You are bound to have bad mocks, but just don't give up
Anurag Goyal is a B.Com Honours Graduate from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata (2005-08). After performing brilliantly in CAT, XAT and FMS entrance exams with percentiles 99.56, 98.24 and 98.91 respectively, Anurag decided to take admission in FMS for its strategic location, better faculty and placements.
MBAUniverse.com chats with Anurag Goyal:
Q: Which are the MBA institutes that shortlisted you for GD PI and offered you final admissions?
A: I had calls from the following MBA institutes:
IIM-Ahmadabad (Post Graduate Program in Agri Business Management)
IIM-Indore (Post Graduate Program in Management)
Faculty of Management Study, University of Delhi (MBA)
Management Development Institute, Gurgaon
Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai
Q: Which is the MBA institute that you have decided to take admission and why?
A: I attended the GD PIs for only the IIMs and FMS and converted all of them. Since I was not very keen about Agri Business Management, I decided not to join IIM Ahmedabad and instead joined FMS. Compared to IIM Indore, FMS offers a strategic location (a very important consideration during the times of recession), better faculty, better placements and better value for money.
Q: Which MBA test prep institute did you go to? How did you make the selection? How should CAT 2009 entrance exam aspirants make this decision?
A: I joined Career Launcher, but that was only for Quants. I was quite comfortable with the other two sections, so did not undergo any training for the same. It's important to find out your weak section and then enquire about the faculties for the same at different preparation institutes. Faculty must be the deciding criterion and not the preparation material, which students can get from anywhere.
Q: With just over 6 months to go, what is your advice to CAT 2009 aspirants?
A: Never skip mock CATs; they are the most important ingredient in preparations for the actual CAT exam. You are bound to have bad mocks, but just don't give up.
Q: How should they plan their study on the basis of different sections in the paper and time management?
A: The best way to remove your fear of any particular topic or section is to intensively prepare for the same. Solve a thousand questions on the topic and next time you take a mock, you'll inadvertently search out the questions from the troublesome areas first and solve them. Never take any question on your ego and waste time. Move on, there are easier questions waiting.
Q: As you are aware, CAT 2009 will be a computer-based test. In your view, how does this change the exam?
A: It does not change anything much. If it makes things tricky, it does so for everyone.
Q: What is your take on this new format?
A: The new format was bound to come sometime or the other. It will ultimately help students because now they can take the liberty of choosing their own dates for the exam, unlike the previous years.
Q: Are you happy that you did not have to appear for this format or you feel that CBT form would have been better for you?
A: There is no reason to be happy or sad. Aptitude tests are meant to check your ability to adjust to different unpredictable format, whether it is the pattern of questions or the mode of taking the exam.
Q: What should aspirants do to adjust to this new format?
A: Be ready for all the formats in which the exam can appear before you. Don't put your money on its format being similar to GMAT. At the same time, don't lose sight of other big entrance exams, particularly XAT and FMS. They can also lead you to a good MBA institute.
