CAT Preparation: Taking CAT 2012? Know the pattern in detail & start planning your preparation

June 12, 2012 - PRLog -- CAT 2012, the most awaited MBA entrance exam of the year is looking for the announcement of the exam by next month. If you are planning to pursue your MBA in 2013, then going for CAT 2012 is the most convenient way you can follow. If you are seriously planning to take CAT 2012, then you must have started your CAT preparation by now. If not, then no need to fret, as this is the right time to start CAT 2012 preparation.

This article of MBAUniverse.com will share with you the basics of the CAT 2012 pattern and the preparation strategy you must follow in order to crack CAT 2012.

CAT 2012 Pattern

With the change in pattern of the CAT since 2011, the expected pattern of CAT 2012 is going to be the following.

The duration of the exam will be 140 minutes. There are two sections, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning. The difficulty level of the exam is generally on the higher side. Throwing surprises is the common trend of CAT.

Components of the sections    

Basically CAT tests your conceptual understanding. Let us have a look at the components of each of the areas of the exam.

Quantitative Ability: This part basically tests your numerical ability and mathematical skills. The section covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration and questions predominantly belong to what is taught to students up to the tenth standard.

Verbal Ability: This area tests your knowledge in English. The questions in this section are from the areas of Reading Comprehension and English Usage. While Reading Comprehension is self explanatory, English Usage includes questions on grammar, vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning, para jumbles, fill in the blanks etc.

Data Interpretation: Data Interpretation asks you to study and interpret the data given in the form of graphs, charts and figures.

Logical Reasoning: Logical Reasoning tests your ability to think in a rational and logical manner. The questions will be in the form of cases and you will be given several questions on the basis of these cases. The questions of the Logical Reasoning are similar to puzzles.

Preparing for CAT 2012

The best way to start CAT 2012 preparation is by taking a diagnostic test. This will help you decide about your strengths and weaknesses. After that, you should chalk out a study plan on the basis of that. For example, if your weakest area is Quantitative Ability, then you should allocate more hours for it than the areas of your strength.

To start with, study for two to three hours every day. “The keyword here is ‘regular’ and discipline and concentration are a must. In the initial stages, the student should concentrate on the weak areas rather than strong areas,” says Vinayak Kudva, Product Head, IMS Learning.

Prepare with MBAUniverse.com

MBAUniverse.com has launched a special initiative on offering you online classes for CAT 2012 preparation where you can avail video classes, e-books by CAT gurus. For more information, click on the following link:

http://www.mbauniverse.com/mba-exam-preparation/CAT_Prepa...

Self study can be a way too

It is not an obligation to join MBA coaching institute as many students who prepare by themselves also succeed in the CAT race. But it demands much more dedication and systematic approach at your end. If you want to opt for the self study method for CAT 2012 preparation, make sure that you approach in the right order. You should have the right books and study materials to start with. It is also very important that you get all your doubts clarified which you are facing during the course of your preparation. You must ensure that you take regular mock tests and get them analyzed. Even if you are not enrolled in a coaching institute for your CAT 2012 preparation, you should enroll for the mock test series offered by them.

If you are opting for self study, then you can also form a study group which may consist of the fellow CAT 2012 aspirants. The group members can share the techniques, strategies and anything new which you come across which will smoothen your chance of clearing the exam.

You can also seek advice from our counselors by posing your query at MBAUniverse.com:

http://www.mbauniverse.com/mba-exam-preparation/ask-mba-q...

Or you can also write to us with your query at editor@mbauniverse.com.