tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36954519806399184792024-03-14T02:19:15.039+05:30IIM - CAT Coaching: Experts' Insights2IIM's blog to discuss the CAT paper, exam strategies, preparation plan and other CAT-related stuffAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307897270318146959noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-90102418628248388692016-02-05T16:33:00.001+05:302016-02-05T18:02:31.894+05:30The road to pressure-free CAT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span> </span>took CAT in 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2015.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My first shot was a full-fledged, one year of classroom training, final-year-student-has-lots-of-time-to-prepare attempt. I scored 88<sup>th</sup> percentile. Second attempt was when I had entered corporate life. I was in a tough job that drained me completely. Went into the exam with one evening of revisiting formulae, with no conscious reading prior to that. Scored 66<sup>th</sup> percentile.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The third attempt was my best shot at cat. Prepared with help of another CAT coaching center. Was still in the same Job and had enormous pressure to perform. This was my ticket to glory, way out of the job etc. Got a middling 85<sup>th</sup> percentile<span style="font-family: "wingdings";"> </span><span style="font-family: "wingdings";">.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I got calls from 6 new IIMs, NITIE, IIM Indore, CAT 2012. Converted all six new IIMs and NITIE. Didn’t attempt Indore interview because of some personal reason.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fast forward to Feb 2015, got an opportunity to work with 2IIM Chennai. I had wanted to be in the educational space for a long time. Once the opportunity came, I couldn’t have refused it even if I wanted to. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Started marketing online product and managed classroom and online businesses. We all (who work at 2IIM) take CAT for the joy of it (FYI: Rajesh happens to have nailed CAT multiple times). I also started taking classes for CAT and XAT. I teach basic math classes. I did not prepare for CAT Quant. <o:p></o:p><br />
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I read vigorously during the last three months prior to CAT. On any given day, I spent considerable time on three different books. Reading schedule comprised one Fiction, one spiritual/non fiction, and old editions of economist. Learnt DI from online.2iim.com. LR was my favourite part in CAT. Did not prepare at all. Took one mock the Monday before CAT.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fortunately (or unfortunately as others might call it), got CAT allotted in Pondicherry (I am from Chennai. Pondicherry is about 170 kms from Chennai). Everyone else I knew had their exam centre in Chennai. Went on a biking trip on Nov 29<sup>th</sup>. It was two days before the infamous Chennai floods. Had a raincoat, waterproof bag and a Royal Enfield! Reached Pondicherry, happily riding through rain. My CAT was in the afternoon slot. I had a pleasant time talking to parents who were waiting for their kids attempting their CAT. We spoke on B schools, CAT training, and several other related topics.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I went in completely relaxed and happy. Slept inside the exam hall between 1.15 and 1.50 pm. Exam began at 2.00 pm.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Verbal section was okay-ish. I always used to have doubts between last 2 options. This time, surprisingly, very few questions ended in a coin toss (4 to be precise). Had ten minutes to spare at the end of the session. Thoroughly checked through all questions and unmarked 4 doubtful questions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then came the nightmarish DI LR. Spent 5 minutes going through all questions. Couldn’t decide if any question was doable. Time pressure started. So had to start somewhere. Fifteen minutes (overall 20 minutes) into Data interpretation questions, I had completed only one set. Next ten minutes went nowhere. It was already 30 minutes, and I had to start Logical reasoning. Took two puzzles, solved them completely in 22 minutes. Had 8 minutes remaining. Wanted to try my luck at a Non mcq based DI puzzle. Did all 4 in that set. In total 16 questions. What started as a nightmare had actually ended pretty well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had close to zero preparation for Quants so attempted only 13 questions (all from the topics I was used to teaching). Any questions that I noticed on Number theory, Geometry or Permutation Probability was ruthlessly ignored.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In total I attempted 57 questions (28+16+13). My guess from normalised scores is that 22 questions right (with 18 in RC), All 16 right in DI LR, and 10 correct answers in Quants.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Overall scaled score is 144.55 and <b>percentile is 95.1</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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VA-RC – 95.26, DI-LR – 97.66, QA – 79.21.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The takeaway from this experience is that, <b>removing pressure</b> off the thoughts play an enormous role in scoring well. I had exposure to how CAT looked and felt from my prior attempts, however the most serious attempts had that element of pressure built in to the system. There were times when I went into exam hall after eating Munch/Perk, expecting them to kick in after sometime so that I would get sugar rush. But without all that elaborate planning and expectations, the exam felt more enjoyable. I believe even Rajesh would reiterate the same. The sense of Joy, lets you enjoy the exam better than taking it under pressure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I know it is incredibly tough to remove all pressure when you are taking a competitive exam. But it is vital to de-emphasize the pressure aspects as much as possible and to enjoy both the preparation and the exam-taking part as much as possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All the best for CAT 2016.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>The author Bharathwaj works with <a href="http://online.2iim.com/" target="_blank">2IIM</a>, building the business & teaching. Excellent counselor, bonds with students like no one else, passionate about what he does & Travels a lot. blogs @ <a href="http://bharathwajuday.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">bharathwajuday.blogspot.in</a></i></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-56702937572927588212016-01-27T14:32:00.002+05:302016-01-27T14:33:24.726+05:3099.5 percentile and still no call from IIMs ABC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We get this question very frequently and at multiple forums. So, we thought it would be best to share our answers here.<br />
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<br /><span class="quora-content-embed" data-name="99-52-ile-in-CAT-2015-85+-in-academics-18-months-workex-I-havent-got-a-call-from-IIM-Blore-L-I-K-Isnt-this-strange-What-can-I-do-about-it/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Read <a class="quora-content-link" data-width="559" load-full-answer="True" data-key="3d5f1b72845bebe20643651a32dcf9c8" data-id="18790384" data-embed="pdjinjf" href="https://www.quora.com/99-52-ile-in-CAT-2015-85+-in-academics-18-months-workex-I-havent-got-a-call-from-IIM-Blore-L-I-K-Isnt-this-strange-What-can-I-do-about-it/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8" data-type="answer" data-height="250"><a href="https://www.quora.com/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Rajesh Balasubramanian</a>'s <a href="/99-52-ile-in-CAT-2015-85+-in-academics-18-months-workex-I-havent-got-a-call-from-IIM-Blore-L-I-K-Isnt-this-strange-What-can-I-do-about-it#ans18790384">answer</a> to <a href="/99-52-ile-in-CAT-2015-85+-in-academics-18-months-workex-I-havent-got-a-call-from-IIM-Blore-L-I-K-Isnt-this-strange-What-can-I-do-about-it" ref="canonical"><span class="rendered_qtext"><div class="qtext_para">99.52%ile in CAT 2015, 85+ in academics, 18 months workex & I havent got a call from IIM Blore/L/I/K. Isn't this strange? What can I do about it?</div></span></a></a> on <a href="https://www.__nousername__.main.quora.com">Quora</a><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.quora.com/widgets/content"></script></span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307897270318146959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-12107099584382792932016-01-21T17:31:00.001+05:302016-01-21T17:31:40.277+05:30CAT did not go to plan, is it worth your while preparing again?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We have answered a few questions on <b><a href="https://www.quora.com/profile/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8/answers">Quora</a></b> on <b><i>CAT preparation</i></b>. Click through to see the answers that have been posted there -<br />
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<span class="quora-content-embed" data-name="Should-I-even-prepare-for-CAT-this-year-considering-the-modern-trend-or-give-up-and-move-on/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Read <a class="quora-content-link" data-width="559" load-full-answer="False" data-key="ff61e78fbd7b1083c5af8019e3be0d22" data-id="18755406" data-embed="hixxlao" href="https://www.quora.com/Should-I-even-prepare-for-CAT-this-year-considering-the-modern-trend-or-give-up-and-move-on/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8" data-type="answer" data-height="250"><a href="https://www.quora.com/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Rajesh Balasubramanian</a>'s <a href="/Should-I-even-prepare-for-CAT-this-year-considering-the-modern-trend-or-give-up-and-move-on#ans18755406">answer</a> to <a href="/Should-I-even-prepare-for-CAT-this-year-considering-the-modern-trend-or-give-up-and-move-on" ref="canonical"><span class="rendered_qtext"><div class="qtext_para">Should I even prepare for CAT this year considering the modern trend or give up and move on?</div></span></a></a> on <a href="https://www.__nousername__.main.quora.com">Quora</a><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.quora.com/widgets/content"></script></span></br>
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<span class="quora-content-embed" data-name="I-have-yet-again-screwed-up-CAT-this-year-what-should-i-do/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Read <a class="quora-content-link" data-width="559" load-full-answer="False" data-key="146f6c564963cd7ad07295afb3d55dbd" data-id="18536953" data-embed="hixxlao" href="https://www.quora.com/I-have-yet-again-screwed-up-CAT-this-year-what-should-i-do/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8" data-type="answer" data-height="250"><a href="https://www.quora.com/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Rajesh Balasubramanian</a>'s <a href="/I-have-yet-again-screwed-up-CAT-this-year-what-should-i-do#ans18536953">answer</a> to <a href="/I-have-yet-again-screwed-up-CAT-this-year-what-should-i-do" ref="canonical"><span class="rendered_qtext"><div class="qtext_para">I have yet again screwed up CAT this year, what should i do?</div></span></a></a> on <a href="https://www.__nousername__.main.quora.com">Quora</a><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.quora.com/widgets/content"></script></span>
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<span class="quora-content-embed" data-name="Given-the-state-of-affairs-is-it-a-good-decision-if-I-choose-to-resign-my-job-and-prepare-for-CAT-2016-as-well-as-other-MBA-exams/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Read <a class="quora-content-link" data-width="559" load-full-answer="False" data-key="4d8c7ea19544e4e2abd8768c4d7ee342" data-id="18390645" data-embed="hixxlao" href="https://www.quora.com/Given-the-state-of-affairs-is-it-a-good-decision-if-I-choose-to-resign-my-job-and-prepare-for-CAT-2016-as-well-as-other-MBA-exams/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8" data-type="answer" data-height="250"><a href="https://www.quora.com/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Rajesh Balasubramanian</a>'s <a href="/Given-the-state-of-affairs-is-it-a-good-decision-if-I-choose-to-resign-my-job-and-prepare-for-CAT-2016-as-well-as-other-MBA-exams#ans18390645">answer</a> to <a href="/Given-the-state-of-affairs-is-it-a-good-decision-if-I-choose-to-resign-my-job-and-prepare-for-CAT-2016-as-well-as-other-MBA-exams" ref="canonical"><span class="rendered_qtext"><div class="qtext_para">Given the state of affairs, is it a good decision if I choose to resign my job and prepare for CAT 2016 as well as other MBA exams?</div></span></a></a> on <a href="https://www.__nousername__.main.quora.com">Quora</a><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.quora.com/widgets/content"></script></span><br /><br /><span class="quora-content-embed" data-name="I-was-reading-on-Pagal-guy-that-Guy-who-has-99-8-percentile-get-direct-reject-from-IIM-A-B-C-in-final-selection-What-do-these-colleges-want-from-us/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Read <a class="quora-content-link" data-width="559" load-full-answer="False" data-key="b30f4930a81460434dd74be9f7196b49" data-id="11581047" data-embed="hixxlao" href="https://www.quora.com/I-was-reading-on-Pagal-guy-that-Guy-who-has-99-8-percentile-get-direct-reject-from-IIM-A-B-C-in-final-selection-What-do-these-colleges-want-from-us/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8" data-type="answer" data-height="250"><a href="https://www.quora.com/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Rajesh Balasubramanian</a>'s <a href="/I-was-reading-on-Pagal-guy-that-Guy-who-has-99-8-percentile-get-direct-reject-from-IIM-A-B-C-in-final-selection-What-do-these-colleges-want-from-us#ans11581047">answer</a> to <a href="/I-was-reading-on-Pagal-guy-that-Guy-who-has-99-8-percentile-get-direct-reject-from-IIM-A-B-C-in-final-selection-What-do-these-colleges-want-from-us" ref="canonical"><span class="rendered_qtext">I was reading on Pagal guy that Guy who has 99.8 percentile get direct reject from IIM A,B, C in final selection. What do these colleges want from us?</span></a></a> on <a href="https://www.__nousername__.main.quora.com">Quora</a><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.quora.com/widgets/content"></script></span>
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</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-3194849368093399022016-01-18T18:13:00.000+05:302016-01-20T12:01:35.966+05:30CAT Preparation Online - Answers to few interesting questions from Quora<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We have answered a few questions on <b><a href="https://www.quora.com/profile/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8/answers">Quora</a></b> on <b><i>CAT preparation</i></b>. Click through to see the answers that have been posted there -<br />
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<span class="quora-content-embed" data-name="I-have-X-in-10th-Y-in-12th-and-Z-in-undergrad-what-should-be-my-CAT-score-to-make-it-to-an-IIM/answers/18608450">Read <a class="quora-content-link" data-width="559" load-full-answer="False" data-key="27231f85d81da4d07f42a976b497a1de" data-id="18608450" data-embed="hixxlao" href="https://www.quora.com/I-have-X-in-10th-Y-in-12th-and-Z-in-undergrad-what-should-be-my-CAT-score-to-make-it-to-an-IIM/answers/18608450" data-type="answer" data-height="250"><a href="https://www.quora.com/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Rajesh Balasubramanian</a>'s <a href="/I-have-X-in-10th-Y-in-12th-and-Z-in-undergrad-what-should-be-my-CAT-score-to-make-it-to-an-IIM#ans18608450">answer</a> to <a href="/I-have-X-in-10th-Y-in-12th-and-Z-in-undergrad-what-should-be-my-CAT-score-to-make-it-to-an-IIM" ref="canonical"><span class="rendered_qtext"><div class="qtext_para">I have X% in 10th, Y% in 12th and Z% in undergrad, what should be my CAT score to make it to an IIM?</div></span></a></a> on <a href="https://www.__nousername__.main.quora.com">Quora</a><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.quora.com/widgets/content"></script></span></br>
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<span class="quora-content-embed" data-name="How-shall-I-prepare-for-CAT-2016-and-what-other-entrace-examinations-shall-I-appear-to-get-admitted-in-best-business-colleges/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Read <a class="quora-content-link" data-embed="hixxlao" data-height="250" data-id="18537172" data-key="1d39089ee8615dadf8e2134f613e331d" data-type="answer" data-width="559" href="https://www.quora.com/How-shall-I-prepare-for-CAT-2016-and-what-other-entrace-examinations-shall-I-appear-to-get-admitted-in-best-business-colleges/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8" load-full-answer="False"></a><a href="https://www.quora.com/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Rajesh Balasubramanian</a>'s <a href="https://quora.com/How-shall-I-prepare-for-CAT-2016-and-what-other-entrace-examinations-shall-I-appear-to-get-admitted-in-best-business-colleges#ans18537172">answer</a> to <a href="https://quora.com/How-shall-I-prepare-for-CAT-2016-and-what-other-entrace-examinations-shall-I-appear-to-get-admitted-in-best-business-colleges" ref="canonical"><span class="rendered_qtext">How shall I prepare for CAT 2016 and what other entrace examinations shall I appear to get admitted in best business colleges?</span></a> on <a href="https://www.__nousername__.main.quora.com/">Quora</a><script src="https://www.quora.com/widgets/content" type="text/javascript"></script></span>
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<span class="quora-content-embed" data-name="How-shall-I-prepare-for-CAT-2016-and-what-other-entrace-examinations-shall-I-appear-to-get-admitted-in-best-business-colleges/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8"><script src="https://www.quora.com/widgets/content" type="text/javascript"></script></span>
<span class="quora-content-embed" data-name="Which-are-the-best-coaching-in-thane-ghatkopar-area-for-CAT-Or-which-institute-is-best-time-ims-n-cetking/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Read <a class="quora-content-link" data-width="559" load-full-answer="False" data-key="626dbb1699967d360301ae6c781869de" data-id="18455470" data-embed="hixxlao" href="https://www.quora.com/Which-are-the-best-coaching-in-thane-ghatkopar-area-for-CAT-Or-which-institute-is-best-time-ims-n-cetking/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8" data-type="answer" data-height="250"><a href="https://www.quora.com/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Rajesh Balasubramanian</a>'s <a href="/Which-are-the-best-coaching-in-thane-ghatkopar-area-for-CAT-Or-which-institute-is-best-time-ims-n-cetking#ans18455470">answer</a> to <a href="/Which-are-the-best-coaching-in-thane-ghatkopar-area-for-CAT-Or-which-institute-is-best-time-ims-n-cetking" ref="canonical"><span class="rendered_qtext">Which are the best coaching in thane ghatkopar area for CAT? Or which institute is best time, ims n cetking?</span></a></a> on <a href="https://www.__nousername__.main.quora.com">Quora</a><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.quora.com/widgets/content"></script></span><br /><br />
<span class="quora-content-embed" data-name="What-all-should-be-my-everyday-exercises-starting-from-Jan-2016-to-crack-CAT-2016-with-a-100-percentile/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Read <a class="quora-content-link" data-width="559" load-full-answer="False" data-key="a1d942032f1725a1b7689c21bba0177f" data-id="18334065" data-embed="hixxlao" href="https://www.quora.com/What-all-should-be-my-everyday-exercises-starting-from-Jan-2016-to-crack-CAT-2016-with-a-100-percentile/answer/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8" data-type="answer" data-height="250"><a href="https://www.quora.com/Rajesh-Balasubramanian-8">Rajesh Balasubramanian</a>'s <a href="/What-all-should-be-my-everyday-exercises-starting-from-Jan-2016-to-crack-CAT-2016-with-a-100-percentile#ans18334065">answer</a> to <a href="/What-all-should-be-my-everyday-exercises-starting-from-Jan-2016-to-crack-CAT-2016-with-a-100-percentile" ref="canonical"><span class="rendered_qtext">What all should be my everyday exercises starting from Jan 2016 to crack CAT 2016 with a 100 percentile?</span></a></a> on <a href="https://www.__nousername__.main.quora.com">Quora</a><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.quora.com/widgets/content"></script></span>
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</div>Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-30322325725396928082015-12-08T16:02:00.002+05:302015-12-08T16:02:36.907+05:30CAT 2015 – General Thoughts, attempts, percentiles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Now that we are out of the immediate aftermath of the exam
(and after the weather gods in Chennai have given us a breather to head to
office), it is probably a good time to have a look at how the paper went</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><b><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paper was
slightly tougher than last year, with DI-LR being substantially tougher </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Verbal and Quant were broadly at the same level
of difficulty as was seen last year, but DI-LR was substantially tougher. A
good student could attempt ~30 questions in verbal, ~24-ish in Quant, but only
about ~14-15 in DI-LR. In the past few years, the variance in difficulty levels
across sections had fallen, but this time it was stark. I personally do not
think this was by design. Our dear test-setters probably wanted to crank up
difficulty in order to offset the advantage given by having a calculator and
ended up overcompensating. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, what would be the percentile for xx number of
attempts. </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">To begin with, percentile guessing is a mugs
game. Further, accuracy is a critically important, and unavailable datapoint
for doing this exercise. Still, we all like to pretend that we can forecast
stuff with reasonable accuracy, so here goes. <a href="http://catscores.blogspot.in/2014/11/cat-2014-attempts-and-percentiles.html" target="_blank">Remember the caveats</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Verbal ability<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~24 attempts
– 90<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~26 attempts
– 94<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~28 attempts
– 98<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~30 attempts
– 99<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~31 attempts
– 99.4 percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Anything
higher – Higher percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Accuracy
matters for all three sections, but is particularly critical for verbal. With this
type of paper, almost anyone could have attempted 25 questions. Attempting 31
questions and getting 30 correct will be dramatically better than attempting 32
and getting 5 wrong. There were not too many questions with a ‘catch’. So,
small details will matter a lot in this section.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">DI-LR<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~12 attempts
– 90<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~14 attempts
– 94<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~17 attempts
– 98<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~20 attempts
– 99<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~23 attempts
– 99.4 percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Anything
higher – Higher percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">This
might turn out to be the section where there is a huge gradient in the attempt
vs. percentile chart. For instance, someone with 13 attempts and all correct
might end with 93<sup>rd</sup> percentile, while a student with 13 attempts and
3 incorrect could get buried at 60<sup>th</sup> percentile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quantitative ability<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~18 attempts
– 90<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~21 attempts
– 94<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~24 attempts
– 98<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~26 attempts
– 99<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~28 attempts
– 99.4 percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Anything
higher – Higher percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">This probably falls bang in between Verbal and DI-LR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Overall<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~52 attempts
– 90<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~57 attempts
– 94<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~64 attempts
– 98<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~69 attempts
– 99<sup>th</sup> percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">~74 attempts
– 99.4 percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Anything
higher – Higher percentile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember,
that all of these are just guesses. And all of these are predicated on the fact
that accuracy is at very decent levels (maximum of 2 questions wrong in each
section). I do not really understand the phrase “around 70%” accuracy. <i>Around</i> 70% accuracy is just management-speak
for 60% of so accuracy, which is just humbug. Weather forecasters do a better
job than that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><b><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">So,
how does this change preparation for CAT 2016?</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Nothing much needs to change. Prepare from the
basics, work a lot on the drill, take gazillion mocks in the run-up to the exam
– this mantra worked for CAT in 1990, 2000, 2010 and will work for 2016 also. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;">The
second clear inference is this – Take the 2IIM online preparation course. We
have taken the horse to the pond, demonstrated how one drinks water and
exhorted the horse to drink water. We still continue to improve the product as
well. It is already way better than any classroom course. God knows how good it
will be in 8 months’ time. From CAT 2017 onwards, a third of the guys will be
preparing online. ‘Discovering’ a good online course will be like saying Indian
cricket team plays well on turning tracks. Duh. 2016 is the year where you can
be savvy and get yourself an advantage. </span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">J</span><br />
<span style="background: white; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.1px;">Apologies on this slightly-delayed post. We guys at 2IIM operate out of Chennai, and Chennai has just begun crawling out from under the rocks. But 2IIM, like the rest of Chennai, is back on its feet, and we will be there to help you guys with the interviews in 3 short weeks. Best wishes for CAT results. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-42741058498645510762015-11-27T21:37:00.001+05:302015-11-27T21:37:56.668+05:30What to do the day before CAT?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The simple answer to this is 'Nothing'. The more elaborate answer is "Nothing much". But since I cannot pass off two words as an article, I am going to do the MBA-thing. Say lot of words that convey the same point.<br />
<br />
<b>Dont let lack of sleep get to you.</b><br />
Everyone is going to tell you that you should sleep a lot the day before the exam. But if you have prepared with any amount of intensity, you will find falling asleep tough. Acknowledge that. Keep in mind that the adrenaline on the day of the exam will drown out any fatigue from sleep-deprivation. If you can get 8 hours of the good stuff, great. But if you manage only 4 hours of it, the worst thing to do is to go into the exam beating yourself about this "mere 4 hours". 4 hours is more than enough. Sachin Tendulkar has slept less than that and scored centuries the next day. Going into a critical exam, it is likely that you are too switched on and cannot sleep that easily. Dont worry about this.<br />
<br />
<b>Do something that you enjoy, but do not overdo it</b><br />
Watch a movie, play football, watch youtube videos of Lionel Messi, take a nice ride/drive. Do whatever it is that puts you at ease, but dont do this 2 am.<br />
<br />
<b>Get the small details right</b><br />
Fuel your vehicle, check the hall ticket, verify if the photograph is the same, set aside your favourite pen etc.<br />
<br />
<b>Dont fret about preparation, now is not the time to regret the long weekend you took to goof off</b><br />
However well you might have prepared, give your best shot with that. Do not go in feeling that you are under-cooked. The last day is to gee yourself up, so focus all your attention on conning yourself into believing.<br />
<br />
<b>Fly off the blocks, let adrenaline do its thing</b><br />
In the minutes before the exam, bin all thoughts of percentiles, formulae, strategy, cut-offs and other nonsense. Simplify. Think what Usain Bolt would be thinking before a 100m dash. He might have prepared his entire adult life for the race. But on the eve of the race, he is going to operate with a simple framework "Hear starting gun, run for 10 seconds". Solving questions is the best way to relax yourself. The least you can do is give yourself a chance.<br />
<br />
<b>Remember, this is not such a big deal.</b><br />
Anyone who does well in the exam has to be reasonably sharp; while the converse is not true. This exam is but one outlet to showcase your mettle. Nothing more, nothing less.<br />
<br />
Best wishes from the entire 2IIM team for CAT 2015. </div>
Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-52590961221255404622015-11-02T07:26:00.000+05:302015-11-02T07:26:56.997+05:30Why I take CAT every year? - article by Rajesh Balasubramanian<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">I have been asked this question many times in many fora and I had always provided a 'fudged' answer. So, I thought I could have some fun thinking about the real answer. Ergo, this post.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">I completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Management more than
a decade ago. And like most of my classmates, I graduated with the feeling that
I had already completed one MBA too many. Why then do I take the CAT every
year?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are two reasons for this. The first is the
‘professional’ reason. I run 2IIM, an online education Company that focuses on
CAT preparation. I spend gazillion hours teaching students and creating content
and so it helps to have a sense of what the exam is all about. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second, personal reason is probably more interesting. I
like the challenge of taking an exam where one has to reactivate the grey cells
for three hours. If you have ever sat down to try a crossword, math puzzle or
good old Sudoku, you will have a sense of what I am talking about here. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The CAT
provides more context so test-taking is far more than being merely a fun
exercise of the brain. The exam setting creates an intensity that is absent elsewhere
and this adds to the thrill. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In one sense, the exam is also my own way of saying I can
compete with the youngsters today. Of striking a blow against the ageists, and
telling myself that the intermediary years spent on the drudgery of
stock-peddling have not (yet) dulled my senses.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The obvious question here is whether there might not be far
better avenues of challenging myself. There probably are. But they all probably
involve lot more practice and training. For instance, running marathons needs
six months of training and the very thought of consuming long miles with just
myself for company leaves me with dread. So, I want something that can push
me over a few short hours, preferably only once every twelve months or so.
Ergo, CAT. Besides, I have saved up long-distance running for the mid-life
crisis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Contrary to popular perception, the CAT is actually a high
quality exam. Any testing mechanism can commit two kinds of errors - It can let
in undeserving candidates, or it can miss out on deserving candidates. The
better exams do a good job on both counts. The CAT is very well designed for
limiting one kind of error - anyone who does well in the exam has to be
reasonably sharp; while the converse is not true. It is society that perversely
assumes the converse and therefore ends up placing enormous pressure on
candidates. Standardized tests cannot be created to cater to all types of
intelligences. We should be mature enough to accept that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a potential candidate, you are probably thinking – I have
read this piece about the motivations of a 35-year old ex-banker whose idea of
a good time is to take exams. What am I going to get out of this? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My experience as a test-taker has placed me in a unique
position of being able to view the exam not only as an involved participant,
but also as someone who is pressure-free as far as the wider consequences are
concerned. The one input I would give all aspirants is to have a sense of
joie-de-vivre while approaching the exam. Try to retain a sense of wonder about
the idea of solving problems or cracking puzzles. To cite a sports parallel,
football can be associated with either catenaccio or Joga Bonito. As far as CAT
goes, Joga Bonito (play beautifully). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Best wishes for the CAT.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>An excerpt from this piece appeared in the India Today Aspire issue that can be found <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/race-to-a-better-end/1/510027.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The author, Rajesh
Balasubramanian is an alumnus from IIMB (2003) who runs 2IIM Online CAT
Coaching company. The author takes CAT every year and has the distinction of
having scored 100<sup>th</sup> percentile in CAT 2011, 2012 and CAT 2014.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-28991016844208944382015-10-10T11:50:00.003+05:302015-10-10T11:50:35.852+05:30What is Reading Comprehension Really About?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">What is Reading Comprehension Really About?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">When it comes to cracking the verbal
section, the only skill that really matters is critical reading. This is just a
fancy way of saying: "Be alert when you read, and understand what the
writer is trying to say." You might think this is self-evident - Isn't
that what reading is about, you might ask yourself. But when you're reading
under pressure, it's not always easy to act on this advice. Especially when you
have to read continuously for six to eight minutes for RC. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Reading Comprehension is really two things.
The first is the actual reading part - this is what requires comprehension or
understanding (and is actually the more significant part of RC). The second
part is answering questions, which is more reflection than comprehension - this
is where you relate back to the ideas that the passage has talked about and
think about what impact those ideas have on the question posed. Understanding
what RC is, is the first step to forming an effective strategy for it.
Unfortunately, so many students have such a warped idea of what RC is from all
the bad mocks they've taken, they come to view RC with extreme distaste, which
is entirely unjustified. Deliberately choosing an absurdly worded passage is a
cheap way of increasing difficulty - only mock providers do this, the CAT never
does. Reading Comprehension is not an efficient tool of torture that the IIMs
have come up with to see you squirm in pain or frustration (even if it appears
that way to you right now). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Reading Comprehension is the examiner's way
of testing alertness, patience, and your capacity to receive new ideas. The
pattern is designed to test how well you can relate to the ideas in a passage,
and not to see if you are a literature major who can dissect somebody's PhD
thesis. For this reason, the CAT chooses passages that are very easy to read. I
would go one step further - I would say the CAT chooses passages that are quite
interesting and engaging to read, if not actually entertaining. The examiners
don't want to throw off a candidate with writing that has been artificially
inflated in difficulty. The passage won't be on some obscure form of philosophy
that no one cares about. It won't use words that have died out and should have
been put to rest a few centuries back. As I've grown fond of saying, if you're
looking for something to occupy your mind while you're having a cup of coffee,
you could do worse than pick up an RC passage from the CAT. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">No, I'm not peddling some New Age reverse
psychology trick designed to help you fool yourself into liking RC. This is not
a scheme where you convince yourself that the cabbage that you're eating for
breakfast, lunch and dinner in a bid to lose weight is actually Margherita
pizza. Anyone who's had a serious attempt at the CAT will readily tell you more
or less the same thing - they might have been under pressure when they were
reading the passages, but there won't be very many who'll tell you the passages
were boring or even difficult to read. Because they're neither of those things.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Once you understand why the examiners
insist on keeping this wonderfully useful pattern in the exam, your attitude
towards it will change. Just remember, RC is designed to test two skills -
whether you can receive new ideas through reading, and whether you can relate
to them in answering the questions. The examiners are not interested in making
the first part hard - that'll be like asking someone to run after beating them
very hard on their knees. They won't make it difficult for you to understand
the ideas in a passage by choosing a passage that is neigh incomprehensible
(don't you hate it when a writer makes it harder to understand what he's saying
just for the heck of it?). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">No, the difficulty from this pattern always
comes in making you relate to the ideas in the passage. No, not the questions.
The answer options. Making the question hard to understand is another cheap
trick that the CAT does not resort to. The difficulty (in all verbal ability
questions, not just RC) will be in the way the answer options are framed.
Usually, you will come down to two similar, but distinguishable answer options
that differ from each other for a very specific reason. If you understood what
the writer was really trying to say, then you'll be able to figure out what the
difference between the two options is, and you'll be able to mark the better
one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Let's look at an example of what I'm
talking about. The paragraph below presents an interesting take on corruption.
It's not difficult to read (it doesn't use extinct language) and its main idea
is actually quite entertaining:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">"Paradoxically, a little bit of
corruption can actually end up helping the government. A company that wants to
build a new automobile factory knows that corruption is inevitable. But it also
knows that by lining a local bureaucrat's pocket, say an official who has to
issue a clearance for the factory to be built, with a hefty bribe it can expect
that its factory will be cleared and it can commence operations within a
reasonable timeframe. A tolerable amount of corruption can be written off as a
business cost no different from paying taxes, so long as the company can expect
results from the machinery. Corruption can help cut the red tape and make it
easier for a company to set up shop in a country and therefore act for the
benefit of the country's economy."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Now, a question from this paragraph could
be along these lines: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">"What is the main point of this
paragraph?” and the answer choices could be:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">A. A country shouldn't be too harsh on
corruption, because it can actually help economic growth by attracting
investment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">B. Corruption increases predictability in
business operations and helps companies grease the government machinery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">C. Corruption is a necessary evil if a
company is to do business in the world today.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">D. Ironically, corruption might have
positive side-effects for a country's economy by helping businesses overcome
its cumbersome red-tape. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">If you really understood the paragraph, you
should be able to eliminate choices A and C. The paragraph has nothing to say
about a country cracking down on corruption, so the writer doesn't appear to be
defending corruption from attack. C puts a negative spin on corruption, saying
something along the lines of "we've got to live with it." The writer
observes a positive consequence of corruption for a country's economy; he
doesn't say it's evil, or even that it is necessary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Now, between B and D, which would you think
is the main idea of the paragraph? What is the writer really trying to say? If
you pause to ask yourself this, you will recognise the difference between B and
D. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ready for the answer? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It's Option D. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The writer isn't interested in only saying
that corruption helps a business, which is what option B does. He goes further
than that - he argues that because corruption helps a business, it can help the
government too. Once you understand the difference between the two options, it
becomes obvious that D is the answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">What shortcut did you need to solve this
question? What mystical knowledge helps the expert solve this question? Nothing
more than simply realising that RC is not designed to torture you. It’s
designed to test whether you can understand ideas and reflect on them. Reflect
on them to use them to relate to the answer options. That’s all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Now I say that’s what the examiners want to
test, but what they’re also testing is to see if you have a reading habit.
That’s because this is a pressure exam, and the two things that we’ve seen:
Comprehension and Reflection, they’re skills that you pick up if you have a
reading habit. Specifically, they’re skills that you can call to action in an
exam setting, where the clock is ticking, if you practice them by reading every
day. But more on that in another article on how to prepare for RC. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-56454567713721249252015-09-28T09:27:00.000+05:302015-09-29T17:37:51.043+05:30IIM Ahmedabad selection criterion and the idea of conditional probability<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
IIM Ahmedabad's selection criteria also opened a can of worms and had people talking about how cruel it was to be born as an Engineer. Let us face it, if you are born in India into some type of families, you have only two choices, be an Engineer or be a loser.<br />
<br />
Having said that, a great many students have taken this as an open season to crib when they have <b>no reason to</b>. Let us see why.<br />
<br />
To cut a long story short, an engineer cannot get called for an IIMA interview if he did not score an average of 80 in 10th and 12th and a minimum of 78% in Engineering. It does not matter if you have scored 99.99th percentile in CAT, you cannot get into IIMA if your BE percentage is 76%.<br />
<br />
Now, let us look at this within the framework of conditional probability. P(A <b>/ </b>B) is defined as the Probability of event A happening given that event B has already happened.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://online.2iim.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/onlinebanner1.jpg" height="12" width="400" /></a></div>
Here the big crib is that Prob (IIM A interview <b>/</b> BE score of 77.5%) = 0. However, this is not necessarily the correct metric to look at to see how cruel the rule is. Scoring 77.5% is a necessary condition to have a shot at this, but how close is it to being a sufficient condition is key.<br />
<br />
To give an extreme example - Prob (IIMA admit <b>/ </b>student does not take CAT) is also zero. This does not mean that merely taking the CAT will ensure an admit. In this case, the condition taking CAT is necessary but not even close to being sufficient.<br />
<br />
What we need to think of is this wonderful Probability(BE score being the reason for missing out <b>/</b> student did not make it to IIMA). If a particular engineer did not make it to IIMA, what are the odds that it was the BE score that prevented him/her from doing so? Now, if that number is high, this is indeed an unfair criterion.<br />
<br />
Now, let us put a framework on to it.<br />
<br />
If there are three possible reasons, A, B and C for not getting into IIMA. Then we can represent them with a diagram like this -<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sB3w6H7WmZU/Vgizl70x32I/AAAAAAAAAhE/KSkk3zTE2JU/s1600/Blogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sB3w6H7WmZU/Vgizl70x32I/AAAAAAAAAhE/KSkk3zTE2JU/s400/Blogs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, if we have to attribute reason A as the key determinant for missing out then that should be the region where A alone is the reason. In other words, the region where an 'x' is marked. Any other region would include other factors also playing a part.<br />
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Now, for our specific scenario, let us include only two factors - CAT percentile and Score being less 78%. The diagram would look like this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sq4org_deI/Vgi031N5mHI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/gMYzu1a05VY/s1600/Blogs%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sq4org_deI/Vgi031N5mHI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/gMYzu1a05VY/s400/Blogs%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, Venn diagrams do not have a notion of scale. But I have drawn this diagram deliberately like this to convey that the big circle incorporates 99.67% of the candidates. The least percentile for an engineer to get a call from IIMA is 99.67. So, x can at the maximum be 0.33% of the candidates.<br />
<br />
So, in the worst case scenario 0.33% of the candidates appearing for CAT miss out because their engineering percentage is too low.<br />
<br />
Hold on, that's not it. Let us add some more facts and assumptions (All you aspiring MBAs, also keep this as an important lesson. If you are peddling some hypothesis, you should always talk about facts and assumptions as if they can be used interchangeably. As long as you can incorporate <i>your</i> assumptions in along with the facts, you can peddle any theory).<br />
<br />
IIM Ahmedabad gives admits to probably ~180 engineers from general category, and they probably call around ~500 engineers from the general category for the interviews. Now, under the scenario that 1.65 lakh people take the exam, 0.33% of this is roughly 550. Among the top 550 candidates based on CAT score, CAT calls ~500 engineers. Assuming that around 20-30 students securing above 99.67 percentile are likely to be non-engineers, only around 20-30 engineers who score above 99.67 percentile miss out. So, probably only around 20 students miss out because of their UG mark.<br />
<br />
So, the number of students who miss out purely because of their BE percentages is possibly only around 10. Not 0.33% of test-takers, but around 0.01% of test-takers.<br />
<br />
Now, probably half the engineers (or more) will have a score of less than 78%. How come only 20 engineers miss out? This is because there is a very high correlation between academic records. So, the folks who score very high in CAT are likely to have scored high in 10th, 12th and UG and vice versa. So, what the 99.67 percentile cut off number tells us is that the students who have missed out due to other criteria are very unlikely to have scored 99.67 as well. A point that is completely lost on many students. The game is not rigged against you. The game is rigged against candidates who do not deserve to get in. In other words, it is a meritocracy. One of the best B-schools in India wants to make sure that they select only the best candidates available in India. Who woulda thunk?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.chennai.2iim.com/democlass.shtml" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/DC.png" height="15" width="200" /></a></div>
To speak without all this probability mumbo-jumbo - <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">An overwhelming number of engineers who have scored less than 78% in BE and missed out on IIMA call would have missed out on the IIMA call even if they had a 98% in their engineering. </u><br />
<u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></u>To put it differently, the only Engineers who have a right to crib about IIMA's high BE cut-off criterion are the ones who can and do score 99.67+. If you score 99.6 and do get a call from IIMA, it is not because of your percentages, it is because of your percentile.<br />
<br />
<b>So, every time you feel like IIMA is conning you out of an interview call, tell yourself you have to get 99.67 to deserve the right to voice that crib. </b><br />
<br />
In case you are among the 20 unlucky souls who score above 99.67 and still do not have a call, my commiserations are with you. Chances are you have secured an admit into IIM B or IIM C and you have told yourself that you will never again miss out on anything because of some silly criterion. Probably a great lesson learnt, and one for which missing out on IIMA might be not such a big price.<br />
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<br /></div>Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-47928972641058154162015-09-24T11:41:00.001+05:302015-09-28T18:02:08.531+05:30Ten Golden rules while Taking CAT or Mock CATs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ten rules to follow while taking CAT (or Mock CATs)<br />
<br />
Video by Rajesh Balasubramanian on frequently made mistakes, things to look out for, and ideas to keep in mind while taking CAT.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://online.2iim.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/onlinebanner1.jpg" height="12" width="400" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WCZgSOItMXg" width="560"></iframe>
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Some key ideas: Never Compromise on accuracy, Do not chase attempts, Take careful chances, See ball hit ball.<br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://mockcat.2iim.com/">mockcat.2iim.com</a> to take a free mock. Try before you buy!<br />
<br />
Visit <a href="http://online.2iim.com/">online.2iim.com</a> for the best Online course in the country!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307897270318146959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-40861235531040852642015-09-22T13:24:00.001+05:302015-09-22T18:34:33.487+05:30How to review mock CATs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Everyone tells you that the value in taking mock CATs lies in analyzing them, and not just in mechanically taking them. How exactly does one analyze a mock CAT? Here is a simple guide<br />
<br />
<b>Check your percentile.</b><br />
The starting point for any mock analysis is the percentile. Not because it is very relevant, but because it is impossible to ignore. So, go ahead, knock yourself out. Check the section-wise percentiles, stare long and hard at the numbers, extrapolate the percentiles from the last 3 mocks and see where they are going, imagine how high your overall percentile would be if only you could produce your best section performances in the same mock, give in to curiosity, triumphalism and envy by figuring out others' percentiles.<br />
<br />
Do all this to get the damn thing out of the system. Now, ignore it and focus on something that can actually be useful. There are three parts to this -<br />
<br />
<b>1. Mocks have the best questions, learn how to solve <i><u>all</u></i> of these</b><br />
Mocks are often seen merely as a tool for assessment and bench-marking rather than as a tool for learning. Mock CATs usually have the best questions, the ones that have an elaborate 6-minute solution while also having the elegant 1-minute solution. So, make it a habit to review the questions that have gone wrong, questions that you have skipped and then the ones that you got right as well. Very often, students ignore the ones they have gotten correct. If all your attempts were through the best approaches, chances are you would have attempted 5 more in each section. There is a learning angle to every mock CAT. Do not ignore this. As this <a href="http://www.2iim.com/howtoprepare/eok.shtml" target="_blank">article says</a>, the mock CATs have quite a few Now-you-know questions.<br />
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This is why it is very important to pick a mock CAT provider who focuses on providing detailed solutions and helps with the thought process. In other words, have a look at the <a href="http://mockcat.2iim.com/" target="_blank">2IIM mocks</a> before you go looking elsewhere. :-)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://online.2iim.com"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/onlinebanner1.jpg"></a>
<b>2. Which 3 get kicked out, which ones get in?</b><br />
After every mock, do a simple exercise to improve decision-making. Select at least three attempts from each section that you should have skipped, and replace these with three you should have attempted. In your first few mocks, you might even be able to select 5-6 questions in each section. The big gains in mocks come from improved decision-making; and you have to take a conscious effort to improve this. If you can reach your point where you cannot find more than 1 question in each section that you had incorrectly chosen to attempt, you can count yourself ready for the exam.<br />
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<b>3. Topic-wise and timing-wise analysis</b><br />
You should ask yourself a few questions similar to the ones given below -<br />
How good is the hit-rate in Sentence Rearrangament? Was it worth doing the DI even after taking 15 minutes, did I at least get all 4 correct? Should I completely skip Sentence Elimination questions from now on? Did I get a Permutation Combination question wrong again? Should I completely dump this topic?<br />
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On the timing front, figure out <b><u>when</u></b> the fatigue errors creep in. All of us find that there are 2-3 questions where we cannot really fathom why we marked <u>that stupid wrong choice</u> in the first place. This is essentially down to fatigue. There is a spell of 15-20 minutes where not much gets done and errors creep in. Locate this spell, see when it usually happens and reduce it methodically.<br />
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On the timing front, it is important to know which type of question gets you the <i><b>best marks/minute</b></i>. You might easily attempt 3 RC passages accounting for 12 questions within 30 minutes. But if you get 6 of these wrong, that is effectively same as attempting only one RC and getting all questions correctly. Four correct answers in 30 minutes is a very poor return.<br />
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<br /></div>Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-76320636322049345012015-08-27T13:41:00.000+05:302015-09-29T17:45:19.742+05:30CAT 2015 notification and it's implications<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This article revolves around CAT 2015 notification release, and it's implications.<br />
<br />
The first quick video details all the changes that are introduced in CAT notification released for CAT 2015. </div>
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1.Three watertight sections(previously two in number),<br />
2.180 minutes(read as 3 sixty minute exams)<br />
3.On screen calculator<br />
4.Non Multiple Choice Questions.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.chennai.2iim.com/democlass.shtml" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/DC.png" height="40" width="200" /></a></div>
How to prepare for CAT 2015 starting from august! Is starting from August sufficient?<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
1.Do the basics<br />
2.Do the drill/grind<br />
3.Take and Analyse mocks.<br />
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20 hours every week. Read at least an hour everyday!<br />
Start with basics<br />
Practice hard. <br />
Analyse mocks and plug gaps in basics.<br />
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Number of attempts required for 99th percentile with CAT<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pLQu9eYPSiI" width="560"></iframe></div>
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Around 23~25 per section with 100 percent accuracy should do the trick!<br />
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For a wonderful online preparatory companion for CAT visit: <a href="http://online.2iim.com/">online.2iim.com</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307897270318146959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-73886811005770455182015-07-28T18:35:00.000+05:302015-09-29T17:11:38.461+05:30What is the deal with CAT and Engineers? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There is an insane amount of utter tosh about CAT and Engineers floating around in some of the loonier corners of the internet (website that means education and a website that encompasses the WGSOMM of the MBA-realm come to mind). Every piece of information from the IIMs is viewed with through the glasses "Does it make it easier or tougher for Engineers?"<br />
<div>
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<div>
So, let us take an approach of not sitting on the fence and generally going all out and decimating the two primary myths centered on MBA in India and Engineers</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Myth Number 1 - CAT is rigged in favour of engineers</b></div>
<div>
This is humbug. The exam tests basic math, the kind of stuff students are expected to learn in class VI to X. If a keen 10th standard student were to take the CAT, he/she should ace the exam. There is nothing in the exam that engineers have a particular advantage in cracking. There is absolutely no overlap between the math engineers learn in their engineering and CAT. </div>
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Then why do so many engineers crack this exam. Two clear reasons are present for this - Reading this might hurt the good part of the brain a little bit. So, pregnant ladies, people faint of heart and those utterly committed to feeding their delusions are requested to stop reading now.</div>
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<div>
i. A lot of engineers take this exam. The largest pool of applicants comprises engineers. There is not a stunning revelation, but something a great many fabulously ignore while discussing CAT and engineers. They form a giant proportion of the applicant pool, it is to be expected that they should form a giant proportion of the people joining. </div>
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<div>
ii. Most Indian Engineers did not <i><b>choose</b></i> to do engineering, they went there because it is considered a good option. Now, this is vital. 90% of Indian 18-year olds do not have a clear idea about what they want to study (90% of the remaining are delusional, but that is an article for another time). Students try to do engineering because it is considered to be among the best options. Now, what this means is that engineering group enjoys a certain pre-selection. A great many try to do engineering. A bunch of them dont get good seats, so do some other course. A further round of pre-selection happens for IITs and NITs. So, the simple truth is that the among the guys who tried to do engineering (a large percentage of the population), some 20% succeed, and within this some 10% get into the very best colleges. Obviously, these guys are the ones who are better-suited to cracking another exam. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Let me give you a parallel to this. Let us take the leading providers for mock CATs in the Country and select the 1000 guys who have consistently scored the above 95th percentile in one or more of this. The chances are that 50% of these 1000 will make it to one of the top 10. Now imagine a backlash against them where complaints pore in about how the game is rigged in favour of these 1000. Correlation does not imply causality. If you have a large group that has gone through pre-selection, chances are it will do well in subsequent exams. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Testing basic quantitative ability and verbal ability has been accepted as a decent proxy for gauging ability and smarts. The CAT does a decent job of this. Feeling aggrieved that engineers crack this is akin to feeling aggrieved that the IIMs want smart people. A bunch of IIT-ians and NIT-ians do well in CAT because they are good. Not because they are favoured in any way. <i><b>The exam is already a level playing field.</b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
The arguments that the playing field is not level should be based on the content of the exam, not on the basis that engineers get in. Contrary to popular belief, the quant tested in CAT is not rocket science. Anyone who took CAT 2014 will tell you this. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To put differently, "Some people are born to do BA literature, some miss out and land in BA literature, and some have BA literature as the best thing they can do". If you are really smart, and <i>chose</i> to do BA literature rather than have it thrust down your throat, the CAT is the best way to prove it. Asking for a a lower percentile cut off to get into the IIMs deprives BA literature grads the opportunity to prove their worth. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Myth Number 2. The IIMs in a bid to increase diversity, have rigged the game against engineers</b></div>
<div>
This myth can be exploded with a simple stat. In each of the past 3 years, give or take 95% of the entrants into IIMA have been engineers. Let us take in this stat again. We are not talking about a majority here, we are not even talking about a majority that can push through constitutional change, we are talking about overwhelming, minority-crushing, autocracy-threatening majority here. On the front of game being rigged against engineers, there is no room for even a conversation. </div>
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IIMA, after conducting a rigorous process where they claim to increase diversity manage to select ~20 students every year who are not engineers. </div>
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<b>So, where does this leave us</b></div>
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If you are not an engineer, shed this persecution complex. Write two things down on a big white wall 1) CAT is not easier for engineers and 2) Correlation does not imply causality. (The second one should be written down on as many white walls as possible)</div>
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If you are an engineer, shed this persecution complex. If you are an engineer, you probably have a lot of practice in ignoring stuff written on walls, so do not write anything on a wall. </div>
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CAT tests aptitude, the interview process is also meritocratic. Anyone who puts his/her down prepares with focus and sincerity can crack this exam. (Of course it helps immensely if you have the <a href="http://online.2iim.com/" target="_blank">2IIM Online Course</a> to help)</div>
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<b>Fabulous internet myths on the same theme</b></div>
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1. CAT is rigged in favour of engineers. </div>
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2. CAT has made it extra tough for engineers to get through. </div>
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3. IIMs have increased their focus on diversity this year. (Why this year. Because of astrological reasons)</div>
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4. Verbal will be made tougher this year in order to make it tougher for engineers (Engineers are supposedly better at Quant. Why should they be worse in Verbal?)</div>
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5. Onscreen calculator has made it easier for engineers (Because they can type in numbers quicker )</div>
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6. Onscreen calculator has made it easier for non-engineers (because engineers type in numbers incorrectly)</div>
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7. Separate timings for each section has made life easier for non-engineers/engineers </div>
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All of these theories are peddled by people who do not have any better way of spending their time. Thankfully, they are debunked by people who even though they have far better ways of spending their time, have suddenly been so irritated by the amount of "expert gyaan" on silly websites have made it their evening's work to rant on the internet. Have fun preparing for CAT.</div>
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Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-30734489845629254472015-07-26T10:44:00.000+05:302015-09-29T17:46:33.387+05:30CAT 2015 Notification - How does it change preparation plan?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
CAT 2015 notification is out. First up, let us get the facts<br />
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1. Exam on one day, on Nov 29th.<br />
2. Time-limit now 180 mins ( from 170 minutes previously). Time limit in 3 tight compartments, one hour each for three sections, QA, DI-LR and Verbal. 34 questions each in Quant and Verbal, 32 in DI-LR<br />
3. Some questions may not be of Multiple-Choice type.<br />
4. Onscreen calculator will be allowed for computation.<br />
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<a href="http://online.2iim.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/onlinebanner1.jpg" height="10" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose - The more things change, the more they stay the same</b><br />
This is not an overhaul. What they test, how long they test it for, roughly when the test happens, and most parts of the format are same as last year's. Notwithstanding what all the "Guru"s and gyaan websites will tell you, the changes are fairly cosmetic in nature. The change to have some questions as non MCQ is also minor. This will not change the approach to the paper or the preparation plan one bit. A great many of the small tweaks have made the test better.<br />
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<b>Counter-intuitively, time allotted per section being fixed might make the exam easier to navigate</b><br />
Now, effectively CAT becomes three one-hour tests rather than one long test. It appears that some freedom has been taken away from students. However, the freedom to shift time from one section to another was very often something that complicated rather than simplified things. Students jumped sections too many times, started fretting about section cut-offs, strived needlessly to achieve 'balance', and too often just ended up wasting time in the exam hall. Now that this freedom of time-shifting has been taken off, you need to just think of this as three exams in 3 hours. So, forget about section cut-offs and attack this paper with a sense of relief.<br />
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<b>Computational pressure being taken off is a joy</b><br />
The on-screen calculator is a boon. No two ways about it. CAT was never about multiplying or dividing numbers quickly, or about doing 13.8% of 98.4 in 20 seconds. But students never got it, and unfortunately coaching institutes could never tire of peddling short-cuts. Now, this myth has been removed. Learn from the basics, forget Vedic Math. Short-cut nonsense has already made many people sacrifice fundamentals. Perhaps this will help us refocus. <br />
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<b>Reading becomes even more important</b><br />
Previous avatars of CAT gave a student the luxury of 'hiding' in LR. Of planning to attempt 14-15 questions in LR, only one RC passage, 8-10 other questions in the mixed bag bundle and hope to get 99th percentile in the verbal section. Now, that LR has been bundled off as a separate section, there is a huge risk in ignoring RC. The sentence correction, sentence rearrangement, sentence elimination etc are also heavily dependent on comfort levels with reading. So, shed that reluctance to read, select novels, magazines, newspapers, websites and read away.<br />
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<b>Exam has neither been made easy for engineers, nor has it become tougher.</b><br />
Every input from the IIMs is interpreted these days in terms of "What does it do the engineers". Some one somewhere is going to say that online calculators' presence and the divvying up of sections has made the game tougher for engineers. This is humbug. Similarly, someone is going to say allotting only one hour for Quant is going to make it tougher for non-engineers. This is also humbug. CAT tests students aptitude. CAT does not test aptitude as defined by aptitude for engineers and non-engineers separately.<br />
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<b>Preparation plan remains same. Mock CAT strategies will have to be tweaked a little bit</b><br />
Quant, verbal, DI and LR are tested in a competitive exam that is objective and conducted across the Country. This is how CAT could have been described in 1990, 2000, 2010 or 2015. So, prepare from basics, do the drill and fine-tune with mock CATs. The only difference between 2010 or now is that one can sit at home and have access to the best CAT preparation thanks to the Internet. Apart from this, very little has changed.<br />
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Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-81242243822538409062015-07-22T20:57:00.000+05:302015-09-29T17:53:58.980+05:30Current trends and What next in MBA, B-schools & CAT coaching<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Set of articles on <a href="http://pagalguy.com/">Pagalguy.com</a> by Rajesh balasubramanian on Trends in CAT, MBA and CAT preparation industry. What's next for B-schools, Cat training institutes and CAT aspirants!<br />
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Article on Why fewer people take CAT these days! <a href="http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/why-are-fewer-people-taking-cat-these-days-34904205">http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/why-are-fewer-people-taking-cat-these-days-34904205</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.chennai.2iim.com/democlass.shtml" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/DC.png" height="15" width="200" /></a></div>
Continued with an article on ONLINE coaching! <a href="http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/is-online-coaching-for-cat-the-next-big-thing-34980108">http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/is-online-coaching-for-cat-the-next-big-thing-34980108</a><br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307897270318146959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-82795588766998703332015-07-13T12:35:00.000+05:302015-09-29T17:59:15.000+05:30GMAT or CAT: I am planning to go for GMAT instead of CAT because I have heard GMAT is easier, is that wise?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Very frequently, I see students opting for GMAT purely because they think CAT is tough. The reasoning goes like this - CAT is too competitive. With GMAT, I can get into a college with any score. This whole line of reasoning usually reminds me of the old Birbal story where Akbar sends Birbal on a trip to find the 10 biggest fools in the kingdom. A part of the story goes thus -<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Birbal was coming back to the palace in the dark. He saw a man searching for something under a street lamp, and stopped to help him. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">'What have you lost?' asked Birbal.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">'A ring from my finger.'</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">As they could find nothing, Birbal naturally asked: 'Are you sure you dropped it here?'</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">'No,' was the answer. 'I dropped it over there, but it's dark there and light here. I am searching where I can see.' </span><br />
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Many students' most preferred reason for taking GMAT is the fact that they think it is easier than CAT. To put it bluntly, this is daft. This piece of daftness has been built on 3 wonderful myths.<br />
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<b>Myth 1: Indian students totally crack GMAT and are among the best students in top global B-schools</b><br />
The GMAT exam is not that easy. It is a myth that Indian students totally 'crack' the GMAT. Importantly, beyond getting a good GMAT score, one needs to write essays, and have a solid profile to have a crack at the best colleges,Graduating from one of the top 20 in the US is excellent, but there is no great honour in graduating from the 75th ranked school in the US. Because of law of large numbers, some of the best Indian students join the best B-schools in the US and do well there as well. These are the guys who score 750 in GMAT and are generally among the ones good enough to score 99.5 percentile in CAT as well.<br />
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<b>Myth 2: With even a just-about-decent GMAT score, I can get into a good college</b><br />
Think about this, is it going to be easier to get into the top 20 colleges in the US, than into the top 20 in India? Lot of people spend time and effort, get a middling 670 score and go nowhere with this. Unless you are a rockstar, a 670 is unlikely to secure a great admit. 670 pegs you at around the 83rd percentile. One-sixth of the total 2.4 lakh or so applicants have scored more than you. All other things being equal, you can hope to join a college that a student ranked 40,000th in the world can get into. Sorry to be blunt about this, but this is what the numbers say.<br />
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<b>Myth 3: If I am taking the GMAT, I must be really ambitious (and cool). </b><br />
Cracking the GMAT suggests ambition, merely taking it, or worse just preparing for it conveys no such thing. Very often, students want to feed into the I-am-built-for-bigger-things story by joining some middling college with the ok-ish score they have.<br />
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For a large number (unfortunately very large number), merely planning to take the GMAT slakes a big part of their ambition. So, once this is I-am-going-to-try-for-an-MBA gig is done, they continue with their lives. In many ways, this is probably the lesser to the two evils.<br />
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<b>Do the research</b><br />
Now, I am not suggesting that people who take the GMAT do not know what they are doing. About 60% of the test-takers are serious, prepare well, plan well, know their chances, know the costs of doing an MBA in the US and generally go about this entire process with a level of seriousness. Be clear about why you are taking the GMAT and do sufficient research for this. Do not take the exam merely because it is easier than CAT.<br />
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<b>Do not invite hubris</b><br />
In many ways, the GMAT is far better structured to test what it aims to test than the CAT. The quality of questions (not the difficulty level), the adaptive engine, the level of feedback provided, the ability to distinguish between conceptual clarity and drill - in all these aspects the GMAT is head and shoulders above the CAT. I am a big fan of the GMAT exam and am often disappointed with how the CAT is conducted in our Country.<br />
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Merely designating GMAT as "easier than CAT" does a disservice to the exam, This attitude makes aspirants complacent even before they begin preparation and invites hubris.<br />
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<b>Things to keep in mind while choosing between GMAT and CAT</b><br />
There are many factors to consider while choosing between GMAT and CAT. The top few are given below - Click on <a href="http://catscores.blogspot.in/2014/11/cat-gmat-xat-snap-iift-nmat-etc.html" target="_blank">this article</a> to get more info<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">As far as India is concerned, the biggest fish is CAT</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Give or take 90 out of the top 100 select based on CAT, with quite of a few of these selecting based only on CAT. This includes the IIMs (13 of these, soon to be 18), IITs, SP Jain, FMS, Bajaj, NITIE, MDI, IMT, among a great many others</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">For international MBAs, it is GMAT</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Almost all universities in the US, UK, Australia, Singapore, Europe select based on GMAT. In India ISB and Great Lakes select based on GMAT. All the IIMs (+ MDI, XLRI etc) use the GMAT score for admissions into their executive MBA programs.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">CAT or GMAT, which one should I take?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">There are two simple rules</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">1. If you want to do in India, take CAT. If you want to go abroad, take GMAT.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">2. If you are a fresher, take CAT. If you have more than 8 years of experience, give preference to GMAT</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">If you have 2-4 years of experience, and not sure whether you want to do MBA in India or abroad, then the decision is even simpler. Take both....</span><br />
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India or abroad, Fresher or Experienced candidate - these are the two relevant factors to consider while choosing between GMAT and CAT. Easy or difficult is a far less important criterion.<br />
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Apologies if I have been harsh on this blog post. Best wishes for your entrance exam preparations - be it for GMAT or CAT.<br />
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<br /></div>Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-18659034512995195462015-07-01T11:16:00.001+05:302015-09-29T18:00:23.721+05:30CAT Online preparation: D-Day strategies - Question selection and time-management in CAT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Continuing the FAQ series, Having a clear-cut strategy and a well-defined plan for the D-day is very crucial. In this article, we are going to focus on 3 specific questions - 1)</span>.How much time to spend on each question? 2.How to identify questions that I should skip? 3.Is there an advantage to be gained by solving tougher questions?</span></h4>
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<a href="http://online.2iim.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/onlinebanner1.jpg" height="12" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Find a detailed write up on the same @ <a href="http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/strategies-for-the-d-day-cat-34833310" target="_blank">pagalguy.com</a></b><br />
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For a great Online course, Which delivers better than expected and still doesn't compromise on Quality, in addition to saving time and energy spent in travelling to and fro to classroom! Visit <a href="http://online.2iim.com/">online.2iim.com</a> to give it a try for free!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307897270318146959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-89257827178845971812015-07-01T09:21:00.000+05:302015-09-29T18:01:00.955+05:30CAT coaching online: Job and CAT preparation: "Should I quit my job to prepare?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Believe it's the most pestering question among Job goers & CAT aspirants! </span></span></h4>
Rajesh Balasubramanian and Saravana Baskar answer some of the most sought after questions
from CAT aspirants in this series! This video has answers to several
questions <br />
1.How to juggle between Job and CAT preparation?<br />
2.How much time should I spend daily preparing?<br />
3.Should i quit my Job?<br />
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<a href="http://online.2iim.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/onlinebanner1.jpg" height="12" width="400" /></a></div>
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Detailed article @ <a href="http://www.pagalguy.com/articles/no-fancy-shortcuts-will-help-in-cat-prep-34697787" target="_blank">pagalguy.com</a></div>
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Shopping and trading is Online. Even Bill payments. CAT is online too!<br />
Why not CAT preparation? Have a go at <a href="http://online.2iim.com/">Online.2iim.com</a> for 4 free classes. Try Before you Buy!! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307897270318146959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-2607931339429620922015-06-10T15:55:00.001+05:302015-09-29T18:03:05.321+05:30CAT preparation online: What do 100 percentilers do differently<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Answers to Frequently asked Questions</span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Another interesting video in the series of Q&A "What do 100 percentilers do differently?"</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.chennai.2iim.com/democlass.shtml" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/DC.png" height="15" width="200" /></a></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Not posting any pointers here! Watch the video to know what hundred percentilers do!</span></ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://online.2iim.com/" target="_blank">2IIM's online course</a>, designed by experts, inspired to make learning more enjoyable!</span></span></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307897270318146959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-1244849433201501122015-06-10T13:53:00.003+05:302015-09-30T12:10:06.813+05:30Do IITians have an easier time getting into IIMs?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Lot of IIT-ians get through to IIM each year. Surely, this must be the game is rigged in favour of IIT-ians? The IIMs must surely have some mechanism to give IIT-ians an easy entry path? </span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The answer to both these questions is 'No'. Since there is no joy in taking a linear path towards answers, let us look at a comic strip first. This one from xkcd is fabulous.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xg3rElRSTE0/VZ5akBlO_MI/AAAAAAAAAgk/J7zjNnksRWk/s1600/Correlation%2BCausality%2Bcartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xg3rElRSTE0/VZ5akBlO_MI/AAAAAAAAAgk/J7zjNnksRWk/s400/Correlation%2BCausality%2Bcartoon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Consider this - there is a group of n people who have cleared an exam arguably tougher than CAT. This group of n people also take CAT. Odds are that a number of people from within this group of 'n' people also do well in CAT. What we see here is a correlation, not causality. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If anything, it might be tougher for IIT-ians to get into the IIMs than the other way around. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being one among the top 3% of IITians taking the exam is probably more difficult than being in the top 0.3 percent of people in the general category!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quite a few of my IIM classmates were very smart people. And with absolutely no disrespect to them, I can say, on an average, the IIT classmates I had were smarter than the IIM classmates that I had. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To get straight to the point, this story of IIM being rigged in favour of IIT-ians is humbug. Very much like the story that it is difficult to get in if you are an engineer (More than 85% of entrants into IIM A, B or C are engineers). These are statements that people like to tell themselves in order to believe that the game is rigged against them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The CAT paper does not give a huge advantage to engineers, the admission process is not built to favour IIT-ians, the overall selection process does not discriminate against engineers. So, whether you are an engineer or not, whether you are from IIT or not, there is a decent chance of proving your worth through this exam. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The preparation process and forums offer a great array of delusions to pick from; so that each person with can pick and choose one and believe that the game is rigged against them. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do not believe any stories that say merit gets bypassed in the selection process. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Notwithstanding the evidence presented by IIM graduates worldwide, the selection process, by and large, is merit-driven.</span><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307897270318146959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-58057367530454247362015-06-01T11:59:00.000+05:302015-09-30T12:11:56.890+05:30CAT Online preparation - Is online preparation alone sufficient to crack the CAT?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 class="post-title entry-title" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Answers to Frequently asked Questions</span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">In continuation to <a href="http://catscores.blogspot.in/2015/05/cat-online-preparation-can-995.html">answer by Rajesh for questions asked by aspirants</a>, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Another short video on " Is online preparation alone sufficient to crack CAT?"</span></div>
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<a href="http://online.2iim.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/onlinebanner1.jpg" height="12" width="400" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s2oP4-l38ag" width="560"></iframe>
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Key points : </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prepare from anywhere (read as "even at the comfort of your home")</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prepare at anytime of your convenience</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Avoid unnecessary time wastage and energy drain due to travel to and fro Class</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prepare any specific topic any number of time, at your own comfortable pace.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Revisit any specific point of the class as and when you want to, without the fear of disturbing others or disrupting the flow of class!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Great mix of Slides, videos and Quizzes, Not the 120 minute long one video per topic type. Any video not longer than 12 minutes. Guaranteed to <b>NOT</b> bore students.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doubt clearing doesn't require courage to talk in front of 59 other students in a classroom(also increasing the possibility of showing ones own self in bad light, what if the doubt is dumb etc), it is as easy as scribbling on the page or sending an email!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's more? - it is priced at almost one third of any classroom coaching!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Need we say more? check out <a href="http://online.2iim.com/">2iim's online classes</a> for the country's best online CAT preparation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Want some more?? Register to check out four full classes completely for <b>free</b>!</span></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307897270318146959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-8797883093363578182015-05-27T18:15:00.000+05:302015-09-30T12:12:39.365+05:30CAT Online preparation - Can 99.5 percentile assure a call from IIMs A B or C?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Beginning of a series of "<i><b>Answers to Frequently asked Questions</b></i>"<br />
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We found a lot of questions that bug most of CAT aspirants, which are unanswered. So we decided to take up a few, and give them answers straight off the bat! Nothing catchy, no deceptive words, no jargon. As simple as that.<br />
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Here is the question that's discussed in this extremely lucid, less than 2 minute video: "X scored 99.5 percentile in CAT, but did not receive calls from IIMs A, B or C. Why?"<br />
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<a href="http://online.2iim.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/onlinebanner1.jpg" height="12" width="400" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GnT8LJooNkg" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Rajesh explains how a 99.5 percentile does not guarantee a call from IIMs A,B or C.<br />
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Best online course available for CAT - <a href="http://online.2iim.com/">online.2iim.com</a> to thrust your CAT preparation and scores as well! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307897270318146959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-1552689826125638232015-05-27T00:24:00.000+05:302015-09-30T12:13:29.462+05:30The truth about Mock CATs and percentiles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Whenever you take a mock CAT offered by any provider and see a percentile score, you should bear in mind that most of these percentile numbers are from 'look-up tables'.<br />
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In the first decade of this millennium, mock CATs had a good run. Back in 2000/01, you could announce an All-India mock CAT series and expect to fill large colleges across cities with eager students trying to figure out where they would 'rank'. However, 2009 marked a turning point in proceedings. The number of people taking the exam started declining, the number of people preparing seriously also fell. This also coincided with the exam going online with the tests being conducted across a 'testing window'.<br />
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The exam providers have tried gamely to keep pace. They have all devised online mock CAT series that can be taken anywhere and at any place, while also offering 'proctored exams' for the more serious-minded souls. All the percentile numbers run of the data collected from proctored exams. Now, the proctored exam suffers from two serious issues - 1) Sample size and 2) Representativeness. Far far fewer students take proctored mock exams than the numbers that used to take the All-India mocks of yore. And these far fewer ones that take it are the ones that are ultra serious about CAT. So, instead of having a database of 20,000 students across the spectrum, we are probably dealing with a sample size of 2000 very serious candidates. The look-up tables are supposedly based on the scores in the 'proctored' exams, but they have to be 'adjusted' a little to account for the sampling bias.<br />
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So, effectively we have guesstimates of numbers for various percentiles. This word guesstimate is a classic MBA word. It is a combination of guess and estimate, both of which standalone leave you with a feeling that some arbitrariness is involved. "Guesstimate" however fills one with confidence and leaves one with the joyful feeling that one's percentile is in good hands. The guesstimation process probably follows some strand of what is seen below.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6X4-vh3vDM/VWS-ZiWulCI/AAAAAAAAAgE/4kmKpDN9h2w/s1600/Dilbert%2Bguesstimate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6X4-vh3vDM/VWS-ZiWulCI/AAAAAAAAAgE/4kmKpDN9h2w/s400/Dilbert%2Bguesstimate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, where does this leave us?<br />
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Dont sweat the exact percentile numbers too much. Take the mock CATs seriously so as to learn based on them. And keep in mind that the term All-India Percentile is very similar to World series baseball.<br />
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Pick the mock CAT series that is most representative of the actual CAT. By this I mean how close is it to the actual exam. Take a free mock test and make your judgement. "How many people take the mock exam?" is an irrelevant question these days. The big providers will tell you that 20,000 people take their mock CATs. They might not be interested in telling you that only about 10% of these took it in proctored settings from which they made hajaar adjustments to arrive at a look-up table.<br />
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In any case, all these inputs are for the second mock CAT series that you should be thinking about. Anyone preparing for CAT should definitely take the test series provided by 2IIM. :)<br />
<br /></div>Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-16625969600173040602015-03-19T13:08:00.000+05:302015-09-30T12:15:46.374+05:30CAT Preparation for verbal - What should one read?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The most important component for cracking the verbal section in CAT is reading ability, this much is obvious. Swaminathan does a fine point in driving it home in this <a href="http://www.2iim.com/howtoprepare/verbalsection.shtml" target="_blank">piece</a> giving an outline for the prep plan for the verbal section.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">This takes us on to the next question - What should one read?</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://online.2iim.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://2iim.com/picts/onlinebanner1.jpg" height="12" width="400" /></a></div>
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The simple answer is "anything works". Fiction or non-fiction, humour or thriller, newspapers or magazine, short articles or long pieces, it does not matter that much (anything better than Chennai Times or Mumbai times is useful). If you do not have the reading habit, you need to pick that habit up immediately. In the initial phases, read stuff that is easy to read. Read from topics that you like reading about, and read material that is not too tough to 'get'. We can expand the range of reading slowly. It is absolutely vital to build the habit in the first place. If you pick something too hi-funda to begin with, then there is a chance that you will be put off from reading.<br />
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I am going to give a simple reading list here - broken into two parts; for beginners and then for students who already have the reading habit. For beginners, the stress will be more on the "unputdownability" (if that is not a word, they should include it) of the book. For more seasoned readers, it will be based on the need to pick up a wider range of ideas to read from.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Beginners list</b></span><br />
Magazines and Newspapers: The Open Magazine, The Hindu editorials, Times of India center page articles. Blogs from Swaminomics, (<a href="http://swaminomics.org/category/articles/et-articles/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Swaminomics/" target="_blank">here</a>). Cricinfo has excellent reading material as well.<br />
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Novels: Dan Brown is brilliant - "Angels and Demons", "Da Vinci Code" are tough to put down. Sidney Sheldon's "If tomorrow comes", "Rage of Angels", etc are good. Jeffrey Archer's "Kane and Abel" and "Shall we tell the president" are good. Books by Alistair Maclean also move at lightning speed. These are readable books, with decent writing. More importantly, they are gripping. In many of these books, the story unfolds at a reasonable clip and should set the pace well.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>List for someone who has the reading habit</b></span><br />
Magazines: Economist, NYtimes, NewYorker, Guardian (select articles). Hindu Opinion articles, Blogs from Ramachandra Guha, MJ Akbar, Slate is also considered good.<br />
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Novels: Anything written by PG Wodehouse. You can expand and read more stuff from books written by Jeffrey Archer, Sidney Sheldon, John Grisham, etc. Among Indian authors, Aravind Adiga and Ashish Taseer are good.<br />
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You do not need to read the classics. As you get more comfortable with reading, consistently look to expand the variety.<br />
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As a way of preparing for the interviews as well, you can read "India after Gandhi". You can read stuff from the Economics Times and Business Line as well.<br />
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<br /></div>Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3695451980639918479.post-76492246934402881182015-01-30T16:44:00.000+05:302015-09-30T12:16:24.260+05:30CAT Preparation - What do teachers expect from students?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As a teacher, I meet gazillion students every year, and am often amazed at how confident they are now compared to how we guys were 15 years ago. Having said that, going hand in hand with this confidence is a feeling of entitlement that is as puzzling as it is unwarranted. Students these days believe things have to be laid out for them on a platter and that they have to be "inspired" and "guided" to do even the bare minimum.<br />
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During this time, we have also seen reams and reams in print on how the education system should change to help students. In all this while, I think we have not clearly articulated what the students are expected to do. Ergo, this post.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Do the drill. </b></span><br />
This "replace hard work with smart work" management-speak has taken students to a point where they do not appreciate the old-fashioned drill. Doing 150 questions on quadratic equations creates links in your brain that are worth their weight in gold when you are practicing for a competitive exam. It is not just the speed that you gain, it is the role played by the <a href="http://math4schoolkids.blogspot.in/2012/12/article-role-of-automaticity.html" target="_blank">automaticity</a> that is priceless. You save energy on the regular stuff and this blesses you with more bandwidth for the trickier bits. <br />
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I hate to be this old man narrating his experiences, but I think my experience might be relevant here. A group of my friends and I were preparing for CAT in 2000. We had all cleared JEE barely three years before that (back when JEE was a tough exam) and dealt with Fourier and Laplace transformations as part of our course curriculum. A bunch of the guys had done well in assorted Olympiads and as a group, we were ultra comfortable with math,<br />
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Largely because our seniors had given us some material for CAT preparation, we started with some speed-test book. We started with percentages and within 5-6 questions realized that the material was largely BS packaged as genius content (a tactic still followed by the industry) . We still powered through and did all 50 questions in that topic and knocked off topic by topic over the next 2 weeks, practically just for the heck of it. The material did not really push us, but we gave it a go chiefly for the sake of "completion". Now, 15 years later, if you ask me to find 42% of 707, I would think of it as slightly less than 3/7th of the number and guess in the ball park of 300. All because I did gazillion questions rather unscientifically 15 years ago.<br />
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Powering through is very instructive. Do not underestimate this. I hate it when students say they get "tired" after doing 4 sets of Data Interpretation. That is just nonsense. The idea of finishing something off, solving ALL possible questions, etc have become old-fashioned notions. Getting questions under the belt can change the dynamic in unforeseen ways.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Retain humility (for some students this should read as "acquire humility")</b></span><br />
A simple requirement for learning anything new is to have some humility towards what you are learning. These days I see some students get so cocky by the time they reach level of difficulty of 7 that the brain shuts down for levels of difficulty 8, 9 and 10. Respecting the content also might enable to get some joie de vivre during the preparation process. This again is vital for competitive exams; else the pressure will drag you down.<br />
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My colleague, K.S. Baskar has been training students for nearly 20 years and took his CAT nearly 25 years ago. If you handed an interesting question to him today that left him stumped, it would immediately put a smile on his face. Purely out of the joy of having learnt something new. Its a shame that many students do not even get to see this feeling of joy.<br />
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Note that I asked for students to respect the content, and not necessarily the teacher. Contrary to popular perception, teachers do not yearn for gratitude or thirst for approval from students. If you learn well and have a great learning attitude most teachers wont care whether you are grateful to them. Or whether you hold them in high esteem.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Dont fret about the imponderables</span></b><br />
I am going to start this bit with a personal warning. The next student who asks me "I have scored 75% in 10th, 62% in 12th standard and 65% in undergraduation, what are my chances of getting into IIM-A?" risks serious physical injury.<br />
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To get into IIMA is incredibly difficult. Someone who has been mediocre throughout has even less chance than someone who has been exceptional so far. So, if you have a middling record, your chances are low. It is understandable that <b>you</b> think you are way more capable than what your past record suggests. It is also unlikely that IIMA will share this blinkered view. The simplest and most fool-proof way to bring them around is to get a good CAT score. So, work on that. <br />
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So, if your track record is sad, you should have a simple rule - <i>Start waffling after getting a decent CAT score</i>.<br />
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I had a rather unremarkable CGPA in my undergraduation. Unremarkable enough for me to fret about admissions into the IIMs. I felt so apologetic about this that I avoided mentioning this. I was so afraid of defending my poor record that I dreaded going to the interviews because of this. These days, students talk about a poor record as if they had nothing to do with it.<br />
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The poor marks in 10th standard and 12th standard are because <i>you</i> goofed off. Not because of anything else. Dont expect someone to say "You are good in spite of this". You might be. If you want the world to believe it, prove it.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Dont sit around waiting for a great preparation plan, or worse, for inspiration.</span></b><br />
Before you think about having a grand preparation plan that is a ten-step ride through to IIM-dom, actually consider some preparation. Print the following statement and stick it on your bedroom<br />
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<i>"An hour of preparation is worth 12 hours of preparation planning". </i><br />
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Too many students waffle about having a grand plan and start dreaming too early about going places. If half the time spent on early-stage planning were replaced with actual preparation, it would be brilliant. You should not require someone to say "There is a genius waiting inside you" to solve 25 questions in algebra.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">And lastly, <i>own </i>your preparation.</span></b><br />
Have a simple preparation plan, and execute this well. Do not outsource your preparation entirely. See where you stand periodically, and set ambitious targets for the amount of effort you put in. The result will follow (it always does).<br />
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I realize that I risk coming off as a cantankerous old man hankering after good-ol' times. If it were not already clear, we teachers do not really care that much about what students think of us. I think I speak for all teachers when I say "We are here to put hajaar fight for you. But as the old saying goes, one can only take the horse to the pond."</div>Rajesh Balasubramanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06092210868780120343noreply@blogger.com0