Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
Introduction
Aniket Dighe, a CAT 99.61%iler, scored an impressive 99.97%ile in the VARC section, 96%ile in DILR, and 92%ile in Quants. With a GMAT score of 740, Aniket's journey to mastering the CAT exam, particularly the VARC section, is a story of strategic preparation and consistent practice. This blog post delves into Aniket's preparation strategy, focusing on how he tackled his weak areas, developed a strong verbal ability strategy, and optimized his mock test performance.
Journey to Success
Identifying Weak Sections
Aniket knew that his quant skills were weak, having dropped math in 10th grade due to difficulties. To crack top colleges, he had to strengthen his verbal skills, leveraging his strong English background from school. Recognizing that FMS places 40% weightage on VARC and 30% on DILR and Quants, Aniket prioritized enhancing his verbal ability.
Aniket’s realization of his weak quant skills early on was crucial. Dropping math in 10th grade had made quantitative subjects a challenge for him. He understood that improving his verbal ability was essential not only to balance his overall score but also to leverage his inherent strength in English. This strategic focus was driven by the weightage different sections carried in the admission criteria of top MBA colleges, such as FMS.
Verbal Ability Strategy
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Reading Comprehension (RC)
Scanning the Passage and Questions
Aniket began by scanning the passage to get a gist of the content, then looked at the questions to understand what to focus on. This approach helped him identify key points while reading the passage, making it easier to answer questions.
Aniket’s method of scanning the passage first allowed him to form a mental map of the content. By glancing at the questions beforehand, he knew what to look for during a thorough reading, thus saving time and increasing accuracy. This pre-reading strategy was instrumental in efficiently navigating through lengthy and complex passages.
Proper Reading and Marking
After scanning, he read the passage thoroughly, marking important points. This method prevented him from forgetting crucial details, especially in long passages.
Marking key points during the thorough reading helped Aniket keep track of critical information. This practice ensured that he could quickly refer back to essential details when answering questions. It was particularly useful for maintaining focus and retention in passages that were dense with information.
Para-jumble
Finding Connections
Aniket focused on finding connections using prepositions and conjunctions. Once connections were identified, the sentences naturally fell into place.
Para-jumbles can be tricky, but Aniket’s strategy of looking for connecting words made the task manageable. Prepositions and conjunctions often indicate the logical flow of ideas, helping him arrange the sentences in a coherent order. This approach simplified what could otherwise be a complex puzzle.
Alternative Approach
For those struggling with RC, Aniket suggests starting with para-jumbles to gain confidence before tackling RC questions.
Aniket’s alternative approach was particularly beneficial for those who found RCs challenging. Starting with para-jumbles built confidence and warmed up the mind for more intensive reading comprehension tasks. It’s a strategic way to ensure that easier marks are secured before moving on to tougher sections.
Daily Reading
Starting Simple
Begin with reading simple articles like those in Bombay Times to understand how to make connections.
Aniket’s recommendation to start with simpler articles like those in Bombay Times provided a foundation for building reading habits. Simple articles are less intimidating and help in developing the initial skill of connecting ideas, which is crucial for more complex reading tasks.
Advanced Reading
Gradually move to AEON essays, known for their literature and abstract content, which are similar to CAT passages. This practice not only improves comprehension but also enhances vocabulary.
AEON essays, known for their depth and quality, simulate the type of content encountered in CAT passages. By gradually moving to these essays, Aniket was able to challenge himself and improve his comprehension skills. This practice also enriched his vocabulary, an added advantage in tackling the verbal section effectively.
Mock Strategy
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Initial Struggles and Improvement
Early Challenges
Initially, Aniket struggled with solving RCs, managing only two. With time and practice, he figured out an effective approach, eventually solving three RCs.
Aniket’s initial struggle with RCs is a common experience among CAT aspirants. His persistence and practice led him to refine his approach, allowing him to improve his performance over time. This iterative process of learning and adapting was key to his eventual success.
Mock Tests
Regular mock tests helped Aniket refine his strategy and gain a good grasp of the VARC section.
Mock tests were central to Aniket’s preparation. They provided a simulated exam environment, helping him manage time, develop test-taking strategies, and identify areas for improvement. Regular practice with mocks made him familiar with the exam pattern and reduced anxiety on the actual test day.
CAT Day Strategy
Order of Solving
Reading Comprehensions
Start with identifying the topic of each RC. Begin with general topic RCs, leaving the literature-based RC for last.
On the exam day, Aniket began by identifying the topic of each RC to quickly decide the order of solving. He tackled general topic RCs first, as they were usually more straightforward, and saved the literature-based RC for last, which was often more complex and time-consuming.
Para-jumbles and Para Summaries
After RCs, tackle para-jumble and para-summary questions.
Post RCs, Aniket moved on to para-jumbles and para-summary questions. This sequence allowed him to maintain momentum and maximize his score by focusing on sections where he could secure marks efficiently.
Difficult RCs
Save the most challenging RC for the end, ensuring all easier questions are already answered.
Aniket’s strategy of leaving the most challenging RC for the end ensured that he didn’t miss out on easier questions. This time management technique was crucial in optimizing his overall score by prioritizing questions he was more confident in solving.
Parting Thoughts
Daily Study and Motivation
Consistent Practice
Aniket emphasizes the importance of daily study, starting with a minimum of one hour. Consistency is key to gradual improvement.
Aniket’s emphasis on daily practice highlights the importance of consistency in preparation. Even starting with just one hour a day can lead to significant improvements over time. This disciplined approach ensures steady progress and keeps the study momentum going.
Staying Motivated
Watching motivational videos helped Aniket stay focused and driven throughout his preparation.
Maintaining motivation was a critical part of Aniket’s preparation. Watching motivational videos kept him inspired and focused on his goals. This practice helped him stay positive and resilient, even when faced with challenges.
Conclusion
Aniket Dighe’s journey from identifying his weak areas to mastering the CAT exam is a testament to the power of strategic preparation and consistent practice. His well-rounded approach to tackling the VARC section, coupled with his disciplined study habits and effective mock test strategies, offers valuable insights for any CAT aspirant. By focusing on key areas, maintaining daily study routines, and staying motivated, aspirants can significantly enhance their chances of success in the CAT exam. Aniket’s story serves as an inspiring guide for all those aiming to achieve high scores and secure admissions to top MBA programs.
