First of all, why do we require QA for CAT or other MBA entrance exams or in a more crude way, does QA actually help in management functions? What is the relationship of those curvy graphs or those functions’ values or those geometric figures with management?
As managers, what we are given is a whole lot of information from which we are required to analyze and come up with certain decisions, which depending upon where we stand in management hierarchy will shape the company’s actions. Our decision making ability is tested by the efficient utilization of resources which are at our disposal. This test happens throughout our life. The resources are the basic formulae as also the options we have, the utilization part is similar to application of these formulae. QA doesn't just deal with solving problems and presenting equations, nor is it merely a representation of a missing quantity; rather it also focuses on the careful analysis of each data and its structure.
If you carefully notice, the syllabus of QA in most (if not all) of the MBA entrance exams is up to Class 10th. This means we need to have only a basic understanding of the formulae. What we need to focus is the understanding and the application part of the formulae which takes precedence over the formulae itself. The whole world knows that Distance = Speed x Time. But actually if you go a little deep, you will find that: a. Distance is directly proportional to Time (if Speed is constant) b. Distance is directly proportional to Speed (if Time is constant) c. Speed is inversely proportional to Time (if Distance is constant).
Combining these three statements gives us the original formulae. CAT will probe us as to how good we are in the application of these three facts. Either the paper will test us to find any of the parameters or it will ask us whether we need any more data to find those parameters, by giving the statements related to these parameters.
The questions in quantitative section are not textbook questions, which normally test understanding of some formulae or theorem. They are real-life situations where application of QA knowledge is required to find the solution. For example, in heavy discount-seasons, there are many discount offers and schemes to attract buyers. These are perfect situations to demonstrate quantitative skills to identify the most profitable scheme. Your mind has to be thoroughly application oriented whenever you set out to prepare for QA section, which means you should be thorough in understanding the basics of any QA topic.
Don’t have any preconceived notions. One of the common notions is: since I cannot be good in all the topics of QA, let me focus on being selectively intensive. By adopting this approach you are creating a barrier around you which inhibits your learning. Be fresh in your approach while you start your learning of any new topic, and let the mind take over once the basics part of learning is over. Build it up on the foundation laid. At any point of learning of any topic if you find that there is some problem in understanding even after going through it thoroughly, don’t lose heart. Have this belief that if any medium difficulty level question comes on that particular topic, you will get that question correct. The number of unsuccessful approaches also teaches you a lot. Move over to the next problem.
Let’s have a clear cut-approach as how exactly we are to master a particular topic.
1. Clear the basics part first by going through the fundamentals of that topic. Fundamentals include the formulae and applications of those as well.
2. Practice the examples next. Go through the first 5-7 examples by going through the solutions, understanding each step thoroughly. Read carefully and try to understand what is really being asked in each question. This will help you develop the correct thought process. If you solve 7 simple problems on a particular topic, the 8th one will have you thinking in the correct way to solve a CAT problem. So these simple problems are not meant to give you practice for CAT problems, but they tune your thought process so that you can develop the right approach for the problems you will finally encounter in CAT.
3. Try doing the next 4-5 examples yourself. If you are not successful, look at the solution. Try to analyze where exactly you are making a mistake and you will find that either you are making a calculation error or there is a problem with the understanding of the fundamentals itself. If you are making a calculation mistake, promise yourself to be extra careful. If there is problem in understanding of the fundamentals itself, then go through that topic/sub-topic once again to clear the grey areas.
4. Try doing 4-5 very difficult problems on that topic. Give yourself a particular time in which to solve them. Scale it up to 10-12 difficulty level problems and then see your accuracy as well as speed on that topic. Practice on that topic as much as possible. Maintain a regular chart as to how many correct attempts have been made, and if there are incorrect attempts, what exactly is the reason for the incorrect attempts. This will help you gain clarity as to how exactly you are performing.
5. After you have done sufficient number of topics in a particular sub-section (Arithmetic, Algebra etc), try doing a test on that. To avoid being taken by surprise, it is important to do a number of tests on different patterns, within the given time frame. Analysis of each test is a must so as to know the scope of improvement in that particular area. The analysis must have these parameters:
a. Which questions to select?
b. How much time to invest in a particular question?
c. Where am I making a mistake?
At each step, needless to say, time plays a big role in the preparation – so be focused on time. Maintain a time discipline, but don’t be rigid right at the beginning of your preparation. Time does play a role but only after the concepts are mastered to an extent where you can feel that a different approach might save me some time. That’s where you reach a level where you can have confidence in tackling problems which test the approach part. Keep practicing this method. You will see a natural comfort around that topic after some time.
Remember it is very important to set a demarcation between understanding and practicing a certain topic and gearing yourself up in a test mode where the approach part takes front seat.
How to gear yourself for a particular test will be my focus in the next part of this article.
Dipak is an MBA from the prestigious IISWBM, Kolkotta – India’s Oldest B-School founded in 1953, and the home of learning for many a distinguished business leader. A QA faculty at MBAGuru, India’s fastest growing CAT Coaching Institute, Dipak is immensely popular among the students as much for his QA fundae as for his affable nature. Dipak also is a designated mentor for students seeking help with institute application forms and guidance.
I had joined MBAGuru for the most specific reason that the mentors here are the best. The faculty is too good, very co-operative and motivating.
