Accuracy first, CAT candidates told

Hit the bull’s eye as that is the only way you can have an edge over others. This should be the golden  mantra every aspiring managers, targeting to crack the forthcoming Common Admission Test (CAT) 2010, should diligently follow, say experts.

Their suggestion to students is to be accurate while answering CAT questions, rather than maintaining speed.

“The CAT website says the total number of questions, this time would be 60. So, students need to focus on answering the questions accurately, instead of solving them with speed,” says Shiv Kumar, director, academics, Career Launcher, a leading coaching institute, which prepares students for various competitive tests.

The test is scheduled to be held between October 27 and November 24. In CAT 2010, students will be given 40 slots to clear the test in a period of 29 days.

Last year it was 20 slots. Although the window period (the period in which students can write the examinations) is of 29 days, the examinations will be conducted on 20 days, and the remaining nine days are buffer days, when there will be no examinations.

Experts further suggest that since CAT aspirants will get not less than three minutes to answer each question. Those who answer questions correctly will win the race.

“The CAT exam is not supposedly to test candidates’ speed. So, obviously, students who answer more questions correctly will have an edge over others,” says Srinivas Belvi, a teacher, who has been coaching CAT aspirants in Bangalore for long.
A total of 135 minutes (two hours and 15 minutes) will be allotted for the candidates to answer 60 questions.

Another factor to look out for, experts say, is accuracy which has become critical in a CAT test, instead of blindly maintaining the speed.

“CAT history suggests that over the years, the number of questions have reduced and time limit has increased. In such a scenario, it’s the accuracy in answering questions, than maintaining some sort of speed, that matters,” Ajay Arora, director, TIME, Bangalore centre, another coaching institute providing CAT coaching, feels.

So, experts say candidates need to maintain their calm and composure and should be in a relaxed mood.

“There is no need to rush and panic, while answering the paper. A person with a cool head can answer more accurately than those who are under stress,” Belvi says.

On an average,  most of the students are likely to attempt around 45 questions, experts opine.

Only exceptionally good students will attempt 50 questions, from a set of 60 questions in the exam papers.

“Students have enough time to read the questions properly and answer them carefully. Rushing from one questions to another won’t be of any help,” Kumar explains.

Candidates should be well-prepared and thorough with their subjects to write right answers.