To answer these and many other CAT-related questions, Kumar Mohanty, assistant general manager at IMS Learning Resources Pvt Ltd, hosted a chat with GA readers on August 20. For those of you who missed the chat, here's the unedited transcript:

cat asked, hi,currently I am doing my Final YEar B.E. What subjects do i need to learn to crack the CAT?

MOHANTY answers, the cat essentially is a test of conceptual clarity of areas in verbal ability;problemsolving and data interpretation

pramod asked, hi...i am vikas...i am from jaipur....i recently did my graduation in computers but i wanna do MBA in finance.Will there be any problem for me considering m frm IT field???

MOHANTY answers, it is your aptitude and interest and not your gradn. degree that would determine your area of specialisation.

bhanu asked, hi this is akash with 4 yrs of job ex.how much percentile is required to get a call from an iim..

MOHANTY answers, you would have to look at least a 90 percentile plus in each sectional area.you could also look at gmat and other specialised progs. at iim;xlri;etc

vijay asked, hi...i am arpit...i recently did my graduation in computers but i wanna do MBA in finance.Will there be any problem for me considering m frm IT field???

MOHANTY answers, absolutely not! irrespective of your gradn. degree its your interest and aptitude for the spl. area that matters most!

Partha asked, Hi, Partha Sarathi Samal I have 4 yrs of work ex and appearing CAT. Could u suggest me as to which colleges I sud apply to. I started preparing a month back. And also currently i am drawing almost 6 lpa so. Please guide me in my Verbal preparation also. Thats where I am unable to clear my test cut offs.

MOHANTY answers, as rgds verbal ;its application skills that matters most-whether verb. raesoning or reading comprehension

aditya asked, hi sir...ive just started preparing for my cat...how shud my approach be..

MOHANTY answers, have a positive attitude and i am sure with a focussed preparation ;conceptual clarity;appln. skills;better time mgmt; you can surely crack the cat!

pulak asked, hi i am 4 th yr eng student of computer sc branch..i got a job at tcs ..wat do u suggest that i should do mba now or later after a few yrs of experience

MOHANTY answers, it would be always be advisable to a mba immd. after yourgradn. so that your career progression is better!

pallav asked, what are your suggesstions for CAT 2008?

MOHANTY answers, take the test with an open mind and a positive attitude. if you are clear on the concepts; are able to interlink the concepts properly and have sound appln. skills; you can bell the cat!

amanchd567 asked, Sir i was able to clear FMS NMIMS XAT and srcc last year couldnt clear interview this time also preparing for CAT i am in topper list of mock cats of various institues so still hopefull this year to clear written part what to do with interview plz guide does it count negative to apply to these institues again

MOHANTY answers, for the interviews be honest in your answers.Your answers should be such that it could reflect certain managerial abilities like proper time management;sincerity of purpose;ability to handle stress;etc

sdfsf asked, which is the best institute to coach for the CAT Exams

MOHANTY answers, while every institute have their own USPs;IMS prepares you for any eventuality in the CAT through its unique pedagogy-ICAP(Interlinked Concepts and Application BAsed Pedagogy)

aditya asked, hello..sir i seriously need ur guidance as to how shud i go bt starting to study now...wht shud my approach be..im working in reliance comm in part time shifts..and have started a weekend workshop with ims, thane..sir pls guide me.......

MOHANTY answers, do devote at least 2-3 hours daily for cat prepn.practice the basic concepts and their applications thereof in both the IMS BRMs and the tests.be self confident and the rest follows!

clarity asked, Greetings. What all traits in an individual are been searched for by the iims. I am 25 and wish to open a small scale software comapny in the near future. What program should benefit me most.

MOHANTY answers, the iims look for; amongst other traits; traits like self confidence;sincerity of purpose;dexterity;conceptual clarity and above all optimism.

ashish asked, hi i am ashish . i am working in a manufacturing firm since 2 years. this year i m going for CAT BUT I AM NOT CONFIDANT IN QA PLEASE TELL ME HOW CAN I IMPROVE

MOHANTY answers, apart from cat; you could also look atVLMP at IIM kolkata. Quants is all about applying the right concepts at the right time.

brady asked, hi i am bharaadwaj sir which areas require special attention to clear the cat ??

MOHANTY answers, Time management across all sections in the CAT;conceptual clarity and the ability to interlink and apply different concepts;self determination and the feeling-" I CAN!"

MOHANTY says, this is all we have ;time ;fortoday. for further queriesdo revert at:ims@imsindia.com

Kumar Mohanty is assistant general manager at IMS Learning Resources Pvt Ltd, an educational services provider that prepares candidates for leading competitive examinations like CAT, GRE and GMAT.