The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are India’s premier management institutes. IIM, not to mention is the deity to CAT aspirants. Last year one is added to the list i.e IIM Shillong which increases the probability of getting into IIM, af course if number of aspirants remain the same; but still this number is very bleak. So what matters the most in this world of competition is how you prepare for this tough and ’smart’ exam, yes, smart is the key word because the person who prepares smartly is the winner of this game as there is a famous adage: Don’t work hard work smart. So overall I will be discussing about some smart techniques for killing this meow (CAT).
What you need to firstly do is to see where you stand currently i.e what are your strengths and weaknesses, and you can do this by taking one or two mock tests. Never fear if you find that you are weak nearly in every area because converting your weakness to your strength doesn’t need more time, it needs smart time. After deciphering your strengths and weaknesses, it’s time either to collect the reading material or to join a coaching classes. Many students ask why do we need coaching classes; well then the answer to this question is: coaching institutes will organize your study habit; off course they aren’t alchemist who will turn you into gold. But if you are a working official and think that you are a good manager in organising your study time then nothing is better than that.Therefore, organized study is the first main key point to this smart journey of preparation; after all you are going to become a manager so everything should be organized and managed.
Second key point is ‘Stick to the Rules’; though the irony is CAT never does but by not sticking to the rules they are checking whether you does. So; make a time table of your study plan and keep it in your pocket or paste it on your notice board of office or home. Time table of every aspirant will be different so keep in mind your weaknesses while making the itinerary. Give more time to your weaknesses and practice as much as you can. Main problem with many students is that they organize their studies for few days, and after that they procrastinate the assigned targets or don’t give the required time to their studies. But perseverance and patience are the two traits which every aspirant should have as CAT will check your patience by giving you a whole together a different paper; so you should maintain your calmness and don’t get flummoxed.
Third point is to keep track of your performance and your mistakes. After all you are preparing to improve and if you are not tracking your performance then how will you get to know whether you are improving in your weak areas or not. Never repeat your mistakes. Keep your mind fit by eating healthy food and by reading some good novels and newspapers. Good is a subjective term but here what I imply is read those novels or articles in newspapers which you hate reading in normal circumstances; CAT is not good in giving your favorite RC passages. After all for ESLs (English as a Second Language) reading is the strongest tool to hone its English skills.
Lastly, never think that your aim is to clear written exam. You are not preparing for getting a call, you are preparing for getting into IIMs, so participate in GD sessions and keep yourself updated with current affairs. If you haven’t join any coaching institute then you can join any public forum online or offline for practicing GD and Interview sessions.
At the end I will summarize my rules:
a) Know your strengths and weaknesses.
b) Organize your studies.
c) Keep track of your performance and mistakes.
d) Read healthy.
e) Keep preparing for GD & Interview.
]]>If you are a CAT aspirant and would like to register for the most highly rated competitive exam, then it has become easy for you.
CAT 2009 aims to be completely easy to apply and easy to appear for the test options.
The candidates can view required information at www.catiim.in
Some Important steps for CAT Exam
a. Email ID :
You must have a valid email account throughout the selection process, say CATIIM.in. You will need to submit this email id at the time of registration.The admit card will be sent to you as an email on your this email address, after you have filled in your online application and scheduled a test.
b. Download ‘Registration Instructions & Manual for CAT 2009’ and ‘CAT 2009 FAQs’.
Link for Instruction Manual:
http://content.catiim.in/pdf/registration_inst.pdf
Link for CAT 2009 FAQs: http://www.catiim.in/faq.html
c. CAT Voucher’s Sale starts on September 9.
Link for AXIS bank locations http://www.catiim.in/buy_voucher.html
d. Register online early and schedule your exam location ASAP: Online registration for CAT 2009 will also begin on Wednesday, 9 September 2009 and end on Thursday, 1 October 2009.
e. Choose your exam time:
A typical testing day for CAT will have 2 exam sessions. Candidates are allowed to schedule for any one of the sessions, subject to availability. Session timings are as follows:
Session 1: Testing will begin at 10 AM and end at 12:30 PM. Candidate check-in will commence from 8 AM. Candidates are required to arrive at the test center no later than 8:30 AM.
Session 2: Testing will begin at 3:30 PM and end at 6 PM. Candidate check-in will commence from 1:30 PM. Candidates are required to arrive at the test center no later than 2:00 PM.
f. You must have a valid Photo ID :
According to IIMs you must present a valid (nonexpired) form of photo id before you can test. Acceptable forms of photo id include: driver’s license; passport; PAN card; voter ID; college ID; employee identification card; or a notarized Affidavit with photo, signature, date of birth and residential address.
g. Sample official mock CAT is available at
]]>In what should come as a huge respite for Common Admission Test candidates, the Indian Institutes of Management have hinted that the registration fee for the computer-based test this academic year will not be as high as similar tests like GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test, for admission to business schools overseas).
While the registration fee for CAT 2009, which was Rs 1,300 last year, will surely increase due to the high administrative and infrastructure costs because of the computerisation, it may still be less than Rs 2,000.
CAT, say IIMs, will be a candidate-friendly test in terms of flexibility in the selection of test date, ease of registration, better physical environment and test experience, and enhanced security with biometric identification of candidates and video monitoring.
Unlike the paper and pencil test, computerised CAT this year will incur some heavy costs for the elite business schools, according to a source at one of the IIMs.
IIMs recently roped in US-based Prometric, a leading provider of technology-enabled testing and assessment services, through an exclusive $40 million (around Rs 1.9 billion) contract to computerise the prestigious CAT. The test will be conducted in a span of about 10 days towards the end of this year.
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