This guide provides
the must-know details about CAT, XAT,
and MAT, right from the structure, to some critical sections, and the best
preparation strategies in place for the 2024-25 academic year
How
to Crack the MBA Entrance Exams: Tips for CAT, XAT and MAT 2024-25
Cracking the entrance to MBA courses like CAT, XAT
and MAT is surely a important and requires absolute dedication and
unrelenting effort. It is one of the most sought after post-graduate degrees in
India. The high cut-off percentiles leave little room for the competition's
merits. But if you were to apply the techniques while preparing for the exams,
you would crack the exam and get into the best B-school you could have opted
for. This guide provides the must-know details about CAT, XAT, and MAT, right from the structure, to some critical
sections, and the best preparation strategies in place for the 2024-25 academic
year.
1. Knowing the Exam Pattern
CAT
(Common Admission Test):
The CAT is amongst the most competitive MBA entrance
exams conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
Sections
comprise of:
·
Verbal Ability & Reading
Comprehension (VARC)
·
Data Interpretation & Logical
Reasoning (DILR)
·
Quantitative
Aptitude (QA)
·
Duration:
2 hours, with 40 minutes per section.
·
Marking Scheme: Right answer: +3; Wrong
answers of MCQ type: -1; Non-MCQ answers are not negatively marked.
XAT
(Xavier Aptitude Test):
XLRI conducts a prominent MBA entrance test, XAT.
·
The sections are based upon Verbal and
Logical Ability, Decision-Making, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and
General Knowledge.
·
Time limit: 3 hours
·
Marking scheme: +1 for the right answer,
-0.25 for wrong answers, no negative marking for General Knowledge.
MAT
(Management Aptitude Test):
Currently, it is conducted by AIMA.
·
Sections include: Language
Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency,
Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, and Indian & Global Environment
·
Total test duration is 2 hours 30
minutes.
· Marking Scheme: +1 for the right answer, -0.25 for wrong answer.
· VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
This section tests comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and complex passages. Here's how you can prepare,
2.
How to prepare for the entrance exams?
Reading: Read newspapers, editorials, magazines, and even business journals like The Economic Times, The Hindu, or Business Standard. Continuous reading helps to increase speed and comprehension.
Practice RCs: Do both short and long passages. Practice a variety of types of questions, including inference-based and vocabulary-related questions.
Vocabulary: Apps like “Magoosh” or “Vocabulary.com”. Additionally, grammar rules do not become outdated, so practising it is a must for this segment.
Mock
tests: Practice of previous years' papers and mock tests
so that you know the nature of the paper and can time out well.
3. Mathematics
Test your mathematical knowledge in areas like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and probability. While this is one of the not-so-easy sections for most, here's some prep advice:
The Strong Foundation: The First Step, Of course and above all, get a grip on your basics. Ensure that you are strong in topics such as percentages, profit-loss accounts, ratios, time-work, and averages.
Practice: Practice is the mantra. Solve many questions on all topics and improve your speed along with accuracy.
Shortcuts and Tricks : Study typical problems related to shortcuts and use tricks to save precious time in the exam.
Mock
Tests: time-bound Mock tests would give you the mental
capacity along with making you fit enough to bear the actual pressure of the
test.
4. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
DILR requires a lot of data interpretation in a relatively short time span with maximum accuracy.
· Basic Skill Revitalizing: Revise graphs, tables, pie charts, and bar diagrams data interpretation.
· Logical Reasoning: Puzzles, seating arrangement, Blood relation and all pattern-based questions. Try different forms of logical reasoning daily.
This section would require some time-bound practice.
Prepare various question sets to enhance your speed and accuracy.
5. Decision Making (For XAT)
The Decision-Making section of XAT has a unique structure. In reality, it is designed to test the ethical and managerial abilities of the candidate in decision-making.
· Case Studies: Practice case studies in a business setting. Pay more attention to your decision-making capabilities that are also ethically sound and efficient.
·
Mock
Tests: Mock tests designed specifically for XAT along with
the decision-making questions help one get used to the type of questions which
might come up in the examination.
6. General Knowledge (For XAT and MAT)
General knowledge is tested in XAT as well as in MAT with questions on current affairs, business, politics, and economics.
· Read Newspapers: Keep in touch with contemporary affairs, especially in fields related to business, economics, and government policies.
· GK Books & Apps: Some books are available like the “Manorama Yearbook” and many applications like "Inshorts" are also available which help build and expand your knowledge base.
· Previous Year's Questions: Solving previous years' papers will give the student a glimpse of what kind of questions related to GK are asked.
· Time Management and Mock Tests: Mock tests must be taken repeatedly to understand one's strengths and weaknesses.
· Results Analysis: Take at least one mock every week and analyze performance after each mock test. Work on neglected areas.
·
Time
Management: Get used to time management if it's a
time-sensitive MBA entrance exam.
8. Stay Positive
It's quite intimidating to prepare for entrance
exams, but attitude makes a huge difference. Start your preparation by breaking
it down into manageable pieces and taking frequent breaks, eating well, and
sleeping a lot are all equally important in that regard, so you're at your best
for the exam.
Proper guidance along with intense practice is what
is needed to prepare for entrance exam of MBA
like, CAT, XAT, or MAT. Dedicated
counselling and resources are available as Edumyra
helps you along the way. From offering 'tailor-made' study plans to fulfil
personal requirements to making quality study material available, from a
scheduled mock test to guiding with the help of an ideal mentor, Edumyra is there at every step of the
way. Whether you need help to prepare for that exam, or just the right Mba college after results. Edumyra ensures that you have all the
tools you need to succeed in the MBA
field that just seems to be getting increasingly competitive.
For such useful informative details and getting help regarding any B School related query or searching the best MBA Colleges in Pune, MBA Colleges in Delhi-NCR, MBA Colleges in Mumbai, etc.
Please check Edumyra. Also, we are here to give all the info on exams like CAT/XAT/SNAP, etc.
Note:-All information on this website is subjected to updates. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided.