Sitaram Agarwal is a Commerce graduate from St. Xaviers College, Kolkata. Sitaram is also pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst program offered by the CFA institute. He is currently a level 2 student of the same. Having appeared for CAT for the second time in 2008, he scored 146 out of 256 which gave him the percentile of 99.53. Sitaram was offered the final admission by IIM A.
MBAUniverse.com talks to Sitaram Agarwal:
Q: Which are the institutes that shortlisted you for GD PI and offered you final admissions?
A: I got calls from IIM A, IIM C and IIM K (I didnt apply anywhere except the IIMs). I was offered final admission by IIM A.
Q: Which is the institute that you have decided to take admission, and why?
A: I am joining IIM A, and my decision would have been the same even if I had other options. I believe IIM A will nurture me best especially their case based pedagogy.
Q: Which test prep institute did you go to? How did you make the selection? How should CAT 2009 aspirants make this decision?
A: I was based in Kolkata and went to TCC Management Systems. I found this to be the most effective part of the entire preparation the guidance I got there was the fulcrum of my preparations. I selected TCC because when I was on a hunt for the best prep courses, I got to see a positive approach there, which was incomparable with any other place that I went to. For CAT 2009 aspirants, the decision of prep institute should be based on their own judgement the psychological comfort is really important. The kind of enthusiasm and individual attention that a prep centre can provide is also important. A lot depends on the amount of effort the candidate is willing to put in. Just the prep course wont be of help without personal effort and hard work.
Q: With just over 6 months to go, what is your advice to CAT 2009 aspirants?
A: Given that it is mid May, its time now to focus on the basic concepts. CAT tests us on the very basic concepts, and all that is important is how well we can apply those concepts. Also, the practice tests are a crucial part of the overall learning. I would advice at least one test per week, with an in-depth analysis of answers that went wrong, the ones that were right, as well as those skipped. Careful attention must be paid to selection, as that is the key for success, and effective time management. These tests are to give you a feel of the CAT exam, and one can effectively learn from mistakes made in these tests, and make sure they are not repeated on the final day.
Q: How should they plan their study on the basis of different sections in the paper and time management?
A: Personally, I had to devote a lot of time on the quantitative part, because that was a bottleneck for me, while verbal was a strong point. One should devote maximum time to the weaker sections to bring them up to an optimal level. Also devote time to develop one extremely strong section. Its important to develop one strong point the section which will be the score maximising section for the candidate. A strong study plan is very effective in keeping track of preparations and performance across sections. Aspirants should also devote time and improving reading habits as they are crucial for success in the verbal section.
Q: As you are aware, CAT 2009 will be a computer-based test. In your view, how does this change the exam?
A: CAT being a computer based test might create hiccups in the first 2 years, given that students will have to adapt to the new format. The essence of the test will still evaluate your verbal power, conceptual clarity and thinking prowess. So it will be like old wine in a new bottle.
Q: What is your take on this new format?
A: The new format was a natural step in view of the increasing the number of applicants to the IIMs and the logistical problems it was creating. The IIMs are not yet clear on whether they will be adaptive or non adaptive. We should wait for the official notification to be released before making any comment on it.
Q: Are you happy that you did not have to appear for this format or you feel that CBT form would have been better for you?
A: Given the fact that I appeared for CAT the second time; I would have been a little sceptical if I would have had to go for the CBT.
Q: What should aspirants do to adjust to this new format?
A: Candidates should practice more with the CAT-like weekly tests to familiarise themselves with the new environment. Special care must be taken by those who are not appearing for the first time. Since such candidates were used to the old format, the online test might prove to be an uncomfortable battlefield. Also, candidates who are not comfortable with using computers need to develop that ability now, in addition to all other preparations needed for cracking the CAT.
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| Also Read Important Articles on MBA Admission | ||
| Top MBA Colleges in India | MBA Admission | MBA Entrance Exam |
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Sitaram Agarwal is a Commerce graduate from St. Xaviers College, Kolkata. Sitaram is also pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst program offered by the CFA institute. He is currently a level 2 student of the same. Having appeared for CAT for the second time in 2008, he scored 146 out of 256 which gave him the percentile of 99.53. Sitaram was offered the final admission by IIM A.
MBAUniverse.com talks to Sitaram Agarwal:
Q: Which are the institutes that shortlisted you for GD PI and offered you final admissions?
A: I got calls from IIM A, IIM C and IIM K (I didnt apply anywhere except the IIMs). I was offered final admission by IIM A.
Q: Which is the institute that you have decided to take admission, and why?
A: I am joining IIM A, and my decision would have been the same even if I had other options. I believe IIM A will nurture me best especially their case based pedagogy.
Q: Which test prep institute did you go to? How did you make the selection? How should CAT 2009 aspirants make this decision?
A: I was based in Kolkata and went to TCC Management Systems. I found this to be the most effective part of the entire preparation the guidance I got there was the fulcrum of my preparations. I selected TCC because when I was on a hunt for the best prep courses, I got to see a positive approach there, which was incomparable with any other place that I went to. For CAT 2009 aspirants, the decision of prep institute should be based on their own judgement the psychological comfort is really important. The kind of enthusiasm and individual attention that a prep centre can provide is also important. A lot depends on the amount of effort the candidate is willing to put in. Just the prep course wont be of help without personal effort and hard work.
Q: With just over 6 months to go, what is your advice to CAT 2009 aspirants?
A: Given that it is mid May, its time now to focus on the basic concepts. CAT tests us on the very basic concepts, and all that is important is how well we can apply those concepts. Also, the practice tests are a crucial part of the overall learning. I would advice at least one test per week, with an in-depth analysis of answers that went wrong, the ones that were right, as well as those skipped. Careful attention must be paid to selection, as that is the key for success, and effective time management. These tests are to give you a feel of the CAT exam, and one can effectively learn from mistakes made in these tests, and make sure they are not repeated on the final day.
Q: How should they plan their study on the basis of different sections in the paper and time management?
A: Personally, I had to devote a lot of time on the quantitative part, because that was a bottleneck for me, while verbal was a strong point. One should devote maximum time to the weaker sections to bring them up to an optimal level. Also devote time to develop one extremely strong section. Its important to develop one strong point the section which will be the score maximising section for the candidate. A strong study plan is very effective in keeping track of preparations and performance across sections. Aspirants should also devote time and improving reading habits as they are crucial for success in the verbal section.
Q: As you are aware, CAT 2009 will be a computer-based test. In your view, how does this change the exam?
A: CAT being a computer based test might create hiccups in the first 2 years, given that students will have to adapt to the new format. The essence of the test will still evaluate your verbal power, conceptual clarity and thinking prowess. So it will be like old wine in a new bottle.
Q: What is your take on this new format?
A: The new format was a natural step in view of the increasing the number of applicants to the IIMs and the logistical problems it was creating. The IIMs are not yet clear on whether they will be adaptive or non adaptive. We should wait for the official notification to be released before making any comment on it.
Q: Are you happy that you did not have to appear for this format or you feel that CBT form would have been better for you?
A: Given the fact that I appeared for CAT the second time; I would have been a little sceptical if I would have had to go for the CBT.
Q: What should aspirants do to adjust to this new format?
A: Candidates should practice more with the CAT-like weekly tests to familiarise themselves with the new environment. Special care must be taken by those who are not appearing for the first time. Since such candidates were used to the old format, the online test might prove to be an uncomfortable battlefield. Also, candidates who are not comfortable with using computers need to develop that ability now, in addition to all other preparations needed for cracking the CAT.
| Check Top MBA Colleges in India by Cities | | |
| Also Read Important Articles on MBA Admission | ||
| Top MBA Colleges in India | MBA Admission | MBA Entrance Exam |
| MBA Placements | MBA Ranking In India | GD Topics |
Sitaram Agarwal is a Commerce graduate from St. Xaviers College, Kolkata. Sitaram is also pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst program offered by the CFA institute. He is currently a level 2 student of the same.