Tips for D-day!! - Sanmeet Sidhu

• Read the instructions very carefully in the stipulated time. Do not try to smuggle into the question paper and cast furtive glances at this juncture. Spend this time to connect with the physical parameters of the paper (like sectionwise format, differential marking if any, extent of negative marking etc), understand its configuration and chalk out an overall strategy.

• The test starts on a note of generous offerings—there are multiple sections with multiple questions and barring CAT ’96 there has been no section-wise time constraint. Furthermore, the sectional cut offs are fairly humble. All this creates a lot of freedom and implied choice for the test taker, which in turn ushers in a set of teething problems. Hip hopping from one section to another in a constant search for respite will only disrupt your poise and composure. It is advisable to go with a pre-validated strategy--- start with an area which requires relatively less involvement/ concentration levels or which has been authenticated as your strong area by the various simCATs / full length tests. The sooner you reach the equilibrium, shorter is the teething phase.

• To reap the benefits of the age old concept of inertia, it is suggested that you attempt all areas of a particular subject in a continued sequence, for example, verbal usage & grammar questions should be followed by questions on RC (as this area is a logical extension of words) and not with questions on Quantitative/ Logic & DI sections.

• Keep in mind the following while selecting questions in a particular section:-
1. Probable picks are judiciously spread across the section. Try exploring the entire bulk of the section rather than limiting yourself to one or two sides
2. Prioritize questions which are from your comfort areas. However, do not be judgmental about other concept modules; e.g. students have a natural antipathy for questions on probability, permutations & combinations and end up rebuffing even simple questions from these topics.
3. Length should not be an intimidating proposition. Lengthier questions are not always difficult and their shorter counterparts are not always sitters & vice-versa.
4. Prioritize “block based” questions or questions configuring in clusters, as it is possible to reap economies of scale there.

• Keep in mind the following while responding to a particular question:-
1. Read with an intention to ensure a closure
2. Flowcharting and logical analysis would facilitate a smoother processing.
3. Try working through the options route wherever possible.
4. Connecting with the question and its context would decide your success/failure. This is even more true for RC and LR questions.
5. Do not get emotionally anchored to a question. If it is consuming disproportionately more time, abandon it after a certain critical point. However, if you are leaving it on an upbeat note, do come back for a closure, towards the end of that section.
6. Mark your response on the OMR sheet after you have zeroed in on an option and blacken the corresponding oval appropriately. Losing out marks because the responses could not be transferred onto the OMR sheet or because the ovals were not shaded properly can assume the proportions of a virtual crime on that all-important day!

• Anxiety sets in towards the fag end of the test. At this juncture, you need to respect your performance and not indulge in random flukes. However, it should not refrain you from guessing intelligently, keeping in mind the context, the options and a pinch of intuition.

The writer is Assistant General Manager at IMS Learning Resources, Mumbai