subject: Cracking the MBA entrance- CAT [print this page] The managerial approach CAT is not like any other exam. Qualifying it means a total transformation of a man into a manager and that to a top notch one. An ordinary student wandering here and there on his bike may become a person driving into a limo just after a couple of years. As the trend on recent years shows IIM's grades are now worth their weight in silver (literally) at least if not gold even before they pass out. In such a backup an aspirant needs to adopt a managerial approach in all aspects. Even his preparation needs to have certain managerial traits. Keeping in mind the managerial approach of handling the CAT rather than just from a math and English perspective.
How often do you hear this statement: CAT is not a test of maths and English only? Your Faculty or friends who have taken the exam earlier will testify this to you maximum.CAT actually uses maths and English as a tool to assess whether the aspirants have the potential to be a manager. One of the biggest mental hurdles while preparing for the CAT is the undue emphasis on mastering the ropes in maths and English and not on understanding the hidden agendas of the IIM's. For example- Let's understand the logic behind the reading comprehension passage in English. A lot of students feel too intimidated by the size and complexity of the passage, but if they could read the minds of the test setter, they could realize that reading comprehension is a test of comprehending ability, communication, selection, discretion and decision making ability of the candidate. Reading passage also tests managing the time, accuracy and speed of comprehend, ability to handle pressure, analytical ability, common sense and getting the fundamentals right- the most critical quality of an effective manager.
All these are nothing but the managerial qualities and what an reading comprehension passage essentially does is to judge the students managerial approach. The logic cited through the example of RC holds true for any other topic either under maths or English. Across the CAT, while the topics vary, they all are essential tools to check the managerial qualities. Thus be it a problem solving and data interpretation in maths and verbal ability and reading comprehension in English, right through the two hour test, a student is assessed on inherent managerial qualities which can be polished when selected to a admission to a management school. While English test one's language and communication skill, maths essentially tests your analytical and conceptual skills two very critical traits in an effective manger.
Time/ speed/ distance per second is not maths, but it applies Maths. As speed increases, the time taken would decrease. You don't have to be mathematician to understand this. You just need to use your common sense and most business situation are simile, be it forecasting and planning, production planning, cost control etc. Thus maths is a tool to test whether the students has the willingness to analyse a situation through logic and reasoning. Thus one of the most critical quality needed to crack the CAT is strong fundamental and common sensual approach.
