CAT is an entrance test conducted for management programs. The questions are set by IIM only. There is a need to do a good preparation for clearing the CAT. The test duration is for 2.5 hours. 2010 is a very important year, and so if you wish to get admitted to the best MBA institute, then you should definitely put your best foot forward to crack the CAT. The test includes the following components:
1. Quantitative ability
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2. Data interpretation
3. Data sufficiency
4. Logical reasoning
5. Reading comprehension
6. Verbal ability
The purpose of Quantitative section is to test the candidates ability how they solve the problem. The section contains multiple choice questions on mathematics on the following topics such as number theory, profit and loss, speed, time and distance, partnerships, logarithm etc. In the data interpretation section data are given in the form of tables, graphs and charts and candidates are tested how they interpret the data. In data sufficiency section candidates are given one statement with other statement and they have to answer whether the given statement is enough to sole the problem or not. When it comes to logical reasoning section, it contains puzzles or logical questions. Then there are comprehension and verbal ability tests your knowledge in English grammar and the language.
Checking the previous question papers
The numbers of questions are different from year to year. Normally it ranges from 75 to 150. Again you need to remember that wrong answer imposes penalty in terms of negative mark. Prepare for CAT in a systematic way and try to learn the techniques how smartly you can crack CAT in 2010. Try to gather information on current affairs as much as possible so that it would help you to increase your general knowledge. Read some good magazines and newspapers and keep updated yourself on current affairs such as economics, politics, national and international issues. It would be preferable IIM for you to have a look at the previous years' question papers.
CAT looks for candidates who are having analytical skills, aptitude skills and decision making capabilities. So, you need to concentrate to solve the reasoning, do mathematics and even upgrade your comprehensive knowledge in skills. Make a habit that you study for at least 5 to 6 hours in day. Organize your studies in such a way so that you can give more concentration on your weak areas. Try to include different subjects in a day so that you don't feel bore in studying.
Take break during weekends
Take break in weekends and start fresh from Monday and that too with new topics. Analyze your strength and weakness by giving mock test. Even periodically appear for test to improve your performance. Go for analyzing yourself on the basis of the following points such as speed, concentration, accuracy, time management. Find your mistakes and try not to repeat in future. Checking of performance is very essential because until and unless check your performance you will not be able to improve your performance. The next thing you have to do is prepare yourself in GD. For that you can even take coaching from a good coaching institute because they will guide you how to study and to crack CAT. While appearing in CAT 2010 try to solve the question first which you are confident enough. Don't try to attempt the questions which you don't know because wrong answer imposes penalty in terms of negative marks. So do the smart work and crack CAT (Meow!)
THE COUNTDOWN for CAT 2009 has begun. The Common Admission Test, or CAT as it is popularly known, is scheduled for November 29 and millions of students across the country are bracing themselves to write one of the toughest entrance tests in the country.
It's also one of the most prestigious, as success in this exam ensures a seat in one of the seven Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), a sure shot ticket to scale heights professionally. With the CAT going online from this year, the stress level surrounding this entrance test has only gone higher.
Besides the pressure to plug all loopholes in one's preparation for the big exam - like learning to manage time and finishing the syllabus well before the exam - the aspirants for CAT 2009 are under the additional pressure of taking the test online. The questions bothering many are varied: What if I'm in the first batch to write the test online? Would a computer- friendly aspirant stand a better chance? Would this CAT have more surprises than the previous ones? Does one need to change the strategy to crack the online exam? There are no definitive answers to these questions but experts say that the online nature of the test wouldn't affect its difficulty level. " CAT would just shift from being a pencil paper test to an online one. Apart from that, there will be no difference in the difficulty level of the test.
The bigger concern should be the strategy an aspirant needs to adopt in the final leg of preparation to bell the CAT. That's important because cracking CAT is not just essential for a seat at the IIMs but a good score also gives a student an opportunity to make it to any of the other A- list MBA institutes, who shortlist the students for Group Discussion (GD) on the basis of the CAT score.
The basic rules for cracking CAT remain the same - mastering the art of solving any problem in the minimum time available and focusing on clearing every section.
Aspirants have to understand that CAT does not try to check how good your strategy is, but how well you know your fundamentals. The trick to clear CAT is to solve any given question as fast as you can, instead of trying to solve difficult questions first." CONFIDENCE is another virtue that students will have to be careful with, as overconfidence can mar chances of success, despite good preparation. " CAT is all about testing your temperament on that particular day. We have seen that even very good students fail at it just because they were too confident.