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The clock is ticking faster now for the commencement of CAT 2011 test phase. You have time to put in place your strategy that you will utilize while attempting the paper on your D Day. In today’s special article on ‘Tip of the Day’ for CAT 2011, we share with you the tips on attempting the paper. Number of attempts & accuracy Out of the total 30 questions, if you can attempt 20 to 22 questions correctly, it will fetch you a high percentile. As Arun Sharma says, “If you can attempt about 20 to 22 questions correctly in each sections, then you can be rest assured to get calls from the top B-schools. 15 to 17 all correct (or maybe with a maximum of one to two errors) should guarantee 90 percentile.” Time management Regarding allocation of time on different areas, Vinayak Kudva, Product Head, IMS Learning says, “On an average you should not spend more than two to three minutes per question, in case of Quant, LR and DI. So, in case you have a DI or LR set with three questions, do not spend more than eight to nine minutes on the same. In the verbal section, the grammar and vocabulary questions do not need more than a minute on an average. You either know the answers to these questions or you don't. The verbal reasoning questions would probably need around two to two-and-a-half minutes per question. For RC, you could look at spending around 10 minutes on a passage with three questions.” Choosing the right questions You have to be very careful while attempting questions. “ Tony Xavier, Academic Head, IMS Learning suggests the methods you should apply while choosing the questions: 1. Do not pick up questions only because they are shorter than their bulkier counterparts. Shorter questions are not necessarily easier and vice versa. 2. Do not pick up questions only because they are from apparently simpler topics e.g., students typically prefer questions on arithmetic and algebra as compared to geometry and modern math. 3. Please ensure that you exhaust all ends of the section while selecting questions. Starting off in a sequence and not being able to reach the fag end of the section, because of dearth of time may keep you away from potential picks. Another easy way to understand whether the question is meant for you or not by looking at the questions for some time. “If your brain does not react to a particular question after looking at it for three to four minutes, that question is not meant for you. You need to move on,” says Arun Sharma. He also adds, “Don’t stick a question for too long. Don’t take it to your ego. If you do not find yourself at ease with the question, leave it there and move to other questions.” Points to keep in mind Rav Gandhi, CAT expert, mentor and JBIMS alumnus offers the following points which you should keep in mind when you start with the CAT 2011 exam: • Read the questions properly even if they seem sitters or familiar – there might be twist in the tale. Similarly lengthy questions might be much easier then what you have imagined. • Do not start the test with a fixed number of attempts in mind. Be flexible and go with the flow and attempt according to the level of difficulty. Accuracy is the key here. • Paper patterns may change over the next slot or day or week. Don’t go with the rumors from friends; these Chinese whispers can do more harm than help. • Remember the golden rule if the section or complete paper is tough for you than it is tough for everyone and don’t get bogged down by any questions • Relax and don’t get nervous. Keep your cool throughout the test and success will be yours • Some of the questions in the paper will be wrong it happens every year so please do not waste time if you believe a question is wrong. Believe in yourself.
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