brace up the CAT , Specific tips on how to realign your preparations to suit the online format

If you are planning to bell the online CAT this year on November 18, here are some tips that could help you max the test.

The common admission test or CAT as it is popularly called, is finally giving in to the cyber revolution and taking its format online. This has only led to heightened anticipation about the most coveted entrance exams. What needs to be kept in mind really is that, only the format of the exam is changing. There are no shortcuts to preparing for the same. You need to be focussed, time yourself for every mock exam you take and ensure you are fast and accurate.

To begin with, book your exams slots early to get your preferred time and be prepared for long sittings before the computer.

Here are a few more specific tips on how to realign your preparations to suit the online format.

-If you are not used working on computers, get used to it, big time!

-Practise more online tests and puzzles

-Focus on the basics and avoid the lengthy data interpretation

-Know your strengths and weaknesses

-Read more online stuff-ebooks, e-paper etc. Do not waste time on lengthy reading material

-Practise shorter tests first, then move on to lengthier ones

-Take more of Reading comprehension and Data Interpretation tests

-Set time limits for every section and create your own benchmarks

-Indulge more in mental calculations

-Beware! You might not have the option to choose or leave as questions appear one by one

-Take tests in proctored environment outside home

-The tests throw up random questions, so the more you practice, the more used to

-Take as many tests as you can, as the formats will keep changing.

In fact, Arindam Lahiri, the director and co-founder of Career Launcher, one of the leading CAT-prep institutes in the country, has a few pointers for the aspirants. He says: "The ability to read off the paper and read off the computer monitor is usually different. Hence, building a habit of reading off the computer screen is important. In fact, we are advising students to read the e-paper daily rather than the paper version."

The other challenge, says Arindam, is retaining concentration while sitting in front of the computer for more than two hours. Again it needs practice. The third issue is primarily with a few question types - Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation questions are especially difficult to solve from the computer screen. This needs a whole lot of practice and adopting a few techniques to tackle this.

Apart from the general tips that have been provided above, Arindam would like students to keep a few critical things in mind while preparing fro the online format.

Here's what the expert has to say:

a) Practice taking tests on the same day at the same time slot which the student has booked for his actual CAT.

b) Get into the habit of practicing the online test with the help of only a white paper and pencil to support (just like the original paper)

c) Break the entire test into manageable chunks - if the paper contains 60 questions , for example, to be done in 75 minutes, one needs to check if s/he has done at least 6 to 7 questions every 5 minutes. Do not fall in love with a question.

d) One needs to get used to staring at the computer screen for al least 3 hours at a stretch while practising.

It is advisable for the aspirants to increase the number of tests they take, as the date draws closer. Career Launcher claims to have conducted seven different proctored mock tests so far across 110 cities in the country which have been taken by about 60,000 candidates.

The only minor glitch in the online CAT format is that it has scared away semi-urban students who are not very computer-savvy, says Arindam. He says there's been in a shift in the profile of test takers as more people with work experience are registering for the CAT this year.