The CAT 2010 notification  acts as a stimulant to many students to start their preparations in right earnest.

Most of you would have started preparing for CAT 2010 some months ago. Some of you would have even started as early as a year ago. But then, how many of you have the same zeal and desire to crack CAT as you did when you signed up for CAT Coaching?

Start now!

Those of you who have not started preparations for the test this year may be wondering whether it is too late to start now. Ask yourself two questions: Have you passed your 8th, 9th and 10th std exams, especially the Maths exam? Do you remember the Grammar that your English teacher in school drilled into you? If yes, then the remaining days are more than enough for you to prepare for CAT and make it to any of the IIMs.

Power of positive thinking

First, you must understand that CAT is not an insur-mountable hurdle. The exam has very simple areas, some of which have been covered way back in high school.

Second, with systematic preparation, CAT is probably one of the easiest tests to crack. im trying

However, what is most important for you at this stage is to take stock of your situation.

Know what have you achieved till date and objectively analyse areas where improvement is  required. By now, some of you would have written the first AIMCAT (All India Mock Test). This test gives you a clear indication of where you stand vis-à-vis others in the country who are preparing for CAT.

Timelines are the key

Let’s understand what should be done from now until November. It would be useful to work backwards. 

Last Month/October: The last month of preparation should be less of study time and more of practice time. Since CAT is a Computer Based Exam, it is advisable to get comfortable with the mouse. Reading on a computer should become a habit. 

October 1: You should have finished learning all the concepts by this time. You should have solved as many possible exercises as possible in each of the areas/ topics. Speed is important but more crucial to your success is the accuracy of your answers.

Your confidence will soar with every problem that you successfully solve. By this time you should have gone through all books/study material that you have at least once, preferably twice.

Tackling Quantitative Aptitude

The best way to prepare for Quants is to divide the entire subject into topics and set a time target for each of the topics. Ensure that while you are setting your targets, the revision schedule is incor-porated.

At the end of each Mock CAT, you can check your scores in each area/section and find out where you lack expertise so that you can concentrate on those topics before the next mock CAT. This way, you can work on your weaknesses and transform them into strengths.

Data Interpretation

Your ability to calculate quickly can make a huge difference if you aim to be good at Data Interpretation/ Logic. Spend 15 minutes every day on Speed Maths techniques. Make a check list of all the types of graphs and questions that appear in CAT. Give yourself a target of 10 days to go through each and every graph. Revise the same every 10 days. Take tests periodically.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

Verbal Ability can be divided into three broad areas: Vocabulary,  Grammar, and Verbal Reasoning.

There is no way you can learn by rote or memorise hundreds of words. The best way to improve vocabulary is to concentrate on the words that appear in the mock tests and ensure that you are thorough with them. Since the words that are given in CAT are the words in vogue, it is very likely that by going through the mock tests and individual tests, you will come across almost all words that may appear in the exam.