Appearing For CAT 2017? Director SIMS Shares Last Minute Strategies To Bell The CAT

The corporate world is so vivid and game-plan of businesses is written here. The VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) environment of the world of business looks for people who have acquired good skill-sets and a hard-to-die attitude for commitments as it is in this environment that the fate of companies is decided. The environment demands excellent managerial skills to meet the challenges. 

As a result, the field of management has grown in terms of its relevance and scope over the years. Management has become an additional value-addition for any profession as one will be into management irrespective of one’s field. The growing utility of one’s training in ‘management’ has made the field lucrative for students and professionals alike.

The business world requires business knowledge and skills to perform. One has to have the right attitude, rational decision-making, ethics, and flexibility to meet the challenges in the world of tomorrow. This world is changing fast. The knowledge acquired and the skills learnt are getting obsolete fast. The skills learnt during the Management Programme will not be useful by the time the managers are ready to apply them! So the trained managers, who have developed the expertise of upgrading their skills; make quick and correct decisions; build on their strengths; plan, strategize and execute; perform under pressure; have an innovative attitude and a strong inclination to take up challenges- are in high demand. 

On the other hand, times have changed for professionals and so has the scope of different professions.  The world- (the professional as well as the personal world) does not end if you are not an engineer or a doctor! And even if you are one, additional grooming is still needed in the form of additional courses, degrees or specializations. One can dream of an illustrious career in the fields of management, law, designing, fashion and the like.

Strategise for CAT

1.The Three Sections

• Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)
• Quantitative Ability (QA)

In Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation& Logical Reasoning-

Do not fix up the number you will attempt but go by the level of difficulty. Attempt simple questions in the first go; then try difficult ones and then the most difficult ones. Do not get fixed on a particular question as there will be some very easy questions too. Focus on getting a high score.

In Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension- 

For Vocabulary, one must attempt the vocabulary and usage questions first. As either, you will know the answer or you will not know. Then go to your strong area- Reading comprehension/ Logical Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning. Read all Reading Comprehension questions as you may come across an easy question for a difficult RC passage.

2. Improvements based on Mock Tests

Through Mock Tests, one can find out the weak area and his performance in that area viz a viz others. In the end, the difference between a good score and an average score is because of the question-type not skipped.

You should have taken Mock-tests at regular intervals for checking your progress.  Do not let the Mock Scores discourage you. You would have analysed your mistakes-whether conceptual or comprehension-related. You should also have picked up the questions; you did not attempt and would have solved them without a time-limit. The positives have made you more confident and the negatives you already worked on. You would have checked better ways of solving problems and would have checked explanatory answers too. You will definitely benefit if you have done this exercise for all tests.  You would have understood that for a high score you should attempt easy questions. 

In an easy paper speed, but in a difficult paper accuracy will decide your score.

3.Now it is time to  

• Brush up your knowledge
• Read the instructions carefully.
• Read the directions carefully before you answer the question.
• Decide your Strategy-section-wise. Have multiple strategies. Actually, the strategy has to be finally formulated after solving about 10-12 questions in the paper.
• Have a Target
• Time-management during the test is important. Do not spend more than 2.5 minutes on a question. Keep an eye on your watch.
• Do not dilly dally. Do not be stuck with mental blocks. Move ahead.
• Do not do guess-work as negative marking will reduce your score. If you do, it should only be intelligent guessing.
• Stress management is important. Stay composed, calm and balanced.
• Go with a clear head. Attempt questions on merit.
• Attempt by your individual strength
• Stay Focussed
• Make quick and correct decisions
• Do not get nervous and panicky. Remain confident even if it is a difficult paper.
• Select and answer easy questions 

All the Best!

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article above are those of the authors' and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of this publishing house. Unless otherwise noted, the author is writing in his/her personal capacity. They are not intended and should not be thought to represent official ideas, attitudes, or policies of any agency or institution.

Rajiv Divekar

Guest Author Brig (Dr.) Rajiv Divekar is the Director of Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, one of the top-ranked B Schools of India. He is a Ph.D. in Management and is on various Boards of Symbiosis International University. He has vast experience in Strategy, Operations, Logistics and Human Resource Development and has many research papers to his credit. He served for 34 years in the Army before taking over as Director of SIMS 8 years ago.