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“The nature of
studypreparation doesn't depend on whether the CAT is
a paper-based or a computer-based
test”.
Every year the CAT has changed in some way or the other. This year, the
change is with respect to the mode of taking the test. As far as
preparing the concepts are concerned, there will not be any change.
However, you have to go through sufficient online practice to
acclimatize yourself with the online testing process. The nature of
study preparation doesn't depend on whether the CAT is a paper-based or
a computer-based test. You need material that will cover basic concepts
explained in a friendly manner, CAT application based questions for
practice with explanatory answers and test papers. Also check out the
material of most of the reputed MBA training institutions.
You do not need to be computer savvy to take an online test. All that is
required is the ability to use the mouse and a few basic keys. Do not
worry on that front. spend at least 5 hours a day for the ultimate
preparation.
Expert
Suggestions: Follow Strategies
- Preparing Maths
- Preparing Data Interpretation
- Preparing Analytical reasoning
- Preparing Readding Comprehension
- Preparing Verbal ability
- word list
- Reading
There are two phases of preparation
Preparation for CAT 2009 - First phase:
In this phase you should get good grip on fundamentals and get familiar
with all chapters and problems . Do not look for speed solving or feel
any sort of pressure while preparing fundamentals. Learn with your own
efficiency, without getting into fundamentals clearly speed-solving is
not useful. Please manage to allocate at least one hour a day for
reading newspapers, magazines. It is better to subscribe for any good
magazines during the preparation. Get in touch with current affairs.
Schedule your weeks to prepare accordingly because haphazardness will
waste lot of time. If you have been preparing without any study
structure then whatever you may achieve would have been increased up to
50%. Try to shuffle the subjects also, so that you do not get bored with
one subject. A good time table for 1 days look like below:
Day 1:
1 hour reading
2 hours of math
1 hour of analytical reasoning / data interpretation
1 hour of reading comprehension exercises
/ verbal ability
Preparation for CAT 2009 - second phase(self analyzing and
improving):
By the time you finish the fundamentals which is about second week of
august, you will get a fare idea on the area of your weakness and
strengths. Make a tabular form of topics categorizing strengths and
weakness to have a clear picture on it. Keep weak areas in mind and try
to improve yourself by focusing them more.
From second week of August you can take section tests along with
revision of topics in alternate day, here if you think you have to
allocate more time you should do.. You must start taking comprehensive
tests by the beginning of September.
Things you look to learn in comprehensive tests of 2-3 hour long, is how
to manage paper so the attitude here should be the same like a batsman
who wants to score as many runs as possible in the last 10 overs in
onedayers. You should think of scoring as much as possible ,but most
people will get emotional to have a challenging problem and stuck up
solving only that problem.
After you tested yourself spend time to analyze it. The key points to
analyze your test:
- Speed:
See if your speed is better than previous tests, notice if you do
not understand basics you cannot apply them to tougher problems.
Both these attributes are a prerequisite for speed solving;
- Concentration:
Most of we do not use two hours sitting at a stretch; a high degree
of concentration is also not easy for first time test takers.
Comprehensive tests make us to sit for two hours at a stretch and we
increase our attentive span.
- Time Management:
The most important value provided by the comprehensive test is an
idea of our strengths and weakness. So you should manage time and
allocate certain time to each section depending on your strength and
weakness
- Accuracy:
Accuracy is the number of correct questions out of attempted
questions. if this is low you need to go and revise the chapters
which are reducing your accuracy because marking wrong option will
impose negative marks in cat.
- Finding Traps:
You should avoid false positives or false negatives i.e., you
shouldn’t leave easy questions thinking they are hard and attempt
hard questions thinking they are easy. analyzing your progress on
the above four : compare with the previous attempted paper on above
all points
Take comprehensive test for yourself on every alternate days with
analyzing and revision of topics on another day.
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