CAT 2006: Plan of action for D-day

The Common Admission Test will be held on Sunday, November 19, from 10.30 am to 1 pm. 

You have just a couple of days left to prepare for the test and give it your best shot. Here are few things you need to keep in mind for D-day. 

• Taken CAT before? Share your tips

Stationery list

Keep these ready the night before.

• Admit card
• FIVE pencils
• Watch (without inbuilt calculators)
• Eraser
• Sharpener

Punctuality, a must

• The reporting time is 9.45 am. Ensure you reach the venue at least half an hour before that. 
• Plan an alternative route to reach the venue, just in case of road/ train blocks.
• Keep a good attitude, think positive.  

First 10 minutes

As soon as you get the paper, read the instructions carefully to understand: 

1. Number of questions you need to answer

2. Number of sections

3. Marking scheme

4. Duration of the test

You should have a broad game plan in mind before opening the test booklet. If you find any surprises, stay calm and mentally re-align your strategy. Always remember, it is your relative performance (which depends on how everyone else who is giving the test) that matters!

Do not begin solving the question as soon as you open the booklet. Take two minutes to get an overall feel of the paper and the questions you will be attempting.

Quickly decide on time allocation. Our advice: Spend equal time on each section. When you are about to start a section, take a look at it again. Mentally prepare yourself to handle the section well. Understand the order in which you need to answer the questions. While solving a question, learn to focus on the question at hand. Read carefully and understand what you need to do to arrive at a solution; then write/ mark your answer.

If you get stuck at any point, move on to the next question. You can always come back. Ensure you mark the answers in the optical mark recognition sheets as and when you solve a question. Don't wait till the end!  

Last 15 minutes

Don't be tempted to predict how you have fared so far. Keep your focus on the question at hand. The last 15 minutes need the same amount of concentration and attentiveness as any other minute, since you will be solving your last section during this time. Do not give up even at the last minute. 

Stay calm, stay focused!  

-- IMS Learning Resources is an educational services provider which prepares candidates for leading competitive examinations like CAT, GRE and GMAT.