Just a day after some serious CAT aspirants must have read this on IMS’ patent blog – CATholics, a post ‘CATalysis’ that I have my viewpoints jotted down especially when juniors awaiting a serious demise of the feline, have had requested to spread a word on one of the most onerous task – Analyzing a CAT Mock !

When it comes to CAT taking and the strategies that can aid one’s preparation better is the spirit with which a mock test is taken. The Common Admission Test is one such paper that demands a perfect combination/blend of various management skills. It not only tests your basic calculation/reasoning/communication abilities but judges you on the basis of how do you manage your paper. A well balanced number of attempts with greater accuracy and adequate attempts would definitely ensure one or more IIM call knocks your door. However, there lies a diligent CAT taker’s biggest challenge.

Well, in a spur of the moment, I listed out the below pointers that I have realized after two and a half long years of CAT mauling. However, the way each one of us prepares would differ as each one of us have different strengths and weaknesses to work upon.

1. Identifying the ones you were going correct with but ended up selecting the wrong option. A very very common mistake that probably each one of us makes. CAT would throw questions with seemingly close options with the sole intent to confuse you. Well, beware ! I know this is the case especially in the Verbal Section when it comes to Para Jumbles. But then, being wary is the key. Don’t let your strength transform cost you your marks.

2. Identifying the questions which must have been attempted but left out. It happens lot many times when we realize there were actually so many sitters that were left out owing to our anxiety/nervousness and the like. To maximize our marks, lets try not to lose out on such questions. A way out can be going over the paper and trying to figure out if it’s doable in a short span of time. Even a question or a two can bring a lot of difference.

3. Analyzing why you got a particular question wrong. It often happens that I am just on the right track towards finding an answer but then I lose my focus. Either I become too nervous and tensed that I fail to figure out the next steps. Well, this needs a little more patience and diligence. Just don’t panic. You are right almost there.

4. If you got some question correct, was there any other better / simpler / faster way to attempt. Or, how your approach was different from the given explanation. It is likely that there was a far simpler approach to the problem and you just took the tortuous way. Well, you can very well avoid these at times and thus save our time for another question. However, this requires dedication and time to ponder over/analyze and arrive at a decent solution.

5. Identify – How many questions ‘should’ and ‘could’ have been attempted and which should have been left over ? In haste/nervousness/anxiety, we often tend to miss quite a number of sitters. As such, a quick round of the paper can give you an overall sneak peak of the kind of questions and the ones you can attempt.

6. Identify which were those areas where you held your greatest accuracy. You may also like to compare it with past mock results to get a view of your standings/improvement/scope of improvement. This is required to judge your strengths and weaknesses. While strengths are to be used and used to maximize your scores, weaknesses require you to work even harder so as not to allow them to put you down.

7. Analyze the way you might want to attempt paper to maximize your score and what suits you best. You may want to attempt Verbal first, then try your hand at Data Interpretation and so on. Well, this is something that you ought to experiment out to find what suits you the best!

8. You also consider looking why you scored less or more over last time. There exist so many environmental and other factors that might have contributed to your low scores. Just sit back and analyze how you could have avoided.

Well, these are just some of my viewpoints. There might be some other dimensions as well but the key to success would be a blend of a perfect preparation, talent and luck!

Good Luck – with just a month more! :thumbsup: