CAT

Candidates can take reference of subjects and topics from CAT study material for Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Aptitude, but XAT preparation has to be exam specific and must include exam specific study material. Aspirants can use CAT sample questions too for practice purpose, but that is not enough. They need to practice XAT sample questions and XAT mock tests too, as the nature of questions in XAT is different from CAT.

XAT syllabus for Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Aptitude are same as CAT syllabus. Decision Making and General Knowledge syllabus are not a part of CAT syllabus. Thus, XAT aspirants have to study more than CAT aspirants, which is why one needs to have a XAT specific preparation plan in order to score above 95 percentile.

Yes, candidates can do PGDM courses from SSIM Hyderabad without CAT entrance exam. The institute alsp accepts percentile ad scores of other national entrance exams such as XAT/MAT/CMAT/ATMA/GMAT/State Government Exam. Additionally, the other factors considered are academic performance, SOP, work experience, extra circular activities/Certification Courses, Video introductions, and interviews.

No, it is not wise to attempt a CAT mock test, just before the exam. Candidates must practice only one CAT mock test just before the exam; not to check his control over topics but to keep the confidence of time management high. Any candidate who has practiced a good number of mock tests will be able to score 98-99 percentile by the last week of the CAT exam, so they need to just go with the same confidence.

Candidates should practice CAT mock test during the day. Once, CAT admit card is released, they should practice CAT mocks at the same time as their exam slot. This will help them align their mind and body to 2 hours of rigorous test so that they can utilize their time in the CAT exam well. For example, CAT exam starts are early as 8:30 am. So, those who are not used to studying early morning will face difficulty in performing optimally if they get morning slot.

CAT exam has sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section and as soon as the time gets over, the test screen moves to the new section. So, it is very important that a candidate uses 40 minutes to attempt the questions correctly and optimally. RC passages are long and dense. Sometimes, DI or LR questions turn out to be lengthy, Quants questions are often time taking. By practicing sectional mock tests, candidate will get the practice of how to manage 40 minutes irrespective of the type of question.

Yes, you can get into the PGDM programme provided at Rajagiri Business School for PGDM without appearing for CAT. However, you must provide a valid score of any other accepted entrance exam. The institute accepts candidates strictly on an entrance basis, which means you must provide a valid score in any of the accepted exam. Some of the other management exams accepted by RBS are MAT/ CMAT/ KMAT/ XAT. Hence, anyone who satisfies the basic eligibility and has the required entrance exam score may apply for the programme, even if they don't have CAT score.