With less than two months to go for the Common Admission Test (CAT), look no further -- just practice and strategise. It would be an exercise in futility to experiment with new concepts at this point. All an MBA aspirant has to do right now is stay focused.
Since the CAT is a high voltage war of nerves, the best option at this stage would be to maintain your cool. A slight slip on your part and the game's up.
Read these features?Vote! Best-dressed Indian celebsMeet Heenal raichura, UK's youngest doctorUS meltdown and you!
As a CAT faculty with years of experience behind me, the winning strategy I would suggest is to adopt the mantra 'a mock test a day till the D-day'!
As a smart student your strategy should also be to supplement your classroom learning with online learning. For the uninitiated, thousands of free practice tests are available on the web-portal www.tcyonline.com. By doing these tests you would get a fair idea as to where you stand, because these tests give you analytics too.
1. StrategyAt this stage, you are supposed to be conversant with some basic concepts. I would suggest a game plan like:
One MOCK TEST a day -- with the same time constraints.
Benchmark your performance against that of others
Double up the effort and the time for analyzing the test
Analyse what went wrong and why
Try to find out how you could have done better
Analyse what questions you should have attempted and what not
Learn from your mistakes -- try out a different strategy for the next test by selecting different type of questions to be attempted, omitting question types that posed problem in the previous test.
Take doubt-clearing sessions not only with the concerned CAT experts but also with your peers.
2. PreparationBear in mind that fifty per cent verbal questions are based on Reading Comprehension. And, there is no better way to gain confidence here than reading as many 'diversified topics' as possible, preferably with corresponding questions. In this respect, several hundred passages on 'highly diversified' topics are available free on TCYonline.com which can be of immense use.
3. Picking up Vocabulary Vocabulary build up is very important for CAT. Now the question is how to improve on your vocabulary. Nobody can be a dictionary. There is a way to understand the flow of words. For example, try to link up the words with similar sounding words. Finding a 'common link' is important. At this stage, 15 minutes daily to do the root study of words would go a long way towards your goal.
4. Beef up your GrammarStrengthening grammar is based on the application of your skills of written expression. If you can write an easy of 300-400 words, without any grammatical flaws, it means your basic grammar is good. At this stage the basic grammar rules should be quite familiar to you.
5. Classroom - Self study balanceStop studying for new CAT concepts now. Stress more on doubt clearance. Never go to bed with doubts in your mind. That's another high-scoring secret.
6. Common mistakesStudents have misconceptions about options -- they go for the easy way out and ignore the process of elimination (POE). The right answer is never obvious -- the wrong one is on the platter. The student is tempted to catch the wrong one dished out. When you are on the look out for an easy way out, you fall into the trap. The best way is to predict the answer before going to the options. Try to practice the answers. Don't rush to answer the options. Look not for the right answer, but for the wrong answer to be eliminated.
7. Confidence boostThe time has come to boost your confidence levels. Up until now you were taking only the basic tests, below the CAT level. The Mock CATs bring you to the CAT level. From preliminary tests to mock tests, the score has to go down. To start with that may shake your confidence, but you should not worry. You ought to know that your score has only one way to go from here, and that is 'UP'. At this stage if you are disillusioned, you are gone.
So practice, revise, analyse and strategise.
Good luck!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
CAT 2008: The best way to tackle RC?
Is the verbal section of CAT getting you down?
Are you unable to make any progress in Quant?
Do you find your DI performance deprassing?
To help you improve your skills and better you performance in the CAT, experts from Career Launcher hosted a chat with readers on September 19. For those of you who missed the chat, here's the unedited transcript:
shivakumar says, Welcome to this rediff chat session with Saugata, Gautam and Shivku
shivakumar says, Try to identify which are the problem areas in verbal section. Is it RC or Grammar or Logic-based questions.Try to focus on these areas and revise your fundamentals. Also try to spend more time on the sections that you are strong in and maximise scores there. But remembr to spend enough time on the areas of your strength.
HelpMe asked, Hey Could you please help me what are the main topics in the verbal to prepare..??? shivakumar answers, Reading comprehension, parajumbles, paracompletions, vocab-based questions
mayank asked, what should be my strategy for the preparation of cat 09??shivakumar answers, There could be three steps for the preparation. One: Spanning next six to seven months (October-May)work on your fundamentals, basics without worrying about the speed. Two: Practice mock tests (June-September/October) and gain speed at the same time Three: Fine -tuning your test-taking strategies and getting prepared mentally ofr the final day
niks asked, Hi, can u tell me some good sources to prepare for DI? any books etc? will Arun sharma for DI help?shivakumar answers, Generally there are not very good books avaialble for DI which is relevant to CAT.What you can do is to Pick Career Launcher LRDI books/MOCK CATS/ FLTS which will give you enough exposure to LRDI towards CAT.
HelpMe asked, Actually i appeared last year in CAT and scored 93 percentile the only thing where i got screwed is English....and although i am trying to improve and reading editorials and all but unable to see any improvement so please help me in english..???shivakumar answers, It is good to be focused in your preparation for English. Reading editorials and journal articles is a good habit. butalso try to revise grammar from your high school books. Try to solve actual CAT papers or mock tests and focus on the areas which actually come in CAT. The more questions you solve the more you will learn by trial and error method
VishalG asked, what should be my strategy for the preparation of cat 08??shivakumar answers, Take at least 1-2 mock test every week. spend a lot of time analysising the tests. Locate where are you commiting so called silly errors and rectify the same when you take the next Mock Test.
HelpMe1 asked, This is in continuation to My Last Question.. But when u never know why it is right or wrong then hw will it help to improve when u "r not logically convinced?"shivakumar answers, The important thing therefore is to keep on testing your mettle through taking more and more tests.The more you pracitse the more you learn through trial and error
Gaurav asked, What is the minimum percentage required at graduation level to apply for IIMs?shivakumar answers, 50%
ceg asked, wat s the best way to tackle rc?rc passages r very dry too? finding rc very difficult.. shivakumar answers, RC passsages in CAT are becoming increasingly complicated and it is important to be able to shift through the language and identify the main idea of the passage. Once you do that, tackling questions become easier.
sknjain asked, Hi. Can u suggest me some tips for Maths shivakumar answers, I assuming you are preparing for CAT-2008. To me quant section in is basic application of of your commensense. If you go through CAt-2007 or CAT-2006 papers , you will find 30-40% of qustions can be solved without any pripr knowledge. I feel if you have practice a good number of questions over the period of time and strategise well during the exam you can do well.
Charu asked, in RC is it better to read the passage first and then the questions or the questions first and then the passage to answer the questions?shivakumar answers, This depend not only indiviual but also the type of passage. But keepin in the mind last two years CAT pattern which contained RC passages with logic bias , it is suggested that one should go through the passages first than only the questions.
kk asked, How much should i get the GMAT score to get admission in ISb hyderabad. I have two years of full time exp. Please ADVISEshivakumar answers, Generally the consider the scores in the range of 690+.
aea asked, I have to go abroad on official purposes, is there a possibility to change/reschedule the GD/PI Dates of IIMs/MDI/SPJain to marchshivakumar answers, Generally these institutes don't entertain the change of dates. I suggest you send a mail diretcly to them.
afiful asked, DI is troubling me a lot.the marks are flactuating a lot..gimme some tips on it.mainly how to choose the question??shivakumar answers, It is very important to undersatnd that cut off in DI section can be cleared by just attempting 2 sets One: spent 3-5 minutes in the DI section scanning and then only decide which two Di sets you want to solve. Two: spend concentarted 12-15 minutes on each of the picked set Three: Dont get baffled if the set is taking time to get cracked at the time leave the set if you realize after few minutes that it is not my cup of Tea.
Are you unable to make any progress in Quant?
Do you find your DI performance deprassing?
To help you improve your skills and better you performance in the CAT, experts from Career Launcher hosted a chat with readers on September 19. For those of you who missed the chat, here's the unedited transcript:
shivakumar says, Welcome to this rediff chat session with Saugata, Gautam and Shivku
shivakumar says, Try to identify which are the problem areas in verbal section. Is it RC or Grammar or Logic-based questions.Try to focus on these areas and revise your fundamentals. Also try to spend more time on the sections that you are strong in and maximise scores there. But remembr to spend enough time on the areas of your strength.
HelpMe asked, Hey Could you please help me what are the main topics in the verbal to prepare..??? shivakumar answers, Reading comprehension, parajumbles, paracompletions, vocab-based questions
mayank asked, what should be my strategy for the preparation of cat 09??shivakumar answers, There could be three steps for the preparation. One: Spanning next six to seven months (October-May)work on your fundamentals, basics without worrying about the speed. Two: Practice mock tests (June-September/October) and gain speed at the same time Three: Fine -tuning your test-taking strategies and getting prepared mentally ofr the final day
niks asked, Hi, can u tell me some good sources to prepare for DI? any books etc? will Arun sharma for DI help?shivakumar answers, Generally there are not very good books avaialble for DI which is relevant to CAT.What you can do is to Pick Career Launcher LRDI books/MOCK CATS/ FLTS which will give you enough exposure to LRDI towards CAT.
HelpMe asked, Actually i appeared last year in CAT and scored 93 percentile the only thing where i got screwed is English....and although i am trying to improve and reading editorials and all but unable to see any improvement so please help me in english..???shivakumar answers, It is good to be focused in your preparation for English. Reading editorials and journal articles is a good habit. butalso try to revise grammar from your high school books. Try to solve actual CAT papers or mock tests and focus on the areas which actually come in CAT. The more questions you solve the more you will learn by trial and error method
VishalG asked, what should be my strategy for the preparation of cat 08??shivakumar answers, Take at least 1-2 mock test every week. spend a lot of time analysising the tests. Locate where are you commiting so called silly errors and rectify the same when you take the next Mock Test.
HelpMe1 asked, This is in continuation to My Last Question.. But when u never know why it is right or wrong then hw will it help to improve when u "r not logically convinced?"shivakumar answers, The important thing therefore is to keep on testing your mettle through taking more and more tests.The more you pracitse the more you learn through trial and error
Gaurav asked, What is the minimum percentage required at graduation level to apply for IIMs?shivakumar answers, 50%
ceg asked, wat s the best way to tackle rc?rc passages r very dry too? finding rc very difficult.. shivakumar answers, RC passsages in CAT are becoming increasingly complicated and it is important to be able to shift through the language and identify the main idea of the passage. Once you do that, tackling questions become easier.
sknjain asked, Hi. Can u suggest me some tips for Maths shivakumar answers, I assuming you are preparing for CAT-2008. To me quant section in is basic application of of your commensense. If you go through CAt-2007 or CAT-2006 papers , you will find 30-40% of qustions can be solved without any pripr knowledge. I feel if you have practice a good number of questions over the period of time and strategise well during the exam you can do well.
Charu asked, in RC is it better to read the passage first and then the questions or the questions first and then the passage to answer the questions?shivakumar answers, This depend not only indiviual but also the type of passage. But keepin in the mind last two years CAT pattern which contained RC passages with logic bias , it is suggested that one should go through the passages first than only the questions.
kk asked, How much should i get the GMAT score to get admission in ISb hyderabad. I have two years of full time exp. Please ADVISEshivakumar answers, Generally the consider the scores in the range of 690+.
aea asked, I have to go abroad on official purposes, is there a possibility to change/reschedule the GD/PI Dates of IIMs/MDI/SPJain to marchshivakumar answers, Generally these institutes don't entertain the change of dates. I suggest you send a mail diretcly to them.
afiful asked, DI is troubling me a lot.the marks are flactuating a lot..gimme some tips on it.mainly how to choose the question??shivakumar answers, It is very important to undersatnd that cut off in DI section can be cleared by just attempting 2 sets One: spent 3-5 minutes in the DI section scanning and then only decide which two Di sets you want to solve. Two: spend concentarted 12-15 minutes on each of the picked set Three: Dont get baffled if the set is taking time to get cracked at the time leave the set if you realize after few minutes that it is not my cup of Tea.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
CAT 2008: Tips to boost your vocab
Have you ever tried to assess your vocabulary? You may have come across such words as 'anarchy', 'autarchy', 'hierarchy', 'matriarchy', 'monarchy', and 'oligarchy'.
And now there's "kindergarchy".
Surprised?
Let's analyse. Does it sound similar to "kindergarten? Yes, it does. The first half of the given word is related to children and the second half is related to 'rule' or 'govern'. So, kindergarchy as a whole means 'rule of children'; that is, the needs and desires of children getting precedence over those of their parents or elders.
Read these features?Vote! Which celeb has the worst smile? 5 lessons to be learned from GaneshaIELTS: Practice is the key to successStudy Abroad: When writing to professorsExpert CV advice: Profile yourself, not the companyTravel: The battle of the snakeboats
Do you feel outdated when it comes to such new words?Language keeps assimilating, evolving and modifying words as per the needs of its users. With the furtherance of technology in modern day life, needs of language users change frequently and so does the language, albeit imperceptibly. We need clear and exact expressions to express our feelings. So we mould language accordingly.
Is expressing your ideas a daunting task?Do you sometimes get speechless when it comes to the commencement or continuation of a discussion? If yes, you need to have a good vocabulary in order to get the right word in at the right time. It is seen that the level of vocabulary, in a sense, projects your overall level of highbrow functioning.
All about WordsThink of certain newfangled words that can really surprise you. Many newspapers like The Washington Times, The Australian, and The New York Times are using such words like 'Baraknophobia' (remember arachnophobia!). It relates to skeptical and negative feelings about the US presidential candidate, Barak Obama. Another example can be of 'burqini' which is commonly used nowadays. It has evolved from two words -- 'burqa + bikini' -- which means a swimsuit which veils the full body. There are a lot of such words -- 'cyborg', 'glocalisation', 'murketing' etc -- that you won't be able to locate in a dictionary. I am sure you will be very keen to know the meanings of these words.
Ascertaining meaningsThe question is where do we find such words if they are not present in dictionaries? The answer is not as unfamiliar as the words are. To learn vocabulary which is currently in vogue, you have to read anything you can lay your hands upon, like recent novels, editorial sections of newspapers, journals etc. Learned authors often use such vocabulary. Remember, the more you are exposed to reading, the more new words you will learn. And never forget to frequently test your vocabulary.
Learning techniquesNow, grasping new vocabulary and retaining it are not such easy tasks. It is all about the right technique. There should be a system or modus operandi to learn such words as we cannot mug them up.
1. Being a voluntary readerIf you are a voluntary reader, mastering new vocabulary won't be a problem for you. As the same words are likely to figure again and again in your reading, you will get well acquainted with them.
2. Source citingAnother possible and interesting way out can be the method of source citing. Go to sites like dictionary.com. It is an online dictionary, frequently updated. Here you can easily find out the source from which the word has originated. This creates a background, and learning words becomes easy.
3. Learning prefixes, suffixes, rootsThis method is also very effective. If we know some roots, prefixes and suffixes, we can easily anticipate the meanings of words using those roots, prefixes or suffixes. Take for example, '-pathy' which means feeling. So, it becomes easy to comprehend meaning of a new word with this suffix. Like, 'sympathy' -- 'similar feeling', 'apathy' -- 'no feelings', antipathy' -- 'negative feelings' and so on. It's quite simple, isn't it? Think of certain roots and test yourself.
4. AssociatingIf you associate or relate a certain word with something or someone, like any of your companions, chums or relatives, the process becomes simple. For instance, the word 'irascible' is used for a person who is very 'irritable' and 'impatient'. Now, one of your acquaintances can be of this nature. Associate this word with this person. Whenever s/he comes before your eyes, this word will come to your mind and vice versa. So, the word won't go to the dark depths of forgetfulness.
5. SwappingThis is a technique to diversify your learning. You can learn in both ways, paradigmatic (by context) as well as syntagmatic (by meaning). Swap the word you have done, with the ones having the same meaning. Like, we can swap the word 'irascible' with words like cranky, grouchy, grumpy, petulant, peevish etc.
6. Flash cardsLearning certain difficult words amusingly is both a challenge as well as fun. You can make flash cards and use them for the twin purpose of building up your vocabulary and of playing cards. Writing the word on one side of the card and the meaning or hint on the other will do.
7. Creating storiesAnother entertaining method of learning new words is by creating stories while learning. It's an easy method. Take a word, 'assiduous'. It means 'to work diligently'. Now create a story. 'Ass' is donkey. Take it as 'dhobi ka gadha' which works day in and day out. So, a person who works diligently is 'assiduous'.
8. Effective speechEveryone wants to be a good orator. To become one, learning words is not enough. You have to use these words in your speech to make it rhetorical and impressive. So, keep learning, keep swapping, keep creating and keep using. The world will listen to you.
And now there's "kindergarchy".
Surprised?
Let's analyse. Does it sound similar to "kindergarten? Yes, it does. The first half of the given word is related to children and the second half is related to 'rule' or 'govern'. So, kindergarchy as a whole means 'rule of children'; that is, the needs and desires of children getting precedence over those of their parents or elders.
Read these features?Vote! Which celeb has the worst smile? 5 lessons to be learned from GaneshaIELTS: Practice is the key to successStudy Abroad: When writing to professorsExpert CV advice: Profile yourself, not the companyTravel: The battle of the snakeboats
Do you feel outdated when it comes to such new words?Language keeps assimilating, evolving and modifying words as per the needs of its users. With the furtherance of technology in modern day life, needs of language users change frequently and so does the language, albeit imperceptibly. We need clear and exact expressions to express our feelings. So we mould language accordingly.
Is expressing your ideas a daunting task?Do you sometimes get speechless when it comes to the commencement or continuation of a discussion? If yes, you need to have a good vocabulary in order to get the right word in at the right time. It is seen that the level of vocabulary, in a sense, projects your overall level of highbrow functioning.
All about WordsThink of certain newfangled words that can really surprise you. Many newspapers like The Washington Times, The Australian, and The New York Times are using such words like 'Baraknophobia' (remember arachnophobia!). It relates to skeptical and negative feelings about the US presidential candidate, Barak Obama. Another example can be of 'burqini' which is commonly used nowadays. It has evolved from two words -- 'burqa + bikini' -- which means a swimsuit which veils the full body. There are a lot of such words -- 'cyborg', 'glocalisation', 'murketing' etc -- that you won't be able to locate in a dictionary. I am sure you will be very keen to know the meanings of these words.
Ascertaining meaningsThe question is where do we find such words if they are not present in dictionaries? The answer is not as unfamiliar as the words are. To learn vocabulary which is currently in vogue, you have to read anything you can lay your hands upon, like recent novels, editorial sections of newspapers, journals etc. Learned authors often use such vocabulary. Remember, the more you are exposed to reading, the more new words you will learn. And never forget to frequently test your vocabulary.
Learning techniquesNow, grasping new vocabulary and retaining it are not such easy tasks. It is all about the right technique. There should be a system or modus operandi to learn such words as we cannot mug them up.
1. Being a voluntary readerIf you are a voluntary reader, mastering new vocabulary won't be a problem for you. As the same words are likely to figure again and again in your reading, you will get well acquainted with them.
2. Source citingAnother possible and interesting way out can be the method of source citing. Go to sites like dictionary.com. It is an online dictionary, frequently updated. Here you can easily find out the source from which the word has originated. This creates a background, and learning words becomes easy.
3. Learning prefixes, suffixes, rootsThis method is also very effective. If we know some roots, prefixes and suffixes, we can easily anticipate the meanings of words using those roots, prefixes or suffixes. Take for example, '-pathy' which means feeling. So, it becomes easy to comprehend meaning of a new word with this suffix. Like, 'sympathy' -- 'similar feeling', 'apathy' -- 'no feelings', antipathy' -- 'negative feelings' and so on. It's quite simple, isn't it? Think of certain roots and test yourself.
4. AssociatingIf you associate or relate a certain word with something or someone, like any of your companions, chums or relatives, the process becomes simple. For instance, the word 'irascible' is used for a person who is very 'irritable' and 'impatient'. Now, one of your acquaintances can be of this nature. Associate this word with this person. Whenever s/he comes before your eyes, this word will come to your mind and vice versa. So, the word won't go to the dark depths of forgetfulness.
5. SwappingThis is a technique to diversify your learning. You can learn in both ways, paradigmatic (by context) as well as syntagmatic (by meaning). Swap the word you have done, with the ones having the same meaning. Like, we can swap the word 'irascible' with words like cranky, grouchy, grumpy, petulant, peevish etc.
6. Flash cardsLearning certain difficult words amusingly is both a challenge as well as fun. You can make flash cards and use them for the twin purpose of building up your vocabulary and of playing cards. Writing the word on one side of the card and the meaning or hint on the other will do.
7. Creating storiesAnother entertaining method of learning new words is by creating stories while learning. It's an easy method. Take a word, 'assiduous'. It means 'to work diligently'. Now create a story. 'Ass' is donkey. Take it as 'dhobi ka gadha' which works day in and day out. So, a person who works diligently is 'assiduous'.
8. Effective speechEveryone wants to be a good orator. To become one, learning words is not enough. You have to use these words in your speech to make it rhetorical and impressive. So, keep learning, keep swapping, keep creating and keep using. The world will listen to you.
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