TEST PREP- CAT / MAT

Source:- Freshersworld

CAT

What is CAT?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is an all-India test conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as an entrance exam for the management programmes of its 11 business schools and Top MBA Schools. Other than IIMs, CAT scores are also accepted by many other MBA Institutes across India.

The CAT is one of the world's most demanding entrance examinations for any graduate institute. The test taker is expected to excel in arithmetical problem solving, geometry, statistics, data interpretation, logical reasoning in solving complex puzzles, and English language skills.

Why CAT?

CAT,  a key for admission in 13 IIMs and top B-schools in India. Performance in CAT examination is an important component in the admission process. Apart from that many other colleges accept the CAT scores and give it a strong emphasis apart from other educational qualifications. So if you have a dream to study in one of the best MBA colleges in India you have to appear for CAT

With so many new sectors opening up -- retail, insurance, BPO, telecom -- it would seem the job pie has grown exponentially. Better salary, designation and job profiles are offered to the MBA's

Test Structure

CAT is a computer-based test (CBT) since 2009. The process include Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussions (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI). IIMs may use previous academic performance of the candidates, relevant work experience and other similar inputs in short listing and ranking of candidates at various stages of the admission process. The processes, academic cut-offs and the weights allocated to the evaluation parameters may vary across IIMs.  For more information you may refer the admissions policies of IIMs from their respective websites. The timing allotted to solve the questions always varies.

Eligibility

The candidate must hold a Bachelor's Degree, with at least 50 per cent marks or equivalent CGPA [45 per cent in case of the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Differently abled (DA)categories],from a recognized University.

Candidates who are currently in their final year of Bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) can also apply, provided they expect to complete all their exams and other requirements for obtaining the qualifying degree. Such candidates, if selected for admission, will have to submit a certificate at the time of registration, stating that the candidate has completed all the requirements for obtaining the Bachelor's degree. This certificate has to be obtained from the HOD/ Registrar / Principal of the institution where the candidate is studying.

In addition, such candidates must produce the final year marksheet and the degree certificate as proof of having satisfied the minimum eligibility requirements, by the dates specified by the respective IIMs in the CAT Bulletin.

Application Details

A CAT aspirant must be aware of things that would be needed for registration process. These things are:

1.CAT voucher: Before you register online for CAT, you should obtain a voucher from selected Axis Bank branches. Fill the pay-in-slip at the selected Axis Bank branch near your home to obtain the voucher. This voucher is your first step to top B-schools of the country in. The pay-in-slip has two copies one of which will be stamped and given back to the CAT aspirants. This copy shall be retained by the candidate during the entire examination process. The voucher number can be found under the scratch-off area of the voucher you purchase at an Axis Bank branch.

2.Necessary education documents: Before starting the registration process which is online, you should be ready with all your important education documents such as mark sheets of higher secondary, senior secondary and your college. Also be ready with your diplomas if you have pursued higher education. You should calculate your percentage in all your examinations.

3.Work Experience letters (if applicable): If you have work experience, then you should be ready with your experience letters from the companies you have worked with.

4.Desired programmes: Prepare a list of IIM programmes you wish to apply to as per your interests and aptitude. Try and make informed decisions.

5.Exam Date: You should know well in advance which day and time slot you wish to appear for the test.

MAT

What is MAT?

Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is an entrance test for those who want to pursue career in management. It is conducted by All India Management Aptitude Testing Service (AIMATS), New Delhi conducts the as the National Entrance Test for admission to MBA and equivalent programmes of the various participating institutes. MAT results are accepted by All India Management Association - Centre for Management Education (AIMA-CME) and other AICTE-approved Management Institutes (MI) and university departments.

Why MAT?

If you are planning to pursus MBA from a mid tier college which will save your money as well as your effort of competing for tier 1 colleges then MAT could be a good option for you Moreover if you pass out from a mid tier MBA college with sound practical knowledge the chances for you ending up in a decent paying job are still high.

Though not particularly but many good corporate prefer to hire from mid tier colleges due to various reasons.

So don't worry even if you were not successful for taking admission in top notch colleges. All you have to do is to work hard and acquire more and more practical knowledge and more increase your networking.

Test Structure

Candidate can choose any one of the two options to take the test:

• Paper Based Test
• Computer Based Test.

It is an objective type test with multiple-choice answers. The test judges following areas

• Language Comprehension
• Mathematical Skills
• Data Analysis and Sufficiency
• Intelligence and Critical Reasoning
• Indian and Global Environment

Though GK marks are not included for score calculation but it is recommended that students attempt this section and not leave it.

Eligibility

The candidate must hold a Bachelor's Degree, with at least 50 per cent marks or equivalent The minimum qualification for appearing in MAT is graduation in any discipline from any recognized University or equivalent recognized degree. A final year student in any undergraduate can also appear provisionally. Usually, there is a minimum percentage requirement in graduation, which is different for different MIs/University. For this refer to the prospectus of the particular MIs/University.

Admission criteria for every institute are different. All MIs participating in MAT are either AICTE, DEC approved; University affiliated College, University Department. For further information you may contact the MIs/Universities of your choice. The list of various MIs/Universities is available in MAT bulletin along with the admission notification. It may be worthwhile to go through the brochure of the MIs for detailed information.

Application Details

A student may apply online either through Credit Card/Debit Card or Demand Draft.

Certain details of credit card or demand draft are required while registering online.

The documents required before starting online registration are - Credit Card/Debit Card/ATM Card (Approved by Master/Visa) or Demand Draft, Passport size photograph in soft form saved as .jpg/jpeg format (not exceeding size of 50KB) and resume in soft form saved as word format (not exceeding size of 150 KB).With the above documents ready, one can apply as well as pay online.

An auto-generated Registration Number is allotted to the student on successful submission of online registration form and will appear on print version of the Registration Form.

The candidates paying through demand draft are required to send their demand draft with a print out of the filled online application form with auto generated Registration Number and a duly signed photograph to a mentioned address.

AIMA website link: http://aima-ind.org/ may be checked by candidates fifteen days before the date for downloading Admit Card.

CAT preparation

The things you should keep in mind while preparing for CAT are

1.CAT is a pseudo standardised test

This means that, even though you cannot predict the exact pattern of questions you can still predict the answer pattern -- a net total of about 60 to 65 marks with an equitable distribution in all three sections of the paper will get you calls from most institutions.

Once you realise this, you will find your workload reduced by a huge amount. Your task, as emphasised by all CAT preparation centres, is to attempt the easiest possible questions out of the 120 to 150 odd questions that are put to you. You must work to this pattern if you want to do well in CAT.

2. The identification of easy questions is a difficult task and comes only after practice. Depending on a person's level of ease with the topics, the amount of preparation required may vary. However, you should try to leverage your strengths to the optimum. In the process, however, don't forget clearing cut-offs is essential to getting calls; doing well in one section and not clearing the cut-off in another will not help.

3. CAT is not a test to prove your mettle in specific subjects; you need to prove your overall ability.

4. Most of you must have already started giving mock tests; this is the only way to figure out how you will fare at the national level. There is no need to panic if you are not able to match your expectations in the mock CAT tests; look at every test as a learning experience.

Do your best in all the tests. After returning home, analyse your performance. Adequate practice will give you the knowledge to make informed decisions -- for example, you will realise attempting a reading comprehension question might not be a good idea if you only have a few minutes left before the test ends.

Answer questions depending on your level of confidence on the topics, rather than the feasibility of the answers.

5. You should be careful not to repeat the mistakes made you made in either the mock CATs or while practising at home. Make it a point to take a couple of tests every week from now on.

6. Set a goal while revising or studying the CAT preparation material.

Here is an example of what I mean. If you have planned to study for two hours, you should also know what you hope to achieve at the end of those two hours. This will help you focus your effort. By setting a goal, you will achieve much more in those two hours.

7. As I had mentioned earlier, CAT is all about strategy. There are many talented people who have given this exam but have not got admission into the IIMs. One of the major differences between these people and those who made it to the IIMs is that the latter had learnt to maximise their result in the two hours allotted to CAT.

They knew all sections were equally important and should, ideally, be given equal time unless you are exceptionally weak in a section.

8. Coming to the paper, you should look at accuracy as a priority. Adequate practice will help you increase your speed at a later stage of preparation, but absence of accuracy will lead to widely varying results and not help you get admission in the institution of your choice.

9. Try and understand why you want to do an MBA. Your reasons should be good enough to constantly motivate you during the preparation stage. You should also inculcate the habit of reading regularly.

10. Lastly, flexibility matters.

One can have a strategy is place, but it may not work for you during the actual exam. You should always have a fallback plan. One particular section in the paper might be particularly difficult or you may find two sections have been merged into one. Such possible combinations should be analysed; you should also have a strategy ready in case you are faced with such a scenario.

Focus on improving your strategy during the month of September. Use the months of October and November to work on the speed at which you answer questions accurately.

Before giving mock tests, ensure you have a good grasp on the various CAT sections; you should be able to attempt at least 80 to 90 questions. This will give you the confidence to sail through CAT!

MAT Preparation

Follow a step by step procedure. Everyone has his/her own learning curve so there is not a single method that will work for all. However I can suggest some steps:

1. Clear you basic Maths Concepts. The best place to start is the text books for Class 10 or some study material provided by an institute. Learn as many formulas as possible and find some shortcuts.

2. Work on you vocabulary. Read a lot and observe how a word in used in different contexts.

3. Develop the habit of reading. Newspapers, Magazines and TV can be a great help here.

4. Reasoning skills can be improved by solving puzzles

5. Practice a lot. Solve sets of questions within a time frame. Concentrate on each section and devote equal time.

6. Once you know your strengths and weaknesses, go for some full-length tests. Observe how you improve your score with each passing test.

7. Revise. This is what most of the students miss out on.

How to Tackle Each Section?

Here are some tips:

Mathematics

MAT Test has relatively easy math sums except probability and permutations which may prove difficult. Generally the paper can be solved with some patience. As mentioned earlier stick to basics.

Data Analysis and Sufficiency (DI)

MAT DI part consists of conventional data interpretation like graphs and charts with questions based on finding percentage increase or decrease.

Reasoning

Like many other MBA Entrance exams, MAT also follows old GRE books. It will a good idea to study from these or some old question papers of MAT.

English

MAT English part is pure comprehension. This is the area of concern for most students. Only thing that can help you here is reading and reading a lot.