Slide 1 : Test Taking
&
Score Improvement Tips
How do I IMPROVEMy score? : How do I IMPROVEMy score? AGENDA
Answer a simple Question : Answer a simple Question What do you say
to yourself
after you have taken
a Full 2.5 Hr Test?
Are you programming yourself for : Are you programming yourself for FAILURE?
Answer a simple Question : Answer a simple Question If your energy level &
motivation was 100 on a point scale at the time of starting your preparation. Then Honestly answer
what is that level today ????
First Things First : First Things First Work on your
energy level
&
motivation
Slide 7 : “Many of life’s failures are people
who did not realize
how close they were to success
when they gave up”
Slide 8 : If the same Full Test
is given you again, Then do you see
IMPROVEMENT
in score?
How do u define Ur problem? : How do u define Ur problem? Lack of Academic competence OR Lack of Strategic competence
Slide 10 : Work on your
Selection of Questions
to Increase Attempt First Mantra:
Slide 11 : Be Selective in
Conquering
CAT areas Second Mantra:
Slide 12 : Leaders Don’t do different Things, They do Things Differently.
Answer This Question : Answer This Question If you have spent so far 100
Hrs. on CAT preparation, what
is the break up of time spent
area wise? Quant 50-60%
DI 20-30%
Verbal 20-30%
Now try to define Output of ur effort in Bull Tests. : Now try to define Output of ur effort in Bull Tests. Quant ??????
DI ??????
Verbal ??????
Balance out ur time
Don’t Expect Quick RESULTSGive Yourself More Time : Don’t Expect Quick RESULTSGive Yourself More Time
Slide 16 : Do thorough
Test Analysis Third Mantra:
Slide 17 : Academic Analysis
Strategic Analysis
Pin-Point Problems
Find the solutions Test Analysis
Slide 18 : Do not be in a hurry. Go through all the sections.
Understand the overall paper as well as individual sections.
Do overall planning in initial two-three minutes & then start. Approach to Paper
Slide 19 : There is no need to worry if the paper is tough or there is a change of pattern. Because we are interested in
Percentile score
Not Marks.
Slide 20 : Appraoch1: Two parts of 1.5 Hours+ I Hour
Appraoch2: 50Minutes ± Maximum 15min for each section (using your strength)
Attempt doable question in first go while
going through all the questions sequentially.
Attempt difficult sums in the second stage. Time Division in Paper
Slide 21 : Kill Stress
Strike a balance between Aspirations & Reality & Define/Redefine ur Goal Fourth Mantra:
Slide 22 : If ur overall average percentile < 75 then
Focus on maximizing the overall percentile rather than sectional percentiles.
While doing so ensure that you are not leaving any section un-attempted.
If ur overall average percentile > 75 then
Try to maintain balance in sectional percentiles, while maximizing Overall percentile. Sectional Cut-off?
Slide 23 : First focus on high probability areas:
Number System
Algebra
Time Speed & Distance
Geometry & Mensuration.
Get strategic Inputs :
Art of leaving & selecting a Question.
Use of Options Tips: Quant
Slide 24 : Art of selecting Doable Set/block
Use of Approximation
AR: Be systematic Tips: DI & AR
Slide 25 : Focus on RC rather than Verbal
Read, Read & Read.
Read Diverse & Variety
Read which is Boring
Read Actively
Build Vocabulary
Word Lists- Association/Repetitions
Through Reading
Develop Intuition
Be Innovative Tips: RC & Verbal
Slide 26 : Keep constant tab on time.
Make smart guesses. No wild guessing
Start Paper with your area of strength
Don’t do RCs in the end/start
Collect a lot of study material & do it 6-10 hrs.
in a day…..oops Tips: General
Slide 27 : U have limited energy & time resource at your disposal. So don’t waste energy to burn yourself Will doing lots of Material & Tests help you to achieve the right Percentile??? Indeed amount of Material collected beyond limit is- GARBAGE
Admission Counseling, Guidance, B-School Form Filling : Admission Counseling, Guidance, B-School Form Filling
What matters in Admission : What matters in Admission Written Test Score/Percentile
GD/PI Performance
Academic Performance
Extra curricular/sports
Work Experience
Major Tests : Major Tests CAT-Nov Must Take
XAT-Jan Must Take
SNAP-Dec Must Take IF avg perc > 70
JMET-Dec Must Take if Engr with 60% mrks
MAT-Dec/Feb Must Take if avg perc < 70
ICFAI-Dec Can Take if avg perc < 80
Others Should take if avg perc > 80
(FMS,IIFT,IRMA,DU,SRCC…..)
When To Apply : When To Apply CAT
Most Other Tests In Sept.- Nov.
Most Institutes Sept.-Jan
MAT institutes- Mostly After Result
Look at website regularly & update your profile if any cha, Go through Info Books properly.
How Many Institutes To Apply? : How Many Institutes To Apply? Portfolio Management Concept
Risk/Return Optimization & coverage
Ideally 3-6 Tests, 9-15 Institutes
Focus/Specialization
Individual parameters
Financial Capability
Safety Net
Other career Options/Job at hand
Academic Background
What it Takes to be a Winner : What it Takes to be a Winner Strong Motivation to Excel
Lots of hard work
Patience & Perseverance
Slide 34 : “Attitude,
not Aptitude
Determines Altitude”