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For those who are taking mocks, please analyze your Mock Test thoroughly (mark my word "thoroughly". This is the only way you can learn about your mistakes. Mark my word "only" - as
the element of time pressure is also added. I don't know how many of you have seen how a mock CAT is prepared but a lot of cerebral ideas go into it. People who design it are the ones who have actually been through the selection process of CAT and more. Make a point to point out at least one area of improvement after each Mock CAT. Work on that, progress might be gradual but will be effective.

"Oh God - I couldn't concentrate in those hours." Did you ever say this right after a mock CAT? Hmmm!!! If I was God and I heard you say this, I will strike you with lightning at that very moment, even if it is was a bright sunny day. Trust me, I would!

There is no such excuse as "poor concentration" for those who are preparing for CAT and aspiring to be a Manager one day. As my mentor likes to put it, "Concentration is the key, in fact it's the only key that differentiates an average attempt from an excellent attempt, as simple as that." It's true. When attempting sections like Para Jumbles and Reading Comprehension, which will surely carry around 25-35 marks in any Test, let alone CAT, the person with high degree of concentration will be more proficient. The person who is able to concentrate 100% on 19 November 2006 for the stipulated time is the one I want to be. Is it easy? No. Can it be done? Yes. Try this, force yourself to concentrate and if you loose your hold, force yourself again. Do it as many times as you loose your focus and soon it will become a part of you. We live in a tough competitive world, and as a manager, you will be forced to do a lot of stuff you wouldn't want to do, so why not start practicing with a little heedfulness.

We are not going to write CAT in a vacuum. It has its own domicile with the protocols like competition, ability & stress. Picking up a wrong set of questions or RC is the kind of damage that cannot be undone. It is equally important to skip a time consuming question (even if you know that you can solve it, I know how tempting that feels), than to pick up an easy one. Picking up attemptable question is a talent that can be attained only by practice, no short cut for this. Now that weights have been assigned to each question, things have turned more interesting.

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* Contributed by -
Pramod Sood is employed with the Retail Loans Division of a private sector bank for the past three years & is aspiring for CAT this year.