Don't try to predict CAT, focus on preparation instead: Mr Gejo Srinivasan of IMS Learning on MBAUniverse.com Expert Chat on CAT 2008

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
July 24, 2016
There are about 75 days left for the D-day i.e. November 16, 2008 when Common Admission Test (CAT) will be held for IIMs.

To help CAT takers across the country, MBAUniverse.com Aspirant Zone hosted the Live Expert Chat on the topic 'Mantras to Crack CAT '08' on September 2. Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learning was one of the experts on the chat where he answer questions from MBA-aspirants who logon to MBAUniverse.com for expert guidance.  

Mr Srinivasan answered several important questions on the chat like 'What would be CAT 2008 pattern', 'How to improve weak areas', 'how to prepare for CAT while working'  and many more. 

On the subject of expectations from CAT '08 pattern, Mr Srinivasan said, "CAT has been an Enigma that cannot be deciphered when it comes to its pattern. I cannot predict how the CAT pattern will be, this time. I expect it to be similar to 2006 & 2007, but you never know! But listen - does it really matter? Any change is for all students and not just for you - so why do you worry?"  Talking about the rationale behind the changes in CAT pattern in recent years, he added, "CAT Pattern is not defined "Just like that" - it depends on what the IIMs want to test in the candidate. Which is the reason that the CAT changed into a reasoning intensive test from being a speed intensive test before! So chill & get ready to crack all patterns." 

While holding the chat Mr Srinivasan asked students to work on basics and analyze their weak areas. Said Mr Srinivasan, "Start with the basics - read in detail about every area that is tested. Go back to your 8th, 9th & 10th std. math textbooks, they'll help you a lot. Apart from that, u can also use the books given to you by the institute that you have enrolled with for the CAT prep."
While giving the tips to improve for English section, Mr Srinivasan said, "English is all about reading habits & usage in daily life. You would have realized that the CAT doesn't lay a lot of stress on vocabulary as it lays on reasoning. So develop your reasoning. Reading wide range of topics will surely help you - also, notice how authors use the contextual meaning of a word to convey something that is not naturally conveyed by that word. Take lots of Mock Tests and analyze those tests well." 

Mr Srinivasan also suggested students to read regularly to improve English. He said, "I will recommend that you read Newspapers, 1 regular & 1 business. Please avoid tabloids. Magazines, preferably Frontline. And Study material given by the institute you have enrolled with." 

To improve Logical Reasoning, Mr Srinivasan said, "Logical Reasoning is all about practice - the more problems you solve of a king, the more comfortable you would feel. I suggest you solve all the problems in the Basic Reference Material given to you first. Second, a good technique is to try to create your own questions - that way, you will be able to understand the psyche of a paper-setter and will be able to solve questions better. Family Tree & Arrangements (around a table or rooms in a hotel/office) etc. are areas where you can easily make questions." 

While sharing the prep strategy to BPO executive, Mr Srinivasan said, "According to me, 10 weeks is good enough for preparing for the CAT. But said that, I would expect the student to put in at least 4 hours every day during this period. Typically, BPO work hours are about 9 hrs? May be you put in 12 hrs? Even then you have 12 hrs left in a day. You will have to compromise a lot and give 4 hrs every day come what may - only that will help. After all, it is CAT - there is no magic potion that can help someone prepare in 2 hrs. So focus on the goal and try your best to manage time."

A regular expert on MBAUniverse.com, Mr Gejo Srinivasan is the MBA Product Head at IMS Mumbai. He did his B.Tech (Chem Eng.) from IIT Madras and his PGDM from IIM Calcutta. He has been mentoring students for more than 8 years. 

Read the detailed chat transcripts at the link (http://www.mbauniverse.com/viewChat.php?id=448).  

MBA Aspirants, stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more expert advices.