cat mock test, cat mock test free, cat mock test online, cat mock test papers

. 

10 tips to prepare for  CAT

CAT is a pseudo standardised test

This means that, even though you cannot predict the exact pattern of questions like you can with GRE, 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 60 to 70 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.

ii. 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.

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

• 
  

iv. 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.

For example, take a data interpretation question based on the average runs scored in a cricket series by major players. Sometimes, CAT aspirants try to save time by partially solving the problem and basing their answers on personal biases -- like Tendulkar would have the highest score or Dravid might have the best average score or something to this effect.

The actual answer, based on the information given in the test, might be completely different. Maybe a bowler would have the highest score. Though this might be not practically feasible, the questions in the CAT paper need not have logical solutions as far as data interpretation is concerned.

Making a guess of this kind would not come under the purview of intelligent guessing. Intelligent guessing should be done in topics in which you have a sufficient level of expertise obtained as a result of extensive practice; it should not be done for questions where your answers need to be based on the information given in the question paper. 
v. 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.

vi. 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.

• Are you good at group discussions?

vii. 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.

viii. 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.

ix. 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.

• 
  

x. 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! 

Why Your Good Study Habits Are Wrong

A lot of parents -- maybe yours -- have strong opinions about how kids study. Maybe they think kids should do their homework right after school. Maybe they think good study habits mean kids should study in the same quiet place every day. Maybe they think that you should sit still until all your work is done.

Well, parents aren't always right!

A lot of new research shows that the usual ways of studying may not always be the best ways. Different kids study best in different ways. Here are some twists on study tips and good study habits. You just have to figure out what works for you.

Study Tip: Move Before You Study

Maybe your mom or dad tells you to do your homework as soon as you get off the bus. Ask if you can shoot hoops or run for 15 or 20 minutes first. Explain that you're not trying to put off your work. It's just that exercising your body may help your brain.

Kids in a Chicago-area school do PE first if they're having problems with math or reading. They do much better on tests after they exercise. Moving before you do homework can help get your brain ready to study.

Study Tip: Pick Your Study Spot

Your parents may have set up a great desk in a quiet room. But you feel better doing homework on the floor in the living room or in your bedroom. The important thing is to find a place where you'll pay attention.

Your bedroom might give you privacy. That's great if you have annoying brothers or sisters. But if you start looking at the stuff in your room instead of your math problems, find another place to work. It may even help kids study better when they do homework in different places, just to break up the routine.

Study Tip: Listen to Music While You Study

When it's time to do your homework, your parents might want you to do it quietly. But you might want to listen to music. What's the best thing to do?

There's really no easy answer. Some kids study better with music because it helps them ignore other sounds around them. Other kids get so into the music that they forget about what they're supposed to be doing. Try it and see how you do. 

Just be sure to pick music that won't have you singing instead of paying attention to your homework. Save that music for when you take a break. Then get up and dance for five to 10 minutes.

Study Tip: Take Breaks While You Study

Maybe your parents want you to sit and do your homework until it's done. But taking a short break might help you concentrate. When you work on something for a long time, you may start thinking about other things. You might start daydreaming about your soccer game or an upcoming party. Then your mind sure isn't on homework. 

So get up, do some jumping jacks or take a 10-minute walk. Then come back to your homework. You should be ready to focus again.

Study Tip: Don't Cram for Tests

When you have a test, you might want to wait until the night before to study. But that's a bad idea. When you have to remember information, it's best to go over it a bunch of times for a few days. That way, you have a chance to really learn it. Don't wait and try to cram everything into your head the night before. Chances are you won't get as good a grade on your test. And you'll forget almost everything you memorized right after your test.

The key is to figure out what works for you when it's time to study. You may be surprised! Work with your parents and come up with the best place, time, and way to get your studying done. That way, you won't have to be worried or stressed about it.

Interview tips:

Essential advice on getting ready for a job interview, polishing your technique and calming your interview nerves...

What do I need to do before an interview?

Give yourself plenty of time to:

• research the role and the organisation;
• think about how well your experience, interests and skills fit the job and the organisation;
• research current affairs and trends in your job sector;
• find out what the prospective employer is actually looking for;
• anticipate questions you might be asked, then prepare answers to these questions;
• find out what form the interview will take, e.g. single, panel, group etc.

You should also:

• plan the day of the interview, especially your journey with an aim to arrive ten minutes early. Take money in case you need to take a taxi or bus unexpectedly; carry an A-Z street map or put the postcode of the organisation into Google maps on your mobile to prevent getting lost;
• decide what you will wear and set it out the night before. Suits and business wear are the best option with comfortable, polished shoes;
• get an early night - we all perform better when fully awake.

How do I make a good impression at a job interview?

Stand out for all the right reasons by ensuring you:

• arrive on time or better still early;
• are organised. Take your application letter, CV and examples of work (if appropriate) with you;
• listen carefully to questions and answer them concisely;
• highlight your best attributes in the interview. Before you go, think about what you want the interviewer to know about you (in relation to the job) during the interviewing process;
• pay attention to the way you communicate. There's evidence to suggest that non-verbal communication overpowers verbal communication so if you describe yourself as confident and outgoing but speak inaudibly and avoid eye contact, the interviewer will read the latter as indicating a lack of confidence and disregard what you said about being confident;
• practise anything you're concerned about. This could be saying your answers aloud, which builds confidence in hearing yourself speak, or having a trial run of the journey to the interview.

What techniques can I use to control my nerves?

In interviews, nerves can make you forget to do simple things such as smile and listen, which can result in being thought of as unfriendly or inattentive. You're more likely to be nervous if you're inadequately prepared so as well as following our advice above, you should:

• give yourself time to think about what unique qualities you will bring to the job/organisation;
• think of practical examples to demonstrate what you have achieved and draw upon all aspects of your working, educational and social life;
• write notes and take these along to the interview;
• use cues in your notes to highlight examples that you want to draw upon, such as 'cricket team', 'course representative', 'sales job';
• be aware of the structure of the interview. Interviews often begin with topics that are easier to answer because you need less time to think, such as 'tell us about your studies at university';
• pause before answering a difficult question in order to give yourself time to think;
• use positive language, as interviewers will be assessing your motivation and enthusiasm;
• ask for clarification if, at first, you're unsure of what the question means;
• breathe.

Where can I practise my interview skills?

Your university careers and employability service is likely to provide practice interview sessions.

Alternatively, you could:

• practise your answers (to anticipated questions) with someone you trust and seek feedback but don't be overly self-critical;
• use non-job interviews as opportunities to practise and monitor your interview skills, e.g. discussions with your tutor, doctor etc.;
• ask for feedback and advice after unsuccessful interviews and take it as an opportunity to learn and improve;
• pay a private company to provide interview practice.

Plan your answers to common interview questions.

What should I take to a job interview?

• In general you will not need more than your own letter of application and CV, the job specification/description and your own notes.
• Your invitation to interview should detail everything you need to bring. Often employers request examination certificates, which can take time to locate, so make sure you check what you need in plenty of time.
• You might wish to impress by reading up on the organisation's literature, e.g. a business plan or corporate social responsibility strategy, but make sure you have read it in depth and be prepared to share your views and ideas.
• A pen and notebook are always worth carrying with you and, if giving a presentation, take a copy on a data stick even if you have emailed it beforehand, along with copies of the slides to use as handouts for the interview panel.
• If you take a mobile phone, make sure it is switched to silent or off before entering the organisation.

What is a competency-based interview?

This type of interview is one where the interviewer seeks evidence that you have the skills and experience required to do the job. 

Interviews that take this form involve questions developed around the job and person specifications, so think carefully about examples from your own experience that match or complement these specifications.

Remember that you can use examples from contexts other than work, for example, you may never have worked in a team in the same type of organisation but you have participated in teams elsewhere.

It's important to show an ability or interest in being able to learn new skills; if you are asked about something that is outside your experience, describe a situation where you learned something new and suggest you can do so again.

How do I prepare for a phone interview?

Phone interviews are most often used as a preliminary screen. When preparing for the interview it's important to consider:

• tone of voice - ensure you're enthusiastic and use positive language;
• battery life - if using your mobile charge it fully before the interview;
• location - find a quiet place for the interview, where you will be undisturbed by noise or others.

Phone interviews are often recorded so you may want to find out whether yours will be. It's important to pay particular attention to getting your key messages across quickly - write key attributes down and have this available during the phone call. Be willing to repeat these with the use of examples.

More recently, there has been an increase in Skype or video interviews. This is particularly likely if applying for jobs overseas or where key staff are located overseas.

Remember to dress as you would for a face-to-face interview and check what else will be in the shot with you before the interview begins.

How do I prepare for a second interview?

A second interview means you have made it through the initial screening and the interviewer is now looking for:

• evidence that you have the skills, abilities and interest to carry out the job;
• confirmation that you are able to bring something of value to the organisation.

It's likely that questioning will focus on gathering a deeper understanding of you and your motivations and how these fit with the role, existing team of staff and organisational ethos. Therefore, in order to prepare:

• find out as much as you can about the challenges that face the organisation, its priorities, its markets, its competitors, any existing or new legislative arrangements, etc.;
• think about what you could bring to the organisation and prepare examples of how you have achieved (or learned) something of relevance;
• find ways to demonstrate enthusiasm for the goals of the organisation.

Exam Preparation: Ten Study Tips

Exam Preparation: Ten Study Tips

1. Give yourself enough time to study

Don't leave it until the last minute. While some students do seem to thrive on last-minute 'cramming', it's widely accepted that for most of us, this is not the best way to approach an exam. Set out a timetable for your study. Write down how many exams you have and the days on which you have to sit them. Then organize your study accordingly. You may want to give some exams more study time than others, so find a balance that you feel comfortable with. 

. Organize your study space

Make sure you have enough space to spread your textbooks and notes out. Have you got enough light? Is your chair comfortable? Are your computer games out of sight?

Try and get rid of all distractions, and make sure you feel as comfortable and able to focus as possible. For some people, this may mean almost complete silence; for others, background music helps. Some of us need everything completely tidy and organized in order to concentrate, while others thrive in a more cluttered environment. Think about what works for you, and take the time to get it right.

Use flow charts and diagrams

Visual aids can be really helpful when revising. At the start of a topic, challenge yourself to write down everything you already know about a topic - and then highlight where the gaps lie. Closer to the exam, condense your revision notes into one-page diagrams. Getting your ideas down in this brief format can then help you to quickly recall everything you need to know during the exam.

4. Practice on old exams

One of the most effective ways to prepare for exams is to practice taking past versions. This helps you get used to the format of the questions, and - if you time yourself - can also be good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each section. 

5. Explain your answers to others

Parents and little brothers and sisters don't have to be annoying around exam time! Use them to your advantage. Explain an answer to a question to them. That will help you to get it clear in your head, and also to highlight any areas where you need more work.

Organize study groups with friends

Get together with friends for a study session. You may have questions that they have the answers to and vice versa. As long as you make sure you stay focused on the topic for an agreed amount of time, this can be one of the most effective ways to challenge yourself.

7. Take regular breaks

While you may think it's best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counterproductive. If you were training for a marathon, you wouldn't try and run 24 hours a day! Likewise studies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps.

Everyone's different, so develop a study routine that works for you. If you study better in the morning, start early before taking a break at lunchtime. Or if you're more productive at nighttime, take a larger break earlier on so you're ready to settle down come evening.

Try not to feel guilty about being out enjoying the sunshine instead of hunched over your textbooks. Remember Vitamin D is important for a healthy brain!

8. Snack on 'brain food'

Keep away from junk food! You may feel like you deserve a treat, or that you don't have time to cook, but what you eat can really have an impact on energy levels and focus. Keep your body and brain well-fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt and blueberries. The same applies on exam day - eat a good meal before the test, based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout. Sugar may seem appealing, but it won't help when your energy levels crash an hour or so later.

9. Plan your exam day

Make sure you get everything ready well in advance of the exam - don't leave it to the day before to suddenly realize you don't know the way, or what you're supposed to bring. Check all the rules and requirements, and plan your route and journey time. If possible, do a test run of the trip; if not, write down clear directions.

Work out how long it will take to get there - then add on some extra time. You really don't want to arrive having had to run halfway or feeling frazzled from losing your way. You could also make plans to travel to the exam with friends or classmates, as long as you know they're likely to be punctual! 

10. Drink plenty of water

As a 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 also on the exam day.

Good luck!

Preparing for Exam Success!

Preparing for Exam Success!

With exams season in full-swing and life without your text book surgically attached to you fast approaching, we wanted to share with you our top study tips to help you understand how to learnand improve memory to ensure you achieve exam success! Use this quick study tip guide to see how you can improve your study skills and get yourself on track to achieving those A’s in your exams – it’s just like winning an Oscar!

Study Tip #1 

• Understand your study topics in your own words: Your teacher or lecturer can explain something to you, you can learn it from a text book, your friends can study with you, even your own notes can explain it to you but all these explanations are of little use if, by the end, you can’t explain what you have learned to yourself. If you don’t understand a study concept that you need to illustrate in an exam to get top exam results, then you won’t be happy with your end exam result. To combat this, get into the habit of explaining whatever it is you are studying, in your own words, so you understand your study notes. The key to help improve your memory is to understand what you’ve learned when you are studying it. So don’t just memorise and tick off the list – make sure you understand your theory.

Study Tip #2

• Don’t be afraid to ask study questions: Of course, depending on what you’re studying, it may be quite difficult to get into a position to understand a concept, theory or other information you need to learn. This is where it is invaluable to ask questions of your teachers, lecturers or other educators. Don’t be afraid of asking a ‘stupid’ question – there really is no such thing when it comes to study and learning! Embrace your curiosity, for as William Arthur Ward said: “Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.” Doing so will allow you to fill in the blanks and better prepare you for exams.

Study Tip #3

• Quiz yourself:  Once you feel you understand a concept or a topic, it is important to test yourself on it. Try and replicate exam conditions as much as possible: turn your phone off, don’t talk, time yourself etc. You can set yourself a study quiz or practice exam questions and, so long as you approach it with the right mindset, you can get a very good idea  of how much you know. You gain a greater insight into  where you stand in relation to what you’ve studied so far. Also, it will give you some much need exam preparation, making the actual exam a more comfortable experience. Flashcards are ideal for boosting your memory and help you recall theory, definitions and key dates – these are great for quick study sessions, especially straight before an exam.

Study Tip #4

• Get Creative with online study tools: Don’t feel obliged to just sit in front of a book with a highlighter; there are many different ways to study. You should pick whatever works for you. Try using as many study tools and techniques as possible to help you study better and find what works best for you. Perfect examples of such study tools would be online flashcards, mind maps, mnemonics, online study planners, video and audio resources. Login to your ExamTime account now to access your free online study tools; mind maps, flashcards, study quizzes and practice exam answers and bring your study notes with you wherever you are.

Study Tip #5

• Set your study goals and create a flexible study plan: In order to achieve exam success you need to know what you want to achieve. That’s why it is extremely important to set your Study Goals now and outline to yourself what you need to do. With your study goals in mind and your end of year exams weeks and months away it makes sense to have a flexible study plan as opposed to a rigid one. The closer you get to your exams the more concrete your study plan should be, but at this point it should be porous. It should be broad enough to allow you to add and change aspects but concise enough so you know you’re covering each subject/topic as best you can at this point.

Study Tips & Study Skills

Study Tips & Study Skills

Students with better study methods and strategies score higher on their exams.

Everyone is different. Different methods work for different people; the following are only suggestions on improving upon your current studying techniques.

It is best to review the material right after class when it's still fresh in your memory.

Don't try to do all your studying the night before the test. Instead space out your studying, review class materials at least several times a week, focusing on one topic at a time.

Have all of your study material in front of you: lecture notes, course textbooks, study guides and any other relevant material.

Find a comfortable and quiet place to study with good lighting and little distractions (try avoiding your own bed; it is very tempting to just lie down and take a nap).

Start out by studying the most important information.

Learn the general concepts first, don't worry about learning the details until you have learned the main ideas.

Take notes and write down a summary of the important ideas as you read through your study material.

Take short breaks frequently. Your memory retains the information that you study at the beginning and the end better than what you study in the middle.

Space out your studying, you'll learn more by studying a little every day instead of waiting to cram at the last minute. By studying every day, the material will stay in your long-term memory but if you try to study at the last moment, the material will only reside in your short-term memory that you'll easily forget.

Make sure that you understand the material well, don't just read through the material and try to memorize everything.

If you choose to study in a group, only study with others who are serious about the test.

Test yourself or have someone test you on the material to find out what your weak and strong areas are. You can use the review questions at the end of each chapter, practice tests that the teacher may give out or other pertinent materials.

Listening to relaxing music such as classical or jazz on a low volume can relieve some of the boredom of studying.

Don't study later than the time you usually go to sleep, you may fall asleep or be tempted to go to sleep, instead try studying in the afternoon or early evening. If you are a morning person try studying in the morning.