Now that the industry has stabilised and the manager has reasonable time for decision-making, he just has to think clearly and understand things better. That is what CAT is testing now. The student has to get to the core of every question and focus on understanding. He has to deliberate among the choices and then arrive at the right one, and not jump to conclusions. So now it's time for making informed decisions.

Reading comprehension
Today, reading speed has taken a backseat. What is more important is comprehension.

You need to read varied types of material, and try to get to the core of what the author is trying to say. The passages are such that they require you to read between the lines as well.

Put on your thinking cap. Apply logic in reading comprehension (RC). So, while the reading habit is important, CAT is not asking you to read at a speed of 500 to 700, but at a decent rate, because otherwise your effectiveness will reduce. Again, CAT is not asking you to attempt all three passages. Attempt one or two but accurately.

Last moment tip: It is assumed that you have focused on understanding the nuances of the language earlier. In the last month, improve concentration and understand whatever you read.

Verbal ability
In this section, you need not worry about too many words.

Para completion tests how much you have read, how easily you can handle the language, and whether you understand the nuances of the language.

Therefore, solve lots of parajumbles, critical reasoning questions, and para completion.

Basic logic
There is a certain boundary within which a choice becomes right and when you attempt a question beyond that boundary, it becomes wrong. So, the right choice these days is closely aligned with the theme, the tone, and also the scope.

Last moment tip: Logic works best in a fresh, calm mind. Do not solve too many things or tire yourself too much in the last week before the test. Do positive things and meet positive people.

Reach the test centre slightly early Calm your mind through .

this technique -- it could be meditation or just observing your breathing.

Some specific last moment tips related to test strategy:

• Tackle the two groups in this section, namely English Usage (sentence correction, paragraph completion, para jumbles etc.) and Reading Comprehension separately.
  
• Next, select and attempt the right questions; a mix of many easy questions with some difficult ones which are unavoidable would be appropriate. As an example, if the cut off (for selection into at least one IIM) for the Verbal Ability Section in 2007 was 25, analysis shows that attempting 13 out of the 25 questions in this section would have been enough. Attempting 13 (i.e. 50 per cent of the total number of questions in the section) would mean trying for 52 marks. To secure 25 marks, a candidate would have needed eight correct and could have afforded five incorrect.
  
• Use your knowledge of common idioms and grammar. Read sentences and try to identify if they read right or not, often using your knowledge of everyday spoken English. This should go a long way in helping you tackle the easier questions in this section.
  
• Apply logic to see what comes first and what later (parajumbles) and which options among the paragraph completion answer choices tie in best with the main topic of the passage (paragraph completion).
  
• For the RC section, choose the easier passages (two out of three, or three out of four) based on your comprehension and quickly grasp the main idea of each passage. Read reasonably in depth, instead of resorting to short cuts. Pay attention to key sentences.
  
• Attempt questions where the answer seems to be easily available in the passage - though these days that is becoming rare.
  
• Re-read the relevant portions of the passage carefully and choose the option that ties in best with these.