has learned. The responsibility now is to solve the previous quizzes and mock CAT tests. It is not not only give tests, but also analyze response scripts and discover errors, which is important at the moment”,

says Sreekar Purandare, Bangalore-based regional manager of Career Forum Pvt. Limited.

MBA – Master of Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is among the most sought-after qualifications in today’s increasingly business-driven world. An MBA offers career enhancement opportunities, an interesting job profile, and fantastic salary and benefits. Although India has 958 B-Schools, the six IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore and Kozhikode) remain the most sought after. Admissions to the B-Schools are essentially made through a series of elimination rounds beginning with a written test followed by a group discussion (GD) and a personal interview.

Common Admission Test (CAT)

CAT is a test of aptitude, language, reading, and basic quantitative skills along with logical reasoning, decision making, and clear career goals. The test is divided into three sections comprising 150 questions that must be answered in 120 minutes. In the two hours, one must tackle ten strange jumble questions, where each question consists of four long sentences and which are also not in order but jumbled up; read six passages of 800 to 1,300 words each and answer about forty questions based on them; understand six-seven data sets in tabular or graphical form and calculate growth percentages, etc.

The complete format of the CAT questionnaire changes every two or three years, while there are partial changes every year. Currently, the document is divided into three parts: verbal ability, quantitative ability, and reasoning. “It is not easy, almost impossible, to solve all 150 questions in the given time, one must be good at skipping difficult questions. Our research has revealed that students with scores of 68 to 72 are shortlisted by IIMs. it is about answering all 150 but getting the maximum number of correct answers”, adds Purandare.

When to start preparing?

According to several successful candidates, one should start preparing for the CAT exams at least a year in advance. A common dilemma among students is whether to take CAT in conjunction with senior year or after graduation. All coaching classes and faculty are unanimous in their opinion that CAT should be taken in conjunction with senior year.

Weak area analysis

Start by identifying weak areas and develop a strategy to overcome them. For example:

o To improve math skills, start with high school books to review arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.

o To improve verbal ability, read extensively: editorials, articles, etc. Create your own lexicon by writing down unknown words.

Math/Quantitative Ability:

According to the teachers of the CAT training institutes, the level of mathematical competence that is expected is not very high. “CAT is a test that takes you back to basics. A thorough review of high school math, hard work, and logical thinking is a sure ticket to success. CAT hopefuls must get the fundamentals right and then familiarize yourself with as many shortcuts as possible to solve problems,” says Rohit K, a computer science postgraduate and currently a lecturer at Career Plan, Bangalore.

A list of things one must master in math to be successful in CAT

1. Tables up to 30 X 30

2. Squares up to 30

3. Cubes up to 15

4. Reciprocals up to 30

5. Reciprocal equivalent percentages are essential.

6. Fractions in percentage terms such as 37.5% = 3/8; 62.5% = 5/8, etc.

English: verbal ability

Most of us think we are fluent in English because we speak, read, and write in the language in most aspects of our daily lives. But that is not enough to be successful in CAT. A solid foundation in English grammar, vocabulary, phrases and idioms, etc. it is vital. There are no direct questions in CAT, so a clear understanding of words by their roots, usage, adverbs and nouns is essential.

English: Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension (RC) is the most unpredictable section of CAT. A candidate with a good reading habit cultivated over a long period has a distinct advantage here. The following tips can help you declutter the section, even if you’re not in the habit of reading:

o Involvement and concentration

o Avoid regression/ revision

o extend the recognition interval; Reduce fixing time

o Active reading.

personal guidance.

Candidates’ attitudes play an important role in their success at CAT. Original thinking, courage and determination, management focus, ability to handle pressure, time management, decision making skills, change management are all vital skills needed when attempting CAT.

relaxation is key

Most students are under the impression that to be successful at CAT they need to focus solely on studying. Wrong, the preparation of the CAT is important, but it is more important to be comfortable and relaxed. Take a break, pub-hop, walk, swim, etc. do whatever it takes to relax.

Tips and Warnings

o The CAT pattern is constantly changing, so don’t go in with the assumption that you’ve figured out the last 10 years and are well prepared.

o Grading CAT is not about knowing everything, but about being able to identify the right questions and answer them.

o You can practice calculations anywhere. For example: Calculate run rate while watching cricket

o Every year there are new questions of different types

o Stay calm and focused, don’t panic.

o Work on previous quizzes to get a feel for the questions.

o One has to secure minimum qualifying marks in each section to be shortlisted

o Do not try to ask questions if you are not sure: there is a negative rating

Practice makes perfect.

Almost all CAT training institutes conduct full CAT drills at regular intervals between May and October. One should start taking mock tests at least four to five months before the test and strive to take as many tests as possible before the exams. The last month before the exam must be devoted exclusively to solving simulated CAT tests.