Mr Gejo Srinivasan, Head of MBA Product at India's pioneering test-prep company IMS answered CAT related queries posed by MBAUniverse.com readers. At the appointed hour, CAT aspirants started posing their queries. Mr Srinivasan, who was logged on to MBAUniverse.com from IMS Head Office in Mumbai, responded to queries for over an hour.
The questions were wide ranging: from simple questions like ‘how should I prepare for CAT’ to ‘how should I manage my time across various questions’ to ‘what should I read to improve my English scores.’
Here is the edited text of the Expert Chat. Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com Aspirants Zone for more such chats, features and tips to help you bell the CAT.
Topic: Road to CAT 07: How to plan, prepare and crack CAT
Expert: Mr Gejo Srinivasan, MBA Product Head, IMS Learning Center
Seema: Sir, I am a graduate from arts discipline. I want to appear in CAT 2007? How should I start my preparation?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: There are 4 months left for the CAT. In the month of August you should focus on getting the basics in all the areas tested in the CAT viz., Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Data Interpretation. From the month of September you can start taking comprehensive tests.
Do not worry; you still have good enough time for your preparations.
Mansi: How can I improve my analytical ability? What do you really mean by Analytical Ablity?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: In the context of the CAT, analytical ability is tested through logical reasoning puzzles and data interpretation sets based on reasoning.
To solve such sets you need to: 1. Read and comprehend the data-set (what is given and what is to be found), 2.understand the premises and conditions that are stated therein and 3.understand the relationship between the data on the basis of the given conditions. Draw flowcharts, Venn-diagrams, and tables/matrix as required.
Solve a lot of puzzles (easy to difficult) to improve your analytical ability.
Joydeepta: Sir, the English section and the DI (Data Interpretation) portion of the CAT paper are tough. So, how to prepare for these sections?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: English Section: Firstly, you must understand as to why the section is difficult. The difficulty level of English is due to the closeness of the option. This would mean that unless you clearly understand the passage you would not be able to answer the question correctly. The preparation for English is simple - READ! READ! READ!
DI: The DI has moved from a calculation based to a logic-based section. Again, you need to enhance your reasoning and logical ability to crack the DI. This will come from practice.
Pankaj: Is CAT loaded in favor of engineering graduates? I am planning to take CAT only in 2008. How should a regular graduate start to prepare for CAT’ 08?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: Definitely not! The IIMs want a diverse mix of students and I do not think that they favor engineers and therefore, CAT does not favor engineers. Many feel that CAT favors engineers because of the Quant section. But if you look at CAT 2006, the most difficult section was Verbal! Therefore, do not worry.
Start your preparation with building your fundamentals. You have a lot of time before CAT 2008 and ensure that you keep your motivation high.
Himanshi: Sir, Who prepares the CAT exam? What are they trying to test in a candidate at a broader level?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: The committee instituted by the IIMs prepares the CAT. The objective of the CAT is to select a candidate who has a "potential" to become manager. This is tested through Quantitative, Verbal, Reasoning and Data Interpretative abilities of an individual. The questions are designed in such a manner that one needs you to use logic along with basic concepts to arrive at the right answer. After all, the success of the IIMs depends on the quality of the managers that they create.
Garima: Sir, as you told it one's own effort that matters in CAT. But how early one should start his/her preparation? And how much time does one need to devote?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: Ideally, 6 months with 2-3 hours per day is good enough time to prepare for the CAT. If you feel that your basics in any of the subject are not really strong then you can start a bit earlier.
Joydeepta: Sir, as I am working with a software company. Please suggest how can a working professional prepare well to crack CAT if he doesn’t have time to join the regular preparation classes for CAT?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: Frankly, you do not need to join a classroom program to clear the CAT. All you need is discipline. Do not overload yourself by joining a classroom program because the same would make your life hectic. Pick up a correspondence program & take the SimCATs. You may even join a workshop-based program. Take out a couple of hours everyday for your CAT preparation. If you have a disciplined approach, I am sure that you will be able to do well in the CAT.
Bharat: I am a software engineer. I want to do my MBA from India’s leading business school IIMs but the problem is how to manage the time for CAT preparation, as this will be my first attempt for CAT? Please suggest the way.
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: Personally, I feel that no one can manage time. We can only manage ourselves. You need to take out about 2 hours per day for your CAT preparation preferably when you are fresh. For instance, it could be from 6 AM to 8 AM. 60% of students who make it to the IIMs are working professionals like you. Give CAT your best shot.
Tripti: Can I prepare thru self-study or need to join coaching center? How should I decide between the both?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: Quite simple. If you are self-disciplined, a self-study will suffice. If you feel that you need atmosphere to create that discipline, join a classroom program.
Joydeepta: Sir, I want to know about the cut-off percentages of different sections in CAT paper. What is the average percentage needed in each section?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: The cut-off percentage will depend on the difficulty level of the paper. However, IIM A has stated a minimum requirement of 25% in each section and 33% overall to get a call. Similarly, IIM C has specified a minimum of 20% in Quant & DI, 10% in Verbal. As a thumb rule, 40% to 50% is required in each section.
Pankaj: I am a graduate and had mathematics up to 10th. How should I prepare for mathematics to crack CAT? What is the weightage given to Quant section?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: CAT has 3 sections Quant, Verbal & DI. Therefore, The weightage of Quant is 33%. However, remember DI also builds on your Math Skills. So in effect 67% of the marks are based on Math & Logic. It is important to understand that the Quant questions in the CAT are not testing your understanding of mathematics, but your ability to reason quantitative information. The concepts required to solve any of the questions is not complex. It is the application of the concepts that make the Quant section challenging. Therefore, it is imperative that you understand the basics really well and not just mug formula sets. This would enhance your application skill.
Ashish: I heard that CAT changes every year. What changes are you expecting this year CAT 2007?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: The structural changes in the CAT are not really important. Because if it is a surprise to you, it is going to be a surprise for all! In the recent CATs the questions in the CAT have become more and more logic & reasoning based. You can definitely expect that the CAT 2007 will be reasoning intensive which will test your ability to apply simple concepts to complex situations. Hope this makes sense!
Tripti: Sir, This will be my second attempt in CAT? Last time, I was dropped because of my mistakes in Analytical Ability section? How can I improve for the same?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: Kudos to your determination! 1. Read slowly so that you can comprehend better. Never read the question fast as it will actually slow you down! 2. Pick up random puzzles and keep solving them. This will enhance your reasoning ability 3. While you prepare, never fall for the temptation to look at the explanatory answers. The answer is not important but how you arrive at the answer is most crucial.
Anshuman: How important is it to actually 'prepare' for CAT. Are there cases that you know where students have cracked it without preparation? Why there is such hype about 'preparation'?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: There are many cases where students have cracked the CAT without prep. Do remember that the CAT tests your managerial aptitude and there are many students who have build the same over the years through participation in extracurricular, good reading habits etc. Then there are many students too who have cracked the CAT with prep. The hype in CAT prep is simply because there are 1,90,000 applications and only 1500 seats!
Jaswinder: Sir, I am preparing for the CAT 2007 and wanted to know on how does CAT compares with XAT, SNAP, JMET and other management entrance exams?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: Broadly, the areas tested in the other tests are the same as that of CAT. There are some additional areas tested – Last year, XAT had questions on business judgement. It also has an essay. The essay will play a major role in the second stage of selection process; SNAP has general awareness while JMET has higher level of math questions. Your preparation for the CAT is more than sufficient for other tests. You just need to work on the additional areas.
Sonia: Sir, I am preparing for CAT 2007. I want to know that why IMS and other MBA coaching institutes emphasize on testing by conducting mock tests etc?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: I believe that the emphasis on testing is because of the fact that there are only 4 months to go before the CAT. In the last 3 months, all CAT takers focuses on improving their test score and also, to excel at the CAT you should be able to perform in the test taking situation and handle the stress that comes with it.
Ayushi: How the basic reference material that IMS or TIME provides is important and sufficient, is it adequate?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: I can speak for IMS! 1. The basic reference material is the most crucial since the CAT is focusing more on accuracy and speed. 2. The BRM is sufficient since its objective is to help you to build fundamentals. The Comprehensive Tests, SimCATs and the Section Tests will expose to enough questions.
Sakshi: Mr Srinivasan, how should one objectively compare top management entrance test-prep institutes like IMS, TIME or CL? What parameters should we use to choose the institutes? Kindly answer in detail.
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: I believe that every entrance test prep company's objective is to help you to clear the CAT. Some of the parameters are:
- Senior's recommendation
- Material quality
- Recommendation of successful students
- Infrastructure and 5. Convenience. Just don't worry. Finally it will be your effort that matters!
Saksham: Sir, in which order should I choose the sections while taking the CAT 07?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: Frankly, it does not matter which section you start the test with. Whether you start with your most comfortable or the least comfortable, the outcome will more or less be the same. One more thing, give equal time to each section. If you keep a simple "strategy", you will focus on each question. Since CAT is after all a set of questions. CAT is not about managing the 2.5 hours. It is about handling the individual questions!
Nalini: Which books/ newspapers/ magazines would you recommend to prepare for English section? What are the important things that I should regularly read?
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: 1. Any national English daily, 2. Business Magazine like Business India, Business World, Business Today etc. & general magazine like India Today, Outlook etc. and 3. Books: Read both fiction according to your preference and non-fiction like Alvin Toffler's Future Shock.
Mansi: What is the key to crack CAT 2007? What is your mantra...
Mr Gejo Srinivasan: You need to have:
- Conceptual clarity
- Ability to apply the concepts to different situations using reasoning and logic
- Do not run after short cuts.
