Updated on March 20, 2014
MBAUniverse held its AskMBAUniverse.com Live Expert Chat on ‘How to improve your mock CAT scores’ on September 9, 2011 with Vinayak Kudva, Product Head, IMS Learning.
There are hardly 40 days left for CAT 2011 now. You must be taking regular mock tests. The question which must be bothering you at this stage is, how to improve the score of the test? If you attain a high percentile in your mock tests, then only you can expect a satisfactory score at CAT 2011 so that you can receive the call from your dream B-School.
To fetch the answer of this question, MBAUniverse.com held its AskMBAUniverse.com Live Expert Chat on ‘How to improve your mock CAT scores’ on September 9, 2011 with Vinayak Kudva, Product Head, IMS Learning.
The chat not only received questions on how to improve the mock test scores, but also on the other areas of CAT 2011 preparation.
Read on the excerpts of the Live Expert Chat.
Q: Prashant: Sir I have attempted three full length mocks and got percentile from 90 to 95. I want to score over 95 percentile. Please suggest sir.
A: Hi Prashant, you need to get as much practice you can! Also, after giving each full length mock test, spend a good amount of time in analyzing your performance and taking corrective actions. Even if this makes a difference to two to three questions per sections. It will lead to a good jump in percentiles.
Q: Ravi Raj: My mock percentiles vary from 75 to 90. I'm aiming top B-schools like IIMs MDI, IMT, XLRI and FMS. Please advise the strategy for last two months on how to turn it to consistent 95+ percentile?
A: Hi Ravi, You need to get as much practice you can. Also, after a mock test, you should spend a considerable amount of time in analyzing your performance and taking corrective actions, else you might end up making same mistakes again and again.
Q: Anshika: If I attempt lesser questions in VA & LR section, how can I manage to get the cut off percentile in the QA & DI section?
A: Clearing cut offs in both the sections is important. Scoring a very high percentile in one section and not clearing cut off in the other won't do any good! Also, both sections have individual time limits, hence attempting fewer questions in one section and more in other section to get a good overall percentile may not be possible!
Q: Srinu: My problem is that I lack speed and accuracy. In spite of knowing the right method, my answers get wrong in the mock tests, especially in QA & DI. Any practicing tips sir?
A: You need to analyze your performance after each test and identify where all you are making mistakes and take corrective actions. Also, ensure that you are conceptually sound and practice as many question you can!
Q: Abheesh: Hello sir, could you please suggest me some points for DI section? Could you please suggest me some points for DI section. Do I need to practice more DI questions or utilize time for Quantitative Ability?
A: Hi Abheesh, It depends upon your strengths and weaknesses which you can understand by analyzing your performance in the mock tests. Ideally you need to be good in both QA and DI to get a high percentile.
Q: Ravi Raj: Please advise me how much maximum time should I give for my studies? How to prepare for XAT in addition to CAT?
A: Ideally you should devote two to three hours daily for CAT (There is no upper limit!). Also, currently focus only ion CAT as you'll give some time after CAT to prepare for XAT. Most of the concepts needed for both are similar.
Q: Shishir Swaroop: I am consistently scoring 80 percentile in the mocks and a rank of between 4500 and 6500. What score will that translate to in CAT 2011?
A: Hi Shishir, usually the scores in the mock tests are comparable to the actual performance. However, with consistent efforts and regular feedback, you can improve your percentile in the CAT.
The chat not only received questions on how to improve the mock test scores, but also on the other areas of CAT 2011 preparation.
Read on the excerpts of the Live Expert Chat.
Q: Prashant: Sir I have attempted three full length mocks and got percentile from 90 to 95. I want to score over 95 percentile. Please suggest sir.
A: Hi Prashant, you need to get as much practice you can! Also, after giving each full length mock test, spend a good amount of time in analyzing your performance and taking corrective actions. Even if this makes a difference to two to three questions per sections. It will lead to a good jump in percentiles.
Q: Ravi Raj: My mock percentiles vary from 75 to 90. I'm aiming top B-schools like IIMs MDI, IMT, XLRI and FMS. Please advise the strategy for last two months on how to turn it to consistent 95+ percentile?
A: Hi Ravi, You need to get as much practice you can. Also, after a mock test, you should spend a considerable amount of time in analyzing your performance and taking corrective actions, else you might end up making same mistakes again and again.
Q: Anshika: If I attempt lesser questions in VA & LR section, how can I manage to get the cut off percentile in the QA & DI section?
A: Clearing cut offs in both the sections is important. Scoring a very high percentile in one section and not clearing cut off in the other won't do any good! Also, both sections have individual time limits, hence attempting fewer questions in one section and more in other section to get a good overall percentile may not be possible!
Q: Srinu: My problem is that I lack speed and accuracy. In spite of knowing the right method, my answers get wrong in the mock tests, especially in QA & DI. Any practicing tips sir?
A: You need to analyze your performance after each test and identify where all you are making mistakes and take corrective actions. Also, ensure that you are conceptually sound and practice as many question you can!
Q: Abheesh: Hello sir, could you please suggest me some points for DI section? Could you please suggest me some points for DI section. Do I need to practice more DI questions or utilize time for Quantitative Ability?
A: Hi Abheesh, It depends upon your strengths and weaknesses which you can understand by analyzing your performance in the mock tests. Ideally you need to be good in both QA and DI to get a high percentile.
Q: Ravi Raj: Please advise me how much maximum time should I give for my studies? How to prepare for XAT in addition to CAT?
A: Ideally you should devote two to three hours daily for CAT (There is no upper limit!). Also, currently focus only ion CAT as you'll give some time after CAT to prepare for XAT. Most of the concepts needed for both are similar.
Q: Shishir Swaroop: I am consistently scoring 80 percentile in the mocks and a rank of between 4500 and 6500. What score will that translate to in CAT 2011?
A: Hi Shishir, usually the scores in the mock tests are comparable to the actual performance. However, with consistent efforts and regular feedback, you can improve your percentile in the CAT.
