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CAT 2011 prep: Study in group for a better understanding
CAT 2011 prep: Study in group for a better understanding
Group study is a popular concept while you prepare for exams like CAT, which is a tough nut to crack. Study Groups can be utilized by making use of each others’ resources.
Noida,
UP,
India
(pr4links.com)
07/06/2011
The CAT 2011 aspirants are all geared up to give their best shot in the coming five to six months for the great Indian MBA entrance exam, that will lead them a step ahead to the 13 new IIMs and more than 150 B-schools in India.
Group study is a popular concept while you prepare for exams like CAT, which is a tough nut to crack. Whether you are enrolled in an MBA coaching institute or not, being a member of a serious study group will add extra edge to your preparation. But while forming a group, you should also be careful that you choose your group carefully and do not end up making a friend group and you tend to hang out more than you study.
In this MBAUniverse.com article we discuss the different aspects of study groups.
Share resources and ideas
Study Groups can be utilized by making use of each others’ resources. Sahil Bansal (CAT 99.91 percentile holder) and IIM Lucknow alumnus (2009-11), said, “Study Groups are an important means to share resources amongst friends. This can be either study material or strategies related to certain sections.”
If you are weak in a certain section, one of your friends in the Study Group who excels in that area might help you with expert tips. Try getting tips from other members of the Study Group and help your friends by doing vice versa. Amit Tandon, CAT 99.49 percentiler and IIM Ahmadabad student (2009-2011) said, “Aspirants can learn a lot of new things among themselves. For example somebody who is good in Quant can give tips for solving Quant problems and someone with good English can offer expert advice on solving English questions.” Sitaram Agarwal, 99.53 percentiler and IIM Ahmadabad student said, “It helps in mutual learning which is more effective in terms of overall preparation.”
Solve mock test papers together
Solving CAT exam papers together can give you an idea where you stand in comparison to your friends. Also, if your Study Group members are a part of different MBA coaching institutes, you can get a fair idea about the kind of tests those MBA coaching institutes provide. Sayali Kale, another IIM Ahmadabad (2009-2011), said, “CAT aspirants should form Study Groups and join different competing MBA coaching institute classes so that they can solve test papers from a variety of MBA coaching institutes.” After the results come out, you can also compare the analysis of the papers.
Motivate each other
According to CAT exam toppers who spoke with MBAUniverse.com, a close-knit Study Group can also provide mental peace and a sense of togetherness, and thus boost the CAT exam preparations. Anurag Goyal, 99.56 percentiler in CAT and an FMS 2011 pass out said, “It can help the entire group to make the best of each others’ strengths.” Sitaram Agarwal relates the effectiveness of Study Groups with the team work in a management school. “After getting into a management school, we are expected to be working in groups, and the CAT exam, to a certain extent expects us to start early on with it, by making effective Study Groups for CAT exam preparations,” he said.
Lastly, a study group consisting of friends can provide the much needed support in order to cope with the huge mental strain of cracking CAT exam and getting through a top management school. “A study group provides the much important support system to keep up the motivation to work hard,” said Sahil Bansal.
Is it a group of equals?
But beware! Forming a Study Group for CAT exam preparation comes with some pitfalls. It is possible that students coming together to create a Study Group may not have the same mental level. The weaker members might suffer from inferiority complex, while the stronger ones might have to spend more time to guide their mates. Explaining, Anurag Goyal said, “In a Study Group some students fare better than the others, which can be discouraging for the weaker performers in the group.”
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more on CAT 2011 preparation.
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MBAUniverse.com is one of India's most comprehensive MBA portals. It was set up in 2006 to address the information asymmetry in the management education and practice domain.
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