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.

A common question seen in MBA entrance exams in the Reading Comprehension section is the choice of an appropriate title from the given options. What are the things to be kept in mind before you choose the best title among the given options?

• Firstly, remember that you have been asked to choose the ‘most appropriate’ title among the given options, not what you may consider to be the best possible or perfect title for the passage. What this also indicates is that if you can eliminate the other options as inappropriate for some reason or the other, then you could possibly arrive at the correct answer. So, you should use the ‘elimination technique’ to your advantage, at least to narrow down your options.
• Next, remember that the title must ideally cover not only the core idea (the content) of the passage, but also express the author’s tone. The tone refers to the sentiment, emotions or feelings of the author towards the subject.

For example, consider a title that says “The dismal state of Indian hockey”. From this, you immediately not only realize that the passage will talk about the sport of hockey, but also what the author’s feelings or tone is towards the current state of affairs. This is due to the usage of the adjective “dismal”.

• The title you mark as the correct option should be neither too broad (not really specific to the topic or issue that the author has written about) nor too narrow in scope. Too ‘narrow’ titles may focus on only a couple of paragraphs of the passage and not the passage as a whole. Remember that a title is like a common theme that runs through the passage i.e. it integrates the various ideas or issues discussed.
• Do not choose a title on the parameter that it appears catchy, interesting, funky, or creative. One of the reasons why this must be avoided is that all these are somewhat subjective concepts. What you consider as catchy or funky might appear silly to others.
• Another important point: a title is not a conclusion. This is a mistake that students commonly make. The title is not meant to reflect the conclusion that could possibly be drawn by a reader on the basis of what the author has said. Rather, a title summarizes the author’s ideas or points succinctly. What this means is that a title should not be an inference or it should not extrapolate a judgement on the basis of what the author has written; instead, it must come from what is directly stated in the passage.

- SIDHARTH BALAKRISHNA

The author, an MBA from IIM Calcutta, has been involved in MBA coaching for several years. He is an English and GD-PI expert at MBAGuru, India’s fastest growing CAT coaching institute. He has also written the best-selling ‘An Introduction to CAT-Tips from an IIM Alumnus’ published by Pearson Education. He can be contacted at bsiddharth_2001@yahoo.co.in

Link to his book: http://www.pearsoned.co.in/web/books/9788131729694-Introduction-to-CAT-Tips-from-an-IIM-Alumnus.aspx