One Stop Solution For NMAT-IIFT-XAT | Part 2 IIFT
To Read the first part on tips regarding NMAT, click here.
To Read the first part on tips regarding NMAT, click here.
As CAT draws closer, it is extremely important for aspirants to prepare for other tests that they have already registered for or plan to register. In past years, there have been a lot of students who couldn’t put up a great performance in CAT but bounced back with a wonderful performance in IIFT, NMAT, TISSNET and XAT etc. Preparing well for OMETs (Other Management Entrance Tests) will take the pressure off your shoulders on the D-Day of CAT and will provide you a chance to gain admission into reputed colleges like NMIMS, SIBM, XLRI etc.
I know a lot of candidates already have butterflies in their stomachs since NMAT, the first MBA exam of this season is kicking off from today. I was also in a similar situation last year. Students who are focused on CAT tend to ignore the non-cat exams like NMAT, SNAP, IIFT. But believe me, these exams are easier to crack if you have the right strategy and moreover 80% of NMAT's syllabus is taken care of if you are preparing for CAT. For the rest 20%, you should give ample number of NMAT mocks to get a hang of the syllabus, analyse those mocks thoroughly and accordingly form your own strategy.
My preparation started from March but I was unable to give much time because of academics and college activities. I was able to focus solely on CAT only from July after the end term examinations of my college. During the period from March to July, I tried to go through all the basics of the three sections. Then after July, I started practising questions and previous year papers along with regular mock tests. Regular practice along with mock tests helped me a lot. One thing to note is that all the mock tests should be analysed so that the shortcomings can be identified and worked upon. I worked on my weak areas a lot to improve them along with sufficient practice for the strong areas. Mock tests are an integral part of preparation as one would not be able to judge their preparation without them. Solving questions under time constraints should be practised regularly. Along with full-length mock tests, I gave chapter wise tests and sectional tests on the areas which I was not comfortable with. I think that mock tests are necessary as they help a lot in preparing for the final exam.
In the previous two CATs, the DI/LR section has been quite tricky. The level of difficulty has increased over the past few years. It is possible that this year as well, CAT will follow the same trend and the questions will be very different from what you have been practising in your mocks. So how do you make sure that you make the cut and get that competitive score.
Coming from a business family background, I got exposed to the intricacies of business from a very early age. I ventured into my family business right from the 7th standard. I used to go with my dad for bidding in tenders floated by the government and semi-government departments. Right from an early age, I had tasted the blood of business.
I am a student with a Computer Engineering background, and like most engineers, I was placed as a software developer in a well-known firm. I always wanted to pursue further studies, and the harsh truth hit me that it was difficult to cope up with studies when you're working; since a period of 8 hours during weekdays was dedicated towards "office life."
The date for CAT 2018 (25th November, 2018) has now been disclosed and if you are taking the exam this year, I’m sure you are engulfed with all sorts of doubts and questions about how to make the most of this limited time available. Before I start with this article, I’d like to tell you all that I am no CAT expert. I cannot give you full-proof strategies for achieving that 99.99 or say the coveted 100 percentile. This is just an effort to throw some light on the questions we all cogitate about while prepping.