After watching more than 15 days of action from one side, finally I can cross over to the other side.

CAT Centre, Date and Slot: Global Academy of Technology , Bangalore
3.30 PM
Three things before I describe my experience :* I had decided that I will be giving CAT thinking it as another mock.And whatever happens I wont panic and wont think about the number of attempts.So had not decided ki 50 karna hai ya 45 karna hai.
* In the line before entering the center there was a guy with ADIDAS T-Shirt in front of me and it showed "Nothing is impossible".I felt it was a sign from god.

* I got a computer in the corner seat and the person on my other side was absent.So I had a little more space.
1) How many attempts you have made?
QA - 17
VA - 18
DI - 15
OA - 50
2) Your last mock score? If you are there at http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/cat-an...tory-2010.html , please provide the link here.
Its there in my signature.Based on my experience I am expecting more than what I got last time
http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/cat-and-related-discussion/50562-mock-scores-repository-2010-a-7.html
3) How was your experience of the test?
Experience was good as last time.The conduct of the test was done in a very professional manner.Yes the waiting time before the test could be reduced but I guess every test taker has to endure the same experience.So its fair I guess.
4) What was the surprise element for you?
The paper was not so difficult as some of the previous slots
.At least I didn't feel that.Rest to results ane pe hi pata chalega.
5) Any tips to handle the computer based exam better?
Dont go with any preconceived notions.I repeat this, as I went with the notion of doing DI slowly and lost out on a lot of time.Cautiousness if shown more, harms more than helps.
Have a glimpse of all the sections just to gauge the difficulty and make sure you give extra time to the difficult section to clear the cutoffs.
6) Your overall analysis of the exam. Toughness, sections etc.
QA - My strongest section.Started with it and and did 14 qns in 30 mins.Usually I do 12-13 when the section is easy and less otherwise.So start was good.Gave last 15 mins to it and did 3 more questions to increase the score.Overall 45 minutes given.
DI - I was overly cautious as I mentioned above in doing DI.Wanted to do all of my attempted questions correct.DI on hindsight looked easy but it was a bit tricky and the level was probably moderate.Did only 8 in the next 30 mins.
VA - Wanted to finish it quickly as I was lagging behind in DI.Gave 30 mins.Attempted all but 2 questions (Word usage and grammar) as I usually get them wrong.The passages were ok and some of the options were close but I feel the RC questions were easier than the para completion questions.
Passages were easy to read but one passage was a bit lengthy.
Left with 45 mins I went to DI section and tried attempting as many as I could.Did 7 more questions in 30 mins (

).Could have done better here.
If I dont get a good percentile in DI this time I would remember those 30 minutes.
Finished with quants giving it 15 mins when I realized I should try to increase my score in section which I can.
7) Any other query or something you would like to share with us.Give the exam like its another mock CAT.I know the pressure is enormous when you are giving it because of the procedures one has to go though before the paper and the waiting time.But the more you panic and become nervous, the more you tend to make mistakes.People say that one shouldn't give mocks before CAT but I gave mocks for three consecutive days before CAT which helped me soothe my nerves.I wont advice anyone else to do it but please try to do what works for you and not for someone else.
I know I panicked last time and although I didn't do well last time I probably didnt expect a 78%.
This time I was more relaxed and probably did better.In a sense I felt more like 2008 where I got 97% and missed because of 76% in DI.I just hope I dont miss an IIM call because of DI again.
Best of luck to people who are giving CAT in the future slots.:thumbsup:
Go with an open mind and you will do well.
"Hope Is a Good Thing, Maybe the Best of Things, and No Good Thing Ever Dies."
There is no formula for success, except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life & what it brings