CAT 2012: What are Para Jumbled Questions and why they are important in VA?

Para Jumbled Questions consists of a group of sentences that have been jumbled up. The goal in these types of sentences is to rearrange the sentences in the original sequence. In para-jumble questions, you will be given a paragraph made of four to five sentences whose original sequence has been changed and you have a few minutes to figure out what that original sequence was.

Para-jumbles are significant because they have been regularly appearing in the CAT and other MBA entrance tests. There is a good chance of three Para-jumble questions appearing in the 20 questions of the Verbal Ability (VA) section.

Secondly and more importantly — PJs are one of those questions of the CAT in which you can improve your skills dramatically within a short span of time.

CAT 2012 aspirants can make note of it that it is probably one of the few areas of VA section in CAT where the scope of ambiguity is limited.

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

CAT 2012: DI section: Prepare as daily routine

Many a times exhaustive preparation for exams need out of box ideas which might give impetus to preparation and make it more interesting. 

For preparing for traditional DI, pick up any newspaper or business magazine. Some graphs are usually given and the data is captured in those graphs. So you should do some mental calculations based on that data. 

For example, while watching a cricket match, calculate the run rate before it is flashed. We go to a petrol station and hardly check the right amount supplied — calculate the prices and the quantity wherever you go. 

Such regular mental calculations would start building up the base and looking at different forms of graphs will build in understanding of the DI.

Building logical ability is difficult in so far as preparation for DI section of CAT is concerned. This is not to say that logic cannot be developed but the fact is that only looking out for the solution in the puzzles will not work.

 If you are working on the puzzles, you should spend time with the puzzle rather than looking for solution.

Nevertheless MOCK Tests are need of the day to achieve mission CAT 2012.

Author: MBARENDEZVOUS.COM

CAT 2012: LR or Logical Reasoning needs to be tackled differently

LR is quite different in nature compared to other sections. Hence one needs to highlight some general strategies specifically applicable to LR.

Accuracy is far more important in LR. There is no bigger mistake than getting the complete set wrong. Avoid making guesses or reading in a hurry as it would lead to decreased accuracy. As far as possible do not attempt LR in the beginning. If you get the set wrong or if it is tough and takes more time, that would affect your performance subsequently.

Use the option substitution method judiciously. LR questions are typically not meant to be solved using substitution of options. The most effective way is to understand the logic behind the question and solve it. There are exceptions to this rule though and you should use them wisely.

Read and understand the common data and questions thoroughly. LR questions appear lengthy as compared to DI sets as they typically offer more information in text. While reading them, one might feel a lot of time is wasted.

Yet, it helps to understand every condition thoroughly before attempting the questions. You may need to revisit the conditions while solving questions. Consider it time utilized not wasted.

LR, when tacked differently will get you good scores and ultimately you will achieve mission CAT 2012.

Author: MBARENDEZVOUS.COM