100 Days to CAT 2012: TIP 1 - Mock tests help you prepare better for the worst!

WITH THE CAT notification expected to be out on Sunday, July 22, it’s that time of the year when IIMs will be on top of every student’s aspiration charts. With just over 100 days left for the big day — assuming that the online exam will be conducted like last year over 20 days, starting from October 22 — time to consolidate your gains and attack your weakness.
Most students begin preparations about six to 12 months in advance, so they should’ve completed up to 80 per cent of the basics,” says Ulhas Vairagkar, Director, T. I. M. E. Institute.

Within the next 30-45 days, all CAT aspirants must get a firm grip the Quantitative Ability section, which covers Arithmetic, Basic Algebra, Geometry and Mensuration, Modern Math and interpretation of tables, bars and pie charts, routes and networks. “The next step is to get acquainted with the Verbal Ability section. This is a time-consuming task, but those who read regularly have an edge,” Vairagkar says.

Once you reach this stage, get on top of the basics of English grammar.

Read up on different subjects online and frame questions to familiarise yourself with the comprehension section. “Those with a weak vocabulary must consult dictionaries regularly to know the contextual usage of unfamiliar words,” stresses Vairagkar.

MOCK TESTS is the way to go!

And start taking mock tests. It serves many purposes. Taking mock tests at regular intervals helps you achieve different objectives. These help you to:

• Identify your strengths and weaknesses so that you can improve constantly.
• Fine- tune your time management and question identification skills that help you attempt the maximum number of questions.
• Understand the reasons behind your mistakes so that you don’t repeat them.
• Develop the stamina and temperament to take a 140- minute, computer- based test.

“A large number of students also take other management entrance tests such as NMAT (for the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Sciences, Mumbai), IRMA (Institute of Rural Management Anand), XAT (XLRI Jamshedpur’s Aptitude Test) and SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) and they cover more or less the same topics,” says Vairagkar.

General knowledge, which is not tested in CAT, is the only new paper in some of these exams. But a good grasp over general knowledge helps you do well in the group discussions and interviews that take place after the written tests are over. Unlike university exams, where most students prepare for anywhere between a few days to a few weeks in advance; CAT and the OMETs require regular practice.

As Vairagkar puts it, “Devoting an average of 3-4 hours every day to building basics, taking mock tests and analysing your performance constantly should prepare you to do well in CAT and the OMETs.” Let’s help you to do it better.