CAT 2013 analysis so far indicates its volatile nature despite being moderate to difficult in different sessions. When the aspirants expect an easy Quant or difficult Verbal, their anticipations take a twist and result is just opposite to it. How far the myth of low or high Level of Difficulty, resulting in scattered study pattern by the aspirants, would help to get through CAT 2013 has become a crux of problem. Here are the five strategic guidelines, following which you will be able to improve your percentile by more than 10 percent in the remaining CAT window.
1. Improve your attempts and Accuracy – Aspirants usually get stuck on one or other question, probably fighting against their biased mind. But this is not at all required and you are wasting your precious time which can otherwise be utilised to solve the problems of your strong areas. First attempt is supposed to be devoted to crack those questions wherein you find yourself a bit more comfortable and are assured of choosing right answer option. Second attempt should be focused to solve the questions which require more calculation or are lengthy for you. The third to fifth attempts must attract the most difficult and calculation intensive questions. You will definitely be able to crack more than expected number of questions with higher accuracy level.
CAT 2013 aspirants should now devote more time to practice questions on Geometry, Trigonometry and Algebra. The difficulty level is supposed to remain the same. With this difficulty level, a higher percentile can be scored, if the aspirants can crack 13-15 questions in Quant and DI with 100 percent accuracy level. More questions are to be attempted in this section, if the accuracy level is less say 85-90 percent to score a high percentile.
2. How to select the right type of questions- Analysis of past sessions has brought about a few important clues as well, to solve this problem. A few common questions and recurring type of problems are being asked in every session of CAT 2013. They need good practice before you appear in the examination. Let us begin with different questions in Verbal Ability
Reading Comprehension – There have been three RC passages so far in all the sessions of CAT 2013 with 10 questions based on them and interestingly, following types of questions are invariably present in each session – i) What is the tone of the passage (2 questions) ii) What is the main idea of the passage (2-3 questions) iii) What would you ask the author (2 questions). This question in other words means – what is the purpose of writing this passage. Obviously you will ask the author what message he wants to convey. Out of ten questions more than 6 questions you know beforehand and the clue to arrive at their answer is to use your scratch sheet, provided in the examination hall. Write down the important key words from sentences while reading the passage. By the time you finish reading the same, all the answers will be well understood by you.
Vocabulary usage - There are two common questions based on the usage of simple everyday words like – look, stand, let, take, turn. You know their meaning and usage. You are supposed to find out their incorrect use among four sentences. With a little practice and understanding of phrasal verbs, you can well spot out the incorrect usage and may hit both of them right. Look at the solved example question. You can’t call it very difficult if you can follow simple English pattern.
Direction – Below is given a word which has been used in four different ways. Please select the option wherein the word has not been used appropriately.
Break
A. The communication barrier is now broken down with all sincerity.
B. The holiday is designed to enable patients and staff who might not be able to otherwise take a holiday to have a relaxing break.
C. The cyclist pedalled fast but could not cope with the others and broke away from the pack.
D. The break up will aid scientists in their mission to learn what sets us apart from other animals.
1.B ,C & E 2. A & D 3. B only 4. D only 5.C only
Ans. 4. D only –Explanation- Break through should be used in place of break-up. Breakup means to separate and break through means sudden discovery invention, surpassing an obstruction.
Last sentence of Paragraph - It has become a common feature in CAT 2013 sessions to find 3 questions on completion of last sentence of a paragraph. It is not very difficult to find out the most appropriate answer options that would best place as the last sentence of paragraph. These questions are more of a nature close to a paragraph which is not jumbled and needs to be concluded with the right kind of thought, summarising whatever has been discussed.
Quick tip to solve - The most interesting factor in this type of question is to find out the sentence that should conclude the paragraph and should not take the thought to any further discussion. Words like ‘Besides’, ‘Apart from’, ‘therefore’, ‘however’ and the like, in answer options lead to next idea of discussion and hence, must not be opted as correct answer options.
The only understanding in Logical Reasoning is to apply the logic and move systematically. Learn the family tree, blood relations, seating arrangements, team formation. Problems on these concepts are being presented in almost all the sessions.
3. Don’t go to the examination hall with a biased mind. CAT 2013 is surprising the candidates with its balancing act. Geometry and Algebra are playing a more prominent role in Quant section. If you have conceptual clarity, go for them else switch over to Data Interpretation. It can be lengthy and more calculation intensive, but one thing is sure that you can solve it with a little patience. The ten questions of DI will pull you out of the difficulty level of Quant and will definitely improve your percentile. In addition to that please don’t get tempted to aspire for more unknown type of questions. If you can’t solve them, you will lose your credits.
4. Read the directions carefully: Do read the directions before proceeding to attempt the questions and selecting the answer options. If the examination wants you to pick out the correct sentences and you pick out the incorrect ones, the loss is only due to the negligence and not because you didn’t know the answer. Number of candidates in their hurry forgets to meticulously follow this clue, which in fact is your percentile saver.
5. Avoid Guessing: Every candidate has a different set of questions, so avoid peeping in through the make-shift enclosures. Try to concentrate on your question set. If you have time, try to solve the left out DI or LR questions. Since they are based on common calculation and understanding - you may hit one or two right. But avoid making guesses as CAT is famous for proving the guesses wrong.
With the above, it is very much possible to surpass the improvement in percentile even by more than 30 percent.
CAT 2013 daily exam Analysis:
CAT 2013 Day 1 CAT 2013 Day 2 CAT 2013 Day 3 CAT 2013 Day 4
CAT 2013 Day 5 CAT 2013 Day 6 CAT 2013 Day 7 CAT 2013 Day 8
CAT 2013 Results:
CAT 2013 result is scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. CAT 2013 candidates can view their results on MBAUniverse.com with their roll number, username and password. The CAT 2013 result score card will be valid between January 14, 2014 and December 31, 2014.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more news and updates on CAT 2013
