MBAUniverse.com presents an article shared by Mumbai based IMS Learning on how to do well in MAH - CET 09.
How to do well in MAH - CET 09
By Ms Jaya Desai and Mr Saikat Kundu, IMS Learning
The CET is a 200 mark test of two and a half hours duration, with no negative marking. . The components of the test are verbal ability and reading comprehension encompassing grammar/usage, vocabulary, sentence completion, synonyms/antonyms; quantitative aptitude comprising ration/proportion, percentage etc. and logical/abstract reasoning comprising elements like strong/weak argument, course of action, assumptions as well as visual reasoning and data sufficiency.
How to prepare:
Preparing for vocabulary-based questions generally puts test takers in a tizzy. But the best way is to read, refer and find out the meaning on a continuing basis. For example, consider the sentence- 'Disease is an aberration and not a natural state of being." Here, you can understand contextually that 'aberration' is something that is not natural, rather, a deviation from the norm. However, it is necessary to remember that not all words will conform to contextual guesses, in which case, you will have to look up the meaning. A lot of words can be covered in such strategic ways in the coming days.
Grammar and usage will involve basic knowledge of whatever you learnt in school days. Referring to a primer that covers the various parts of speech and basic grammar rules is recommended. Passages are generally easy to understand and topical in nature. Hence, regular reading of articles in newspapers and magazines helps a lot. As for the verbal reasoning part, if your analytical skills and common sense are in place, then the segment is doable.
Normally there are about 40-45 questions asked in the Quant and DI/ DS section. Out of these 20-23 questions are from the PS section and the remaining 18-22 questions are from DI and DS sections. PS questions are generally easy and straightforward and are mainly calculation based. The major parts of PS questions come from the Arithmetic section, based mainly on the BODMAS rule. The other problems are generally from Percentage, Ratio-Proportion, Time speed & Distance, Time & Work, simple Equation, Quadratic Equation, Geometry (2D & 3D both), Permutation, Combination and Probability. There are hardly any tricky questions appearing in CET. But to attempt these questions, one must be familiar with the basic formulae and competence about lengthy calculations, such as, finding the square roots, cube roots, squares, cubes and products of two or more big numbers and so on. While attempting the PS questions, one should not waste time thinking about the question. If the question appears to be tough or tricky, it is better to leave the question than to attempt it.
If there are 25 questions appear from the PS section, one should not take more than 20 minutes to attempt these questions, out of which an attempt of 18-20 questions is a decent attempt, but be sure to score at least 14-15 marks here.
On the other hand, in DI, questions are generally based on easy tables & graphs (mainly, Line Graph, Pie Graph & Bar Graph). Basically DI questions are based on calculations rather than on logic. Again in DI, one should not take more than 15-18 minutes to attempt 13-14 questions, so that one can score 10-12 marks. Whenever one is attempting DI questions, he/ she has to be very careful about the 'options'. If the 'option' is like 'None of These' or 'Can Not Be Determined' or 'Data Inadequate', then remember that you are in tricky territory and you have to be really sure regarding the same!
At the end, in the PS & DI sections one needs his/ her full ability to calculate data faster, using as minimum time as possible. One should not get distracted at the time of calculation.
In the CET, one of the most important components is Logical Reasoning and Visual Reasoning. Generally, there are 55-60 questions based on Logical Reasoning. Here one is likely to be asked questions based on Number Series (Odd Man Out, Missing Number etc.), arrangements (Linear, Circular, Matrix), Family Tree, Input-Output Flow Chart etc. essentially Logical Reasoning is time consuming, one should be very careful about time management and in any case he/ she should not spend more than 40-45 minutes attempting 45-50 questions, out of which at least 38-40 questions should be correct. One should give priority to those questions that can be solved using less data or those that are likely to be straightforward.
In case of Visual Reasoning, till date, the numbers of questions have been about 30. This section is very time consuming, tedious and tough and one should be very careful about the figures given. When attempting Visual Reasoning questions, if one cannot get time to solve, then one of the best ways is to eliminate the options and ultimately choose the closest one. While attempting Visual Reasoning questions one must not spend more than 22-25 minutes for 25026 questions. Out of the attempts one should get at least 18-20 questions correct.
Finally, in case of Logical Reasoning and specially Visual Reasoning once, one has finished answering the question, he/ she must not return to the question. He/ she has to move forward always. One has to attempt any questions in such a manner that, there is no need for rechecking.
Since the CET is a fairly simple paper and involves fundamental knowledge of concepts, it would be prudent on the part of the test takers to be thorough with the same. But, there is an important consideration- speed. You will have to develop the ability to attempt questions quickly and efficiently without wasting time on a question that devours a lot of time. Also, you must realize that the quality of test taking is extremely crucial. If you do not analyse after a test as to your areas of strengths and weaknesses, you will pretty much have a static score graph. For the upward spike, you need to reduce errors, increase accuracy combined with speed and then wait for the magic. Even if you do not complete all the questions towards the end, you should not forget to circle the ovals w.r.t the unanswered questions. You see, you have nothing to lose!
Once the CET is over, ensure that you hone your communication skills and general awareness quotient because Group discussions and personal interview scores will be added to your raw CET score before the State arrives at a rank.
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