FMS MRIU Professor Shares Strategies To Chart Out Your Performance In CAT 2017

Just a few days to go for the CAT 2017. Hardly 4 days are left to buckle up the kicks. The CAT 2017 exam pattern will be a repeat of CAT 2016, though the difficulty level may increase. The most difficult section to look forward to is the Data Interpretation (DI) and the Logical Reasoning (LR) section. Last year this was the toughest challenge for the CAT 2016 aspirants. The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) sections were not difficult last year, so you can expect their difficulty levels increasing. Cracking CAT'17 is thus a matter of a sound strategy. With the predicted rise in the level of difficulty, one can expect a score of 140-145 to lead to a 99+ percentile. The test taker must have a clear idea about the number of questions they must attempt for a 99+ percentile.

There is not enough time for a full recap of the preparation, but perfect moment for a strategy. The candidates must start with a strategy for the last few days to CAT 2017. Since the difficulty levels are surely to go up, one should expect a score of 145-150 to reach a 99 plus percentile. The candidate should map the number of questions they need to get right in order to attain a 99 plus percentile.

A strategy is a must to focus on your strength and weaknesses. Focus on your weak areas first and then divide the time to focus on the other areas. Clearing CAT is only possible with proficiency and applying the concepts in the test and practicing your skills. The CAT aspirants can begin with the knowledge that you have on your strong points and weak area.

Chart out your performance in each section, into four main quadrants:

1. Good Speed, Good Accuracy. Strategy: Lesser focus. You are already good.

Good Speed, Bad Accuracy. Strategy: Look at your practice answers. Where is the mistake happening? Is there a pattern? Assess and improve

2. Bad Speed, Bad Accuracy. Strategy: Put in the most focus into this section. Work by researching on easy tips and techniques to improve the speed and accuracy for these types of questions.

3. Bad Speed, Good Accuracy. Strategy: Practice. Practice hard. Practice more. Practice will improve speed. Get easy strategies for improving speed and keeping the momentum that are available online.

The test will be held twice on November 26, 2017, i.e. one in the morning and another in the evening slot. Therefore to get comfortable with the exam timings, you should take the MOCK tests in the morning or evening as per your exam schedule. This will help you to be comfortable with exam timings.

So, Keep Calm and Keep up the pace! Study in groups and take a break every 3 hours. If the paper is tough then do not get disappointed as everyone has the same paper with the same difficulty level.

So go on and let the CAT out of the bag! 

Dr Gaurav Sood

Guest Author The author is a brand communication professional, consultant and educator with two decade practice of creating strong brands