Hi People,
Carrying forth the tradition , PG comes up with a new thread for queries related to coaching classes .
Here, in initial posts , we have tried to compile all the general queries asked by fellow puys and solutions to these queries suggested by puys .
So, here are FAQs on coaching classes :)
1. How useful is taking coaching classes for CAT ?? OR
Can one prepare at home with the appropriate study material with him ?? OR Does taking classes actually makes a lot of difference ?? The basic purpose of coaching is regularity in preparation , guidance from faculty and some feel of competition from batch mates in coaching classes before the start of mocks. If one can be regular without coaching , he can opt for not going for coaching classes.
Coachings also help in knowing the pattern of exams , your strong and weak areas , methods to work on them and information about colleges from faculty etc. Hence, for first time takers coaching is suggested unless he/she knows all these beforehand. But, one must join regular mock test series provided by coachings for knowing where he/she stands. Also , for GD/PI , one should join coaching classes.
But, dont think of coaching as the only way to preparation.You have to revise,analyse & work on the stuff taught to you on that day/weekend. There are lot of people who do mistake by thinking that things taught in coaching are the only preparation required and never touch books / mocks till it is november.
2. How many coachings should one take for classroom programs / how many study materials to be followed?
Only 1 study material is sufficient. But you should solve it properly and analyse it in detail.
3. Which is better CL , TIME , IMS ?General ComparisonCL - MATERIAL (VERY GOOD) , VA ( OK) , QUANT N DI ( GOOD ) MOCKS (GOOD ... VA SECTION BEING GREAT)
IMS - MATERIAL (GOOD) , VA (GOOD) , QA (GOOD) , DI (AVG.) SIMCATS (AVG.)
TIME - MATERIAL ( VERY GOOD AND EXHAUSTIVE ) , AIMCATS ( GREAT .. QA AWESOME)
Best way to decide coaching in any cityClass room program varies from city to city ... one should interact with faculty , center head and students .. before going for a decision.
What puys who have attended various coachings thinkDelhi - both TIME n CL
Hyderabad - TIME N CL
Mumbai - CL has better faculty , TIME is better in terms of results , Munira Lokhandwala and Patrick D'souza (
***** Academy) ( among private tutors,classes taken in dadar )
Lucknow - TIME produces best results ... recently IMS has hired one of the best faculties in QA nd VA who were earlier in CL ..
Chennai - TIME suggested for first time cat takers , ims is considered better for re-takers.
BBSR- Erudite has good faculty in QA... but mocks are not good.
PUNE - TIME is best ( not good in VA faculty ) , CL and career forum good... IN semi private tutors we have Bakliwal Tutorial ...
Chandigarh - Bulls eye , CL , TIME , IMS ( in preference order) ... test series of CL or TIME is suggested to those who join bulls eye for national level exposure.
Kolkata - CL , Erudite is a good option in east .. IMS and TIMES
Noida- TIME is considered best with very good VA faculty , then comes IMS
Bangalore - CL , TIME ,Byju classes are best in city for QA and DI , IMS
Trivandrum - TIME is best .. then IMS
Jaipur - TIME ( good QA faculty ), PT ( good VA faculty )
Nagpur - IMS ,PT, TIME
For work ex people ...
Weekend batches available in all major cities ...
4. Which center to join in any given city ??Generally all centers of any coaching have same faculty ... same faculty commutes center to center .. so it does not matter which center you choose. It is suggested to choose center near your place to save time.
People who don't have any coaching center in their citiesArrange material from friends and go through basics .... then join test series in nearby cities.
5. General approach suggested for preparation ?Step 1-Finish of the basics first,IMS' BRMs, TIMEs BSMs whatever. If you have more than 1 material take your time learn basics from one material but solve exercises from all material.
Give yourself a time of 3 months (max) to do that. Even if u give 2 hrs a day, u can achieve this (Realistically)
Step 2-Start with sectional tests now. If you are not performing well in any section, u can practice more of that.
Step 3-Start with full fledged tests now. This should be in late Aug or early Sept. Learn to time yourself & use different strategies. But to arrive at that one strategy that suits u, u will require a lot of time, practice & detailed analysis of each of your tests.
This is a common note to all.Do your words well.no need to cram the word cards that time provides, no use.Rather IMS provides a better word list that gives u meanings n contextual usage.
The best thing is to write 5 words with their meaning & usage everyday. maintain a diary...5 words * 30 days = 150 words per month. and when u write words on ur own u remember them better (my experience). Words make a huge difference in exams like SNAP, NMAT, FMS etc...because they usually ask direct synonyms & antonyms n if u know your words well...u already have those marks in your kitty.
contd....
PS: link to the previous thread.
http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/prep-resources/2791-coaching-classes-for-cat.html
