tool and method of prepration for CAT 2008????? - PaGaLGuY.com - The Everything of MBA in India and Abroad, CAT 2009, GMAT, XAT, MAT

anubhav088 · **tool and method of prepration for CAT 2008????? -** 05-03-2008, 08:14 PM

pls....give a clear view on it

avinav2712 · **Re: tool and method of prepration for CAT 2008????? -** 05-03-2008, 08:42 PM

Sorry for such a long post, but I thought it's better to share my thoughts for the better rather than keep it bottled inside.... So read on and thanks, groans and comments welcome.....

If you are working, then I guess it's better to join a coaching institute(they offer weekend batches as well) and practice at home as well. Having confidence on self is great but don't bluff yourself. Don't just think that I can do on my own just for the heck of it.(My example.... I felt the same way in CAT 2006... scored around 80 %ile. Joined a coaching instt., did some extra practice, made my mind clear, scored 99.12 %ile in CAT 2007, so you see the improvement....).

Or else, you can just get hold of the coaching material and try yourself, but it's always better to get firsthand advice.

Anyways, although practice is important but see what you're practicing. You have to practice those areas where you're weak at, not those areas which you simply love to practice(I committed this mistake in 2006). Also, in each section, it may not be the case that you have an interest in all the topics. So you have to choose, which parts you want to study thoroughly, which you want to brush and which you want to leave. This has to be done really REALLY carefully!!!! The topics you study have to be all-correct, almost. Your accuracy should be very high in them. Only then can you cover your weaknesses.(My case again of CAT 2007.... Eng didn't work out for me, only 4 correct out of 9, 66.1 %ile, but QA - 11/11 correct, 99 %ile, LR - 15/16 correct, 99.37 %ile, so a total of 26/27 correct in QA and LR, all in my strengths)

Next, take the mocks very seriously but experiment a lot in the mocks. The previous day of every mock, think what strategy you'll employ, divide time, strategize and do that the next day. Also prepare a plan B every time, just in case the paper pattern leaves you stumped. Try various new strategies and by the end of the mock series, zero down on one strategy which has been the most successful FOR YOU irrespective of the paper difficulty. Remember, it's no point asking someone else what strategy he employs, because the same strategy may not suit you. You may have different strengths and weaknesses. After every mock paper, analyze the paper(although I didn't do much, but should have). See every question which you thought you should have been able to do or those which you think should have been done quicker etc.

And lastly, improve your accuracy. It's no point trying to solve most of the questions and have an accuracy of 65-70 %. Yes, you can't afford to leave any question unread, but you have to attempt only those that you are confident of and you have to solve them with utmost accuracy. Aim for 100 % accuracy and you'll atleast have an accuracy of 75 %. With practice, it'll rise to around 85 % or even more than 90 % if you practice seriously.

So then, give it your best shot and don't be afraid of failing and experimenting in Mocks(My case again..... My average %ile in Mocks was just around 85 %ile..... you know how much I ended up with)

PSL · **Re: tool and method of prepration for CAT 2008????? -** 05-03-2008, 10:48 PM

@anubhav088:
i see you're new to pg.. i suggest you go over the rules (Rules, Posting Guidelines [Reloaded])
there are many threads for such queries please search them before starting a new thread..

@avinav2712

now thats seriously good advice.. couldnt have put it better.. you should prowl the newbie threads more often.. i daresay they need you there, lots of similar queries..

avinav2712 · **Re: tool and method of prepration for CAT 2008????? -** 06-03-2008, 11:53 AM

One thing that I forgot to mention is that if you do get good %iles in the mocks, don't get overexcited and jump the gun (I did the same in Eng this time, scored consistently above 95 %ile in the mocks with my lowest being around 90 %ile, thus got overconfident and you know the result). Keep your cool and continue with the good work and always, look for ways to improve....

BTW, thanks a lot to PSL for such an appreciation!!!