CAT 2016: Time management; you cannot spend more than 2-3 min on every question; plan judiciously

CAT 2016 with time limit of 1 hour to attempt each section could prove to be a blessing in disguise if used judiciously. CAT 2016 will consist of 3 sections and you will get 60 minutes to solve each section which may contain 30 to 35 MCQs & non-MCQs.

While it is true, you cannot spend 4-5 minutes on each question, you can divide your time of 60 minutes to maximize your attempts and score without leaving anything to chance. Know from Prof S K Agarwal, expert on Verbal Ability and mentor for CAT 2016 preparation how to achieve this target.You have less than 2 minutes per question to attempt. But no-one attempts all the questions, and if you attempt even half of the questions accurately from each section, you can score a high percentile in exam.

Optimal Utilization of time
With the thought that the freedom of moving from section to another without time constraint could prove to be a trap, CAT Centre 2016 has made it go for good. Now you have to solve 30+ questions of in each section in the allotted time limit of 60 minutes.

The sectional time limit will work as balancing act to maximize your scores in the 3 sections of CAT 2016 as you will not have to worry about the lapsed time and will devote your time on the existing section. You have approximately 2 minutes per question to solve in each section. If you are able to crack 20 correct without showing temptation to solve such questions that you think may consume more of your time, you may get a percentile beyond 98 or 99.
You can manage your time by maximizing your attempts taking your strong domain questions first and more difficult questions later. With this strategy, you will be able to complete your one section within 50 to 55 minutes and go for checking whether you have marked/reviewed and then only finalized the answers of the questions you attempted. This will help you to minimize the errors and thereby losing your marks due to wrong answers.

Attempt non-negative marking Qs first
Each section of CAT 2016 will contain both MCQs and Non-MCQs. These non-MCQs will be without any negative marking penalty for wrong answer. If there are 10 Non MCQs, pick out the ones from your strong domain. First solve them as they will involve less efforts and will consume less time. Then pick the other of them and target to solve them in shortest time. Try to attempt as many of them as possible.

Then proceed for MCQs and move from easier and less time consuming ones to difficult ones. The timer will be ticking on the screen, so keep watch on time and make sure that you do not spend more time by taking the questions as a challenge.
Besides, whether it is Multiple Choice question (MCQ) or Non-MCQ, it need not make any adverse impact on your attempting strategy. If you know the concept on which the question is based, you can solve it and arrive at the correct answer option and when there is no answer option it is even better as you have no confusion points and can type the answer straight on the computer screen.

When you know the concept and can solve one type of question you can solve the other type too. The need is to know the topic and the process how to solve.
Aspirants, at least for CAT 2015, should prepare for different type of questions on all the old and new topics and should practice as much as possible. Please do not take it for granted that this year in CAT 2015 difficulty level will be low and questions will be on similar pattern.

Learn: How to sit for long hours
CAT 2016 aspirants especially those who find it difficult to sit and study continuously for long hours, need to develop this habit and should start studying at least for 3 hours in a row. If they find it difficult, they should gradually improve but the target should be 4 hours. If you focus on it, you may end up finally with 3 hours. It will be better to take 2 past CAT papers without any break and assess yourself.

In fact those who are working professionals or are in their final year of graduation may have to go for more such practice sessions as 3 hours sitting and using your brains consistently might have become the thing of past.
No one studies for 24 hours nor does anyone continue sitting for such long hours at a stretch that too studying. But once you begin and gradually improve your study hours without compromising your physical health, you will become used to it and will face no difficulty while taking CAT 2016 on December 4, 2016.