You've just taken the CAT. Should you ponder the back-up options at this point in time? Sounds pretty illogical right? Logically, you should focus on the job at hand, the group discussion (GD) and personal interview (PI) stage at the top B-schools in this country. But let me try and give you a different perspective.
One of the aspects of doing well in a competitive scenario is your frame of mind. Exploring back-up options will in fact ease the pressure on you and may actually help you in doing well in the GD/PI round! Imagine, if you figured out that Wharton is a reality for you and you have a great chance of making it to the world's top B-school, your approach to the current GD & PI would be very positive
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Prepare yourself for the IIFT 2007 tremors
November 18 has gone by and the year's most awaited exam is over, but the battle is not over yet for most MBA aspirants across the nation.
The CAT is not the only test for admission into a top B-school, in fact it is just the first of the lot. Come November 25 and test takers will sit for another difficult test -- the IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade) Entrance examination.
A look at IIFT 2006 confirms that it was the most difficult and surprising of the entrance tests last year, as test takers experienced more surprises than sections in the test. IIFT 2006 was characrterised by:
About 75 per cent questions with no negative marking but the possibility of more than one correct answer option. (The most unexpected bouncer)
Declaration of sectional cut-offs by the test makers for the first time. (A welcome surprise)
Reduction in the number of sections and answer options from 5 to 4. (Thankfully accepted).
Permission to the test takers to retain the test booklet. (A welcome move)
A tough exam, factually (literally, no one could manage to clear the initial declared cut-offs)
Now, let's talk about what it takes to prepare for the IIFT entrance exam. Most of the concepts are more or less the same and praparation for CAT will be handy here. IIFT has Quant and DI integrated in one section itself, much like the FMA and XAT tests. In addition, if the IIFT 2006 pattern is retained, 25 per cent of the questions will be about 'General Awareness'
The CAT is not the only test for admission into a top B-school, in fact it is just the first of the lot. Come November 25 and test takers will sit for another difficult test -- the IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade) Entrance examination.
A look at IIFT 2006 confirms that it was the most difficult and surprising of the entrance tests last year, as test takers experienced more surprises than sections in the test. IIFT 2006 was characrterised by:
About 75 per cent questions with no negative marking but the possibility of more than one correct answer option. (The most unexpected bouncer)
Declaration of sectional cut-offs by the test makers for the first time. (A welcome surprise)
Reduction in the number of sections and answer options from 5 to 4. (Thankfully accepted).
Permission to the test takers to retain the test booklet. (A welcome move)
A tough exam, factually (literally, no one could manage to clear the initial declared cut-offs)
Now, let's talk about what it takes to prepare for the IIFT entrance exam. Most of the concepts are more or less the same and praparation for CAT will be handy here. IIFT has Quant and DI integrated in one section itself, much like the FMA and XAT tests. In addition, if the IIFT 2006 pattern is retained, 25 per cent of the questions will be about 'General Awareness'
Saturday, November 24, 2007
CAT 2007: Analysis and expected cut-offs
On the whole, the CAT 2007 paper was tough, with no section providing much of a respite to the aspirants. Comparatively speaking, the students would have found Data Interpretation (DI), with a mix of calculations and logic to be on the easier side. Data Sufficiency in its old format reappeared in CAT after a span of three years, more so in two different sections! The emphasis in the DI section was definitely on speed of calculation.
But Quantitative Ability (QA) proved to be mind bogglingly difficult for the average student. However, on a closer look 7-8 questions could have been solved using options without using deeper mathematical knowledge.
Answer key by Career Launcher
In Verbal Ability (VA), the number of Reading Comprehension (RC) passages was more than last year, though they were not lengthy. The number of questions per passage was low, just three each. Though, for a change, there were no abstract questions in RC, however, each passage required meticulous reading. As a section, it is safe to infer that the VA section checked almost all the aspects, including verbal logic, vocabulary and grammar.
The Sentence Correction questions in VA were different in nature to last year's, while the Para jumbles provided a bit of a breather in terms of difficulty level.
Overall, even though the paper did not pose any surprise, pattern wise, with the number of questions remaining 75 as last year, the level of difficulty was increased by at least two to three notches.
In conclusion, even with the best of preparations it would be really tough to score 100 in this paper
But Quantitative Ability (QA) proved to be mind bogglingly difficult for the average student. However, on a closer look 7-8 questions could have been solved using options without using deeper mathematical knowledge.
Answer key by Career Launcher
In Verbal Ability (VA), the number of Reading Comprehension (RC) passages was more than last year, though they were not lengthy. The number of questions per passage was low, just three each. Though, for a change, there were no abstract questions in RC, however, each passage required meticulous reading. As a section, it is safe to infer that the VA section checked almost all the aspects, including verbal logic, vocabulary and grammar.
The Sentence Correction questions in VA were different in nature to last year's, while the Para jumbles provided a bit of a breather in terms of difficulty level.
Overall, even though the paper did not pose any surprise, pattern wise, with the number of questions remaining 75 as last year, the level of difficulty was increased by at least two to three notches.
In conclusion, even with the best of preparations it would be really tough to score 100 in this paper
Saturday, November 17, 2007
CAT :How to survive exam week, checklist
There is no doubt about the fact that CAT is one of the trickiest examinations held in India. With months and months of preparation at stake, the week preceding CAT 2008 can be very stressful. Here are some general tips and a final checklist for keeping your percentiles up and leading.
Surprises to watch out for in CAT 2008!
The final checklistAs November 18 approaches, it becomes very important to have a checklist prepared for C-Day. Here are a few important instructions given by CAT experts at CL:
Remember you are a GENERAL not a SOLDIER. Do not just go to the examination centre and wait for situations like a brave soldier. Recall all the strategies that worked and situations that you managed well in your mocks and AIMCATs. High percentiles in CAT 2008 can be achieved only by a smart thinking, experienced and fast acting General.
Let's begin with something tiny but vital. An out-station candidate must reach the city of the examination centre on November 17 itself. Do visit your center on November 17 and get familiar with the battleground.
Sightseeing is a good way to get rid of stress in any exam but CAT. Keep all this for November 18 evening after the CAT. Instead, just sit back and relax on November 17 evening or involve yourself in reading or watching logical and factual discussions.
Make sure you wear the clothes you feel the most comfortable in. There are no points in CAT for looking smart but there can be a lot of points for thinking smart.
Saving your energy for the CAT is extremely important. Make sure you do not get into any argument with anyone.
Keep the following ready for the C-day:~ 3 sharpened pencils ~ 2 blunt pencils (to fill the ovals on OMR sheet) ~ 1 blue pen ~ 1 black pen ~ 1 eraser ~ 1 pencil sharpener ~ Ear plugs are very handy during exams (cotton balls) to eliminate the possibility of any distraction~ And of course, your handkerchief (Mornings are getting colder in this month)
Lastly, you must keep a check on your Micro-Motions. Remember you are a sprinter who in addition to a strong preparation takes control of his micro-motions during the sprint that waste some micro seconds of time that can have a substantial effect on your percentile. Your micro-motions (time wasted in looking at your wrist watch, transferring of answers to the OMR sheet, sharpening the pencil, using your handkerchief on the cold CAT morning etc) if eliminated can fetch you extra time to attempt 3-4 more questions.
All these considerations help you push your ranking up by a few thousand students.
Free Mock CAT
Surviving exam week1. Be Normal: This is the first and the most neglected thing. For the week before and during exams, life should be as normal as possible and normal habits of sleeping, eating, exercising, etc should be maintained. Get rest. A clear head is important for the efficient taking of exams. Seven to eight hours of sleep are absolutely necessary to remain attentive and think clearly throughout the day. Sleep deprivation can have consequences similar to intoxication.
2. Start rehearsing early: You should start revising your notes at the very onset of the week. That's why trainers recommend you to have a separate listing of formulae, short cuts, important and high frequency words with you. This list comes handy in the last week because revising the complete syllabus is extremely stressful. Trying some speed reading is a very good idea. Do not worry if you have not prepared short notes earlier. You may even download the chapter-wise short notes from www.careerlauncher.com. Make sure you review every section every day. This will help you exercise discipline even in the most stressful times.
3. Schedule breaks between studying: Even your trainers would have told you to take a 10-minute break after studying for 50 minutes, and take a longer break after studying for say 3 hours or more. Another way is to get something to eat (bananas are highly recommended during exams), call a friend, go work out or do something to get your mind off of what you have been studying.
4. Never hesitate to take help: The most common mistake that we commit during last week's preparation is by skipping the problems that we are unable to solve because of time-shortage. Make sure that your have instant access to a knowledge base. Your trainers are the best knowledge base that you have. Call them when ever you want to have the problem solved right away. CL provides you with a wonderful opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise, your questions and answers on any topic. You may also post your query to CAT experts at CLand past IIM students in order to get personalised solutions in these tough times.
5. Confidence survives if stomach is right: During the last week of the exam, students often resort to junk food, but if you really want to maintain your confidence it is extremely important to maintain the right kind of diet. Research shows that eating smaller meals more frequently is vital to maintaining high energy levels. Avoid foods with high sugar and fat - they will make you sluggish. Eat a nutritious breakfast (or meal) before the exam, but do not overeat.
CAT 2008: Consistency and timing are critical
6. Take care of your body: Exercising is always an excellent way to take a break from studying -- it helps to reduce stress and research has shown that it can improve your brain's ability to retain and comprehend information.
7. Vary the subjects you study: What you study one hour directly affects your ability to understand what you are studying the next hour. Review for a difficult section of the CAT first and then look at some simpler topic. It makes studying less tiresome and you'll remember the information better.
Surprises to watch out for in CAT 2008!
The final checklistAs November 18 approaches, it becomes very important to have a checklist prepared for C-Day. Here are a few important instructions given by CAT experts at CL:
Remember you are a GENERAL not a SOLDIER. Do not just go to the examination centre and wait for situations like a brave soldier. Recall all the strategies that worked and situations that you managed well in your mocks and AIMCATs. High percentiles in CAT 2008 can be achieved only by a smart thinking, experienced and fast acting General.
Let's begin with something tiny but vital. An out-station candidate must reach the city of the examination centre on November 17 itself. Do visit your center on November 17 and get familiar with the battleground.
Sightseeing is a good way to get rid of stress in any exam but CAT. Keep all this for November 18 evening after the CAT. Instead, just sit back and relax on November 17 evening or involve yourself in reading or watching logical and factual discussions.
Make sure you wear the clothes you feel the most comfortable in. There are no points in CAT for looking smart but there can be a lot of points for thinking smart.
Saving your energy for the CAT is extremely important. Make sure you do not get into any argument with anyone.
Keep the following ready for the C-day:~ 3 sharpened pencils ~ 2 blunt pencils (to fill the ovals on OMR sheet) ~ 1 blue pen ~ 1 black pen ~ 1 eraser ~ 1 pencil sharpener ~ Ear plugs are very handy during exams (cotton balls) to eliminate the possibility of any distraction~ And of course, your handkerchief (Mornings are getting colder in this month)
Lastly, you must keep a check on your Micro-Motions. Remember you are a sprinter who in addition to a strong preparation takes control of his micro-motions during the sprint that waste some micro seconds of time that can have a substantial effect on your percentile. Your micro-motions (time wasted in looking at your wrist watch, transferring of answers to the OMR sheet, sharpening the pencil, using your handkerchief on the cold CAT morning etc) if eliminated can fetch you extra time to attempt 3-4 more questions.
All these considerations help you push your ranking up by a few thousand students.
Free Mock CAT
Surviving exam week1. Be Normal: This is the first and the most neglected thing. For the week before and during exams, life should be as normal as possible and normal habits of sleeping, eating, exercising, etc should be maintained. Get rest. A clear head is important for the efficient taking of exams. Seven to eight hours of sleep are absolutely necessary to remain attentive and think clearly throughout the day. Sleep deprivation can have consequences similar to intoxication.
2. Start rehearsing early: You should start revising your notes at the very onset of the week. That's why trainers recommend you to have a separate listing of formulae, short cuts, important and high frequency words with you. This list comes handy in the last week because revising the complete syllabus is extremely stressful. Trying some speed reading is a very good idea. Do not worry if you have not prepared short notes earlier. You may even download the chapter-wise short notes from www.careerlauncher.com. Make sure you review every section every day. This will help you exercise discipline even in the most stressful times.
3. Schedule breaks between studying: Even your trainers would have told you to take a 10-minute break after studying for 50 minutes, and take a longer break after studying for say 3 hours or more. Another way is to get something to eat (bananas are highly recommended during exams), call a friend, go work out or do something to get your mind off of what you have been studying.
4. Never hesitate to take help: The most common mistake that we commit during last week's preparation is by skipping the problems that we are unable to solve because of time-shortage. Make sure that your have instant access to a knowledge base. Your trainers are the best knowledge base that you have. Call them when ever you want to have the problem solved right away. CL provides you with a wonderful opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise, your questions and answers on any topic. You may also post your query to CAT experts at CLand past IIM students in order to get personalised solutions in these tough times.
5. Confidence survives if stomach is right: During the last week of the exam, students often resort to junk food, but if you really want to maintain your confidence it is extremely important to maintain the right kind of diet. Research shows that eating smaller meals more frequently is vital to maintaining high energy levels. Avoid foods with high sugar and fat - they will make you sluggish. Eat a nutritious breakfast (or meal) before the exam, but do not overeat.
CAT 2008: Consistency and timing are critical
6. Take care of your body: Exercising is always an excellent way to take a break from studying -- it helps to reduce stress and research has shown that it can improve your brain's ability to retain and comprehend information.
7. Vary the subjects you study: What you study one hour directly affects your ability to understand what you are studying the next hour. Review for a difficult section of the CAT first and then look at some simpler topic. It makes studying less tiresome and you'll remember the information better.
CAT: How to handle the stress and anxiety
How to approach the CAT:
Walk slowly. It will eye you with distrust, but hold its glare. Inch in closer and pet it when it arches its back and bristles. Don't let the hissing get to you, or the claws. There will be plenty of both.
Ha Ha!
But seriously, CAT is no longer far off, somewhere on the horizon. It's right in your face, only a handful of days away!
And now, after months -- in some cases, years -- of preparation, you're starting to panic.
You ask yourself: Is there anything I overlooked? Am I really ready? What if I completely choke on exam day? My future will be ruined!
If you feel this way, you are not alone. About two lakhs of students are busy preparing for CAT. I assure you, all of them feel more or less the same way you do.
The trick then, is not to completely avoid stress. That's impossible. Instead, you must turn your anxiety, stress and concern into positive, productive energy.
Let's take a look:
While some stress and anxiety is expected -- even natural -- excessive stress is bad news. It's bad for your health (stress levels are a strong predictor of life expectancy), bad for your relationships (stress affects your daily interactions with friends and family) and bad for your CAT percentile (research shows that stress negatively impacts performance).
So, let's look at techniques that can help you control stress. Some of them are obvious, some of them are simple. But all of them are important, especially at this time of year.
3 valuable lessons from a CAT aspirant
1. Focus only on what you can controlThis is a tried and true method for lowering stress levels, and it's quite simple. Many students -- and training institutes are partially to blame for this -- focus too much time and energy on the 'what if's?' What if reading comprehension isn't featured this year? What if the quantitative problems exploit my weak points? What if my pencil lead breaks mid-test?
Think of your time as a valuable resource. How you allocate this resource is of the utmost importance. Therefore, instead of worrying about things you can't control, focus on what you can: review and revise each of the major study areas, pack your bag properly and bring all your materials on exam day.
2. Exercise, meditation and yoga
*Simran [Images] Mistry laughs now when she discusses CAT, but she wasn't always so whimsical. Three years ago, she faced the same challenge you face today, CAT preparation. And to hear her tell it, she wasn't doing such a great job:
"I studied hard, went to tuitions for a year and a half, everything. But somewhere around the 60-day mark, I started to freak out! My mock CAT scores were declining and I was losing confidence. Then my uncle, who is heavily involved in yoga, suggested that I start doing some simple breathing exercises with him. Within six weeks, I was practicing full-fledged yoga, something I'd never done before! And believe me, it worked. Where before my mind had been a jumbled mess, now I was clear as crystal! I ended up acing the CAT, and I'm proud to be a student at IIM Bangalore."
But if yoga isn't your cup of tea, try simple exercises such as jogging. Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, the same chemical your body naturally produces to deal with stress. So strap on those jogging shoes, and give nature a shove in the right direction!
3. Keep a proper diet and sleep pattern
"Alcohol: The cause of and solution to all of life's problems," proclaims Homer Simpson. In the case of CAT, however, alcohol and/or other drugs will only negatively affect your performance.
With stress at all-time highs, it might seem like a good idea to treat yourself with a beer or two or a glass of scotch and soda. Be warned, however, that using alcohol to temporarily relieve stress is a counterproductive practice. Science has suggested a strong, direct correlation between anxiety levels and alcohol consumption. Moreover, on average, heavy binge drinkers have five times the stress levels as non-drinkers.
Some students attempt to cram for the test by staying up late at nights, drowning themselves in coffees and Red Bulls. But caffeine consumption has been repeatedly linked to decreased aptitude in exams, especially when paired with sleep deprivation.
So eat fresh fruits, nuts and other healthy foods. Avoid greasy, fried and heavily processed foods. And for god's sake, get some proper rest, eight hours each and every night!
4. Remember what's truly important
Bharat Thakore, a graduate from IIM Lucknow, reminisces on his CAT preparation.
"Oh man, I was setting myself up for a huge failure, and I didn't even know it. I put so much unnecessary stress on myself. Two weeks before the CAT, I even told my mother, 'If I mess this exam up, I don't want to live. I'd rather jump off the balcony and just die.' For her, that was the final straw. She took my books away, cancelled my last minute tuitions and took me to Goa [Images]! I didn't study at all during the final two weeks. Then, the night before the exam, I ate an early dinner at home with my grandparents and went for a movie with friends. I realised, during the end credits of the film, that I hadn't even thought about CAT for some six hours!"
While you needn't doing something as drastic as Bharat's mother, there is an important lesson to be learned: CAT, at the end of the day, is just an exam.
Be thankful you have your family, your friends and your health. Sprinkle some of these happier aspects into your preparation, as it gives you some proper perspective.
And remember, even if you bomb completely, you can always ace CAT in your next life.
Cheers!
Walk slowly. It will eye you with distrust, but hold its glare. Inch in closer and pet it when it arches its back and bristles. Don't let the hissing get to you, or the claws. There will be plenty of both.
Ha Ha!
But seriously, CAT is no longer far off, somewhere on the horizon. It's right in your face, only a handful of days away!
And now, after months -- in some cases, years -- of preparation, you're starting to panic.
You ask yourself: Is there anything I overlooked? Am I really ready? What if I completely choke on exam day? My future will be ruined!
If you feel this way, you are not alone. About two lakhs of students are busy preparing for CAT. I assure you, all of them feel more or less the same way you do.
The trick then, is not to completely avoid stress. That's impossible. Instead, you must turn your anxiety, stress and concern into positive, productive energy.
Let's take a look:
While some stress and anxiety is expected -- even natural -- excessive stress is bad news. It's bad for your health (stress levels are a strong predictor of life expectancy), bad for your relationships (stress affects your daily interactions with friends and family) and bad for your CAT percentile (research shows that stress negatively impacts performance).
So, let's look at techniques that can help you control stress. Some of them are obvious, some of them are simple. But all of them are important, especially at this time of year.
3 valuable lessons from a CAT aspirant
1. Focus only on what you can controlThis is a tried and true method for lowering stress levels, and it's quite simple. Many students -- and training institutes are partially to blame for this -- focus too much time and energy on the 'what if's?' What if reading comprehension isn't featured this year? What if the quantitative problems exploit my weak points? What if my pencil lead breaks mid-test?
Think of your time as a valuable resource. How you allocate this resource is of the utmost importance. Therefore, instead of worrying about things you can't control, focus on what you can: review and revise each of the major study areas, pack your bag properly and bring all your materials on exam day.
2. Exercise, meditation and yoga
*Simran [Images] Mistry laughs now when she discusses CAT, but she wasn't always so whimsical. Three years ago, she faced the same challenge you face today, CAT preparation. And to hear her tell it, she wasn't doing such a great job:
"I studied hard, went to tuitions for a year and a half, everything. But somewhere around the 60-day mark, I started to freak out! My mock CAT scores were declining and I was losing confidence. Then my uncle, who is heavily involved in yoga, suggested that I start doing some simple breathing exercises with him. Within six weeks, I was practicing full-fledged yoga, something I'd never done before! And believe me, it worked. Where before my mind had been a jumbled mess, now I was clear as crystal! I ended up acing the CAT, and I'm proud to be a student at IIM Bangalore."
But if yoga isn't your cup of tea, try simple exercises such as jogging. Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, the same chemical your body naturally produces to deal with stress. So strap on those jogging shoes, and give nature a shove in the right direction!
3. Keep a proper diet and sleep pattern
"Alcohol: The cause of and solution to all of life's problems," proclaims Homer Simpson. In the case of CAT, however, alcohol and/or other drugs will only negatively affect your performance.
With stress at all-time highs, it might seem like a good idea to treat yourself with a beer or two or a glass of scotch and soda. Be warned, however, that using alcohol to temporarily relieve stress is a counterproductive practice. Science has suggested a strong, direct correlation between anxiety levels and alcohol consumption. Moreover, on average, heavy binge drinkers have five times the stress levels as non-drinkers.
Some students attempt to cram for the test by staying up late at nights, drowning themselves in coffees and Red Bulls. But caffeine consumption has been repeatedly linked to decreased aptitude in exams, especially when paired with sleep deprivation.
So eat fresh fruits, nuts and other healthy foods. Avoid greasy, fried and heavily processed foods. And for god's sake, get some proper rest, eight hours each and every night!
4. Remember what's truly important
Bharat Thakore, a graduate from IIM Lucknow, reminisces on his CAT preparation.
"Oh man, I was setting myself up for a huge failure, and I didn't even know it. I put so much unnecessary stress on myself. Two weeks before the CAT, I even told my mother, 'If I mess this exam up, I don't want to live. I'd rather jump off the balcony and just die.' For her, that was the final straw. She took my books away, cancelled my last minute tuitions and took me to Goa [Images]! I didn't study at all during the final two weeks. Then, the night before the exam, I ate an early dinner at home with my grandparents and went for a movie with friends. I realised, during the end credits of the film, that I hadn't even thought about CAT for some six hours!"
While you needn't doing something as drastic as Bharat's mother, there is an important lesson to be learned: CAT, at the end of the day, is just an exam.
Be thankful you have your family, your friends and your health. Sprinkle some of these happier aspects into your preparation, as it gives you some proper perspective.
And remember, even if you bomb completely, you can always ace CAT in your next life.
Cheers!
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