Expert Chat of Sidharth Balakrishna on Rediff.com on Tips to crack CAT and Career Counseling

Tips to crack CAT 2011 and other b-school exams​

In two chats with readers on September 15 and 23, Sidharth Balakrishna, an IIM Calcutta alumnus and adjunct faculty member at leading b-schools across the country, addressed queries related to cracking CAT 2011 and other b-school entrance exams. For those of you who missed it, here is a combination of the two transcripts:

http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-career-tips-to-crack-cat-2011-and-other-b-school-exams/20110926.htm

About the Expert

Sidharth Balakrishna is an alumnus of IIM Calcutta and has been employed with the world's top Marketing, Management Consultancy and energy firms. Besides his regular Corporate job, he has written a number of books and articles for various reputed publications is an Adjunct Faculty at top Business Schools and has taken several guest lectures and seminars across the country.

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His books include the following, all published by Pearson, the world’s largest Education company:[/b]

· ‘An Introduction to CAT-Tips from an IIM Alumnus'; available from[/b] [/b]http://pearson.vrvbookshop.com/book/an-introduction-cat-sidharth-balakrishna/9788131763599 [/b]

· ‘[/b]Reading Comprehension for the CAT- A Winning Approach by an IIM Alumnus'; available from[/b] [/b]http://pearson.vrvbookshop.com/book/reading-comprehension-cat-sidharth-balakrishna/9788131760598 [/b]

· ‘[/b]Case Studies in Marketing' available from[/b] [/b]http://pearson.vrvbookshop.com/book/case-studies-marketing-sidharth-balakrishna/9788131757970 [/b]

Sidharth is a Career Counselling Expert with the Hindustan Times and Rediff.com and a member of the Interview Panel to select MBA students at various MBA institutes. [/b]He can be contacted at[/b] [/b][email protected][/b]

 

[Simran Rai]

Cracking the CAT 2011 and other b-school entrance exams requires a strategic approach, as highlighted by Sidharth Balakrishna, an IIM Calcutta alumnus and experienced faculty. First and foremost, consistent practice and time management are crucial since these exams test speed and accuracy under pressure. Building a strong foundation in all core areas—Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, and Data Interpretation—is essential. Sidharth emphasizes the importance of mastering reading comprehension, as it is a significant part of the verbal section and can be a scoring area with the right strategy. Regularly solving mock tests helps in identifying strengths and weaknesses, enabling focused preparation. He also advises understanding the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly, which varies slightly each year, to tailor one’s study plan accordingly. Apart from academics, maintaining a calm and positive mindset is key during preparation and on exam day. Time-bound practice sessions with previous years’ papers can simulate exam conditions, enhancing performance. Lastly, balancing preparation with good health and adequate rest ensures sustained concentration and efficiency. Aspiring candidates should also consider exploring Sidharth’s books, which offer targeted tips and techniques to navigate the CAT exam successfully. Overall, disciplined preparation, strategic practice, and mental resilience are the pillars for cracking CAT and other competitive b-school exams.​