Which test series is best for CAT? IMS, CL, TIME, CRACKU ?? Pros vs Cons

Summary

In this video, the presenter shares insights on selecting the best CAT mock test series to boost preparation. The video emphasizes the importance of choosing test series from reputed coaching institutes like IMS and CL, citing their quality, relevance, and competition. The presenter discusses the strengths and weaknesses of various series, such as IMS’s tough VRC and DLR, CL’s strong VRC and mixed quality DLR, and the moderate difficulty level of Time and Cracku. The presenter advises starting with IMS and CL, purchasing test series early, and committing to a disciplined mock-taking schedule for optimal results.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start taking mock tests early to gauge your preparation and identify areas that need improvement.
• 😀 Don’t rely on small or regional coaching institutes for mock series; big players like IMS, CL, and Time have better resources and a stronger team to create high-quality mock tests.
• 😀 It’s important to take 35-40 mocks along with past year CAT papers to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and difficulty level.
• 😀 IMS (Simcats) provides a challenging VRC section that prepares you for difficult questions, while its DLR section is highly relevant and aligned with past exam patterns.
• 😀 IMS mock tests are valuable as they have a large number of participants (10,000-12,000), providing a realistic sense of competition and your percentile.
• 😀 CL’s mock series is good for VRC, especially with its insightful analysis by Jijo sir. However, its DLR section may vary in quality.
• 😀 CL’s DLR sometimes includes lengthy sets or sets with minor mistakes, but it’s important to prepare for such scenarios and manage time wisely.
• 😀 CL’s quant section is known for its variety and relevance, including challenging and time-consuming questions that help improve problem-solving speed.
• 😀 Time’s quant section is good for students seeking difficulty and repetition of past year questions, but its DLR and VRC sections are not as impressive as IMS and CL.
• 😀 Cracku’s mock tests are useful for quant but often feature overly lengthy or convoluted sets in DLR and VRC, making it less reliable compared to IMS and CL.
• 😀 The optimal time to purchase mock series is when they are first launched and follow the schedule provided by the coaching institutes to avoid missing any mocks.

Q & A

Why is it important to start preparing for mocks early in the preparation process?

Starting early allows you to check if your preparation is on track and gives you the opportunity to identify areas that need improvement. It also helps to simulate real exam conditions and gain experience.

What are the key advantages of choosing test series from larger coaching institutes like IMS, CL, and Time?

Larger coaching institutes have dedicated teams for preparing and analyzing mocks, which ensures high-quality content, relevant to past exam patterns. Their mock tests also offer a competitive environment with thousands of students, providing more accurate performance analysis.

Why should students avoid test series from smaller or regional coaching institutes?

Smaller institutes may not have the resources or expertise to create high-quality, updated mocks. Their test series may not align well with the CAT exam pattern, which can limit the value they provide in preparation.

How many mocks are recommended for an optimum preparation strategy?

Around 35 to 40 mocks, including past year CAT papers in a time-based format, is considered optimal. This number helps you familiarize yourself with various difficulty levels and ensures consistent practice.

What makes IMS's mock series (SimCATS) particularly useful for CAT preparation?

IMS's SimCATS are known for their challenging VRC section, relevant and well-structured DLR sets, and varied difficulty levels. Their mock exams simulate the real CAT environment, and the performance analysis is thorough, offering a realistic idea of where you stand.

Why is CL's test series a good option, especially for VRC preparation?

CL's VRC section is highly regarded due to its well-prepared passages, created by experienced faculty like Jijo sir. The variety of topics, including philosophy, economics, and biology, makes it closely aligned with the type of reading material in the CAT exam.

What is the drawback of CL's DLR section according to the speaker?

The DLR section in CL's mocks can be inconsistent. Sometimes, the sets are well-prepared, but other times, they can be either too lengthy or contain mistakes, which can affect the overall quality of the mock.

How does Time's mock series compare to others in terms of difficulty?

Time's mock series is known for providing relevant and occasionally difficult quant questions, often mirroring past exam patterns. However, their quant section may be easier compared to other institutes like IMS or CL, and it may not provide as much depth in certain areas.

What are the pros and cons of Cracku’s test series?

Cracku's test series offers relevant content but is criticized for having lengthy and sometimes too complicated DLR sets. The quant section also lacks consistency, with some questions being either repetitive or too simple compared to actual CAT questions.

What strategy should students adopt regarding the timing of purchasing and attempting mocks?

Students should buy the test series as soon as it is launched and attempt the mocks according to the schedule provided. This helps ensure that they are not overwhelmed later, and they are preparing under realistic time constraints.