CAT 2015: Reaching destination not so difficult; 5 expert tips for preparation in changed exam pattern

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
June 5, 2015
You require someone who could get you started infusing the due inspiration that can turn you into a strong powered and determined CAT 2015 aspirant
In front of you should be clearly written caption on the wall `CAT 2015- my gateway to become great corporate leader in 2018`

It is but natural to be apprehensive while preparing for CAT 2015 in the changed exam pattern. Common Admission Test (CAT) 2015 the mandatory entrance exam for admission to IIMs and other top B-schools in 2016 has acquired a changed format and length of test paper since 2014.

 

It gives rise to question your ability when you are not able to spare time enough to prepare and thereby are not able to perform well in the mocks and practice tests for CAT 2015. Given the volume of competition and level of test difficulty, sometimes you get disheartened whether to continue preparing for CAT 2015 or leave it on luck. However, the coveted nobility attached to good performers in CAT in the form of awarded admission to IIMs also keep you dragging on with your preparation level, although you remain not so satisfied with the manner you are preparing with.

 

While weighing the two, latter becomes the inspiring factor that continues motivating you always and guides you to reach the final destination, the coveted IIMs. In view of Prof S K Agarwal Expert on Verbal Ability and mentor on CAT 2015 preparation, the weightage of getting admission in IIMs and turning your dream into reality is always greater and your focus should remain on devising ways and means how to prepare well instead of whether to prepare for CAT 2015.

 

CAT 2015 aspirants might be in the dilemma of what to prepare, how to prepare and how to embark on the preparation journey to CAT 2015. This shadow needs to be cleared since you may not be able to decide the strategy of preparation process. Here you require someone who could get you started infusing the due inspiration that can turn you into a strong powered and determined CAT 2015 aspirant. 

 

Prof S K Agarwal, Expert on CAT 2015 Verbal Ability preparation while sharing important tips suggests you to remain motivated and shed the misconceived weaknesses in regard to CAT 2015 preparation.

 

Consistent study: Key to success

 

CAT 2015 the gateway to 20 IIMs and other top rated B schools calls for a consistent study with more inspiration and motivation and less mental pressure. Do not feel depressed, pressurised at any point of time. In case you ever plunge into it, the better way is not to force yourself towards study and try to find the source that can bring your mental status back and you could again focus on CAT 2015 preparation.

 

Look around: How energising is your study room

 

The room where you study should be one of the sources of inspiration. What is going to be advised may look a little shabby but you can clean up the things, when you are through.

 

In front of you should be clearly written caption on the wall ‘CAT 2015- my gateway to become great corporate leader in 2018’. Read it aloud when you leave the room and read it when you enter. This will be a great inspiration always.

 

Getting through the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2015 with high percentile gives you an opportunity to enter one of the few top rated B-schools in the country. Along with the 20 IIMs, top notch B schools like SPJIMR, FMS Delhi, MDI, IMT, IMI, JBIMS, Great lakes, TAPMI, BIMTECH, accept CAT scores. Once you are in, you can further polish your leadership and managerial skills. Learning at these B-schools is in itself a great experience which leads to a promised career progression.

 

CAT 2015: Aspire for more

 

If you don’t belong to affluent class, are a working professional supporting your family through the odds, not having very good financial standing, either not married or wife is not working or not earning enough to support the family, the thoughts like ‘what would happen if I opted for MBA’; ‘How would my family get financial support’ are expected to interrupt your preparation journey, adversely affecting your performance.

 

Think on the other side of the coin. Think of the Return you will get after MBA from IIM. Just once drop the negative thoughts and let a few inspiring thoughts flow in, to reshape the process

 

- The great learning experience, the confidence, new vistas of career options that I will have during my MBA are greater assets for life than a short span of 2 years devoted to it

 

- I don’t have to worry about education expenses as the 100% study loan facility is available

 

- I would earn twice/thrice the amount I am earning now after 2-3 years

 

-2 years is not a very long period. The family can be supported with what we have and later the things will brighten up

 

-My life will get an absolutely new makeover after 2 years. I need it and will achieve it.

 

When you drive away the negative ideas and allow the positive ones to set it, the motivation you will get, the energy you will get would be the source of inspiration to paddle up your CAT 2015 preparation with greater determination.

 

Plan preparation as per new CAT 2015 pattern

 

Remain updated about the past and prospective changes in CAT exam. Your preparation has to be on these updated lines for CAT 2015.   

 

There would be now 100 questions instead of 60 in CAT 2015 divided in same 2 sections of Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and the second section comprising Verbal Ability & Logical reasoning.

 

Since there are more questions in CAT now, the ratio of some of the topics has increased while some of the topics did not get a place in the CAT 2014 question paper and the same pattern is expected to be repeated in CAT 2015.

 

Another fact is that it is not necessary what did not appear in CAT 2014 would also not appear in CAT 2015. But the pattern is proposed to remain the same as that of CAT 2014. Plan your preparation strategy accordingly.

 

The Quant section may have higher representation of Algebra, Geometry and Arithmetic in CAT 2015 with 34-35 questions based on Quant and 15-16 questions on data Interpretation.

 

Similarly the second section is expected to have 34-35 questions on Verbal Ability and 15-16 questions on logical Reasoning. In CAT 2014 this section had no questions on Vocabulary and the permanent type of question to pick out the last sentence of incomplete paragraph was also missing.

 

But you should expect more questions on English language error corrections in sentences and paragraphs and more number of questions based on Reading Comprehension (RC) passages. Accordingly your preparation planning should also be in the right direction without getting distracted.     

 

Build your confidence

 

You will be reading the versatile material to improve your performance for questions based on Grammar, different types of jumbled paragraphs, Reading Comprehension, Critical and Logical Reasoning among other topics. Next time when you go for reading some books on philosophical ideas, literature, it will be a good idea to go for some inspirational reading material. These inspiring books will not only motivate you further but will also help you perform better, indirectly as they will add to the stock of your vocabulary, make you understand the complexities of sentence formation and get you RC passage ideas.

 

Be a winner; be inspired

 

Prof S K Agarwal, expert on Verbal Ability for CAT 2015 preparation advises the CAT 2015 aspirants to remember that the competition is tough only among the top 30 thousand aspirants for almost same number of seats in the best B schools in the country. The entrance exams could be different like CAT/XAT/CMAT but mostly the top rank holders are only from this group.

 

These candidates prepare for all such MBA entrance tests which could entitle them with the entry to the best of management institutes to fulfil their dream of pursuing MBA from one of the top B schools. Therefore they prepare and emerge winner in multiple examinations.

 

One candidate cannot occupy seat in more than one B school. If he is offered admission in 10 top B schools, he will have to vacate 9 seats and the process for all such candidates will go on to accommodate other candidates in the row. Please note there could be hundreds of such candidates and you could be one of them. 

 

Remain motivated with every next step you have taken towards CAT 2015 preparation journey. Whatever new you have studied and understood, whatever shortcuts and tips you have learnt should always inspire you. Every step, however small, in learning will take you to perform better, excel in your preparation journey, will help in scoring high in mocks. As a result you will be able to assess the progress made by you so far.

 

There is no need whatsoever to be afraid of CAT 2015 but simultaneously there should not be any laxity in sincere preparation.

 

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Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more preparation tips for CAT 2015