• Be well prepared

The best way to avoid negative marking is by solving the questions accurately. To be able to solve the questions efficiently, it is important to be thorough with all the CAT syllabus topics and be well acquainted with the different question variations. Also, take several mocks before the exam for self-analysis and develop problem-solving abilities in the exam.

• Read the questions thoroughly

Read questions properly

It is important that each question should be read properly before starting to solve. In many cases, candidates misread a value or a unit and end up solving the question incorrectly. So, it is suggested to read the questions effectively and then start solving.

• Avoid guessing

It is one of the most common practices that many individuals do in the competitive exams. As there is a -1 negative marking in CAT, even 1 incorrect guess can end up reducing the overall percentile to a great extent. It is always suggested to answer accurately and not guess in the CAT exam.

• Be calm and concentrated

There are several instances where candidates mark the incorrect option in a hurry without noticing. This mainly happens when candidates states of minds are not composed and they get distracted. This is one of the common mistakes which can be easily avoided by staying calm and composed.

• Avoid last-minute attempts

The duration of the CAT exam is 3 hours and the total questions are 100. So, it is really difficult for an individual to attempt all the questions in that time. But, CAT is all about getting the answers right and not solving all the questions. So, it is important to attempt the questions accurately and avoid last minute answers as it may lead to an incorrect attempt.

• Have proper test-taking strategies

In the exam, managing time and solving accurately is very important. To be able to confidently attempt the questions, one needs personal test-taking strategies. The problem-solving abilities differ from person to person and so, it is important to have individual strategies. It is advised to start attempting with the easy questions from the more confident topics (according to self-preference) and then move to the difficult and time-consuming ones.

These were a few tips that can help the CAT aspirants avoid getting negative marking in the exam. It is important to have proper preparation and be confident with the syllabus. Candidates are suggested to take mock tests which are provided by the IIMs on the official website. The mock tests are generally released after the CAT registration is over and are available for all the registered candidates.

CAT aspirants can also check out BYJU’S video lessons on different CAT exam topics to learn and prepare more effectively. Subscribe to BYJU’S YouTube channel to check out more video lessons and download the app to get complete assistance.

1. Read the newspaper daily

Newspaper editorials provide you with not only the updates on current affairs, but also an insight on writing style and flow. It is easy to observe how each writer has explained the happenings of the world in 250-300 words. You can also observe the correct application of Grammar rules. Slowly, and steadily, you’ll become so proficient, that you may be able to weed out mistakes in the newspaper itself, if any.

2. Practice speaking in English

Though spoken and written English are different in significant ways, it is always a confident boost to be able to fluently speak in a language that is not your mother tongue. Speaking in English will create nerve tracks in your brain, that will enable you to be more understanding of the language. Conscious efforts in this direction will force your brain to express thoughts in English, thereby improving your vocabulary, too.

3. Carry your flash cards everywhere.

Nowadays, due to digitization, we find mobile apps for everything. Similarly, there are apps for flash cards, too. If you’re more comfortable with the paper cards, then discretely sneak them to your cousin’s wedding, or else pretend to be clicking really great pictures while learning up as many words as humanly possible.

Pro Tip: ALWAYS learn the application as well. It helps to remember the word better than anything else. It is also beneficial to associate the words with things that you see in daily life.

4. Grammar isn’t just for convent school girls.

In school when we were forced to speak in English, it hadn’t been because the teachers hated us. It was so that we could grasp the language. Grammar rules if studied on their own, will definitely bore a person out. But when you study with a partner, or even if alone, you study the rules through a YouTube video, it gets easier. Always remember that knowing Grammar rules will fetch you ‘lazy’ marks i.e. the marks assigned to match the columns, complete the sentences, mark the wrong part of sentence, etc. Reading Comprehension also becomes much easier as you do not have to spend too much time on understanding a sentence.

5. Being patient.

Learning a new language is difficult. But relearning a language that you’ve spoken almost all your life is really tricky. You will be exasperated as the words will seem the same, or you’ll keep messing up the rules. But, keep going. Keep practicing. Because once you get the hang of this section, it’ll be a great time saver as well as the easiest way to score.

Rest assured, whatever you do, do not ignore this section as the 4/5 ‘lazy’ marks could be the ones that make all the difference in your score. English is sometimes confusing, and remembering the exception to the rules can sometimes muddle your head. But, it’s always a question of how badly do you want to achieve your dream. Keep believing. Keep working. All the best!

Connect with your Study Partner at www.StudyPal.co to help you ace your test prep

Contrary to the multi-tasking lifestyle that we lead, studying demands focusing on one thing at a time. Constant devotion of time and attention to a singularly tracked study material, often gets difficult due to the existence of distracting electronics and the restlessness induced due to overuse of social media. Social media constantly distracts us by being so current and finicky. Though, the biggest boon of social media is the sheer accessibility of opportunities to succeed, to meet new people, and to stay updated, it is of utmost importance that we first learn to prioritize our time.

So, in order to help you stay focused and get the most out of your devoted study time, here are 5 fool-proof hacks:

1. Meditate your way to A+B=C

Not only is meditation a way to guarantee superhuman concentration levels, but it also calms the nervous system. It stimulates the brain to achieve better cognitive and intellectual performance. Studies have shown that meditation is responsible for changes in brain functions, increasing students’ practical intelligence and creative thinking. It is the sure shot way to sharpening your memory as well as keeping away restlessness and insomnia, which are very common symptoms of stress.

2. Eat to nourish your brain

We have been told that since walnuts look like miniature brains, they are good for the brains. Well, turns out, they really are excellent for maintaining optimum brain health. Foods containing essential fatty acids like Omega-3, copper, polyphenols are excellent for increased brain power. Wondering which foods contain these wonder components, look no further, here’s a list:

• Vegan Options – Nuts (walnuts, almonds), turmeric, blueberries, broccoli, avocado, spinach, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, coconut oil.
• Non-vegan Options – Salmon, eggs, dark chocolate.

3. Study with a partner

Studies show that humans function better in a group, or with a partner, in general. Due to our social nature, we tend to look for safety and a sense of team to be performing at our optimum level. More than that, studying with a partner ensures that we complete what we aimed to do. It encourages us to focus better, and in case we are stuck at a particular problem, our study partner can always help out. It is in fact, one of the most fruitful ways to ensure successful study sessions.

4. Exercise for a sharper memory

Exercise guarantees a healthy body, and an even healthier brain. It stimulates the production of endorphins (a chemical naturally released in the brain to reduce pain, that in large amounts can make you feel relaxed or full of energy). Endorphins lower cortisol levels (a hormone produced as response to stress), and increases energy levels. Studying gets easier as you feel motivated, confident, and happier.

5. Organization is key

Organize your study space, your time table, your exam day, and your life in general. The more ordered your timeline is, the easier it is to escape chaos and focus. The time tables that you set, should be a doable allocation of study material to the time in question. A clutter-free desk results in a clutter-free mind. You can easily find your required materials, and start studying without having to waste time searching for everything in a mess.

6. Originality is inspirational

Study in the way you find comfortable. You shouldn’t be bothered if it takes you a little while longer than your friend to study a particular topic. Set your own time table, and device your own study techniques like writing down pointers, making flashcards, or just plain highlighting the text. It is always best to trust your own gut when it comes to planning for your future.

Now, that you have a few pointers as guidelines, don’t just stick to them. Be innovative, and find ways to add your own twist to these hacks. It is after all your study sessions. And the most important of all is to always believe in yourself and the dream you want to achieve. All the best!

So far, out of all these exams, the CAT which is conducted by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) is accepted by almost all universities for the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM). The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer based test that is held in the second half of the year. It tests the students in Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning/Data Interpretation.

Here are a couple of things you need to know before you go ahead with the test.

1. First impression is NOT the last impression.

The CAT test gives the candidate 1 hour for each session, i.e. it is a 3-hour test overall. You can only go to the next session once the allotted time has elapsed. There are a total of 100 questions in the test that are so designed that 1 question never fully focuses on just 1 topic. The question can be an artful mixture of multiple concepts. Hence, I’m CAT first impressions are usually deceptive.

1. It’s possible to score a negative integer

Contrary to what our school grading system teaches us, marks aren’t always positive integers. The CAT has negative marking. Each question carries 3 marks, and 1 mark is deducted for every incorrectly answered question. However, there’s another type of questions that exist and these can be your saviors. They’re the Type In The Answer (TITA) category. These questions are non-MCQ type and aren’t a part of the negative marking scheme. These can usually be your source of ‘lazy marks’ especially in Verbal as they usually contain para-jumbles and grammar questions.

1. Play to your strengths

We are often advised to step out of our comfort zones while prepping for success, but in the CAT, your safety zones will get you assured marks as opposed to risks that have a higher probability of incorrect answers. You should always go for the topics that you’re most confident in before you attempt anything else, in this way, you’ve secured those marks, and then if time permits, you solve everything else. But this is in no way an advice to just study a select few topics thoroughly. Prepare everything, but know your strengths.

1. Aim HIGH!

Of course, the best institutes that you can get into on the basis of the CAT are the IIMs. But apart from those, there will be institutes native to your city or state that hold great reputations, too. Research institutes based on their cut-off scores, stream centric placements, and course curriculum. A college reputed for one course may not necessarily be the same for another. So aim accordingly.

1. Work experience isn’t just resume accessory.

Candidates that have work experience have a good chance of getting accepted into their dream institutes. That is because once you’ve got the hang of the field, the understanding and application of business management concepts gets smoother. Worry not freshers, you also have a chance at your dream institutes. Just start connecting to people who’ve been in the corporate world, keep up to date on current affairs, and try your hand at a couple of internships during your undergraduate courses if possible.

1. Scores don’t determine your admit.

PGDM requires the candidates to prove themselves via an extra set of tests that are divided into rounds of Written Ability, Group Discussion/Case Discussion, and Personal Interview. It is essential to prep yourself well for each round. Speak to alumni or current students of the institutes to know what their experiences were. Scour the internet for people’s experiences and interview questions that you can prep yourself for.

This process will require dedication and meticulousness. Keeping track of all exam and institute related news will surely help you. The exam itself is easy to conquer once you focus on practicing as much as you can. Confidence and a smart demeanor will definitely impress the admission committee. You must and should have enough faith in yourself as you set about on your journey. All the best!

Find your study partner to stay motivated and strengthen your test prep at www.StudyPal.co

Here are 5 hacks that will ensure better understanding of the Quants section:

1. Numbers are your friends.

Usually, big calculations can throw us off our game, and we end up blundering. That’s because the complex string of numbers often makes us forget that we know numbers. In order to get better at numbers, consider 20 random calculations (can be addition, subtraction, multiplication or division  – whichever you’re most uncomfortable with) and solve it within a set period of time. This will increase your focus and deal with numbers better. You’ll also start figuring out shortcuts for big calculations, and remember tables easier.

2. The formula to become the formulae wizard

Take down a list of the important formulae, and take a long, hard look at them. You don’t need to rote learn the formulae. Once you know how they were derived, or even the logic behind their output, it gets much easier to keep track of them. Every morning, before you begin your studies, take aside a couple of minutes to just look at your list of formulae. This stimulates learning by visual memory. If you’re an auditory learner, then record a tape of yourself reciting those formulae and play it whenever you wish to.

3. Analyse to Maximize

More important than any other hack is this age old tradition. The reason why mock tests exist is so that we can prepare for the real ones. But, instead of directly beginning with timing yourself, for the first couple of tests, don’t. Once, you get the idea of how long it’s taking you to figure out the question, you can work on minimizing that time. Analysis after a test will help you see which areas require work.

4. Strengthen your language

Understanding the problem question is the biggest hurdle. The longer it takes you to figure out the data, the more marks you lose. Having a strong understanding of the language that the test is in, will encourage you to focus wholly on the data provided instead of decoding. That means more time to actually work with the data, and solve more questions.

5. Keep all options open

Ah no, this doesn’t mean that all options are correct. It just means that sometimes there are more than one interpretations of a question. You need to consider the entire data given, pay attention to the footnotes or the conversion values given. These areas usually require you to be thinking laterally instead of factually. So, for the sake of the question given, you have to forget what you think is factually correct.

The most important point here is, that constant practice and being in touch with the subject will get you closer to your target score. Unless your test has negative marking, attempt everything. But, if you’re unfortunate enough to be attempting a test with negative marking, you need to learn to choose which topics you’re the strongest at, and decide which questions you will solve.

You can always connect with a Study Partner to help you stay focused and keep you motivated. You can register at www.StudyPal.co to connect with a prep buddy nearby.

Quantitative Aptitude segment in CAT is a standout amongst the most difficult yet an intriguing region. Numerous candidates confront issues while preparing this section. So, to help the aspirants prepare this section more effectively, here are some of the important strategies.

Before getting into the strategies, it is important to know the CAT 2018 syllabus. The main topics of quantitative section include

1.   Numbers
2.   Arithmetic
3.   Geometry
4.   Algebra
5.   Modern Math

For an effective quantitative preparation, one has to follow the below-mentioned phases properly.

• Applied Clarity
• Application
• Practice

Applied Clarity:

One needs to cover every concept in all the topics. By having a proper foundation of the topics, solving and comprehending the numerical questions become easy and quick.

It is a period taking procedure and ought to be done calmly and efficiently. It is suggested to avoid skipping topics and have a thorough understanding of all the related concepts.

Application:

QA isn’t simply arithmetic, it is a connected science. How well one has comprehended the ideas will decide how well he/ she can apply them. Get acquainted with various standard concepts from every topic to see how the concepts and hypotheses or equations are connected. Consider some standard CAT preparation books and learn the concepts. During this time, it is also suggested to analyze the strong and weak topics and work on them.

Practice:

Practice is probably the most important entity for an efficient CAT quantitative aptitude preparation. Solve a wide range of question types to be able to tackle the actual CAT questions easily. Also, solve sample papers and previous year papers to know the detailed questions’ pattern and difficulty.

Apart from the practice papers, take several CAT mock tests and analyze the preparation level properly. Also, self-analysis and mock tests help to get completely acquainted with the actual CAT exam scenario and thus, candidates can easily develop personalized test-taking strategies.

With these tips, CAT aspirants can have a proper preparation and increase their chances of scoring more in the exam. CAT is an extremely important and competitive exam and hence, it requires honest dedication and proper preparation to ace the exam.

To learn various CAT topics, candidates can subscribe to BYJU’S YouTube channel. With engaging and effective video lessons, preparing for the exam can be easy and efficient.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU8Uv01kSJM

Interviews play a very important role in the selection process of all management B-Schools. Many students feel that the interviewers are free to ask questions from any area and hence luck plays a very important role in final selection (which is not true), due to which their preparation for interview sometimes becomes burdensome and lacks excitement and enjoyment. Some of them may neglect the importance of preparation due to this.

One of the best ways to prepare is to make a list of probable questions and answer them one by one. Some of the questions frequently asked in the interview are as follows:

1. Tell us something about yourself.

2. Goals in life.

3. Strengths & Weaknesses.

4. Why MBA?

5. Why this B-School?

Many students while answering the question “Tell us something about yourself” do not give brief introductions and end it abruptly. This is an important question and a person must answer it systematically without mugging up the answer. A student can start an introduction with his/her academic background or present job profile (if working) followed by what kind of individual that student is i.e. strengths and goals of his/her life. If any achievements are there that should be included then hobbies and interest and in short family background at the end. For questions related to goals, strengths and weaknesses a good introspection is required by the candidate. Questions like “Why MBA?” should be answered keeping your goals and strengths in mind. Many students (Fresher’s or Candidate with work experience) do say that they want to become a good manager, CEO of an organization or want to start their own business that’s why they want to do MBA. This may not satisfy the interviewers and hence one need to rethink about it. If a candidate is a fresher then they can talk about things like before entering corporate world an MBA will give them good knowledge about how the organization works. It will also help them to understand different aspects of business like Marketing, Finance, and HR in detail. Overall it will give them the opportunity to get equipped with qualities and knowledge required to do well in their career.

Candidates with work experience already have some knowledge of work culture in an organization. So the answer for “Why MBA?” for them could have points like:

1. Looking for a greater role to play in an organization or wants to contribute in growth as well as decision making aspects of organization.
2. To gear up for new challenges an MBA will provide necessary exposure, opportunity to interact best brains from different parts of the world and a broader outlook required to fill in the big shoes in future.

Overall a student should have a good clarity and vision about his/her career and future to get a final selection.

– T.I.M.E Aurangabad

With CET just a month away we wanted to share a few study tips coming straight from our experts who have been there done that.

TIP #1: Focus:

Before you start to pick up those huge books and start to scribble just wait there. First things first, set the environment where you study. Today we live in the world with numerous distractions and our addiction towards smartphones and those apps are great time killers. So just shut it. Remain focussed and start with a goal in mind “to get into a top B-school”.

#determination #dedication

TIP #2 Basics:

Get through the basics quickly, remember the difficulty level of the questions is very low in CET so get through the syllabus. You have been doing it for a year or so now, so this should not take time. The syllabus is very basic with most of the concepts taken from the 10^th grade.

#revision #syllabus

TIP #3 Study with a pal:

Studying together with someone who is going to take CET is quite helpful. You can discuss your doubts, challenge each other and work together to achieve the common goal. If you haven’t found one yet, you’ll surely find one at Studypal.co

#teaming-up #Study-partner

TIP #4 Speed and Mocks:

CET is a time based exam. You need to work hard to improve your speed of solving and calculating. You may gain it by doing speed drills, just set the time and always better it. Vedic maths may also help. You should be able to solve a question in about 30-35 seconds. We recommend you to at least take 20 mock exams so that you get the timing right. If you haven’t started on your mocks yet just log on to oliveboard.com and start taking mock exams.

#30seconds #mocks

Final Tip:

Remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout your revision and eat healthy.

Good luck!

Hari Krishnan, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific & Japan at Linkedin tells us about his global MBA experience at INSEAD and how to leverage your network.

1. You have worked in different organizations – Large companies, Fast growing Silicon Valley Companies and Start Ups. What have you learned from each?
   
   My aspiration has always been to be a business builder and leader. To do so, I needed to work at different companies, different industries and companies at different stages of development.At Cisco, I worked for a large company at the peak of it’s powers. To be in the Silicon Valley during the dotcom boom and bust periods was a very educational lesson which has served me well. Above all, I learned how good companies manage employees, take strategic investment decisions and build business.I worked/co-founded 2 separate startups – Travelguru and Stylkist. While one exited successfully through an acquisition, the other one grew well but eventually was sold after breaking up its core assets. I learnt how to build an industry (E-Commerce in India) and build a company from the ground up. Struggles such as figuring out how to make payroll, manage cashflow, hive off business lines etc are so much more existential in nature at that stage of a company’s existence.I also helped 3 American digital companies enter India – Yahoo, MySpace and most recently LinkedIn. I learnt the challenges of being an MNC subsidiary, setting up tax entities, and managing expectations across cultures and geos.All of this has allowed me to be better at prioritization, focus on talent and growing businesses.
   
   
2. How has your MBA from INSEAD enabled you to lead?
   
   It opened me up to cultural differences especially in the professional context. It allowed me to face up to and conquer my own biases and understand how to be successful in global settings. It also showcased the strength of a strong network and good old fashioned hard work.
   
   
3. You have studied on three continents. What would you say to students looking for a global experience?
   
   Be flexible in your approach, open-minded in your thinking and let the experiences wash over you. You will be so much better as a person and a professional once you have done this. But do not underestimate how uncomfortable the actual process of studying in another culture may feel. Its character building stuff!
   
   
4. Business today is becoming social. How would you encourage students to foster social engagement at school and at work?
   
   Professional networks are about making yourself more successful and productive, if they are done well. I would encourage three things:
   • Be authentic: be yourself, don’t pretend to be something/someone you are not.
   • Share more freely: The more you contribute, the more value you will get out of your network.
   • Quality over quantity: A network of trusted, high quality people is worth much more than just arbitrarily networking with all and sundry.
     
     
5. Any tips for our aspiring MBA’s ?
   
   Understand WHY you want an MBA. It can be a wonderful experience, but don’t expect a silver bullet. It will not make you a superhero, just a little better at things like time management, people management and perhaps fill skill gaps like finance, negotiation ability etc.
   
   
6. Can you tell us a bit about Linkedin University?
   
   LinkedIn has 238M+ members globally and this means we have a large number of career paths and we know the career outcomes for the alums for thousands of schools globally. We believe we are uniquely positioned to help university students build a path from college to their career. In the future, you could also foresee a time when highschool students apply to colleges and specific programs using the career outcome data of alums of that college/program, which they will find on LinkedIn. We are only just getting started with services for this key stakeholder group.

I am often hungrier while writing an article about food rather than while I’m cooking it. Thinking can make us pretty hungry. According to medical researchers, our brain cells need double the energy as the other cells in our body, causing our body to crave food to restore this energy during intellectual activities like test prep.

So if you are preparing for standardized tests and often get the munchies, it is merely your brain insisting on a glucose boost. Sorry to be a damper on a guilt free study binge by stating the obvious, but over-snacking and eating the wrong things during your hunger pangs will certainly be counterproductive. It can cause your brain to get too much glucose and slow down. Not so smart after all!

However, there is nothing better than a healthy snack to keep your mental juices flowing.  So why don’t we make this snack time doubly productive by eating not just healthy but brainy foods too.

There are four main nutritional components that help our brains function to their full potential and even reinforce new brain cells. Here is a list of healthy powder foods that will provide the right nourishment for those long study days.

1. Glucose (carbohydrate) – The energy giver
   
   • Banana smoothies
   • Bean and corn salads
   • Popcorn
   • Lentil soups
   • Whole grain crackers with hummus

    

2. Fatty acids (omega 3-6) – The brain lubricant
   • Smoked salmon or grilled sardine fingers snacks
   • Avocado and chia smoothie
   • Walnuts
   • Cashew nuts
   • Flax seed rich energy bars
   • Tahini (sesame paste) dip

3. Antioxidants – The restorer
   
   • All kinds of berries
   • Spinach soups
   • Steamed garlic broccoli
   • DIY Energy drink: Coconut water with chia seeds
   • A variety of teas

    

4. Amino acids (protein) – The protector
   
   • Grilled fish, meat, liver and tofu snacks
   • Egg white salads
   • Yogurt snacks with honey and flax powder

And here are two simple and quick recipes for you and your study buddy.

AVOCADO SMOOTHIE

Serves – 2 glasses
Prep time – 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 avocado
3 tablespoons chopped dates
5 tablespoons 0% fat greek yogurt
½ cup Soymilk
¾ cup water
2 tablespoons chia seeds

Methods:

Mix the soymilk, water and chia seeds in a glass and leave aside letting the chia seeds absorb the water and fluff up.

Put the avocado, dates and greek yogurt in a blender and blend till they form a smooth paste.

Put the avocado paste in a mixing bowl with the soymilk mix and gently combine the ingredients together with a spatula.

Chill in the refrigerator and drink the cold avocado smoothie during your study break to give your brain a jumpstart!

BEAN SALAD

Serves – 3
Prep time – 20 minutes

Ingredients:

½ cup red beans
½ cup sweet corn
½ cup chopped coriander leaves
¼ cup spring onions
¼ cup chopped walnuts

Dressing:

½ a lime, juiced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika powder
1 teaspoon honey

Method:

Mix together all the ingredients for the dressing and leave aside.
Put the remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss till the produce have come together nicely.

Mix in the dressing and serve chilled.

Remember to graze through your study days, eat nutritious snacks and keep it light.

Enjoy!