The Fundamentals of English

The common admission test (CAT) for admission to IIMs and several other top business schools will have two sections this year of 70 minutes duration each. The second section, Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning is expected to have 30 questions – 20 on verbal ability and 10 on logical reasoning. Good command over English can help you crack the exam.
Verbal ability & reading comprehensionThe vastness of any language makes it difficult to exact the scope of questions. But the right approach can definitely help you get a clear picture of what could be expected in the exam. Verbal Ability usually consists of questions on the following: reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, analogies, antonyms, fill in the blanks, word usage, foreign language, jumbled paragraphs, sentence correction, idioms, one word substitution, different usages of same word, incorrect verbs, punctuation, proverbs etc. The kind of questions that will appear is difficult to say but what is sure is that practicing and perfecting reading comprehension, para-jumbling, para completion, sentence correction as well as sentence structuring and fill in the blanks can help you secure the cut off marks.
Three to four passages can be expected for reading comprehension with about 8 questions. Remaining questions could be from other parts of the syllabus. Fill in the blanks usually test your knowledge of homonyms. As all the questions are objective type, it is important to keep track of the time spent on each question.
The right approach for reading comprehensionReading comprehension does not come easy to anyone who does not practice reading paragraphs and write ups laden with meaning. Start reading English national dailies, especially the edit pages. While solving this section first read the passage carefully, underline important points and then apply reference and contact method. This section requires high level of concentration as even the wrong options are designed in a way so as to confuse the aspirant. Paragraphs are usually based on philosophy, social issues as well as national and international business developments.
How to achieve perfectionHigh percentile in English requires a fascination for the language as well as hard work. The trick is to read as much as possible. Read business newspapers that will help you develop language skills in English and your knowledge of the markets and economy. Also, you can tune in to English television news channels for mastering the language.


Points to remember
•        The more you practice, better the results.
•        Time management is crucial for questions on English.
•        Solve the previous year question papers at home.
•        35-40 minutes must be enough to solve English questions.
•        Reading e-papers will help evolve speed.

Practice Data Interpretation (DI) for success in CAT

The first section of CAT 2011 will have 20 questions on quantitative ability and 10 questions on data interpretation. DI is usually considered a tough section but an effective strategy can increase chances of your success manifold. Try and become comfortable with calculations and practice a lot of questions for this segment. Also, go through the previous year question papers and strategise for every type of question carefully.
Data interpretation (DI)
Questions in DI include: bar diagrams, pie charts, line graph and tabulation. An analysis of recent year CAT question papers reveals that DI gets considerable weightage and the pattern is expected to continue in CAT 2011. Questions on tables, 3d charts, pie charts, reasoning, network, bars, games and tournaments, maxima and minima have been asked in the recent years. So it is advisable to practice these questions in a computer based format.

Reasoning based questions are important
DI also has questions on reasoning. So do not ignore these questions. Try to gain command over all kinds of questions. Questions on deduction and logical connectivity are not easy to solve. Questions on cubes can surprise you as imagining a three dimensional cube can be a difficult exercise for the brain. It is important to focus on questions you cannot solve without an eye on time limit and analyse the difficult areas. This will help you increase accuracy and speed at a later stage. Also, clear your basics which will give you a strong foundation.

How to prepare for DI of CAT 2011
There is little chance of success in CAT without a proper strategy in place. Experts suggest that DI section should be divided into two. First practice charts, tables and graphs while deal with analytical reasoning as a second part of DI. Learn tables from 1-20, squares and cubes of numbers from 1-30. Also try and remember square roots and cube roots to the extent possible.
First understand the nature of the question. Interpret the interlink of the data while solving the questions on tables. This helps in finding the growth value and percentage. It should be noted that the data is usually presented using more than one form of diagrams.

Get a grip on your calculations
It is not necessary that you solve the DI questions in serial order. First attempt the questions that could be solved with an observation and then move on to the lengthy questions. DI requires high degree of calculations and you should become comfortable with numbers to clear this section.

Quants funda in three simple steps

Quantitative Aptitude holds significant importance in the CAT paper. Director TIME Mumbai, Sai Kumar summarises the strategy for Quantitative Aptitude in 3 simple steps:
First step: Analyse
An analysis of previous CAT papers will help you get an idea of the general type of the questions that appear in CAT. Also, you will get to know what topics are important. Furthermore, it will help develop an understanding of the basics for more than 50 per cent questions of this sections.

Second step: An eye on the fundamentals
Try and understand the basics of the subject as it will help solve most questions. Do not think about short cuts. No concept is easy or difficult. It is the application of the concept that sets the level of the question.

Third step: Test yourself
Solve as many mock papers as possible. Do not set any time limit initially and solve the paper. Learn about the questions that you could not answer and find out what limited you from reaching to the answer. If speed is the problem then solve as many papers as possible and if lack of accuracy is an issue then go back to your basics. 

Tips to crack Quantitative Aptitude

Quantitative Aptitude will play a significant role in CAT 2011. Familiarity with Mathematics will be crucial in deciding your selection. The level of Mathematics will be that of Standard X and logic similar to National Talent Search Examination. Pay attention to geometry, number system, algebra and questions related to speed and distance. There are different angles to each problem and it is important to understand the question before answering it.
Quantitative Ability
It is not possible to precisely tell the nature of questions but an analysis of previous papers reflects that questions are usually based on the following topics: number system, arithmetic, algebra and geometry, time-speed-distance, work and time. Furthermore, ratio and proportion, profit and loss, average, percentage, partnership, mensuration, simple and compound interest, set theory, venn diagrams, permutations and combinations are also important topics.
Important chapters
The CAT questions are not direct. They are designed to trick you in a way that is confusing. That said, these are the important chapters that should be paid attention to while preparing for QA section of CAT:
Number system
About 30 per cent questions are based on this topic in this section of CAT. 8 of the 20 probable questions can be expected this year from the number system. Application of logic will decide your success.
Geometry
It is important to understand the theorem that will be applied for solving the question. 3-4 questions are expected from geometry in CAT 2011.
Algebra
Pay attention to the basics for this topic. Log, arithmetic progression, geometric progression are important. A lot of practice and ability to deal with numbers is desired.
Arithmetic
Do not be scared of calculations. Practice previous question papers.

How to prepare
Practice mock papers and seriously solve and analyse real CAT question papers of the previous years. It is worthwhile to understand the pattern of questions. The more the practice, the better the chances of succeeding in this section. Also try to master the art of solving questions in computer based format.

80 per cent questions do not require any formula
Most questions in CAT are not formula based and have a story format. It is required that you create an image of the data in your mind and relate everything before actually solving the question.

Tips

• Try to first understand the basic level of Mathematics.
• Develop the ability to evaluate several combinations in less time.
• Read the questions carefully as they are tricky.
• Use diagrams to solve tricky questions.