First-rate Vocabulary is imperative for a far above the sectional cut off in a CAT score and a necessity for other MBA exams also. Vocabulary is something that is very vast. The more you learn, the more you find to learn. That’s why Vocabulary building is considered a continuous process leading to continuous learning. In both, Sentence Completion Section and Reading comprehension section of the CAT, you will come across many difficult words. Even if you could increase your word power marginally, it could mean many more correct answers and a significantly higher score.
A good vocabulary is inextricably linked to a good memory. To have a deep and wide vocabulary, a student needs a very good reminiscence. But then, not everyone is prodigious. So, what is the solution?

Well, here I have tried to collate certain suggestions that will certainly help and encourage those of you who think that cramming words is not their cup of tea.

Read, Read, Read! There is no short cut to develop an impressive Vocabulary. Most of the words are learned by understanding the context. The more words you’re exposed to, the better vocabulary you will have. Whenever you read, pay close attention to words that you don’t know. First, try to infer meanings from the context in which they have been used. Then, look for the word meanings in the dictionary. Read and listen to challenging material so that you’ll be exposed to many new words. Noting down the words on a paper gives great results as this aids better remembrance. Use these papers as flash cards to revise words that you have learned.

Make up as many associations and connections as possible. Say the word aloud to trigger your auditory memory. Relate the word to words that you already know. For example, the word Behemoth (very large) has a similar meaning to the words gigantic, huge, large, etc. You could make a sequence: small, medium, large, very large, Behemoth.

Focus on word usage, which is more important. Be inquisitive about what each word means when used as a noun, verb etc. Do a search on a word using online dictionaries to get many examples of how the word is actually used. For example, a simple sounding word like hammer can have different meanings.
Hammer -noun

1. a tool consisting of a solid head, usually of metal, set crosswise on a handle, used for beating metals, driving nails, etc.

2. one of the padded levers by which the strings of a piano are struck.

3. Anatomy. the malleus.

Hammer-verb (used with object)

1. to beat or drive (a nail, peg, etc.) with a hammer.

2. to produce with or by force (often fol. by out): to hammer out a tune on the piano; to hammer a home run.

3. to form, construct, or make with or as if with a hammer; build by repeated, vigorous, or strenuous effort (often fol. by out or together): to hammer out an agreement; to hammer together a plot.

Hammer–verb (used without object)

1. to strike blows with or as if with a hammer.

2. to make persistent or laborious attempts to finish or perfect something (sometimes fol. by away): He hammered away at his speech for days.

Idiom

Under the hammer – for sale at public auction: The old estate and all its furnishings went under the hammer.

So, a single word can convey a lot of meanings.

Revise, Revise, Revise! As soon as you learn a new word, start using it. Review your flash cards periodically to see if you have forgotten any of your new words. Keep in mind that Rome was not built in a day.
Use mnemonics (memory tricks). For example, consider the word EGREGIOUS (extremely bad). Think about EGG REACH US – imagine we’ve made a mistake so bad that they are throwing eggs at us and a rotten EGG REACHes US. Egregious means extraordinary in some bad way, glaring, gross. Such funny little word pictures will help you remember what words mean, and they are fun to make up. Also, find out which learning style suits you best. Everyone learns differently!

Play with words. Play Scrabble, Boggle, and do crossword puzzles. These and other word games are available online, so you are not dependent on a partner to play.

Use vocabulary lists. For a serious vocabulary student, there are many books that focus on the words most commonly found in standardized tests. For root words, you can either choose some book or download a list of root words along with their meanings. By the time you complete the book, you will have had a good word bank with you. One great book in regard is “Word Power Made Easy” by Norman Lewis.

Take online vocabulary tests. Playing games that test your knowledge will help you learn new words and also let you know how much progress you’re making.

Get excited about words! Come to appreciate subtle differences between words. Do you know the difference between something that denotes something else and something that connotes something else? If not, go look it up. Learn to say what you really mean and discover the joys of being able to express yourself in writing. Your future can depend on how affluent your vocabulary is. It will also determine the quality of your communication. So, be in it for the long pull. Let building your vocabulary be a lifelong proposition. Remember: “In the beginning was the word.” Until you have a word for something, it does not exist for you. Name it, and you have made your reality richer.

Make best use of the available technology. Install Wordweb on your computer to quickly refer to the word meanings. Using online dictionaries is far more convenient than using conventional dictionaries. It saves a lot of effort and energy.

Some suggested online dictionary resources:

Merriam-webstar.com

Dictionary.reference.com

Ask a question.com

Peeplo.com

Moreover, all the MBAGuru students have the privilege of learning Vocabulary through Audio-Visual sessions, which is one of our USPs. This further makes this exigent task a cakewalk.

- PAVNEET TANDON

An English (Hons) from the prestigious JMC (DU), Pavneet is an expert English trainer for the CAT and the GMAT and mentors students at MBAGuru, INDIA’s Fastest Growing CAT Coaching Institute across its Delhi centres. Her adaptive style of teaching cuts across backgrounds and learning stages of students and helps them transition to their respective next levels.

In my last article, I had emphasized the importance of allocating equal time to each section of CAT or any MBA entrance exam. So, if the CAT 2009 duration was 135 minutes, then you should spend nearly 45 minutes per section. Knowing that you should devote 45 minutes to each section and hence also to the “Quantitative Ability” section, you should devise a process so as to make the best use of those 45 minutes. By the time you get to sit in CAT, you will have this knowledge about the general feel of the section (Mock Tests play a big role in this). If most of the questions you scan are very difficult to solve, try to identify at least 10 questions out of say 25 which you can reasonably attempt. Among those 10 questions, select those 7-8 which you know you can definitely crack it, by application of simple basic formulae. We call these problems to be sitters. Going by the previous experience, you will find that at least 1/3^rd of questions can be attempted if one has a reasonable knowledge of the fundamentals. Divide those questions into 2 rounds of attempt. Higher number of questions has to be kept for round 1. The division will be based on

a. Identification of sitters

b. The level of comfort on a particular topic

There will be some questions which would seem pretty straight forward to you when you start but soon you would realize that there are twists to it. So what do you do if you have already spent 2-3 minutes on it? The only way out of this tricky situation is: just leave the questions and move forward. You have other questions from which to pick up questions and which can be easier ones.

Another strategy could be not to divide these questions into rounds, but identifying those 10 questions and solving them in one go. The Mock Tests play an important role in fixing a particular strategy. Although there is absolutely no substitute for knowing your theory, and practice, in QA section, there are some question-solving strategies that you may use. Some of these strategies are presented below:

1.          You can substitute numbers for variables given in algebraic question. Some problems involve variables and we need to prove the validity of the expression. In such cases, the best method of solving them would be to assume values like 0, 1, etc for each of the variables given and substitute these in the expression. The example below substantiates this.

If a₁ = 1 and a_n+1 – 3a_n + 2 = 4n for every positive integer n, then a₁₀₀ equals

A]        3⁹⁹ – 200             B]         3⁹⁹ + 200            C]         3¹⁰⁰ – 200            D]         3¹⁰⁰ + 200

In this question we have the option of applying theories of progression or putting n = 1, 2 etc and then finding a trend. Let’s try the 2^nd approach.

a₁ = 1 and a_n+1 – 3a_n + 2 = 4n

Put n = 1. a₂ = 4 – 2 + 3(1) = 5 = 3² – 2. This step is important as this will help us to identify the trend. Double check it by putting n = 2.

a₃ = 4(2) + 3(5) – 2 = 21 = 3³ – 6

Hence a_n = 3ⁿ – 2n. Hence the correct answer choice is [C].

2.          There are quite a number of questions in CAT where only a basic scanning of the answer choices will lead us to the result. The example below substantiates this point.

The number of employees in Obelix Menhir Co. is a prime number and is less than 300. The ratio of the number of employees who are graduates and above, to that of employees who are not, can be

A]         101 : 88              B]         87 : 100              C]         110 : 111            D]         97 : 84

Hint to consider is that there is only one number in the question and we have to find the ratio, which means we have to scan the options. As the number of employees is a prime number, we can add the two numbers in each ratio directly to find the number of employees. Hence the total of the ratios in the 4 options comes out to be 189, 187, 221 and 181 respectively out of which only 181 is a prime number. Hence the correct answer choice is [D].

3.          Interpretation and putting a data in a proper format saves you valuable time. Consider the example given below.

A chemical plant has four tanks (A, B, C and D), each containing 1000 liters of a chemical. The chemical is being pumped from one tank to another as follows:

From A to B @ 20 liters/ minute

From C to A @ 90 liters/ minute

From A to D @ 10 liters/ minute

From C to D @ 50 liters/ minute

From B to C @ 100 liters/ minute

From D to B @ 110 liters/ minute

Which tank gets emptied first and how does it take (in minutes) to get emptied after pumping starts?

A] A, 16.66          B]         C, 20                 C]         D, 20                 D]         D, 25

Don’t write the data all over again. Just see the change happening in each tank and give proper signs to those changes. The change in the amount of chemical in each tank after every minute is as follows:

A:  −20 – 10 + 90 = 60

B:  −100 + 110 + 20 = 30

C:  −50 − 90 + 100 = −40

D:  −110 + 10 + 50 = −50

Since tank D loses the maximum amount of chemical in a minute, it will be emptied    first. And it will take 1000/50 or 20 mins. Hence Option [C] is the correct one.

While you apply the above discussed strategies to solve the questions, many a times it is not possible to solve the questions by any of the technique discussed and then you are forced to solve it by traditional approach. At that time, you have to see whether traditional method will be too time consuming or not. If not, then you should solve that question. If it is too time consuming, then it is best to leave such question(s). You should know which questions to attempt and which not to. Only trying to attempt all the questions can be disastrous in CAT and other exams.

Remember that CAT has a habit of throwing surprises. But so is life. We have to be prepared for both of them.

Best of luck!

- DIPAK MISHRA

Dipak is an MBA from the prestigious IISWBM, Kolkotta – India’s Oldest B-School founded in 1953, and the home of learning for many a distinguished business leader. A QA faculty at MBAGuru, India’s fastest growing CAT Coaching Institute, Dipak is immensely popular among the students as much for his QA fundae as for his affable nature. Dipak also is a designated mentor for students seeking help with institute application forms and guidance.

In my last article we discussed about various methods of how to build a solid foundation in Math, wherein you will feel yourself to be in a comfortable position about attempting the QA section. In this article we will discuss strategies to maximize score in a CAT like test, in general

GENERAL STRATEGIES

In spite of good grounding in basics and n amount of practice (read, Mock Tests), the student still fails to devise a proper strategy of attempting a test leading to less than optimal scores. The chief reason for this is fear of the unknown. It’s like a cricket captain deciding to do “fielding” in the final match after winning the toss, because of preconceived notions (it could be past records, dew factor etc.). But absence of a sound strategy if the ground conditions change on that day will ensure that his previous efforts come to a naught.

CAT, which is now online, tests 3 important skills:

• Time Management
• Decision Making
• Stress Handling

Below are presented some guidelines which give you a peep into “test taking strategies” and which open possibilities to optimally utilize and apply the above 3 skills.

1. It is important to read the CAT instructions carefully. Since the instructions come already documented on the CAT website (www.catiim.in), it makes sense to go through the same.
2. It is also important to allocate equal time to each section. So, if CAT 2009 was of 2 hours 15 minutes duration, you should allocate 45 minutes to each section. Of course, in the 45^th minute of each section, whatever question you are involved into must be completed before moving on to the next section. While you follow this time allocation strategy, it might put lot of pressure on you when you reach the last section which turns out to be a difficult section and you get forced to attempt that section. To avoid this scenario, you should ideally allocate 35 minutes to each section, thereby saving 30 minutes in the end. In these 30 minutes, you can make a better choice of attemptable questions out of the remaining questions, as you would have gone through all the three sections in first 105 minutes. While you do this, remember not to attempt RC or LR questions in the last 15 minutes of the test. This is so because reading RC passage take 7 – 9 minutes and it might just turn out to be a tough passage which would mean the entire time spent in reading the passage goes waste. Similarly for LR set.
3. When the test starts, you have to make a choice as to which section (QA, DA or VA/RC) to start with. You should start with that section which is usually your strongest section, or in which you usually tend to score the maximum without superseding the time limit per section. So, if QA is your strongest section, then start with QA. The next section should be the one which is your stumbling block, i.e. weakest section and the last section should be the one in which you are neither the strongest nor the weakest.
4. Since the online CAT will display questions one at a time, read the questions in a particular section in sequence, i.e as it appears in the test. After reading each question, you need to decide whether to attempt or skip. This decision will depend upon your comfort ability in that topic and quickness in gauging the difficulty level of that problem.
5. Never let your personal emotions come into picture while solving the questions. Don’t think too much on why you could not attempt a particular question even if that question was from a section you were strong in. Just move on. Remember that the ability to leave a certain problem is as important as the ability to select. The order in which you attempt the questions within a particular section partially depends on this ability.
6. Instead of putting too much emphasis on getting the problem right, put more emphasis on getting the problem right in the shortest possible time limit. This will help you avoid too much deviation from the sectional time limit you have set for yourself in the test.
7. The above strategies should be implemented in Mock Tests before implementing them in the real CAT. Identify what works specifically for you. Of course, what works best for you may not work similarly for other students. That means there cannot be a single strategy or idea which always works successfully for all the students. After doing practice of 4 – 5 mock tests, you should be able to answer the following questions to yourself:
   • Which section to attempt first?
   • Which type of questions (which does not mean “which topic the question belongs to) within a section to attempt?
   • Whether the questions should be attempted in one go or to divide it into multiple rounds?
   • How many questions to attempt in a section as well as in total?
   • Whether to attempt questions based on pure guesswork or gut feeling?
8. After attempting any mock test, it is extremely important to do the analysis of the paper yourself. Identify what kind of mistakes you have committed, and also work out a plan to avoid such kinds of mistakes in future. These 4 – 5 mock tests should help you hone the skills required to attempt the real CAT test successfully. In the long run this micro detailing will create options for you to experiment a little bit in the actual test.
9. Avoid over-kill. There has to be a limit to how much a person can prepare, and every person has his/her own threshold. Do not slog; be methodical. Studying all night just before the test might have helped you in college, but not in CAT. Rather, you should pace yourself. The minute CAT starts getting to be a drag, take a break. You cannot do well on a test day unless you enjoy it.

- DIPAK MISHRA

Dipak is an MBA from the prestigious IISWBM, Kolkotta – India’s Oldest B-School founded in 1953, and the home of learning for many a distinguished business leader. A QA faculty at MBAGuru, India’s fastest growing CAT Coaching Institute, Dipak is immensely popular among the students as much for his QA fundae as for his affable nature. Dipak also is a designated mentor for students seeking help with institute application forms and guidance.