The Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, has scheduled the Common Admission Test 2023 (CAT 2023) for November 26, 2023. The examination is considered tough to crack and with one month left, candidates are rigorously preparing for it. The first step to cracking the CAT examination is to get familiar with its sections.
To help the candidates crack the CAT 2023, CollegeDekho has provided helpful tips on all three sections and how a candidate can deal with them.
VERBAL ABILITY & READING COMPREHENSION (VARC)
Candidates participating in the CAT exam must judiciously manage the allotted 40 minutes for the VARC section. Striving to stay within the 30-minute mark is advisable, enabling the optimisation of question-solving endeavours. Moreover, setting aside the remaining 10 minutes to review responses and address any unanswered questions can greatly enhance performance.
The VARC segment of the CAT exam is meticulously designed to evaluate two fundamental competencies: reading comprehension and linguistic proficiency. To fortify grammatical skills, experts underscore the significance of employing high-quality grammar resources. A solid foundation in grammar forms a cornerstone for success in this section.
Diving into texts at a junior reading level proves valuable for improving comprehension. This is advised by both seasoned experts and CAT applicants who have achieved the prestigious 99th percentile. Reading texts designed for a younger audience can foster a clearer understanding of contextual nuances and facilitate engagement with complex passages.
Certain subsections within the VARC domain demand particular attention and in-depth understanding, like Fact Inference Judgment, Para Completion, Verbal Reasoning, Analogies, and Para Jumble. Investing time and effort into grasping the intricacies of these segments can yield substantial dividends in terms of question accuracy.
While certain subsections benefit from rigorous practice, others require a degree of rote memorisation. This is particularly pertinent in the context of synonyms and idiomatic expressions.
Engaging with previous years’ CAT papers serves as a valuable learning tool. This approach facilitates the acquisition of insights into question patterns and the underlying framework specific to the VARC segment. By immersing themselves in these historical papers, candidates can effectively calibrate their approach to the present-day examination.
Experts advocate for the acquisition of approximately 10 new words every week. Beyond mere definitions, this exercise should encompass synonyms and contextual usage. By steadily expanding their vocabulary repertoire, candidates can significantly enhance their command of the language, which in turn contributes to improved performance in the VARC section.
In the DI & LR section of CAT, candidates are tasked with answering 32 questions within a 40-minute timeframe. However, an adept examinee should aim for a target duration of around 35 minutes, allocating an additional 5 minutes for review and addressing unattended questions. This approach ensures comprehensive coverage of questions without compromising accuracy.
The purpose of this section is to gauge candidates’ logical thinking prowess and strategic approach. To excel, aspirants need to delve into each provided topic meticulously, comprehending the intricacies before embarking on practice sessions. A solid foundation in these concepts underpins mastery of the section.
Initiating preparation with specific sub-sections can provide a strategic edge. Prioritised topics encompass caselets, Bar Graphs, Data Sufficiency, Clocks and Calendars, Data Arrangement, Binary Logic, Constraint-based puzzles, and Venn Diagrams. Sufficient grounding in these sub-sections sets the stage for a well-rounded grasp of the entire domain.
Thorough scrutiny of questions precedes solving in this section. A meticulous understanding of the question’s requirements is crucial for making informed choices. The rationale behind the chosen option should be clear and well-defined, ensuring precision in response selection.
Before selecting or eliminating response choices, a comprehensive evaluation is advised. Each response’s nuances should be meticulously examined, considering the context of the question. Importantly, once a choice is made, alterations are not possible, underscoring the significance of careful deliberation.
Vigilance towards words such as “some,” “all,” and “none” is paramount. Often, these linguistic subtleties are employed to introduce complexity and ambiguity, leading to potential confusion in selecting an appropriate answer. Attentive interpretation is the key to overcoming this challenge.
Leveraging scratch paper for sketching schematic notes or diagrams can aid in clarifying complex concepts. Visual representations enhance understanding and streamline problem-solving by providing a tangible visual framework.
Guidance from educators and experienced peers can illuminate effective strategies and methodologies for tackling the section’s questions. Benefiting from collective wisdom expedites the learning curve.
A methodical approach involves tackling sub-sections one by one. Equitable time distribution among topics and sub-sections facilitates a comprehensive understanding of methodologies and solutions.
Rather than hastily attempting all questions, a more strategic approach involves addressing straightforward questions first. This optimized sequence minimizes time pressure and enhances accuracy, allowing for more focus on complex, time-consuming questions later.
QUANTITATIVE ABILITY (QA)
Within the confines of a 40-minute window, CAT candidates are tasked with addressing 34 questions. A recommended time frame of 34 to 35 minutes is advised for optimal performance, with the remaining time reserved for revision and addressing any unanswered questions.
The QA segment of the CAT exam serves as a litmus test for candidates’ grasp of arithmetic reasoning and numerical calculation techniques. Proficiency in this realm equips candidates with the ability to make swift and accurate calculations, a skill paramount in their professional undertakings.
Preparation for this section entails mastery of a diverse array of topics. Essential categories encompass Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Mensuration, Trigonometry, and Calculus. To excel, leverage premium CAT-oriented books and study materials as valuable resources for comprehensive understanding.
Should the complexities of textual explanations prove challenging, enlisting the aid of a reputable Coaching Center can be transformative. Accomplished mentors in these institutions streamline the learning process by simplifying intricate concepts and supplementing explanations with regular practice sessions.
A non-negotiable practice for CAT aspirants is to diligently engage with examples embedded within study materials and books. These examples not only elucidate problem-solving approaches but also demystify intricate questions, fostering clarity and enhancing strategic development.
It’s really important to practice by working through the examples in study materials and books. These examples help candidates understand how to solve problems and make difficult questions easier to understand. This also helps the candidate become better at planning their approach to questions.
A key strategy involves addressing questions in a strategic sequence. Beginning with comparatively easier questions establishes a momentum that subsequently facilitates grappling with more complex or intricate queries. This deliberate approach optimises efficiency while minimizing the potential for time pressure.
Courtesy : IndiaToday
