‘CAT 2006’ notification is out and once again CAT has changed its colour. This time the most prestigious management entrance exam is going to be of 2½ hrs with some more minor changes like percentage criteria in graduation etc.
One goes to the extent of saying it is the most prestigious exam, and enough evidence is there to endorse this. The nature of the testing is so demanding that a student is always on his toes. Those who have gone through last two years CAT papers will agree here. If you have a look at DI/DS/LR section, it has changed drastically. Till 2003 CAT in DI we were having questions which were either calculation or observation based. LR was typical Quantitative reasoning or Data arrangement which was more or less same as other management entrance exam.
CAT 2004 introduced differential marking system and also different number of questions for all the sections. DI/ DS/ LR had 38 questions in all with 26 questions of 1 mark and 12 questions of 2 marks. Not only this DI was no more only calculation but DI and LR were intermingled. That means a student couldn’t clearly segregate that a particular question is of DI or LR. In almost all the questions you have to apply analytical as well as calculation skills. The same trend continued in CAT 2006 also, the only differences were this particular section became bit tougher and no trace of Data Sufficiency.
After doing analysis of DI/DS/LR sections of past few years CAT paper one can surely say that it is very unpredictable when it comes to the question that how one should prepare for it? What will be the possible pathway to an unimpeded success? Well, the chances are that you will be successful, but only after some reviewing of basic concepts in the relevant areas of mathematical and logical reasoning. The more familiar you are with these fundamental principles, the better you will do on the math sections of the CAT.
Cracking DI/DS/LR section requires faster calculation speed, analytical mindset and presence of mind. All the three things mixed in proper ratio can easily give desired outcome. With the fast calculation speed one can save a lot of time spent per question. In fact your can utilize that for understanding question (which is necessary for any question). Learning squares, cubes and percentage equivalent of fraction can save a lot of your time and energy. Various techniques of approximation are also there by which you can eliminate the options. As far as analytical skills are concerned you develop this over a period of time through constant practice and by solving different varieties of questions.
It is quite evident that only calculation skills or analytical skill will not help to the cause of solving Data Interpretation in CAT. One has to have both of these to crack the DI section. Learning different types of graphs has never been a problem. One can pickup ‘The Economic Times’ or any business magazine where he/she can find graph. One of the effective ways of learning DI is forming own questions. By doing so you are putting yourself in examiners shoes and this will definitely open up your mind to new ideas.
Always look for a shortcut to crunching numbers – a more intuitive way of getting to the right answer. The typical Problem Solving question is designed to allow for a longer way as well as a shorter way of solving it. So if you find yourself doing a lot of pencil work, then there’s probably an easier way.
All in all, DI is not a bohemian in fact it is one of the scoring area provided you make it your strength by proper approach and enough practice.
[Arvind Passey]
[2006]
Written for PT Education
