How to cope with the difficult Quant section? How to maximize my score? What should be my average attempt in all the sections? These are some of the questions which aspirants asked CAT expert Mr Arks Srinivas on MBAUniverse.com Expert Chat on Thursday, 26th September 2013. The topic of the chat was ‘20 Days to CAT 2013: How to Finalize your Preparations?’
Our expert Arks Srinivas, CEO Vista Mind Education, graduated from IIM Calcutta in the year 1997. He has been guiding thousands of students to Crack CAT, and is one of the most reputed Quant experts in India. So read on to get the right advice on your last minute preparation to CAT 2013.
QUANTITATIVE ABILITY
Ravee: I am weak and face problem in Probability and set theory. Please suggest some good material and idea for improving the same?
Mr. Arks Srinivas: While Probability is not a very important topic, I suggest that you do go through Set Theory from any of the books that are available in the market. Higher Algebra by Hall and Knight is a good book.
Neelu: I have revised my Quant section two times but still have no confidence as how to cope up with this difficult section?
Arks Srinivas: It depends on what kind of scores you are getting. This is the time to decide on those topics that you are most comfortable with and revise the same couple more times. Also, please note that you don't have to answer all the 21 questions as expected in CAT. Choosing the right 13/14 of them (along with another 6/7 in DI) would do the trick.
Kiran Kumar: How much these two topic is important; probability and dice problem? What should be strategy for verbal in next left days?
Arks Srinivas: Dear Kiran, While CAT has not given too many problems in Probability; the dice problems can come in Permutations and Combinations too. Hence, it is advisable to go through the basics of these. Take a Mock test every day.
Mohit: How to maximize my score in every section? As I am comfortable in problem solving, what should be my strategy to go through other sections?
Arks Srinivas: The key to doing well in any competitive exam is 1) to solve all questions that ONE can solve in a certain time. While the above statement looks simplistic, it is probably the only important thing in writing CAT or any other exam. More often than not, students lose out in competitive exams because they spend MORE time on questions than they ought to. The key is the "In a Certain time". Instead, students spend enormous amounts of time on those questions they think they know and lose out on other questions that they could have solved. 2) Sticking to time limits per section/per area. This ensures that you are giving the right time to each area/section. Otherwise you may end up spending more time than necessary in an area/question.
DI & LR
Ramesh: I solve most of the DI questions correct but due to lack of understanding of the terms involved in DI, I sometimes get afraid of it.
Mr. Arks Srinivas: Ramesh, Since you are getting the questions right, put your fear behind and answer all questions. The worst case is that you will get some of them wrong - that is true any way. Not attempting due to fear of mistakes is a dreadful thing and sure shot way of NOT cracking the exam. Also, remember that you want to get into a Top MBA College. And you can't do that if you are afraid.
Daya: I try to attempt DI section but I get stuck and waste my time, what should I do to tackle it?
Mr. Arks Srinivas: In the first 40 minutes, finish Quant as much as possible. Post this, for the next 25 min - spend time on DI, 8 minutes per set. Please do this for the next three mocks even if you get no marks. This will bring discipline into your exam taking. You have to stop giving those extra minutes for the 3 questions. You have to force yourself to leave that set. In the next three mocks you will see that you would actually solve all the three questions in each set in the specified time.
Mock Tests
Navendu: Sir dos and don'ts for these last days. I am very confused?
Arks Srinivas: Navendu, There are no Don’ts, ONLY Dos. 1) Write Mocks, Sectional Tests, Review, Work on the areas you are not getting marks and write Mocks again. 2) Make sure that your strategy for writing the exam i.e. utilizing the 70 min per section is in place. 3) Don't worry about the result and focus on preparation.
Avantika: I have finished my all sections once, but have not taken full length mock tests till now what should I do now as only few days are left for CAT 2013?
Arks Srinivas: Dear Avantika, It is definitely time for you to take full length Mocks. Unless you also get to the right strategy before the real CAT, all the preparation that you have done is going to go waste. Please plan to take One Mock CAT every 3/4 days from today. For the first three or four mocks, plan the methodology you will use to write the Test. Review your performance as well as the strategy used. Tweak and calibrate the same to get more comfortable in the way you attempt the test.
Vishnu: Sir in the mocks I have scored more than 90 %ile in section 1 but in section 2 my percentiles are in the range of 65-90% with only once it was 90 otherwise mostly 65-75. Please guide me on how to improve?
Arks Srinivas: The key is to attempt 9 questions in LR and 9 questions in RC (Reading Comprehension) along with 6/8 questions in Verbal Ability. This will catapult your attempts to 24/25. With a 70 percent accuracy, you can still get about 35/39 marks. This should be good enough for 90 percentile.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Noor Md: Sir, how to keep oneself constantly motivated ?
Mr. Arks Srinivas: Hi Noor, It is more to do with telling yourself that you are GOOD! And that you have a GOAL to reach. Speak to your mentors and I am sure they will give you reasons for you to be hopeful. Also, banish negative thoughts of the result.
Arun: I did my preparation for 6 months .Even now I am not confident enough. As the exams get closed, any special tips can you give?
Arks Srinivas: An exam like CAT will always give jitters. Remember that not only you but just about anyone who is writing CAT are not confident enough. It is the relative confidence and performance that matters. Hence, be satisfied with what you have done. Utilize the next 20 odd days with single minded focus on CAT and you will make it!
Nirmaan: From now on, should we increase our study time? Please guide me what to do from now on?
Arks Srinivas: Dear Nirmaan, there is no such correct amount of time to study. It clearly depends on your state of preparedness. Having said that, your concentration for the next few weeks should be only on CAT and nothing else. Hence, spending close to 5 to 6 hours per day may be the need of the hour for the next 20/30 days.
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