CMAT 2014: One day before the exam; Last minute tips

CMAT aspirants must have geared up and must be alert on their wits to take the bull by the horns but no feeling of depression should be allowed to set in. Feb CMAT begins tomorrow on February 20, 2014 and will continue till February 24, 2014 divided in two sessions on each day.

MBAUniverse.com has already shared with the aspirants every minute detail on number, pattern & types of questions, their weightage in the section, tips on how to prepare, model questions for all the four sections of CMAT that is Language comprehension, Quantitative Techniques, Reasoning and General Awareness. The time has come to hit the target and get into your dream Institute.

Learn now a few tips from Prof. S K Agarwal, expert and mentor in MBA entrance preparation on how to come out of the examination hall with flying colours. The quick tips would help you to improve your score in the examination with the level of preparation you have so far made.

1. Revise in breaks Refrain from reading something new at the eleventh hour but a quick revision of seemingly such formulas, words, bits of something which are evading your memory always proves good. It is as beneficial as a quick nap of 10-15 minutes which energises your body and mind.

2. Practice a while If possible practice a few questions which you think will give you more confidence and further strengthen your strong areas. Avoid straining your mind.

3. Tips on putting jumbled sentences in order A few paragraphs have time factors in it-indicating that the events mentioned for the earlier time should come first and could help you to put them in chronological order. Apart from this, locate the connectors to sentences e.g. conjunctions, personal (He/she/it/they/their etc), relative (Who, whose, that, which etc.), Demonstrative (These, those, this, that etc.) pronouns as they indicate that they must have been used in place of some noun-proper/common etc.

You may also find certain words which may be leading towards next idea or concluding part like- Summing up, in a nutshell, Nevertheless, therefore, However, hence, So, Simultaneously, Apart from etc. They denote change of thought process and transform sentence to next stage.

4. Tips to crack RC questions - Passages in CMAT are shorter than CAT/XAT with fewer numbers of questions based on their reading. Besides, the difficulty level is also less. The aspirants should concentrate on main/important words in the sentence and try to link their reference to other parts.

Next step is to read the passage and then proceed to questions. Avoid Jumping to questions before thoroughly reading the paragraph. If you have got general understanding of the passage, you may answer the questions although a few words might be difficult for you.

5. Score more by managing the time All the questions carry equal weightage in CMAT and are to be solved within the given overall time frame. For example you are supposed to solve 25 questions in 45 minutes. Focus on such questions which you can solve quickly and the saved time can be utilised to solve other questions in that section. Roughly you have 90 seconds per question. You have to judiciously divide the time to maximise your score. Left over questions can be solved in the saved time from other questions. If you are able to solve 20 out of 25, rest assured you can get a very good B school.

6. Accuracy is the key One wrong answer will take away the credit for the question and will attract a penalty also, pushing your score backwards. Suggestion is not to waste time on one question if you find it too difficult to solve. Go to the next one. You can come back to it later, if time permits.

7. Go with an Open mind-Toppers are those who are not biased. Do not limit yourself in attempting the number of questions. You may or may not attempt all the twenty-five questions in all the sections, given the time constraint or due to the difficulty level but there is no need to go with a biased mind that you will not attempt all the twenty five questions. It is quite possible that you may encounter the questions which you can solve. So there is no harm in attempting them cautiously.

8. Maximise the attempts- The best and proven methodology to attempt any MCQ test is to attempt it again and again. CMAT is a comprehensive test without any restriction to navigate to any section during the examination. You can begin from any section, attempt those questions first where you have more expertise and move to other section.

Second, third and fourth attempts must be gradually focused on higher difficulty level questions.

9. Remember the sectional cut offs- You are supposed to attempt questions from all sections, so dont focus only on one section leaving one or other section. There are candidates who are expert in Quant and in their anxiety to maximise their score in quantitative aptitude, they forget one or other section. By the time they realise it, the examination get over. This results in a very high score in Quant but very poor score in other sections due to which the admission to a B school remains a dream.

10. Documents required at test centre: Arrange your papers in the following manner before going sleeping without fail. These papers/documents are to be taken to examination hall.

ATTESTED COPY of CMAT 2014-15 (Second Test) Admit Card with recent passport size photo pasted on it.
At least one original (not photocopied/scanned copy) and valid (not expired) photo identification.
SC/ST candidates are required to bring the valid caste certificate in original and an attested photocopy.
Physically Disabled candidates are required to bring the valid Disability certificate in original and an attested photocopy.

Remain calm and cool throughout the examination. Just relax and sleep well before the night of the examination. Candidates may share their test experience with MBAUniverse.com, Click here

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more expert tips & updates on CMAT 2014 preparations