The nature of study preparation doesn't depend on whether the CAT entrance exam is a paper-based or a computer-based test is what CAT experts from T.I.M.E, Career Launcher and IMS Learning agreed to during the expert chats held by MBAUniverse.com on ‘How to prepare for computer-based CAT 2009’.
MBAUniverse.com conducted a series of expert online chats on ‘How to prepare for computer-based CAT 2009’ over a span of three days. Students and MBA aspirants from various corners of the country posed their queries to the experts. The experts on the other hand left no stones unturned to answer their queries. After the three chat sessions, the students expressed their satisfaction towards the experts and MBAUniverse.com for having all their doubts clarified. There is no doubt about the fact that this venture taken by MBAUniverse.com will give a mileage to the aspirant’s preparations. The chats were held on May 30, June 5 and June 6, 2009 on MBAUniverse.com for the benefit of MBA aspirants across the country.
On Saturday, June 6, 2009 MBAUniverse.com held an expert chat session with Mr. Sai Kumar, Course Director, T.I.M.E on ‘How to prepare for CAT 2009?’ The aspirants logged in to MBAUniverse.com and asked as many questions as they could in order to get their doubts clarified. Mr. Sai Kumar diligently answered all the aspirants’ questions and helped them to beat the CAT 2009 fever.
Excerpts from the expert chat:
Puneet: Hello sir, I am from a small town. I am not computer savvy. Will this be a constraint in CAT entrance exam preparation? Please guide.
Mr. Sai Kumar, Course Director, T.I.M.E: It should pose no problem as long as you can use a mouse and know how to click it.
Abhinav: Hello sir, please tell me how to start for the CAT 2009 preparation? Thanks.
Mr. Sai Kumar, Course Director, T.I.M.E: CAT entrance exam will be a CBT (Computer Based Test) this year. Other than this there is no change in what is being tested. For Verbal one needs to read a newspaper and try and work on vocabulary. The Quantitative section deals with concepts learnt in the 9th and 10th standard and revising them using a good book is more than sufficient.
Vasu: Respected sir, I would like to know that since the CAT 2009 is going to be a computer based test, how different it will be from the older format?
Mr. Sai Kumar, Course Director, T.I.M.E: Not much different based on what the IIMs have said in their notification. In fact it is going to be very similar to the Paper and Pencil format.
Mohd.: Sir, what would be the preparation strategy for working executives? Is joining test prep institute necessary? Thanks.
Mr. Sai Kumar, Course Director, T.I.M.E: A test prep institute is good for you as otherwise it will be difficult to get a proper attempt on account of the less time you would have.
Abhinav: Good afternoon sir, as CAT entrance exam will be held for about 10 days. Ideally which day should I take it? Thanks!
Mr. Sai Kumar, Course Director, T.I.M.E: If you have a choice of selecting the test date then go for the last three to four days. I have my doubts whether the IIMs will give students the option of selecting a test date as they could actually allot the dates randomly.
Puneet: I want to know that what is the difference of preparation from a small town based coaching and a big city?
Mr. Sai Kumar, Course Director, T.I.M.E: There is no difference on the quality of the inputs given but the big difference could be the quality of the competition you would have at a small town.
Pankaj: Good afternoon sir, when will the CAT 2009 dates likely to be announced? Will there be any option for doing rough work for math?
Mr. Sai Kumar, Course Director, T.I.M.E: The bulletin is expected to be released in the last week of July. The option to do rough work will be provided. Don’t worry about it.
On Friday, June 5, 2009, expert chat was held with Mr. R Shiva Kumar, Director, R & D, Career Launcher on ‘How to prepare for computer-based CAT 2009’ on MBAUniverse.com. Mr. R Shiva Kumar answered the questions posed to him by the aspirants across the country, which left the aspirants satisfied.
Excerpts from the chat:
Pawan: Will the change of CAT entrance exam mode bring some differences in the preparations? Please let me know, Sir. I am very much worried.
Mr. R Shiva Kumar, Director, R&D, Career Launcher: There are two three stages for your preparation.
a) Learn: You learn as you are doing now. Just because CAT entrance exam has gone online the conceptual learning is not going to change. Just stick to your Fundamental books and move onto the online tests for practice.
b) Practice: Part of this must be offline and part of it online. We would upload many more tests online in the next few weeks to enable you to get as much practice as possible online. Note that practice on Student Information System (SIS) is essentially to get you used to taking a test on the computer.
c) Testing: Testing for a significant part must be online. This is because your strategies would significantly change since it is no longer a paper based format. You need to experience enough Full duration tests on the computer to make yourself be aware of what is working for you and what is not.
Vaibhav: From when should one ideally start their final preparation for CAT entrance exam?
Mr. R Shiva Kumar, Director, R&D, Career Launcher: Vaibhav, There is nothing called ‘ideal time’ as it depends upon individuals; however four to six months are sufficient to prepare for CAT entrance exam.
Puneet: Good afternoon sir, as I heard that CAT entrance exam will be conducted for about 10 days. Which day should I ideally take the test? Kindly reply. Thank you in advance.
Mr. R Shiva Kumar, Director, R&D, Career Launcher: Puneet, It is not known whether CAT guys will ask candidates to choose the day on their own or allot the test day randomly.
Deependra: Respected sir, I am just in my third year of B.Tech. Please tell me when will the CAT 2009 dates be announced and where will they be conducted?
Mr. R Shiva Kumar, Director, R&D, Career Launcher: Deependra, You will be eligible to appear for the CAT entrance exam in the year 2010. Requirement is minimum 50 per cent in graduation. Admission notification is published on the 2nd Sunday of July every year. CAT 2008 was conducted in more than 23 cities. You can visit: www.catiim.in or www.careerlauncher.com to know the details.
Apurv: Dear Mr. Kumar, I am good in English and Reasoning but my Quant is very weak. This will be my first attempt. How should I practice? How do training institutes teach math for online exam? Please reply.
Mr. R Shiva Kumar, Director, R&D, Career Launcher: Apurav, I have already discussed, for any topic there are three stages of preparation. Just because CAT entrance exam is going to be online, the conceptual learning is not going to change. Just stick to your Fundamental books and move onto the online tests for practice. As far as CL is concerned, we are preparing our students.
1. Basic concepts inside the classroom
2. There is a battery of online tests available on SIS in the Test Gym Section where a student can practice unlimited number of questions.
3. We are conducting proc MOCK CATS in the simulated environment.
4. There is an online Comprehensive 24x7 teaching is also available which will definitely help students to get comfortable, learning on computer. Visit www.careerlauncher.com for the demo sessions.
Mohd.: Is it going to be a Computer Adaptive test or a Computer Based test? What are the differences between the two?
Mr. R Shiva Kumar, Director, R&D, Career Launcher: Statements by Directors of IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta clearly indicates that it will not be an adaptive test.
On Saturday, May 30, 2009 the first round of expert online chats was conducted. Nilesh Sarawate, Director, Test Prep, IMS Learning, gave tips on how to go about the online format of the CAT entrance exam.
Responding to a query on preparation of CAT entrance exam, Mr. Sarawate replied, “The nature of study preparation doesn't depend on whether the CAT entrance exam is a paper-based or a computer-based test”.
Here is the edited transcript of the chat session with Nilesh Sarawate on MBAUniverse.com:
Abhinav: Respected sir, I would like to know that since CAT 2009 is going to be a computer-based test, how different will it be from the older format of CAT entrance exam?
Nilesh Sarawate, Director, Test Prep, IMS Learning: Every year the CAT entrance exam 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.
Apurv: Hello sir, when will the IIMs announce the final pattern and dates of CAT 2009? Sir, when and where will the CAT 2009 be conducted?
Nilesh Sarawate, Director, Test Prep, IMS Learning: The IIMs will announce the final pattern and dates of CAT 2009 in July in their CAT bulletin. CAT 2009 will be conducted across various centers in India over a 10-day period.
Khushbu: Hello sir, I heard that for CAT 2009, one should be computer savvy. My concern is that I am not very comfortable working on the computer. Will it affect my performance even if I am a more than average student?
Nilesh Sarawate, Director, Test Prep, IMS Learning: 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.
Vithya: Dear sir, what are the good books to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension etc especially for a computer-based CAT entrance exam?
Nilesh Sarawate, Director, Test Prep, IMS Learning: The nature of study preparation doesn't depend on whether the CAT entrance exam 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.
Ankit: Sir, please tell me how are test prep institutes, like yours, assuring students for preparing online CAT entrance exam? Which factor should I look upon before joining a coaching institute for my CAT prep?
Nilesh Sarawate, Director, Test Prep, IMS Learning: 1) We offer a complete online study plan for our students which compliment their offline preparation. The online component of our preparation has a comprehensive mix of full length tests on the line of previous year's CAT entrance exam as well as concept tests for practice.
2) The most important factor to look at for joining any institute is the kind of mentoring and counseling that the institute offers to the student at various stages of the preparation.
Apurv: Sir, since I am a working executive, I won’t be able to join any coaching institute. Please tell me from where and what study material can help me for online CAT preparation?
Nilesh Sarawate, Director, Test Prep, IMS Learning: Since you cannot join any institute, please ensure that you maintain self discipline and study regularly on a daily basis.
Shailendra: Dear Sir, please tell me do I need experience to get admission in the IIMs? Should I go for a little work-experience before applying? Kindly reply sir.
Nilesh Sarawate, Director, Test Prep, IMS Learning: Work experience is given weightage by the IIMs. More than 50 per cent of the students in IIMs have work-experience and the rest are freshers. It will help to have work experience, but it is not necessary to have it before applying to the IIMs.
