Any aptitude test involves two crucial stages-
1) test taking practice and
2) concept learning

Concept learning requires about 3-6 months of preparation. Test taking practice demands about 3 months of preparation prior to the actual test.

Concept learning requires you to first concentrate on building a strong conceptual foundation before fine tuning your test-taking skills. The basic skills and other areas assessed in the CAT are still the same. It is the test taking mode that has been changed. So, you need not change your preparation strategy as far as concept learning is concerned.

You need to compile a list of concepts previously assessed in CAT. With reference to these concepts, make a preliminary analysis of your weaknesses and strengths. Work on your strengths and weaknesses by taking sufficient tests. Practice as much as you can. Look up solved examples, solve other exercises and time yourself accordingly. You need to get comfortable with the computer, so try to attempt tests in a computer based format.

Online testing should not be mistaken for online learning. Just because the test is online, it does not mean the concepts have to be learned online.

Test Taking Practice is a key area. Now that the CAT is online, you need to acclimatize yourself to a computer-based testing environment. You need to be comfortable while using the mouse and keyboard. Your preparation plans should include taking tests on the computer. You need to be at ease while using the computer. It should not hinder your scoring potential.

The computer skills required for online CAT are very basic and minimal. The mouse is required to navigate between sections and questions. You need to use buttons like help, tag question, save, etc that are a part of the test format. You might have to use the keyboard for word processing, and of course for the registration process.

Remember that you need not be a computer wizard to crack online CAT. The CAT has been computerized to ease logistics and not assess your computer skills. Attempt a lot of comprehensive tests to benchmark your performance and improve your test-taking skills. Analyse your performance to fare better in the next test.

Your study preparation for online CAT does not depend on the medium of CAT. Whether CAT is a computer-based test or a paper-based test, the basic nature of your preparation does not change. The CAT certainly undergoes some changes every year. CAT 2009 has changed with regard to the mode of the test. However, there are no changes as far as preparation of the concepts are concerned. Nonetheless, you need to get familiar with the online testing process.

You require material that covers basic concepts explained in an understandable way. Check up with reputed MBA institutes for their study material and preparation techniques. You need not be a computer wizard to take an online test. That is you need not be computer savvy to appear for online CAT. You just need to be able to use the mouse and the keyboard. You need to be familiar with a few basic keys. If you practice 4 to 5 hours a day, you will reach that level of comfort.

You can prepare for CAT in two phases. In the first phase, you need to get your fundamentals right. You need to thoroughly familiarize yourself with problems and chapters. Remember that speed-solving does not work. Moreover, time management is a must. Allocate your time in a way that it leaves you with one hour for reading magazines and newspapers. You also need to update yourself on current affairs. A properly planned study structure increases your efficiency and confidence.

The next phase is about analyzing yourself and coming to terms with your strengths and weaknesses. Once you are done with your fundamentals, it would be easy for you to focus and work on your plus points and weak points. Section tests can be taken in the second week of August. You should also alternatively revise your topics. Comprehensive tests should be undertaken at least by the beginning of September. Avoid getting stuck up on solving a particular problem.

The key areas you need to analyze are as follows: Speed is an important concern. It should improve with every test that you take. It is important to take as many comprehensive tests as possible, so that you get used to sitting for hours at a stretch. Comprehensive tests train you and increase your attention span. Accuracy is as important.

CAT is now a computer-based test. In the Reading Comprehension test, you will see a split screen which will have a passage on one side and question on the other side of the computer. Alternatively, the passage could be given first, followed by questions later. You are required to scroll the screen and thoroughly read the passage and then the questions.

More than reading passages on paper, you need to familiarize yourself with reading passages on the computer screen. This could be a little problematic for those applicants who are not used to working on the PC. But such reading habits can be developed. It will be taxing initially, but it is worth the effort. An important point to note is that you won’t be able to underline or highlight words or sentences in the passage. You can’t even jot down any points in the margin. Hence, if you think you need to remember anything, you will have to commit it to your memory. Jotting it down on a piece of paper is like wasting your time.

Furthermore, you need to thoroughly comprehend the passage to be able to correctly answer the questions. You will have to ‘infer’ the answers because they won’t be directly available in the passage. You are required to read between the lines, to understand the hidden meaning of what the author is trying to convey. You need to be well versed with the nuances and the usage of English language. Get yourself acquainted with common phrases and idioms usually used in Reading Comprehension passages.

There is no substitute for reading as far as CAT Reading Comprehensions are concerned. To get totally comfortable and well versed with this section, you need to read as much as you can. And try to read passages online; on the internet. Reading articles regularly on the computer is a must.

CAT passages are generic in nature. Topics could range from politics and current affairs, science and technology, psychology, art and architecture, economics and business, social issues, etc. So you need to basically incorporate ‘variety’ in what you read. Moreover, understanding the author’s point of view is paramount. You need to also understand his style or ability. For instance, is he being critical, judgmental, sarcastic or prescriptive while discussing an issue or a place or person.

Mastering any ability or skill is no joke. It does not happen overnight. It has to be developed, worked upon and acquired through hard work, practice and persistence. A lot of applicants fail to understand this and they adopt the rote way of learning. This is certainly not the right way to crack Verbal Ability. The good news is that you can master this ability in 3 simple steps:

1) Practice vocabulary questions: Unlike comprehension passages, other CAT questions need to be dealt with differently. It makes sense to divide this section into other sub sections like sentence correction and pure grammar. Once you have it classified, stick to one sub type at a time and practice problem solving. Keep taking notes to refer to problem areas.

GMAT guides are very useful for solving questions. Not only do you learn a great deal from your mistakes, you also avoid committing those mistakes. A point to be noted is that the vocabulary section guarantees high returns with minimum time investment. Pay adequate attention to the vocabulary section because it makes all the difference between a great score and a good score. This could further impact your overall CAT score.

2) Reading non-fiction: Usually students like to read fiction. However, CAT passages are rarely fictional. For improving your reading speed and comprehension, you need to read those passages that are similar to the ones asked in previous CAT papers.

You need to develop a knack for comprehending non-fiction passages in CAT. Make sure you read a lot of non fiction. Cultivate that habit even if you prefer ficition to non fiction. Reading biographies, analyses and even opinions helps you develop your reading skills. Group studies and discussions are also very helpful.

3) Increasing your reading pace: Sometimes, those who are good at comprehension suffer when it comes to quickly reading the passage. You need to be able to read quickly to attempt CAT passages. It is highly recommended that you read similar passages in magazines and newspapers. This way you can increase your speed gradually. You need to strike a fine balance between ’speed’ and ‘comprehension’. This is where your managerial skills come into play and this is exactly what is tested by the examiners.

You don’t need to pick up textbooks replete with advanced engineering mathematics to solve Quantitative Aptitude in the computer-based CAT. The QA section in the CAT is nothing but the theory learnt in school up to Class XII. You need to focus on as many practice tests as you can. This is the most important focus area while preparing for QA in CBT-CAT. Every mock test should be taken as seriously as the actual CAT. Pace yourself and time yourself for every test that you take. For those who are in college, you can take tests immediately since you are familiar with concepts and theory. However, working professionals tend to fall out of touch with academics. So they need to brush up theorems and formulae to prepare for CBT-CAT.

You can begin with topic tests when you initially start to prepare yourself. Once you are confident, you can begin to attempt full-length QA tests. Make sure to analyse your performance after every test that you attempt. Mock tests are a great source of feedback mechanism. You can use practice tests to judiciously select questions. It is okay if you are particularly weak in one area but you will still be at a risk. Hence it makes sense to improvise your performance in every area so that you can answer every question effortlessly.

CBT-CAT Quantitative Aptitude can be classified into 3 categories:

Algebra and Number Theory- This section provides maximum questions in any CAT QA section- about 60%. You need to focus on Probability, Card problems, Permutations and Combinations, Progressions, Quadratic and Linear/Simultaneous equations, Logarithms, Functions, etc. The most important being Number Theory. These problems are simple in nature. You can master a few tricks from textbooks to solve them. You can refer to Higher Algebra by Hall and Knight for the same.

Geometry, coordinate geometry and mensuration- Every CAT paper has about 4 questions on mensuration, a few questions on coordinate geometry, but Geometry is given maximum weightage. The topics that you need to cover include basic theorems involving circles, triangles and parallel lines. A general question asked in CAT is to find the length of certain sides or the value of certain angles. So topics like similarity of triangles and congruency need to be covered. Refrain from solving IIT-JEE level questions in coordinate geometry. A school-level textbook is enough to prepare for mensuration.

Arithmetic and miscellaneous- For Arithmetic, you need to cover problems on Time, Speed and Distance and Set Theory. An NCERT textbook will serve the purpose. Miscellaneous problems don’t fall under any specific category. They basically test your mathematical aptitude.

Cracking CAT is not rocket science, but it is no cakewalk either. B-school aspirants are likely to feel the pressure as CAT is approaching. You need to manage your time, you need to strategize and you need to attempt mock CATs - everything needs to be done effectively and efficiently. Here are a few tips that you can use to your advantage:

1) The complete package matters: Your complete profile and/or complete package is of paramount importance, as far as B-schools like IIMs are concerned. You should be fairly confident if you have a good profile, good academic record and considerable work experience. Getting 98.5 is not as difficult as going from 98.5 to 99 and beyond. If you have secured a score of about 96-97 in mocks, solving merit problems can help you get a score of 98-plus.

2) Aim: Most IIM aspirants tend to aim very high. This is further aggravated by the competition they witness around them. Suddenly every one feels like scoring at least 50%, and they start to expect calls from all IIMs. Setting goals is important, but you need to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses as well. You should set realistic goals. For instance, if you score around 90, it would be impractical to aim at 130 or more. Students often feel pressurized as they tend to aim too high.

3) It is imperative to clear cut-offs: Let us assume that you are used to the 95-96 percentile level in mock CATs, chances are you will perhaps clear the cut-off for a section even if you haven’t done very well in that section.

4) Go by the 50-50 rule: Make sure you don’t spend over 50 minutes on the first section. Remember to begin the last section at least 50 minutes before the closing stage of the test. The remaining timelines can be modified as per the requirement. By not spending more than 50 minutes on the first section, you get to spend extra time on the other two sections. In other words, it allows you time flexibility. You never know how much time you would take to solve the other two sections.

Please remember that mock CATs are not the be all and end all. Your mock CAT performance does not significantly impact your performance on D-day. Of course there is some correlation between the two, but it does not guarantee success or failure on the D-day. Use the 50-50 rule to clear all cut-offs.

1. Monitor yourself
It is unnecessary to study for over two hours a day. Experiment by studying at different times in the day to find what time your mental juices flow. This will help you later, when you need to you’ll know exactly when you feel at your freshest and concentrate best. Attempt tests on Sundays and holidays. This practice tunes you to answering a CAT-type test at any time of the day.

2. Read newspapers and news magazines
Cultivate reading. Sixty per cent of the Verbal Ability section in the test paper comprises Reading Comprehension passages. Even if you solve only RC with an achievable accuracy of 70 per cent you can clear your VA cut-offs without even having to attempt the grammar section.
Reading daily newspapers or news magazines increases your speed of reading. It also ensures that you can grasp relevant points in even abstract passages. It also broadens your horizons and all the current affairs and other information that you have read about, gives you something to talk about in the Group Discussions and Personal Interviews

3. Study in bursts
It is required that you can switch your concentration on and off. Don’t do the same thing for more than 40-45 minutes. This is why the CAT paper has three sections, instead of one long section.
Practice studying in short productive bursts of 45 minutes - 60 minutes with breaks in between. At first, it will be tough to regain concentration immediately after you resume your break, but soon you will become accustomed to it.

4. Go back to basics
Many of us are rusty in terms of our high school math. Set a week aside to go over math formulae as well as a few basic proofs that you will require to use. This allocation of time is especially beneficial to working professionals. Avoid doing things that are complicated. Stick to the basics and allocate time efficiently.

5. Develop a proper test-giving routine
CAT puts pressure on you by giving you less time to solve the paper than is required. Attempt each practice test like you would the actual paper. If you don’t join a classroom programme, ensure that you take several practice tests online and analyse your performance in every test with the help of detailed personalized reports and study guides. Attempt to clear every sectional cut-off and hence, overall cut-off in every paper. Do not attempt only one section well in a paper at the cost of the others. Time yourself while attempting the practice test

6. Keep experimenting
Constantly change things like which section you attempt first, the target number of questions you want to attempt or the time you spend on each section. The right way to solve the CAT is to have a balance between speed and accuracy. Ensure that you clear all cut-offs.

7. Start doing crosswords, logic puzzles etc
Solving the daily crossword (and checking the solutions the day after) increases vocabulary. Solve logic puzzles if you need some help with the Logical Reasoning questions in DI.

8. Develop a hobby
There is no need to study round the clock. Take up a hobby or indulge in an interest in your spare time. Hobbies help in creating a wholesome personality which also makes you look interesting at your personal interview!

9. Avoid over-preparation
Take a break when you feel that CAT is getting to you. It is important to enjoy answering CAT if you want to crack it. Look at solving CAT as a challenge, not a routine.

Some students prefer preparing for the CAT and the other management school entrance exams on their own instead of than a coaching institute. Coaching institutes of course, provide benefits that individual study might not offer. Working without the classroom environment is easier said than done.

The following tips will help you prepare for the CAT on your own:
1. Prepare a time-table. Decide what topic to study on which day of the week and the deadlines for each topic.

2. Stick to the schedule. If you’ve made the decision to tutor yourself at home, do not be lazy or lax with your time-table. Do not let external factors like phone calls, appointments or cricket matches alter your schedule.

3. Complete the syllabus. Make sure that you cover all topics that appear in the CAT these adequately, whether it is geometry, analytical puzzles, time-speed-distance questions, algebra, and trigonometry.

4. Borrow study material from students who have taken the CAT previously so as to have some practice material. Speak to them extensively to gain knowledge of the topics.

5. Locate a good reference book. Pick out a book that elucidates concepts and has several exercises for practice.

6. Form a group of friends and meet up with them regularly to discuss questions, clear doubts, teach each other concepts etc. The informal meetings will aid learning from each other. Discuss and make note of which questions or concepts the group considers crucial. Solve Mock tests together. This may help you understand the CAT pattern better and be well prepared for the actual exam.

7. Working in groups is also useful while preparing for group discussions (GDs) and interviews. Mock GDs can be organized within the group and perspectives could be shared on important issues or the latest current affairs developments.

8. Mock tests are imperative if one is relying on self-preparation for the following reasons:
• Mock tests are a dress rehearsal of the actual environment that you would experience on the day of your CAT exam, and thus add to your comfort level. Those debuting at the CAT need to answer more of these to avoid nervousness and alarm on the day of the genuine test.
• A Mock test is like a crystal ball that offers a glimpse into some topics that appear in the actual CAT. It creates familiarity with the exam pattern and teaches how to crack it.
• Mock CATs develop skills like allocating adequate time for the various sections etc.
• Mock CATS should be treated as yardsticks for performance. They illustrate one’s strengths and weaknesses and measure the level of preparation. Through a mock test, it is possible to discover which sections are one’s fortes.

To make the most of studying at home, one must prepare thoroughly, exercise self-discipline in the form of a time-table, cover all topics and learn as much as possible from peers.

Management entrance tests comprise of four areas- Maths, English, Comprehension and Reasoning. Some institutes also have an additional section on business judgment or general knowledge. Previously there were four sections in CAT, now there are three. Preparing for CAT in the right way is very important to crack the test.

Start to prepare as early as you can. This way you get accustomed to the kind of questions asked. Spend time developing your vocabulary and reading skills. An excellent way to do this is to read the newspaper daily. Not only will it update you on the latest events and developments, it will also help you learn new words and improve your language skills.

The preparation for CAT can be divided into three stages. Students should start with the ‘basics’ first. Thoroughly browse each chapter and revise your class 10 lessons. Get an idea of figures. Attempt to solve the tricky, puzzling questions in question banks. Working on exercises on each topic and revising your basics usually takes about three months.

Once you are done with basics, you should undertake sectional tests. These tests comprise of 30-40 sums each, and it contains different sums from each chapter. The key is to time yourself and finish one section in about 40 minutes. Initially, you may get a low score, but you can gradually aim for a higher score.

At this stage, it is crucial to practice CAT-type questions. These questions are not available in guidebooks or textbooks. You can gather information and collect it from various sources. There are question banks available in the market. Some specialized institutes offer notes to prepare for CAT. So you can subscribe to such notes and prepare for CAT.

After you clear the first two stages, you can attempt doing mock-CATs. Mock CAT is a similar CAT-like paper that gives you an insight into the exam and trains you efficiently. It is a similar test modeled on CAT. Allot two hours to yourself to finish the entire paper. Check your full test score as well as your sectional score. This will give you a general idea about CAT and where you stand in your preparation.

CAT is difficult to crack. However the right attitude, hard work, determination and persistence is the key to cracking CAT. Cracking CAT is not rocket science. Regular practice and a positive attitude definitely helps.

The CAT test will be conducted over a few test days instead of a single day. The pattern will be similar to other online tests like GMAT and GRE. MBA aspirants will have the option of choosing the day and time of giving computer-based tests. Since CAT may be held on more than one day, students get more options. But such a CBT has both an upside as well as a downside.

The Upside of a CBT
• More students will have the opportunity to answer the test due to flexible timing and schedules.
• Following the GMAT pattern and other CBTs, there could be the possibility of retaking the test in the same year instead of waiting for the next year.
• The cost of administering these exams will reduce over time. Manual checking is very time consuming.
• The marginal cost of one more student taking a CBT is less than in the manual process. Hence, CBTs will encourage the IIMs to open more testing centres in the future furthering the flexibility for students to take the exam
• If test scores are displayed immediately after the test then students can objectively decide which colleges to apply to.

The Downside of a CBT
• Difficulty in scoring - With a CBT, the CAT exam will have a different set of questions each day. Results will be incomparable as unlike the past all students will not answer the same question paper. Even a meager difference in marks can decide admission into a college. Hence, the IIMs will need to make sure that the different exams have the same level of difficulty in a country.
• Need to have good computer skills to save time - A CBT has time constraints. Hence, computer proficiency is a must to get more out of the time allotted. Economically backward students maybe at a disadvantage if they do not have access to personal computers at home. Such students should practice exams available online at public/ college libraries and cyber cafes.
• Lack of access to computers - In India remote areas fail to have access to the internet or even a computer. This is a major drawback of a CBT and puts students from these areas at a disadvantage.
• Calculation issues - The CAT requires numerous calculations which are difficult to accomplish with a CBT. However, test makers format the pattern to deal with this issue.