MBAUniverse.com, in its endeavour to provide last minute CAT tips, brings forth the fifth expert article in Verbal series, by Prof. SK Agarwal, author and expert in Verbal Ability. With an insight and focus on different type of questions in this section, this article will share important tips on how to arrive at a high percentile in CAT and be a winner.
It is suggested to thoroughly go through our previously published articles in Verbal series on types and tricks to solve Logical Reasoning question in CAT 2013 ; Error correction in paragraphs and sentences ; Tips to solve 6 Vocabulary questions ; and How to score more in Reading Comprehension. These published articles will be of great help to the aspirants on preparation strategy during the next few days of their CAT 2013 examination.
CAT, one of the most important entrance examination to the best B-schools in India, enjoys the reputation of moving ahead of time. What the mentors in various preparation centres do anticipate seldom happens in CAT. Despite the fluctuation in number of test takers, competition remains tough. The Irony however, is that those who study too much, may not sometimes get a high percentile than the aspirants who work steadily on certain tips and tricks along with the meticulous study pattern. The time for concept building is over and the time for action has begun. Everyone is anxious to find where he or she stands in Mock Tests. If one is low on percentile, the thought how to improve spontaneously comes to mind as everyone wants to be a winner in CAT. Apart from whatever you have learnt till now, let us discuss a few important tips on this strategy.
Eleventh hour strategy to be a winner
There are number of guidelines on what to and what not to do, prior to a few days to CAT. I would like to bring a little different dish before you to help you win the competition.
Read the Directions attentively
Aspirants give me the feedback that they marked the wrong answer option, as they were not careful while reading the direction, before the question. The direction is to pick out the incorrect sentences or opposite meaning words, phrases, parts or full sentences but, due to the carelessness in reading the direction, we pick out the correct ones, we not only lose, despite knowing the correct answer but also become panicky, which adversely affects our further attempts to other questions. Every word and every sentence in direction part is as important as the question itself. When you go for your practice mocks, do remember this.
Divisionalise to assess your performance level
In earlier articles, links given above, it was discussed at length to segmentalise the Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning in different parts like- Error corrections, Vocabulary Usage, Jumbled paragraphs of various types, Questions on Reading Comprehension, Team Formation, Blood Relations, Seating Arrangements, Binary Logic and so on. All these articles contained the existing as well as anticipated types of questions and I am sure all of you must have carefully gone through them.
Your performance in some of the above areas may or may not be very good. You must find out what your strong holds are and which are the areas that will have more questions as they will give you more answer opportunities than the ones, where you find lesser number of questions. For example- if you have better skill to solve parajumbles and not such a good understanding on error correction problems, practice to form more coherent and meaningful paragraphs out of the jumbled ones. Do not cram your head in solving the error correction questions. If you have strong fundamentals like grammar, you can work on both.
Reading comprehension
Reading comprehension is another area where aspirants tend to lose track. It has more than 9 questions based on passages. If you can crack even 5 questions out of 10, you stand a very good chance to get through. One passage is followed by at least, 3 questions; you may solve it in 10-12 minutes as the passages are not very long. Three questions in ten minutes is not a big deal that too, when their answers directly or indirectly, are lying in the passage.
Logical Reasoning
Again, Logical Reasoning in Verbal Ability has ten questions. They are based on natural human instincts, displaying logic. Go for those ones, where you are little more comfortable, for example some aspirants are good at questions on Team Formation, seating arrangements while other are skilled enough to understand blood relations, binary logic, arguments. It does not require as much calculation as Quant and DI but with a little systematic and to the point approach, may raise your percentile substantially. If you can practice 5-6 types of questions in this area and can solve 4-5 problems in the examination, you are the winner.
It is better to leave the weak areas and work more on strong areas. If you are able to crack 12-14 in Verbal and 4-6 questions in Logical Reasoning, you may get a high percentile and can expect a call from top B schools.
Improve the number of attempts
If you are determined to get your desired B-school, attempt the questions with a clear methodology. The first attempt is supposed to crack those questions which are from your strongest domain of understanding. Out of 30 questions, you may be able to solve 8-10 of them. Second attempt with more thoughtful understanding may get you another bunch of 5-6 questions. The third attempt has to be with a little more caution since the remaining questions are the toughest one’s for you and you may lose your accuracy on them. So move cautiously on each of the questions- you may crack 3-4 more. But you need a few more questions to solve with accuracy. The strategy is that in three attempts you have already got a fair idea of understanding of these un-attempted questions, catch those questions which appear comparatively friendly to you and attempt them with an accuracy level of not less than 90 percent. By now, you must have attempted and solved around 20-22 questions. If you have still time, go for more without any preoccupation as this number in one section is good enough to get you a call.
Time Management is the key
It is one of the most important factors in CAT. Although more than two and a half minute is available to solve a CAT question, the thought of availability of plenty of time for 30 questions in 70 minutes, tempts us to waste our time. While taking mocks, please adhere to the time management strategy. Out of 70 minutes, save around 7-10 minutes to review your answers. Do not spend too much time on the question which is increasing your stress level. Move-on, better questions, suitable to you are still there. The clock that ticks on the upper right side of computer screen will be a reminder of the remaining time, so adhere to it.
Enter with an open mind
Questions in Mocks must not be attempted with a preoccupied mind set. Similarly, when you enter the examination hall, go with an open mind. Do not have the reservations like such types of questions are to be attempted and other types will not be attempted. If you are afraid of certain kind of RC passages and wouldn’t go for it, still if you find some interesting passage in the test, this preoccupation will be an obstacle for you. So, depending upon the test and your ability to answer, be open to all the questions.
Maintain your cool
No one has seen a fish, a goat or sheep climb a tree, nor these species are depressed that they have not been able to do so. The aspirants who get depressed and panicky lose their calm and tend to forget the importance of approach to CAT. If you know less but can remain cool, you will be able to answer more questions accurately than any other one who has lost it. Be composed and calm, it will definitely redefine your ability to attempt the questions and improve your percentile.
What is CAT searching for?
Is CAT meant to admit professors on Quant, DI, English and Logical Reasoning? You know, it is not. Hence the need is to have intelligent approach to the examination. They have stopped asking conventional type of questions like the core synonyms, antonyms nor the passages are so lengthy as they used to be. On the contrary, your skill in application of language gets tested. Hence relax, be on your own, and avoid being a copy-cat. You are genius and that’s the reason you are going to take CAT. So be your natural self and attempt the examination. When you are high on morale, you stand greater chance to be a winner.
It is suggested to thoroughly go through our previously published articles in Verbal series on types and tricks to solve Logical Reasoning question in CAT 2013 ; Error correction in paragraphs and sentences ; Tips to solve 6 Vocabulary questions ; How to score more in Reading Comprehension and anticipated surprise questions in Verbal Ability
Next article in the series will share last minute tips before CAT 2013. Read the earlier articles on above referred links and articles to secure high percentile in CAT 2013 exam.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more Expert articles on CAT 2013
