CAT 2012: Useful tips for QA Preparation

CAT 2012 seems to be approaching faster than the speed of time and Quantitative Ability (QA) section of CAT gives the impression to be the favorite of the exam setters. It seems as if over 50 per cent of paper setting efforts is devoted to Quant sections.

Perhaps, that is the reason why solving techniques and the ultimate solutions to this logical, tricky and seemingly lengthy form of aptitude problems have been consistently changing. Hence, it's a must for us to identify and strengthen the strategies in the quantitative that can help us maximize our score in this section as much as possible.

Please stick to the following in particular for QA:

• Practice the new online format adequately
• Identify sitters in the exam first
• Avoid making random guesses
• Put maximum emphasis on accuracy 

Practice will make you perfect. Working hard on one’s fundamentals and focusing on one’s accuracy will only go to increase your chances of belling the revamped CAT 2012 and achieve success !

Author: MBARENDEZVOUS.COM

CAT 2012: WAT after CAT

Written ability Test (WAT) is gaining importance in the admission criteria of IIMs’ the main concern is the time limit. While writing WAT for admission to a top B-school, the focus should be on the time. 

IIM B gives 30 minutes for WAT, while IIM L gives 15 minutes and the time for WAT is as little as 10 minutes in IIM A 

Here, the key will be to write as fast as possible in order to finish the topic. Don’t waste much time on thinking and planning the structure of the essay, else you will not be able to complete it. For this, you will need sufficient practice. 

The best way to practice is by picking up one current-affairs topic every day and writing as much as you can for 10 minutes. Your focus should be on starting the essay and putting in as many important points as possible. There is no compulsion to present the matter in impressive or flowery language. Instead, accuracy and correctness of spelling and grammar take precedence.

It is important to develop the ability to think and articulate quickly. For B-school panelists, WAT is a tool to see how you structure your thoughts and produce them in the least amount of time. 

It is advised to start practice on WAT also in time to achieve mission CAT 2012.

Author: MBARENDEZVOUS.COM

CAT 2012: 15-20% of questions in any CAT paper comprise of Arithmetic in QA

CAT 2012 aspirants must note that 15-20% of questions in any CAT paper comprise of Arithmetic in QA. 

Major topics that you need to cover are Set Theory (especially Venn diagrams) and problems on Time, Speed and Distance, both of which are always asked. Both of these topics are covered as part of the school syllabus, but may need some brushing up on. Sometimes, questions on topics such as Linear Programming are also asked.

Miscellaneous problems are rarely asked, and even when they do appear in a CAT paper they do not number more than one or two. They are purely tests of mathematical aptitude, and you cannot learn how to solve them. The advice, for dealing with these problems, is to try back-substitution of answer choices, or to avoid these problems altogether.

Some Useful tips for Quant Preparation can be:

• Practice the new online format adequately
• Identify sitters in the exam first
• Avoid making random guesses
• Put maximum emphasis on accuracy 

The age-old saying ‘Practice makes a man perfect’ is still applicable here. Working hard on one’s fundamentals and focusing on one’s accuracy will only go to increase your chances of belling the revamped CAT 2012. Good luck!

Author: MBARENDEZVOUS.COM

CAT 2012: What is Critical Reasoning and why it is important for VA?

Critical Reasoning is an analytical way of thinking about issues for analyzing and evaluating information gathered from observation and experience in order to come to certain conclusions. 

Critical Reasoning clarifies goals, examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence and assesses conclusions. ‘Critical’ as used in the expression ‘critical reasoning’ denotes the importance of thinking to an issue, question or problem of concern. ‘Critical’ in this context does not mean ‘disapproval’ or ‘negative’.

Critical thinking can occur whenever one judges, decides, or solves a problem; in general, whenever one must figure out what to believe or what to do, and do so in a reasonable and reflective way. In CAT 2012 examination, CR questions are important as they test the candidate’s ability to think in a rational manner.

In the CAT exam you generally face a hypothetical situation and the critical reasoning tests you on how well you understand what you are reading. The strength of your logical powers is tested through these questions. CR questions could play a significant role this year’s CAT with its VA + LR mix.

Author: MBARENDEZVOUS.COM

CAT 2012: Exam is all about Speed and accuracy

CAT is more about smartness than about intelligence. In CAT nobody expects you to answer all the questions. There should be an elimination round for the questions as well. You should know what to select and what to reject. You have to be choosy while attempting your paper. There is no fun in getting 4 marks for a question and losing one mark for the next. So, unless you are very sure of the solution to the question, don't attempt it.

If you want to be the smartest, give priority to "accuracy". The act of choosing a question, in a way, is related to accuracy as you will select and reject a question based on the accuracy level you can achieve in solving the given question. 47 - 57 per cent of the paper done with 80 per cent accuracy will be much better than 80 per cent of the paper done with 47 - 57 per cent accuracy.

Do put in some efforts to improve your calculation speed. For attempting a question, we can divide time into two parts, to grasp the question and to calculate it further. Fast calculation will definitely save your time which you can then allocate

As we all know CAT likes to give us surprises. Over the years the pattern has shifted from pure calculation based questions to pure logic based ones.

CAT 2012 also would not be exception, chances of tough questions will continue hence Mock Tests are the best way to succeed and achieve mission CAT 2012. 

Author: MBARENDEZVOUS.COM