Last Updated on June 5, 2013 by MBAUniverse.com News Desk
CAT 2013: Segment your preparation in Verbal Ability section
As you begin with your CAT 2013 preparation strategy, how should you take on Verbal Ability questions which carry a total of 20 questions in VA section.
As you begin with your CAT 2013 preparation strategy, how should you take on Verbal Ability questions which carry a total of 20 questions in VA section. With most of the CAT Aspirants coming from Commerce, Science or Engineering background, their focus on Verbal Ability (English) as a core subject during their graduation usually gets a back seat since they do not need to appear for any subjective or objective English Examination. Your CAT, however, will test your verbal and language skills in detail as the questions come from different segments of this particular section. While starting your Verbal Ability preparation for CAT, it is very important for you to segment the syllabus and get into specifics of the type of questions asked in the test.
Know Verbal Ability:Verbal Ability (VA) section in CAT contains a total of 30 questions. The section carries two parts Verbal and Logical Reasoning with 20 and 10 questions respectively. The Verbal Ability section with a total of 20 questions, however, works as deciding factor in your high CAT percentile.
Therefore, the section requires a systematic approach for preparation which is well segmented with focus on each major area. You can divide the Verbal Ability part in the following sub-segments:
1. Error correction 2. Vocabulary usage 3. Jumbled paragraphs 4. Reading Comprehension passages Error correction The Verbal Ability section carries 2 to 3 questions based on error corrections in sentences and paragraphs. You need to be very attentive while solving these questions as it carries minor errors also. A serious preparation for this section may also strengthen your fundamental for other areas in Verbal Ability. You need to cover following topics in errors corrections for learning fundamentals. A. Grammar Core topics like Articles-definite, Indefinite, omission and repetition of articles; nouns, numbers, genders, use of collective nouns, subject-verb agreement, pronouns- personal, relative, reflexive; Verbs and verbal phrases-usage, Adjectives and Adverbs. Non-finites- infinitive, gerund, participles; dangling modifiers; punctuation usage; conjunctions-usage of connectorsB. Tenses Indefinite, continuous, perfect, perfect continuous, reported speech, conditional and unreal past, distinction among various words; usage of causative verbs like cause, make; usage of too-enough, as well as, along with etc. You must try to understand the concept in this sub-segment in the early stage of your preparation say in next 50 days. This will give you proper time for other parts which will be based on advanced application.
Vocabulary Usage: It is an important part of Verbal Ability section in CAT or any other reputed MBA entrance examination. CAT carries 3-4 questions of 9 to 12 marks from this sub-segment. What should you read to build the stock of Vocabulary and understand the usage?A. Common words in language from all walks of life: Understanding formation, roots, exercises B. Phrasal verbs/confused words: spotting the wrong use, formation with different words and usage C. Filling the blanks with correct vocabulary words: Understanding synonyms-antonyms with correct usage D. Idioms and phrases: Understanding the meaning and usage Understanding meaning of the word and their origin is very important to develop concepts in this section. You should not go on mugging the words, without actually knowing their correct usage. A student, with exceptional memory, might remember stock of words but again the important part of usage would be missing. It is advisable to learn a few words on regular basis, get their correct usage remembered for ever by writing paragraphs & short articles and using them in daily communication. The aim should be to understand the various applications of the each particular word. The discussions in groups, family, friends, with correct use of words will give a boost to your word power. Jumbled ParagraphsThis part of VA carries 4-6 questions. Different types of jumbled paragraphs that appear in CAT examination areA. Completion of last sentence in the paragraph The concluding sentence should be such as it would close the discussion and must not take it to further description, controversy or lead to stretch the paragraph. More practice of last CAT papers, Mocks, Exercises etc. will improve your skill in this part. B. Out of Context sentence in jumbled paragraphs The concept behind such questions is to decode the jumbled paragraph and choose the out of context sentence as well. More and more practice is recommended to understand and to get expertise in this type of question. C. New Sentence- Such questions may ask you to insert the opening or closing sentence, place a missing sentence in the middle of the paragraph or so. Reading Comprehension: CAT carries 9-10 questions based on three RC passages. With 3 marks assigned to each question, an aspirant can score 30 marks from three Reading Comprehension passages. It constitutes one third of the Verbal Ability and LR section and half of the verbal ability part. Your good preparation in Reading comprehension part can boost your percentile quite substantially. The best & most fruitful way to score high in this tricky module is to go for more and more reading Never be shy of reading. Make it a regular practice to read the editorials, articles in the news paper, underline the difficult words and search out their meanings and put them to use in writing & conversation etc.
Author of this article Mr S K Agarwal is a CAT Expert, a seasoned CAT trainer with over 25 years of experience, & author of many CAT books. He also guides Verbal Ability Section to CAT Aspirants through MBAUniverse.com online coaching classes.
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