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Preparing CAT-2009

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most talked about test among MBA pursuers in India. This test is conducted once in a year for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) and other affiliated b-schools all over India.

When to start preparing for CAT 2009?

CAT is held in the month of November, and if one starts preparing now, one will have enough time to have a solid grounding on all the areas. But how much time is enough time? People often do ask this question, and are often confused as to how this time till CAT be utilized. It is important to do a Self Evaluation for CAT.At the outset, it is important to do a self evaluation. You must know your competency level in each of the sections of CAT. There are three sections in which the test is divided. Quantitative, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency, and Verbal Ability (English). Everyone has a different level of competence in each of these sections. The best way to find the level of competence is to take the test. Take the previous years CAT paper, and try to solve it in the stipulated time. Be honest with yourself and try to solve as many as you can. Compute the score taking into consideration the negative markings if known. Then find out the cut-off for that test and evaluate your performance. Here is how

If you clear the cut-off: If you cleared the cut off in one or all sections, your half the task is done. About 2 months of practice and you could be through.
If you miss the cut off: If you miss the cut off by 3-8 marks, you will need some more practice in that section. About 5-6 weeks of grounding on basics and then another 5-6 weeks on mock tests should be enough. 15-20 hours a week should be enough for you. Impetus should be given on the sections you are not so comfortable in.
If you missed the cut off by 20% or more then you will require more time. A sincere effort of around 5-6 months will be required, with the last few weeks for mock CATs only. You should spend more time in learning the basics. Evaluate section-wise. If you scored less in Verbal, then while practicing you will have to spend more time in verbal than other sections. We will come to section-wise preparation in a while.
If you missed the cut off by more than half, you will have to work really hard, if you want to clear the CAT cut off. You will need to spend about 30-35 hours per week, for about 6-7 months, and about 5-6 weeks in the end for tests only. You will need to divide your time equally for each section. If you have more time, use it to your advantage. Start preparing as early as possible. Practice more and you will find that you are getting used to the questions more and more.
For students in college and first timers, re-evaluation is needed. May be this test was just a difficult one, so take another test and re-evaluate. If this was the first time you took a test like this, then prepare for a few days, refresh formulae and then take it again. For most of the candidates still in college, it?s a good idea to evaluate properly before coming to a conclusion on the time required for preparation.
For people with non engineering background, it is important to evaluate the DI/DS, and Quants section properly, while spending less time in Verbal.

How to start Preparing for CAT?

Once you go through this self evaluation, you will come to know your limits and capabilities and also an approximate time you will need for preparation. According to experts, 10-12 is the maximum one should spend for CAT preparation. If you are starting early, divide your time into phases.

The first phase, say 30% of the time should be spent in getting your basics right. Don?t focus too much on tests now. In areas where you are weak, start from the scratch. If you are weak in verbal, start reading, and make it a habit. This will be the time you should start learning new words. Over time you can improve and build a good vocabulary slowly. Also create notes of things you think will require re-visiting. Like formulae or short-cuts.
The next 30-40% of the time should be spent in preparing CAT specific things. Start listing out your weak points, make a list of questions you think you regularly falter at. Now focus on these select areas, and start giving sectional tests. Measure your performance over time by creating a small mark sheet. This way you would know where you need to concentrate more, and invest more time.
The last phase, (30% of total time you had kept), just before CAT should spend in giving mock tests. Take tests in a complete test environment, the way you would take the real test. It would be good if you take the test daily at the same time, at 10.30, to simulate the actual test. This makes your mind tuned to work and think at this time. This really helps.

How to do section-wise preparation?

The next step will be to find out how to prepare section wise. It is important to give appropriate time to each section for preparation. Let?s see what to do for each section.

Verbal Ability (VA): You will be tested in vocabulary, verbal reasoning, critical reasoning and grammar in this section. This is the most dreaded section for most CAT takers simple because of the level of uncertainty around this section. The level of difficulty and the number of questions vary from year to year. Here is an analysis on how the questions in this section varied from year to year.

(Year)	(Total Questions)	(Questions on VA)
2005	90	30
2006	75	25
2007	75	25
2008	90	40

Broadly the questions in this section can be divided into 4 sections. Let?s discuss in details how to prepare for these.
1. English Usage, Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary: For vocabulary, you need to follow a regular practice regime. To know how to improve your vocabulary read this article. For RC, you must be accustomed to read from a variety of subjects. We tend to read faster when we are familiar with a subject. So increase your familiarity with a lot of topics. This will widen your horizon, and you won?t feel that you haven?t read such article before. This would improve your speed, and accuracy as well, as you will be able to comprehend them easily.For reading comprehension, a good reading speed is also a must. This requires a lot of practice. Read the editorials of leading newspapers regularly, analyze them and note down the points and the new words that you learn. With one hour of practice per day for 7-8 weeks can do your RC skills a lot of good.
2. Paragraph Forming: You will be presented with four to six sentences in jumbled form. You are expected to arrange the sentences in such a manner that the sequence forms a coherent whole. To crack such questions, an understanding of sentence construction is essential. You should start reading extensively for mastering such problems. The more you read, the more you will understand how sentences are constructed. Read variety as well, and you will find complex sentences seem simple. Say 2-3 such tests per day for last 3-4 weeks before CAT. Analyze your answers properly. If you are wrong, try to understand why you are wrong.
3. Critical Reasoning: Critical Reasoning section is similar to the Reading Comprehension (RC) section, the difference being that the passage is comparatively small and all the questions asked are essentially inferential. Concentrate hard on what the author has to say, rather than the logical output of the passage. The best way to prepare for critical reasoning is to read a lot of magazines and newspapers, and practice hard. Most of the critical reasoning questions are difficult to comprehend in first attempt, so lot of practice and reading is required. In the beginning it might look like a difficult section, but a consistent effort every day could really make the difference. So start early.
4. Grammar: The grammar part is the easiest in this section. Those good in English wont find this very difficult. This is a good section to score quickly. If you find yourself lousy in grammar, consult a good book on English grammar. Read right from the start, and cover the basics. It would be good if you start early for this, and practice as many types of questions as possible before CAT.
Quantitative Ability (Quants): You will be tested in topics ranging from Number Theory, Algebra, Geometry and Mensuration, Permutations and Combinations, Probability etc. You should start with the basics, revise the formulae, and practice hard. Many people just rely on short-cuts and quick-problem solving techniques for cracking this section. Note that such tricks are not always helpful. Working hard and practicing as much as you can is the only key to cracking Quants section. If you think you are a bit slow in quants, and you are scoring just about 50% of the cut-off required for CAT, you might require upto 6-7 months of regular practice to prepare for Quants. Here is how you could span you Quants preparation:
- Refresh your basics: Go back to your class 10 maths book, and take a look at the basics. You might have forgotten a lot of them. Make a note of the important formulae, for future reference, and practice questions from each topic. About 3-4 months will be required to revise and refresh all the concepts for this section.
- Take exhaustive Tests: Once you are confident of yourself, and fundamentals are clear, test yourself. Take sectional tests in Quants, and assess your score. Make notes of the areas you get score less, and try to improve upon. You should take as many tests as you can before CAT, so that you are used to all types of questions being asked. This should take 2 months.
- In the final 2-3 weeks of CAT, you should take more CAT-type tests, like full length mock tests, and focus more on accuracy.
DI/DS :Data Interpretation (DI) questions are based on some information like Table, Graphs, or Charts, based on which you will be asked to deduce further information. You will be tested on how quickly and correctly you can deduce the information required. This is another section which is very uncertain in CAT. A good score in this section depends on your calculation speed and your analytical abilities. Many calculations involved in DI are complex and often require high level of analytical ability. Also many of the times it requires just presence of mind, and right thinking.In Data Sufficiency (DS) you will be tested on how to reason quantitatively. You will not be asked to solve complex problems here, and neither will be the questions tough. They will just be tricky. Given a set of conditions, mostly 2 of them, you will need to find out whether either of them, both of them, or none of them is required to make a deduction. The questions in this section are based mostly on basic principles of mathematical topics, so it is important that you are thorough with these. And again, it goes without saying, a lot of practice is required to master DI/DS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on CAT

When should I start preparing for CAT 2009?

The earlier the better. I would say start now

How much time should I invest for CAT 2009?

This depends on the level of preparedness you have. Have you done your self-evaluation yet? Do a self evaluation, and then you will be able to understand for yourself how much time you need. In any case one doesn?t need more than10-12 months of serious preparation.

How many hours per day are required for preparing for CAT?

This depends on a lot of factors. If you are a well prepared student, with clear fundamentals in all subjects, you might be able to crack the CAT in 6-8 weeks with just 1-2 hour of study per day. And if you are a first timer, and starting from the basics, you might require about 35-40 hours a week for 15-18 weeks.

Which coaching institute should I join for CAT?

No coaching institute can guarantee you a IIM call. Only hard work is the key. But sometimes it?s necessary to get proper guidance and good study materials. If you do not need any of these, you need not join any coaching institute.

What is the eligibility for admission to IIMs and other B-Schools?

For admission to IIMs, a bachelor degree is required (In any field). Students in final year may also apply for CAT, provided they submit the proof of the degree during admissions. For most IIMs and a lot of other B-Schools, 50 percent marks in degree level is a must.

What types of questions are asked in CAT?

Surprisingly, the questions asked in CAT are very easy, and a 10th standard student also will be able to solve them. But solving them in the given time is important. Also a matter is the accuracy with which you solve them, while trying to solve maximum in the given time.

What if I donot get selected in CAT this year ?

Do not lose heart. Might be that you did not do well on the day it mattered. You can use your preparation and take other tests as well. There are a lot of other good institutes, and you should consider them as well before starting all over again for next year.

What is the pattern of the CAT exam?

The general pattern for CAT is a 3 section test. DI/DS, Quants and Verbal Ability (English). But the pattern may vary this year.

What is negative marking? How much is the negative marking in CAT ?

Negative marking means, for wrong answers you will be penalized with some marks ie, some marks will be deducted for that question. The amount of negative marking may vary this year for CAT 2009. As per previous years CAT, on third to one fourth of the total marks of a question is deducted per wronf answer.

How important is my reading speed for Reading Comprehension (RC)?

Everyone has a different opinion when it comes to reading speed. On an average you need to have a minimum reading speed of around 350 words per minute (wpm) to be able to score a good score in RC. If your speed is less than this, do not lose heart, with regular reading and practice, you could improve your reading speed.

Should I study all three sections daily or just one?

You should study all three sections. Don?t forget, you need to clear the cut off in all these sections to get a call. Most of us have a tendency to spend more time in subjects we are already good at. This should be avoided.

What is a CAT affiliated b-school?

If you take the CAT, and get a valid score, you could use this score for admission to other B-schools across India. These are called CAT affiliated schools as they accept CAT score as the initial screening criteria. You will have to apply to these schools separately. Depending on the school, you may have to go through the GD/PI process as well .For a list of b-schools that take CAT score, visit TODO.

Which books should I consult for CAT preparations?

There are a lot of books available in the market for CAT preparations. Apart from books, you should focus more on test papers, both sectional and full length. Also you should consult a good grammar book for English usage and grammar section. Also keep a dictionary handy for quick reference. Also subscribe to and read as many newspapers,

Where can I find tips and tricks to crack CAT?

Remember working hard is the only key to success. So work hard, Also you need to prepare smartly. A few tips are shared in this forum.

Top 90 B-Schools

A qualitative analysis of a B-school on pre-determined parameters can however give you a more comprehensive picture. These parameters include placement record, quality of faculty members, quality of students, quality of infrastructure, image of the institute, etc. However being based on perspective, the resultant rankings too, are thus subject to many fierce debates. T.I.M.E. has used its extensive student database, years’ of experience in the field and a proven methodology to categorize the top 90 institutes.

Methodology

The B-School categorisation process adopted by T.I.M.E. is an elaborate multi-step process where due weightage is given to the statistics available about an institute in the public domain and the opinion of experts at T.I.M.E. That’s why, it is a blend of expert opinion and objective data which makes it the most accurate categorisation available. In the first stage, we identify the parameters that influence the rating of a B-School, which are whittled down further on the basis of the relative importance of the parameters identified in the first stage. The parameters used finally are (a) average CTC, (b) cut-off score at the institute, (c) number of applicants, (d) location of the school, (e) age of the institute, (f) quality of alumni, and (g) faculty. These parameters constitute the objective aspect of the categorisation methodology, while the rating given by T.I.M.E. experts to each institute constitutes the subjective aspect. An elaborate scoring system is devised for each of the objective parameters, which is reviewed and modified by an expert panel. The data related to each institute for each of the above parameters is collected and scrutinised for its authenticity. Finally, scores are given to the institutes based on the scoring system according to the authenticated data of the institute.

<!– Given below is the categorisation of the Top B-Schools. Please note that within each category, the B-Schools are listed in alphabetical order – there is no ranking or grading WITHIN each category.

–>For each institute included in our list, it is the flagship course of that institute that has been considered for the purpose of the categorization. The only exception to the above are the programs of the IIM’s where both the PGP and the Executive programs have been treated on par and given the same status. In some cases specific programs of some top institutes (the MS program of FMS and the HR program of MDI) have been graded at a different level than that of their flagship program. This has been done on account of the popularity of the program and its relative standing against other such programs of other institutes.

As a part of the selection criteria, a number of management institutes also include a minimum percentage of marks to be scored by the students in their graduation for the students to be eligible to apply to such institutes.

Click here to view the graduation percentage requirements of select B-Schools.

CATEGORISATION OF THE TOP 90 B-SCHOOLS IN INDIA

The Top 90 B-Schools in the country have been divided into seven broad categories. A numerical ranking often does not have a sound scientific basis. The parameters and, more importantly, the weightage given to these, tend to be extremely subjective. The resultant rankings too, are thus subject to many fierce debates. In this case, T.I.M.E. has used its extensive student database and experience in the field to categorise the Top 90 B-Schools.

Broadly, these categories are meant to aid the students in applying to institutes. Within a category, the institutes are of approximately the same quality. Of course, the categorisation is only indicative and students should make independent inquiries before taking a final decision about which institutes to apply to.

The Top Ten are the so-called ‘Ivy-League’ institutes that every student dreams of securing an admission into. Many of these institutes are comparable with the best in the world. Indeed, some of them regularly feature in the lists released by international business magazines. These institutes invariably have a 100% placement record. Even the not-so-good students at these institutes manage to get very good jobs on account of the ‘rub-off’ effect of the institute.

The “AAA” (Triple A) & “AA” (Double A) categories of institutes are those that fall into the Top 30. They offer a high quality of education, faculty, and infrastructure facilities. These institutes have a 100% placement record and are considered to be just a notch lower than the ‘Ivy-League’ schools like the IIMs and XLRI. A significant number of the top students at these institutes are able to secure placements that are comparable to those offered at the Top 10 institutes. Most students should be more than happy to join these institutes if they are able to get admission.

The “A” and “BBB” (Triple B) categories of institutes offer a consistent quality of education in terms of faculty quality and infrastructure facilities even though these may not be comparable to those of the top 30 institutes. These institutes are successful in providing high quality placements to their top students, especially those with good communication skills, but do not have a 100% placement record. A student at one of these institutes would have to work extra-hard to secure a good rank and high marks so as to enhance her / his placement chances.

The “BB” (Double B) and “B” category institutes are those that are well regarded at the local level. These institutes may not provide too many national-level placement opportunities but are generally successful in providing placements to many of their students with prominent local companies.

Top 10 Category

–>

“A” Category

“BBB” (Triple B) Category

–>

“BB” (Double B) Category

“B” Category

–>

<!–Other good B-Schools (By Region)

East

North

South

West

–>

Disclaimer: The above list has been compiled based on various objective and subjective data/ information gathered by experts at T.I.M.E. The list is meant to serve only as a guidance to students who wish to apply to B-Schools. While the best possible care has been taken by T.I.M.E. in compiling this list, T.I.M.E. is not responsible for the decision(s) taken by any student / parent on the basis of this list. Students are advised to check the credentials of a B-School before taking a decision to apply or to join.

* IIM-Shillong has been included in the said category primarily on the basis of the long-term rub-off effect of the brand equity of the IIM brand on a student’s career.

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