Five Ways To Avoid CAT Traps And Clutter

THE COMMON ADMISSION test for aspiring MBAs, which starts later this month, is already giving those nailbiting moments to the over two lakh applicants. In the run-up, alumni, friends, philosophers and guides troop in to advise the candidate about the do’s and don’ts in this big-ticket exam. Devina Sengupta puts in place the best strategy for those two crucial hours.

Pass Over Weak Areas Moinak Bagchi, a senior research analyst at a Gurgaon-based consulting firm, made the mistake of attempting too many questions in the quantitative section three years ago. He thought the more he attempts, the better it will be for him. “There were negative marks and because of my errors, the mathematics score plummeted,” says Bagchi. He advises, one should attempt only a few problems, especially in the section one is weak in, and try to make up for it in the subject one is strong at, like English or logic.

Difficult Questions Last The exam will not grade candidates on the basis of difficulty level so there is no point in trying to answer a question that requires work. Sriram Mohan, a CAT aspirant, says he will spot those that require time and not bother solving them at all. There are sitters cocooned between tough questions in every section and one should solve those rather than waste time on the tough ones. 

Draw a Quick Blueprint Taking a quick note and figuring out a way to solve of the question right in the beginning helps, says Ajay Antony, national coach and director for IIT-JEE training at TIME. He says pondering on a question later wastes up to 30 seconds. A small formula, or method scribbled in the rough notes helps get started on the problem easily. 

Next Question, Please This is one thing coaches often find students doing: Getting stuck in solving a problem that they think is within reach, but lose track of time. They would rather solve the question instead of leaving it and getting on with the others. Despite finding the answer, the student has lost out on the possibility of answering questions that could have been easier and less time-consuming. 

It’s Just Another Exam The biggest fear: Giving up after feeling the exam is not going on the expected lines. A seat lost at the IIMs, or secondary career options, are best ruminated over later on. CAT is one of many examinations and is best attempted that way.

(The Economic Times, Mumbai, 14-10-2011)