I scored 99.42 percentile in CAT Quant despite weak Math

Summary

This video shares a strategy for cracking the CAT exam's Quantitative Aptitude section, focusing on time management and selective question-solving techniques. The speaker explains how to identify the easiest and most familiar questions, prioritizing them while ensuring time is saved for the most crucial questions. The strategy involves taking mock tests, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and revising effectively by repeatedly solving previous CAT questions. The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-belief and staying focused on high-frequency topics. With dedication and the right approach, even a beginner can score well in Quant and achieve a high percentile.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start with a clear objective: Initially, the focus should be on clearing CAT, even if it means struggling through difficult sections like Quantitative Ability (QA).
• 😀 Don’t listen to naysayers: Avoid people who advise you to give up on areas you struggle with, and instead, stay focused on your goal of clearing the CAT exam.
• 😀 Focus on easy questions first: In mock exams, identify the easier questions you can solve and prioritize them to build your confidence.
• 😀 Time management is crucial: Ensure you pace yourself well, leaving time for the last questions and avoiding getting stuck on a single difficult question.
• 😀 Don’t waste time on topics you’re unfamiliar with: If you’re not confident in solving certain questions, move on to the next one instead of wasting time trying to figure it out.
• 😀 Build a strategy to tackle the exam: The strategy involves quick identification of solvable questions, marking for review, and ensuring time management for all sections.
• 😀 Focus on key topics: The CAT Quant section typically tests concepts from five main topics, so prioritize learning and revising those areas.
• 😀 Use past year questions: Practice 20 past-year questions from each chapter to familiarize yourself with the pattern of questions and avoid unnecessary difficulty.
• 😀 Effective revision strategy: After completing mocks, review and solve the questions you couldn't answer initially. This helps reinforce concepts and identify weak areas.
• 😀 Continuous improvement through revision: Revising questions multiple times ensures that you solidify your understanding and retain information for the actual CAT exam.

Q & A

Why did the speaker initially struggle with the Quantitative section of the CAT exam?

The speaker initially struggled with the Quantitative section because they were not an engineer and faced difficulties with many of the topics. They also received negative marks initially, which made them consider abandoning Quant altogether.

What strategy did the speaker develop to tackle the Quantitative section of the CAT exam?

The speaker focused on identifying and marking questions they could solve easily. They aimed to review those questions later if time permitted. This strategy allowed them to score well by solving only the questions they were confident about.

How did the speaker manage to improve their performance in the Quantitative section despite initial difficulties?

The speaker started by practicing more mock exams to become familiar with the types of questions in the Quantitative section. They focused on solving the questions they were comfortable with and gradually built up their confidence, eventually scoring a high percentile.

What advice did the speaker receive during their preparation, and how did they respond to it?

The speaker was advised by many people to abandon the Quantitative section and focus on subjects they were good at. However, they decided not to listen to this advice and continued focusing on Quant because they were determined to clear the CAT exam.

What is the significance of the 'Mark for Review' button in the CAT exam, according to the speaker?

The 'Mark for Review' button allows candidates to identify questions they may not be able to solve immediately but might be able to revisit later. The speaker used this feature to quickly assess each question and move on to the next one, saving time.

How did the speaker ensure they didn't run out of time during the exam?

The speaker managed their time effectively by quickly identifying the questions they could solve and marking them for review. They made sure to leave time for the last few questions and avoided spending too much time on difficult ones.

What is the speaker’s advice on handling topics they are not familiar with in the CAT exam?

The speaker advises not to waste time on questions from topics they are not familiar with. Instead, they suggest focusing on the topics they know well and have mastered, ensuring a higher probability of solving them correctly.

How does the speaker recommend preparing for the CAT Quantitative section?

The speaker suggests downloading a syllabus sheet and going through detailed videos for each topic. They emphasize solving past year questions and focusing on topics with high frequency to ensure a better understanding and higher chances of scoring.

What role does revision play in the speaker's preparation strategy for the CAT exam?

Revision is critical in consolidating learning. The speaker recommends revising questions from previous mocks and focusing on those they initially struggled with. Regular revision ensures that these topics are better understood and can be tackled more efficiently during the actual exam.

What is the 'three-round revision' strategy suggested by the speaker, and why is it important?

The 'three-round revision' strategy involves revisiting questions multiple times: after every five mocks, at the end of each month, and in the last few days before the CAT exam. This repeated review helps the candidate reinforce concepts and ensure they remember how to solve difficult questions when they appear in the exam.