Speed is all you need

A basic knowledge of the subject is all it takes to answer the questions, as the CAT does not per-suppose en expert-level understanding of the main testing areas. Hence, cracking it requires the twin functions of speed and accuracy.

Speed is essential to answer an optimum number of questions in the given time, so as to score the required marks to move into the second round of selection 8212; group discussions and personal interviews. Accuracy is important to ensure a good score by avoiding negative marking. Your success depends upon using these abilities in a judicious manner and in attaining the maximum speed you can work at.

It is essential to have a sharp focus and clear strategy before you take the test. Bear in mind that an aptitude test of this kind cannot be completed in the limited time, hence a sound strategy based on your strengths and weaknesses should be developed.

The most important requirement for success in the test is getting to know the right technique. Following are the three most important points, which everyone who wishes to excel in the test has to remember.

Comprehending instructions

The CAT tests your capacity to follow instructions scrupulously. There are several sections in the test and each section has a variety of questions. Every set of questions has different instructions, the misreading of which is bound to result in disaster.

Wording of each individual question is important. If you happen to overlook the word except8217; in a question, its entire context is lost.

If you are not careful enough to read the instructions clearly, you are likely to goof up, for they may be different from the ones you are used to. For example, in an analogy question, you are usually asked to select from given sets of alternatives, a pair of words which best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the capitalised words.

However, the instruction could actually require you to select a pair of words which is least similar to that expressed in the capitalised pair! Hence, misreading an instruction amounts to inviting disaster.

Intelligent selection of items

It may so happen that, in a particular section, you may find a large number of questions to be solved in an impossibly short period. Even a genius may find this difficult. Often these are parts of the test, mostly in the beginning or end, where the test setters seek to manipulate you psychologically.

As an intelligent test taker in such a situation, you must not try and attempt questions you cannot solve. Instead, keep calm and move swiftly, identifying parts you cannot solve or those that seem vague and confusing. Then, go ahead at you top speed and attempt the rest of the questions. Later, if time permits, come back to the comparatively difficult questions.The unwary test taker spends too much time on difficult questions, which lead to frustration.

This lack of common-sense accounts for the large scale massacre of aspirants at the CAT. It is hence essential to keep working at your top speed and striving your utmost to be accurate till the end. This involves avoiding questions which would obviously flummox even the best brains.

The art of intelligent guessing

For Every wrong answer in the CAT, the test taker loses 1/4th of a point. Over and above, he also loses precious time that could have been used to answer other questions. However, for tackling answers that you partly know, you cannot do without guessing.

The art of intelligent guessing consists, first, of eliminating obviously wrong alternatives and of narrowing down your choices so that you increase the chances of hitting the right answer. Whatever one has learnt, one tends to forget with time, especially during a stress test. The result is, at a given time, there exists in our thinking process, areas of uncertainty.

When confronted with such a situation, intelligent guessing could be resorted to. The fear of negative marking will cease to bother you, the moment you accept this.

Do not hazard wild guesses. If required, do a few calculations and approximations to zero down on the likely answer. The important skill lies in choosing an area where you can take a calculated risk. There is no point in choosing an area where you are totally ignorant.

It is important to check the answers you have marked on the score sheet. It may so happen that you may mark the answer for a question in a space meant for another question, and hence may lose out on all the hard work and effort that you have put in.

Finally, take the test with a cool head.