CAT 2014: Learning lesson from first day CAT; manage time & speed

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
November 21, 2014
This is the good opportunity for the second day CAT 2014 test takers to learn from the experience of first day CAT 2014 and avoid any repetition of mistakes
CAT 2014 takers on Nov 16, 2014 despite finding moderate Quant and Verbal could not complete even the 25 questions out of 34 and didn`t even touch DI-LR

CAT-2014 second day exam will be taken by thousands of test takers on Nov 22, 2014. This is the good opportunity for the second day CAT 2014 test takers to learn from the experience of first day CAT 2014 and avoid any repetition of mistakes which were knowingly or unknowingly made by the test takers on Nov 16, 2014.

More important however, is to learn what to make most out of the second day and how to attempt this coveted examination on November 22, 2014. Number of aspirants are yet to take CAT 2014 and it will be helpful also to know beforehand what should be the right strategy on the D day. Follow, understand and  march on the path of success with the learning lessons shared by Prof S K Agarwal, expert and mentor on CAT preparation.

More questions less time per question

You will have to manage the time with faster speed and higher accuracy level to crack CAT 2014 with a high percentile of 99+, overall as well as sectional. Most of the CAT 2014 test takers were found gasping for more time as they found that the questions could not be solved in the allotted overall time.  There was also no sectional time constraint that could prevent them from remaining stuck to one section. 

With the increase in number of questions from 30 to 50 in each of two sections, total number of questions stands increased from 60 to 100, a 66% increase. But the time to solve these questions has not so much increased. Earlier it was 140 minutes for 60 questions in CAT 2013 and now it is 170 minutes for 100 questions.

If we calculate, there is no proportionate increase in time to solve the questions. On the contrary the time allotted per question to solve has been reduced by 1 minute. CAT aspirants earlier had 2.32 minutes at their disposal to solve one question and now it stands reduced to 1.7 minutes per question.  Now you need to solve more questions in less time.

Improvement in speed and accuracy within the allotted time is the strategic focus now for CAT 2014 test takers appearing in CAT on Nov 22, 2014.

First day CAT takers: 40-50 questions

The first day CAT 2014 takers could hardly go beyond 45-50 questions in 170 minutes. It implies that they took more than 3 minutes per question to solve. On an average one question needs 3 minutes to solve. You have to read it carefully, think over it and then try to arrive at the right answer option. The process is not so short as is perceived. It takes time but you have to maximise the score within the allotted time.  

The CAT 2014 takers on Nov 16, 2014 despite finding moderate Quant and Verbal could not complete even the 25 questions out of 34 and didn’t even touch DI-LR. Number of candidates could not even attempt the DI and LR problems as they found them too tricky and too lengthy.

If you are serious enough and wish to pursue the MBA/PGDM from a top rated B school after being successful in CAT 2014, you will have to manage the time judiciously to score high.

Keep watch over the sectional movement

CAT 2014 has removed the restriction of moving between the two sections. Now the candidates may switch from one section to another within the allotted time of 170 minutes.

They can solve questions according to their preference in either section. But the caution, not to focus on only one section shall have to be exercised. Sectional cut off still applies to CAT 2014. Also you need a high balanced sectional percentile to be a winner.

CAT 2014 test takers will need to get ready with following 3 things that can help them ace CAT 2014 on its second day.

1. Faster speed

2. High Accuracy level

3. Management of time

Expert’s advice: 3 steps of a question

For those who wish to emerge as one of the winners in this greatest show of MBA/PGDM entrance tests for the admission year 2015-16, the following key suggestions from Prof S K Agarwal, expert on Verbal Ability for CAT  2014 preparation would be highly instrumental to help you achieve your goal.

Three implications could be attributed to improving the speed. The first- improving the speed of reading the questions with understanding in Quant, DI, Verbal Ability, LR.  Second, Solving the questions quickly and getting to the most appropriate answer option. Third, Marking the correct answer option or keeping the same under review on the computer screen.
All the 3 steps cited above when completed more quickly than you used to do earlier will mark the improvement in your speed. You are supposed to cope with the reduced proportionate time and this is possible only with improving the speed to read, understand and attempt the question. If you are able to read the sentences, paragraphs, parajumbles, Reading comprehension passages faster and understand them, you will be able to solve them more quickly.   

Attempt the favourites

What is the use of choosing the question which is not well understood by you or is found tricky or lengthy. All the questions carry equal marks, it will be better to opt for those ones which you can solve with less strain on you and in less time.

There is no need to attempt more questions but to attempt whatever you can with accuracy.

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