If you hope to attend an IIM, you'll need to ace each section of CAT 2007.

Being exceptionally good in two of the three, while still weak in the other, won't earn you the much coveted seat you desire.

But how should you prepare? What should your daily practice include?

KB Sharma and Rakesh Kumar, competitive examination experts with Top Career and You, chatted with Get Ahead readers on August 24 and provided tips and advice for CAT aspirants.

Part I: '4 to 6 hours of study daily'

karthik_p asked, i would like to know if there is some book like the word power or any site which will provide me with a set of root words..? thank you.

kbsharma answers, Of course there are many for beginners, like the one by Norman Lewis, 'Why!' Even the basic Grammar book for High School, by Wren and Martin, has several hundred roots.You can also Google for vocabulary roots to select the sites of your choice.

Chanchal asked, Which is the best book for Numbers, Geometry, Functions and Graphs. Also, how I can imrprove my accuracy.

rakesh answers, You can refer to TMH book and also free tests available on tcyonline.com.

Corporate asked, my brother went to TIME for CAT coaching last year.i think he took the one year course. he managed only a 97%ile last time around and has not touched his books ever since. Now, he just gives a mock CAT every sunday, and spends 2 hours analysing the paper. in effect, he just works 5 hours a week towards CAT and consistently gets above 99%ile in the TIME Mock CATs. He did not do too much work apart from classes. Does he fall under that category of "gifted"?

kbsharma answers, Your brother seems to have devised the right strategy for himself. Analysing areas of your strengths and weaknesses is very important. Any institute will help only as long as the student wishes to take out of it.

jaya asked,  which schools give weightage to work ex?

rakesh answers, All the institutes(as revealed by IIMB) but SPjain in specfic gives the highest weightage.

Mithun asked, Im a software engineer in an MNC.How much time i need to spend to qualify in the exam.This time im just giving to gain experience as im not prepared.

rakesh answers, Until and unless thats the only aim, it's almost impossible crack CAT. So focus yourself when do you really want to do it.

Preetie asked, How can i know my national ranking, while i don't want to join any institute? Plz don't mind!

rakesh answers, You can try online mock tests at http://www.tcyonline.com.

pushkar asked, At this stage what is more importent trying section sectional test paper or full length mock test paper ? In mock I find more difficult question.

kbsharma answers, We still have sufficient time for FLTs. At this stage we can assess our relative strengths in various topics and brush up.

maninder asked, does the procedure which IIM B has put up for the selection carries any ""important"" significance in preparation tehniques???

rakesh answers, No, you have to clear written test against tough competition.oOce you clear the test, then it will be helpful.

shitij asked,  From which section should i start? my strong or week section?

kbsharma answers, You go into the exam, you must have already pinpointed your strengths and your weaknesses. Unless the section of yr strength is very difficuld always start with it. But don't spend all the 50 minutes in one go. Also don't keep yr weakest area towards the end. Keep it in between.

nishant asked,  what is the eligibility for appearing in cat ?

kbsharma answers, Any graduate with 50% marks.

shekhar asked, sir apart of iim's which are good institute?pl response

rakesh answers, Under CAT we have MDI, SPjain,Nitie.Other good bschools are IITs for Engineers, FMS, IIFT but have different entrance tests.

waz asked, Can I restart my prepration now after last year prepation(68 percentile). Is there still smthing to fight?

kbsharma answers, Your score last year was very poor indeed. Assess yourself. Is it necessary that you aim for IIMs only?

tamanna asked, hi, i did my BE from a private engg college in nagpur, had very good marks but having done it from a not so well known college, does it have a disadvantage? My acads since 10th are consistently good and have 2 years of work ex, still wud the college matter, even if you were among the top 10 students in the univ?

rakesh answers, It hardly matters, Admission in a good business school depends upon written test, your performance in GD/Int and your acadamics.

shekhar asked,  i find vocabulary section tough i mean the syn and ant how can i overcome?

kbsharma answers, The CAT verbal tests you for vocabulary, grammar and reasoning. Of late, emphasis on reasoning has increased. But vocabulary is still important.

  Part I: '4 to 6 hours of study daily'