N S Mahadevan, now a first year PGDM student at IIM Calcutta, secured 99.69 per cent at Common Admission Test 2005 and got final calls from IIM C (both PGDM and PGDCM), IIM L, IIM K, IIM I and NITIE, Mumbai. He has a few tips this year's CAT aspirants could use:

"On failing to clear CAT in 2004, I prepared for CAT 2005 with renewed vigour using a well planned approach. In retrospect, I realise my performance in CAT 2004 was insufficient because of various reasons. One was a bad understanding of the fundamentals of various topics in mathematics. Being from an engineering background, I concentrated on sections other than Quant. This left me stranded in those unforgettable two hours. I also misunderstood the given directions. It sounds trivial; but I read the instructions wrong.

I went to CAT 2005 with an open mind and better preparation. I joined TIME as a full course student for CAT 2004, then continued to give AIMCATs for CAT 2005. Joining TIME gave a good direction to my  preparation. The course material helped improve my understanding of the fundamentals. Speaking about the AIMCATs, the analysis helped me realise my mistakes. It also indicated areas that needed improvement. I used to solve the materials as well as previous papers.

CAT is not only to test your intelligence, but also your attitude. More than sheer intelligence, it is attitude that helps you hit that 99 per cent mark. There is no shortcut to prepare for CAT, but the thing that acts as the differentiating factor is your approach. Speaking about strategies, there is no single strategy that works. It is all about helping your brain work efficiently, without allowing it to tire. It is natural for the brain to get exhausted in the middle of a paper. It is your work to keep it fresh throughout the length of the test.

During the examination, I followed a simple strategy. This may not work for you, but try it once; it may make a difference. I started the exam by answering questions from Verbal in the first 15 minutes. The reason is simple -- it doesn't require a lot of logical thinking. Moreover, in the first 10 minutes, everybody in the room, including the invigilators, are confused and trying to settle down. Hence, one doesn't get disturbed.

In the next 30 minutes, I solved the reading comprehension passages. Solving RCs has been my strength and I usually score 95 per cent of marks allotted to this section. In the next 20 minutes, I went through the DI-LA-DS section. I used to solve the easy questions and mark the solvable ones. I followed the same approach for the Quant section, using the remaining time to solve the marked questions. With this approach, I scored the minimum marks in each section first, then increased my score in the last 35 minutes.

I feel one should not postpone the grouped questions to the end, because the questions may consume the last two- three minutes. You may solve at least three questions in that time.

I want to sign off saying that CAT is not as tough as it is portrayed. It tests mental strength more than mental retention."

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• Verbal Ability for CAT
• MBA Guide