Preparation and Experience for CAT: 

Neelanshu is a successful CAT aspirant who scored a 99.06 percentile in the CAT exam. He achieved 99.91 percentile in Verbal Ability (VA), 98.14 percentile in Quantitative Ability (QA), and 86.12 percentile in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). He has shared his experiences from FMS and other premier institutions. Join Our Courses

Preparation for Verbal Ability (VA)

• Materials and Books: Norman Lewis's "Word Power Made Easy." This book includes various exercises that help in improving vocabulary.
• Reading Habit: Developing a strong reading habit is crucial. Neelanshu suggested reading high-quality articles from sources like Aeon Essays.
• Mock Tests: Regularly taking mock tests and sectional tests is essential. These help in developing time management and question selection strategies during the exam.

Preparation for Quantitative Ability (QA)

• Basic Consolidation: Having a strong foundation in basics is essential for Quant. Neelanshu suggested following Krishna Sir's lecture series and carefully studying each topic in the course.
• Time Management: Initially, focus on covering the fundamentals and then gradually move to time-bound practice.
• Strategy: Every student should develop their own strategy. Each individual has a different approach, which they can develop over time.

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• Practice: Continuous practice is crucial for success in DILR.
• Selection of Sets: Selecting the right sets is important. Neelanshu mentioned his mistake of choosing the wrong set.
• Mock Tests: Time-bound practice and taking mock tests are necessary to ensure you can easily select and solve questions during the exam.

Final Suggestions and Motivation Neelanshu emphasized the importance of consistency and patience during CAT preparation. He advised students to find their own methods and practice regularly. Additionally, he mentioned that even if you make a mistake in one subject, you can still perform well in the entire exam with the right approach and preparation.

In this way, Neelanshu shared his experiences and strategies to inspire students and provide them with important tips to guide their preparation in the right direction.

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Must do things to crack CAT

Cracking the CAT (Common Admission Test) requires a strategic and disciplined approach. Here are the must-do things to increase your chances of success:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

• Sections: Familiarize yourself with the three sections - Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
• Question Types: Understand the types of questions asked in each section.
• Time Management: Learn the sectional time limits and how to manage your time effectively during the exam.

2. Create a Study Plan

• Daily Schedule: Allocate specific times of the day for each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
• Weekly Goals: Set weekly targets to cover specific topics and practice tests.
• Long-term Plan: Divide your preparation into phases - conceptual learning, practice, and revision.

3. Strengthen Your Basics

• Books and Materials: Use standard books like Arun Sharma’s series for QA, VARC, and DILR, and Norman Lewis's "Word Power Made Easy" for vocabulary.
• Conceptual Clarity: Ensure you understand the basic concepts before moving on to advanced problems.

4. Regular Practice and Mock Tests

• Practice Questions: Regularly solve practice questions from each section.
• Mock Tests: Take full-length mock tests under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam environment.
• Analysis: Analyze your mock test performance to identify weak areas and improve them.

5. Focus on Time Management

• Timed Practice: Practice questions with a timer to improve speed and accuracy.
• Sectional Time Strategy: Develop a strategy to allocate time efficiently across different sections during the exam.

6. Improve Reading and Comprehension Skills

• Reading Habit: Read newspapers, magazines, and high-quality articles to improve reading speed and comprehension.
• Diverse Topics: Read on a variety of topics like economics, science, literature, and current affairs to be prepared for different types of RC passages.

7. Work on Mental Math and Shortcuts

• Basic Arithmetic: Be proficient in basic arithmetic calculations to save time.
• Shortcuts and Tricks: Learn and practice shortcuts for solving quantitative problems quickly.

8. Develop Logical Thinking

• Puzzles and Games: Engage in puzzles, Sudoku, and logical games to enhance your reasoning skills.
• Pattern Recognition: Practice recognizing patterns and logical sequences in questions.

9. Join a Coaching or Study Group

• Guidance: Join a coaching institute if you need structured guidance.
• Peer Learning: Study groups can provide different perspectives and solutions to problems.

10. Maintain a Positive Attitude and Stay Motivated

• Stay Consistent: Consistency is key in preparation. Stick to your study plan.
• Motivation: Keep yourself motivated by setting small rewards for achieving study goals.

11. Healthy Lifestyle

• Balanced Diet: Eat a balanced diet to keep your energy levels up.
• Regular Exercise: Incorporate some form of physical activity to reduce stress.
• Adequate Sleep: Ensure you get enough sleep to keep your mind fresh and focused.

12. Exam Day Strategy

• Mock Exam Simulation: Simulate exam day conditions several times before the actual exam.
• Relaxation Techniques: Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing to stay calm during the exam.