Test Preparation

CAT has become one of the most competitive exams for preparation to judge the potential of the candidates willing to pursue their career in Business Administration. Ending a three-decade-old paper-pencil format for the Common Admission Test (CAT), the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have decided to adopt a computer based model for CAT 2009. The new Computer Based Test (CBT) will be embraced by IIMs across the country - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Indore, Kozhikode, Lucknow and Shillong, and will give the students the flexibility to select a date convenient to them from a specified period of 10 days. The new system is also expected to help the Institutes of Management cope effectively with the increasing number of candidates every year. While around 95,000 candidates took CAT in 2003, the number rose to about 2,50,000 in 2008, reflecting a phenomenal growth, bringing the administrative system under severe pressure. With the online test, CAT will be similar to the GMAT test in its process.

The CAT will be conducted at Prometric centres across India.

In 2003, CAT question paper had been leaked and this resulted in a retest being held later that year. Computer-Based Test will ensure enhanced security in terms of biometric identification of candidates and video monitoring. Such a format is expected to improve communication between candidates and IIMs in terms of programme information, test delivery, receipt of admit cards and receipt of score reports. However, the nature of study preparation does not depend on whether the CAT is a paper-based or a computer-based test.

Every year, the CAT has changed in some way or the other. This year, the change is with respect to the mode of taking the test. As far as preparing the concepts are concerned, there will not be any change. However, one must go through sufficient online practice to acclimatise oneself with the online testing process. One needs material that will cover basic concepts explained in a friendly manner, CAT application-based questions for practice with explanatory answers and test papers. Also, it is a good idea to check out the material of most of the reputed MBA training institutions.

An individual does not need to be computer savvy to take an online test. All that is required is the ability to use the mouse and a few basic keys. It is imperative to spend at least five hours a day for the ultimate preparation. The main sections to be prepared for are:

• Maths
• Data Interpretation
• Analytical Reasoning
• Reading Comprehension
• Verbal Ability

There are two phases of preparation for CAT 2009:

• First Phase: It is vital to get a good grip on fundamentals and get familiar with all chapters and problems. One should not get overly worried about other aspects such as speed solving or feel any sort of pressure while preparing fundamentals. Learning with one’s own efficiency is key, as without getting into fundamentals, clearly speed-solving will not be able to serve any purpose. Aspirants must allocate at least one hour a day for reading newspapers, magazines. It is better to subscribe to many good magazines during the preparation in order to get in touch with current affairs.

  Scheduing the weeks to prepare accordingly will be a good strategy because haphazardness will waste a lot of time. If one has been preparing without any study structure then whatever one may achieve would have increased upto 50%. Shuffle of subjects helps in removing boredom with any one particular subject.

• Second Phase: Following the strategy given above, once the fundamentals have been strengthened, the students/aspirants tend to get a pretty clear picture of their strengths and weaknesses. The weak areas are clearly the areas where most of the focus/attention is required in terms of conceptual learning, speed, analytical reasoning, etc. The next important step would be to take up sectional test along with revision of topics and consequently, to take up comprehensive tests.

  Some of the important perspectives that a Comprehensive Test tends to impart to the students are the following:

  Attitude & Aptitude: How to manage a paper is an important learning for students as well as the attitude and aptitude with which to undertake these tests. The primary objective is to score as high as possible. It is crucial to be objective about one attitude towards this kind of a test and not become overly emotional about it as that would mean an individual is bent on just solving one problem and spend too much of time on that. The key point is to analyse one’s test.

  Speed: Such tests also tend to give the students an overview of how much progress one has made in terms of speed from now to the last test undertaken. A strong foundation of basics is imperative to solving any question whether tough or easy. Both these attributes are a pre-requisite for speed solving.

  Concentration: This test requires immense amount of concentration from every individual who attempts or undertakes these exams. For most of us it is not an easy task to concentrate so intensely, especially, for the first-time test takers. However, the comprehensive tests ensure that one sits for a continuous stretch of two hours and it ultimately helps to increase our attentive span.

  Time Management: The most important value provided by the comprehensive test is an idea of our strengths and weaknesses. So, the aspirants should manage time and allocate certain amount of time to each section depending on their strengths and weakness.

  Accuracy: Accuracy is the number of correct questions out ot attempted questions. If accuracy is on a lower side, one would need to go and revise the chapters which are coming as obstacles in the way of accuracy, because marking wrong option will impose negative marks in CAT.

The Computer Based CAT is not going to be any different in terms of general conceptual preparation, but will definitely give the students a new feel and look about the whole experience of CAT exam taking. All the best to all the CAT 2009 aspirants!