MAH-CET is a well-known state level exam for admissions to colleges in Maharashtra. It is one of the simpler exams for MBA admissions and one should definitely give this exam to amp up their chances of getting admissions to well reputed B-schools. This exam is not merely for the Maharashtrians but for students countrywide, offering admissions to esteemed colleges like JBIMS, SIMSREE, Welingkar and other 300+ colleges in the state.
The MAH-CET exam is divided into 3 sections, namely Logical/Abstract Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Questions asked in the exam are multiple choice questions with no negative marking.
MAH-CET is not a very hard nut to crack and if you are already preparing for the upcoming CAT exam, it gets a little easier. Here are 8 tips for you to leverage your CAT preparation for the exam.
1. Change your preparation strategy
CAT and MAH-CET are different exams and require different levels of accuracy and speed. Preparing for one exam will not be enough for the other. MAH-CET is a simpler exam but requires a higher score to get into the reputed B-schools. So, it is important that you tweak your preparation strategy to suit the exam. Be mentally prepared to make a few changes here and there to befit the exam that you are preparing for. Your preparation strategy should be aligned with the exam pattern and requirements.
2. Familiarize yourself with MAH-CET pattern
There are a few things in the MAH-CET exam that are different from the CAT exam. Hence, to ace MAH-CET, you will need to familiarize yourself with the pattern of the exam. Go through the previous year questions to understand how the exam is structured. Things to note:
- The duration of the exam is 150 minutes (2.5 hours).
- The exam has 3 sections spanning across Logical and Abstract Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.
- The Logical and Abstract Reasoning section has the highest weightage in terms of marks.
- There is no negative marking in the exam and a correct answer fetches you 1 mark.
- You will have to choose the correct answer among five options.
- There is no sectional time limit in the exam.
3. Focus on Logical Reasoning
In the Logical/Reasoning section, 75 questions are based on Logical Reasoning and 25 on Abstract Reasoning. This means that logical reasoning fetches you the highest marks in the entire exam and you need to give extra attention to this section. Practice a lot of LR questions, solve puzzles, play games like Sudoku and 2048. Make sure you practice enough questions to get your hands on the logical reasoning sub-section of the exam.
4. Amp up your speed
As already said, MAH-CET is an easier exam but the bar set for getting into well reputed B-schools is much higher. The exam on a question-to-question level may be simpler but the competition is intense. This means that you will need to amp up your speed while solving questions so that you can have can go through and give a shot at all questions, considering that there is no negative marking in the exam. Get comfortable with questions, focus on accuracy, and speed up so that you can score high enough to get into the college that you desire.
5. Cut the “Extremely Difficult Questions” chase
It is of utmost importance that you focus on the exam that you are preparing for and make adjustments to suit that exam. MAH-CET does not test you on extremely difficult or too tough questions. Practicing them for this exam would prove to be a waste of time. Align yourself with the level of questions that the exam tests. Leave out the crankier bits of your CAT preparation.
6. Revise consistently
This is one tip that cannot be emphasized enough. No matter how much you prepare and how you prepare, it is extremely crucial that you have a routine of regular revision. Our brains forget 90% of the information within a week. To stay on top of your preparation, inculcate revision in your daily schedule and do not lose touch from a topic for more than 3 weeks.
To understand the importance of revision, watch this short video.
7. Give MAH-CET Mocks
As important it is to prepare according to your exam, it is also very important that the mocks that you give align with the pattern of the exam you are preparing for. Make sure you start giving MAH-CET mocks right away. Take the mocks as seriously as the actual exam. Give equal amount of time and seriousness to the mock-analysis as you give to taking the mock. Read all about Mocks here.
8. Schematize your exam strategy
One thing that sets MAH-CET apart from CAT is that there is no sectional timing for the exam. So, it is on you to decide how you want to give the exam, how much time you want to delegate to each section and how will you navigate through the questions on D-day. For this, mocks are very important. Try out new strategies while taking mocks, experiment and see what works best for you. Based on that devise a plan for yourself for taking the exam strategically and scoring well.
Remember, it is vital for you to prepare for the exam that you are planning to sit for. Tweak your preparations and put in the amount of effort that is required to crack your exam, be it CAT or MAH-CET.
Vibhuti Sharma works with 2IIM as a Product head.
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