But with little more than one week left and after a year of preparation, are you truly ready?
Which techniques can you employ to maximise your percentile?
What's the best way to beat the stress?
And how exactly should you allot your time on CAT day? Which sections deserve the most attention?
CAT experts Priya Varat Singh and KB Sharma chatted with Get Ahead readers on November 16 and answered these questions and more!
For those of you who missed it, here's the transcript:
hgd asked, Hi,are different cut offs for non engineering students i.e., science students for quant
Priya Varat Singh answers, No, Cut offs are same for all stream students.
supriya asked, hi priyavarat, nice to see you again, any idea of the cat paper this time, i mean level of difficulty
Priya Varat Singh answers, This year in my view the level of difficulty will be more than last year CAT in Quant and DI but should be lower than last year in Verbal. But be ready for the surprises
Abhishek asked, Hi Priya..How much value would an MBA from ICFAI Business School, Hyderabad carry? Is it advisable to write the entrance?
Priya Varat Singh answers, ICFAI hyderabad is good
Amol asked, Which section seems to be the most toughest one? And, how should be the time distribution for solving various sections? Also, suggest some good study materials and some helpful URLs (website addresses). Thanks...
Priya Varat Singh answers, Visit www.tcyonline.com for revision notes and online tests on diffrent topics.
madhar asked, What should we do a day before the exam.....???
Priya Varat Singh answers, Relax and enjoy. reach there with cool mindsetup and try to give your 100%
indu asked, Hi Priya.What is the last minute strategy you would suggest?I dont know what to solve or study @ this point of time...just 2 days to go..
Priya Varat Singh answers, Relax and enjoy. Follow some revision notes at www.tcyonline.com for CAT
IIMA asked, Hi Priya, To wat extent can we believe on the cut offs given by diff coaching insti? Many a times cut offs and even answers differ between them... a lot depends on these cut offs like applying for other schools.
Priya Varat Singh answers, Take error of 10%. in their cutoffs
puneet asked, my weakest link in cat is the english section but i am quite confident of clearing di and maths cut-off. can u plz suggest how to handle the english section without effecting my scores in di and maths (my problemmatic area is RC in particular)
kbsharma answers, If your DI/DS is good, your reasoning abilities must also be good. Luckily CAT Verbal is more about reasoning than about grammar or vocab. RC is ticklish for students who are not widely read. However, bear it in mind that it is not the detail of the psg, but the ideas that are important. If you get the main ideas, concentrate on questions that revolve round the idea. Attempt RC neither in the beginning of the test, nor at the end.
supriya asked, i just took the irma test, what could be the possible cut off
Priya Varat Singh answers, 115+ for general
inspri asked, Hi priya...The time duration for the exam would remain 2 n half hours whatever the pattern be...right?
Priya Varat Singh answers, yes.
gautam asked, sir i had heard that students who graduate thru distance learning (correspondence) are eligible for CAT bt top most B-schools dont consider even they score high percentile in CAT.......PLZ SUGGGEST....
kbsharma answers, For IIMs and other top B schools, CAT is the test of elimination, not of selection. Once you clear the CAT, you have to meet the other requirements. If vyou have it in you, qualification thro distance learning should not be a handicap
supriya asked, suggest some colleges for mass cummunication apart from simc & mica, pls answer
Priya Varat Singh answers, EMPI institution, AMITY, Ramaiha
Rohit asked, Priya, can you suggest some good colleges for MBA- IT(specialisation)
Priya Varat Singh answers, Symboisis, NITTE
vignesh asked, How to precisely allocate time schedule for each sections ?
kbsharma answers, Allocation of time should depend on your strengths/weaknesses, as well as on the opportunities and threats - the level of difficulty of the sections. Allocation must be in two phases, first for clearing cut offs and then to maximise yr score. Start with your area of strength/opportunity, but don't keep your area of weakness towards the end. In the first attempt, not more than 30 min for each section
prabhura asked, can anyone plzzz tell me wht can b the expected cut off for MDI GURGAON
Priya Varat Singh answers, 99 percentile
supriya asked, are u sure of the irma cut off
Priya Varat Singh answers, Well it can vary betweem 100 - 115.
suraj228 asked, Is there any cut off marks for each section in CAT???
Priya Varat Singh answers, yes 25% of the total sectional marks and 33% overall score.
viggggg asked, hi i m going to give cat next year how much time shud i prepare from now onwards
kbsharma answers, It's not the number of hours, but the quality of time. There is no set syllabus for CAT. You have time to build up your basics in math and English. Math formulae, short cut methods to high school level questions should be on yr tips. Build up yr vocab and grammar. Do a lot of reding on diverse topics.
niraj asked, HEY WILL YOU SAY ME HOW CAN I SCHEDULE MY STUIDES FOR CAT EXAMS RIGHT NOW I M PURSUING ENGG AND I AM IN 3RD YEAR?
Priya Varat Singh answers, Start reading good novels to improve your english and for Quant brush up your basic from NCERT books. Also solve a good puzzle everyday which will improve your logic.
blueberry asked, I get around 99.8 percentile in CL mock cats.I tried one of the TCY's mock cat .I scored 120 on 300.Can i expect to get a call from any IIM?
Priya Varat Singh answers, Be confident and be positive on sunday. Try to give your best in the paper. All the best
indu asked, Hi Kb....What is the last minute strategy you would suggest?I dont know what to solve or study @ this point of time...just 2 days to go..
kbsharma answers, No last minute studies. It's time to free your mind of any burden and concentrate only on how you will go about the test in keeping with your strengths.
whatdo asked, Its my first attempt for CAT I have not joined any institute for coaching but getting 90%tile in mock tests without any preparation. Is there any chance 4 me in CAT? i mean should i go for other Mba EXAMS also like SNAP XAT or they are just waste of money
Priya Varat Singh answers, SNAP, XAT etc are not waste of money. In these two days revise your all fundamentals at www.tcyonline.com
xyz asked, Hi....though I know CAT is always unpredictable .....still any estimetion as to no. of question s this time?
Priya Varat Singh answers, may be between 75 - 90
raja asked, In addition to CAT REVISION NOTES will u be uploading interview and GD tips as well?
Priya Varat Singh answers, please be in touch with the site you will certainly find lot of information for you.
seji asked, currently i am working.its very hard to focus on studies after my work.am targeting next year's cat.just tell me, what are best ways prepare for cat next year, with my available time.shall i join a coaching institute?
kbsharma answers, You can possibly join weekend classes. However, coaching institutes also will be helpful only if you are prepared to do some follow up studies.
whatdo asked, Its my first attempt for CAT I have not joined any institute for coaching but getting 90%tile in mock tests without any preparation. Is there any chance 4 me in CAT? i mean should i go for other Mba EXAMS also like SNAP XAT or they are just waste of money
kbsharma answers, CAT does not open gates for IIMs only. There are other top institutes that accept CAT score. Yet it is recommended that you take some other good entrabnce exams to minimise the risk of disappointment
hiiiiiiii asked, hi priya pls tell whether there r enogh jobs in hr nowdays and in future ? and wht r best college sin india for hr ? pls throw a light on international business also?
Priya Varat Singh answers, It has good future . In India MDI, TISS etc.
partha asked, HI PRIYA. WHAT ARE GOOD MBA INSTITUTES FOR HR SPEC APART FROM XLRI/MDI/TISS?
Priya Varat Singh answers, Take the SNAP test and fill the form of SCMHRD.
suraj228 asked, Suggest some good colleges for Executive MBA program for IT Professional??
Priya Varat Singh answers, take the JMET Exam and SNAP test
seji asked, can you give one website address where i can find the cat study materials?
kbsharma answers, tcyonline.com
ooo asked, does fms has essay wrting? how can we prepare for it?
kbsharma answers, No
Ramanuj asked, im also taking up xat, pls suggest colleges that accept xat scores
Priya Varat Singh answers, GIM, XIMB, Alliance Bussiness Acadamy, Wellingkar.
acer asked, I am already a MBA from Symbiosis, then does it make sense to take CAT and do one more PG from IIM or ISB
kbsharma answers, It depends on yr priorities. Those who have compelling reasons do appear for improvements
Prasanth asked, Hi Priya, Thanks for sparing ur valuable time for us.Iam 25,currently working with IT company.I would like to take up CAT/GMAT next year.Please advise,if doing MBA at 26 or 27 would be too late.
Priya Varat Singh answers, It is never late taking any education. For doing MBA after 2 -3 year working is good.
qqq asked, hi priya amity univ is recognised under ugc or not ?
Priya Varat Singh answers, Not recognised
JLT asked, sir, I am getting okish scores. My worry is I get nervous and then dont attempt RCs. I know that I need to be cool....but how to ensure this!!? Thanks
kbsharma answers, Change yr approach. CAT is not yr life. Take CAT as you would take any other exam. Surely you couldn't have come this far w/o taking so many exams. Have the same app. here too.
Manoj asked, Hi Priya, Is it ture that IIM's prefer candidates only from premier institutes like IITs and RECs.I have done my graduation from a relatively unknown college but passed out in First class.If I really do well at CAT,can i really get calls.
Priya Varat Singh answers, No, IIM don't prefer students from premier institutes and take good students from any college. If you will perform well on CAT day you will certainly get the call.
puneetkandoi asked, do u have any idea as to what CAT might throw up in english this year, since last year's english section was very tricky?
kbsharma answers, RC based questions as always (incl. short reading); grammar; Critical reasoning; Fact/inf/jud; word usage.
catcracker asked, I want to know the probability or chance of getting a good college in SNAP. I m final year engineering student with offer from a renowned IT company with good package.should i try for MBA in these colleges or look out for executive MBA??
Priya Varat Singh answers, You have to decide yourself. In my view give your SNAP paper this year and If get good college do MBA .
www asked, hi priya what r the gud mass com coleges in delhi?
Priya Varat Singh answers, SIMC & MICA are good
ki asked, hi priya how is xat different from cat and when is it held?
kbsharma answers, XAT has three sections on verbal, quant and reasoning, apart from essay. It is qite a bit lenghthier. The level of difficulty of questions is not much lower than CAT
ashish kumar asked, what is snap different to cat...
Priya Varat Singh answers, Level of difficulty in SNAP is less than that of CAT and also SNAP has GK section.
Manoj asked, Priya,please recommend me some good books so as to improve my English.Iam pretty confident at Grammar but I would like to improve my Vocab and Comprehension
kbsharma answers, For beginners in vocab building, Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. For RC there is one site Scoretop.com