Here is a graph that will tell you about my SIMCAT performance. SIMCATs are the simulated CAT exams conducted by the IMS classes all over India. There were 16 in total and I had taken 15 of them. Take a close look. Some points to be noticed:

1) I never got even once a percentile of above 99 in SIMCATs.

2) My average percentile in SIMCATs is 90.24%ile

3) I have got below 90%ile in one third of my attempts and even a figure of 75 once.

4) My performance is as irregular as it could be. There is very less consistency.

5) However, I got 99.81 percentile in CAT

1) What I want to say is, do not dwell much over test performances. Take them as learning exercises and learn as much as you can from your mistakes.

2) Attempt as many tests as you can. Try to maintain an average of above 90 percentile.

3) Have a habit of concentrating equally on all sections in each mock CAT. Believe me, no good B school will take in students with below 80%ile in a section.

4) Remember that 99.99%ile in all mock CATs will not guarantee you the same in CAT and vice versa.

5) Solve papers at home also in addition to taking all India mock CATs. They will help you more.

Many candidates have a problem regarding where to start with the preparation for CAT. Here are a few guidelines that could help!

Some of these may sound childish but believe me, these are things that got me into IIM C.

1) Assess yourself. Know where you stand at the beginning by taking mock test online or solving previous years CAT papers.

2) A systematic approach is very necessary which implies that right study material is necessary. I personally used IMS class notes (BRM) which I would surely recommend. Have at least one complete set of notes covering all topics with you. Maintain one separate notebook for all formulae and one separate notebook for vocabulary building.

3) Do not start straight away with problem solving. Got through the basic concepts and learn formulae for each topic. Be thorough with multiplication tables, the squares and cubes till 20. Only then attempt exercises. Do not be tempted to leave any topic. Topics like probability and functions are not as tough as they seem.

4) Get into the habit of reading. Devote at least 15 minutes in the day to reading the newspapers. Follow all kinds of news. Build on your vocabulary.

5) Enroll for any of the good mock CAT series as June arrives (SIMCATs from IMS or AIMCATs from TIME). Regular paper solving is essential.

6) Remember, nothing can substitute hard work. Attending coaching classes will not help if you do not sit at home and study and solve papers. Rigorous study is not essential but regular study is what is needed. Get into the habit of solving few problems and a passage daily. Keep repeating formulae daily until you get bored of them.

Besides, work on building your resume from the beginning. Go for finance related or management related certifications. (eg: I had completed ITIL v3 certification in IT service management. It certainly helped during interviews)

CAT is not that tough as people have made it out to be. It is just about regular study and practice. Keep going!

Eschewing the paperbased format that has been in place for the last 33 years, the Common Admission Test (CAT) for admissions to the seven Indian Institutes of Managements (IIM) is now going to be a computer-based test from this year onwards.

Instead of a single-day country-wide examination, the test will be conducted in a window of about ten days sometime at the end of the calendar year. The test is used for admissions to IIMs at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Indore, Kozhikode, Lucknow, and Shillong The test will be conducted by Prometric, a subsidiary of Educational Testing Service (ETS), which conducts the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Prometric has been chosen by the IIMs from a shortlist which included UKbased Pearson VUE that conducts the GMAT, and Bangalore- based Eduquity Ventures that conducts the entrance test for BITS Pilani.

According to a release from IIM Bangalore, the test will allow candidates some leeway in choosing test dates, use biometric identification for enhanced security, and provide for video monitoring to eliminate any scope for cheating. IIM Bangalore has also maintained that the 'computer-based format would improve communication between candidates and IIMs in terms of programme information, test delivery, receipt of admit cards, and receipt of score reports.' The reason given by IIMs for the move to a paperless format is the staggering rise in the number of candidates who take CAT. From 2003 to 2008, a period of five years, the number of candidates has risen from 95,000 to 2.5 lakh. This huge increase of approximately 160 per cent, has resulted in severe strain on the administrative system of the IIMs to conduct CAT in its existing format.

Sources from one of the IIMs told The New Indian Express that while the contract was signed between IIMs and Prometric earlier this month, the modalities are yet to be worked out. The details of the examination are likely to be announced by late May or early June, he said.

Click for official press release document about CAT going online issued by IIM bangalore.
Source: http://www.expressbuzz.com