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CAT 2020 Question

How to approach Critical Reasoning Questions in CAT Exam?

MBA Entrance Exams, especially CAT, include Critical Reasoning questions in various types and forms. Some types like FIJ (Fact Inference Judgement) have been more popular than the rest. As I often tell my online CAT coaching course students, in the Verbal Ability section – Critical Reasoning is probably the most important area after Reading Comprehension. You should easily expect 5-8 questions from this category in CAT 2015. Let us have a look at the various types of questions that we often put in the Critical Reasoning category. It will help you understand that underlying theme in a better way.
Cause and Effect
Courses of Action
FIJs (Fact Inference Judgement)
Implicit Statements
Logical Deduction
Logical Structure
Probably / Definitely True / False
Strong and Weak Arguments
Syllogisms

If you have a look at any of the above type of questions, you would notice the same thing. All of them give you some data initially and you need to arrive at a logical conclusion using some assumptions. Let us also look at some of the terms that are often involved in these questions. A lack of understanding of the basic terms often makes it hard for the students to grasp the solutions.
Premise: A previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion. It is something which can be assumed to be true and conclusions can be and should be drawn from it. It forms the basis of the argument.
Someone who does not study cannot do well in CAT. Gaurav performed poorly and got only 62 percentile in the CAT 2015 exam.
Here the premise is “Someone who does not study cannot do well in CAT” and the subsequent argument is based on that premise.
Assumption: An assumption is something which could be true or false. It is a tool we use to further an argument considering that it is true.
If you look at the above premise and argument, no where it is explicitly mentioned that Gaurav did not study for the CAT exam but it is an assumption that we have made to further the argument. If we do not make this assumption the entire argument falls apart.
Inference: An inference is something that can be logically derived from the given data. These along with the assumptions can be used to further the argument and lead to a logical conclusion.
If you look at the above set of statements, an inference would be that Gaurav wrote the CAT 2015 exam. It is also an inference that Gaurav wants to do an MBA. These are all logical derived from the statements given above.
Let me add here, it is often difficult to differentiate between inferences and assumptions. More often than not, questions would not require you to differentiate between the two. A good thumb-rule is – anything which is based on a personal point of view or judgement can be considered as an assumption, whereas something that is logically derived is an inference.
Conclusion: It is a final proposition which is derived after considering the premise, the assumptions, and the logical inferences.
In the case that is given above, Gaurav did not do well in CAT is the conclusion.
Let us look at some questions from previous year CAT papers to understand the concept better.
Although in the limited sense of freedom regarding appointments and internal working, the independence of the Central Bank is unequivocally ensured, the same cannot be said of its right to pursue monetary policy without coordination with the central government. The role of the Central Bank has turned out to be subordinate and advisory in nature.
Which one of the following best supports the conclusion drawn in the passage?
a) A decision of the chairman of the Central Bank to increase the bank rate by two percentage points sent shock-waves in industry, academic and government circles alike.
b) Government has repeatedly resorted to monetisation of the debt despite the reservation of the Central Bank.
c) The Central Bank does not need the central government’s nod for replacing soiled currency notes.
d) The inability to remove coin shortage was a major shortcoming of this government.
Option C contradicts is being said in the passage about the Central Bank not being free whereas option D is completely unrelated to the information given in the passage. These two options should be eliminated at first. Option A is talking about the repercussions of an action taken by the Central Bank which is also unrelated to the information given in the passage. Option B is talking about the hold that the government has over the Central Bank – that is in sync with what is mentioned in the passage and hence that is the answer.
I hope this post would help you answer the critical reasoning questions in CAT in a better way and you will not end up like Gaurav in the example mentioned above. To learn more about Critical Reasoning and other aspects of MBA entrance exams, do have a look at my online coaching course for CAT.

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B-school

Rank

Score (Total 1000)

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT BANGALORE
1

943

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, AHMEDABAD

2

939

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT (IIM), CALCUTTA

3

933

XLRI XAVIER SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, JAMSHEDPUR

4

896

S. P. JAIN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH (SPJIMR), MUMBAI

5

889

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, INDORE

6

827

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT LUCKNOW

7

818

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE, GURGAON

8

793

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT (IIM), KOZHIKODE

9

754

FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, NEW DELHI

10

730

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF FOREIGN TRADE NEW DELHI

11

714

SVKM’S NMIMS, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, MUMBAI

12

698

INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY, GHAZIABAD

13

642

INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE, NEW DELHI

14

634

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT UDAIPUR

15

629

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, TIRUCHIRAPPALLI

16

615

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, IIT DELHI

17

604

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, ROHTAK

18

586

T A PAI MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE, MANIPAL

19

579

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BOMBAY

20

562

Let's Start a new Journey CAT 2020

SUNDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2017

Here are few tips on how to crack the examination and score full marks:

1. Mock Tests:

It is advisable to take as many mock tests as possible online that will help you analyse your strengths and weaknesses.

Mock tests and other sample papers will familiarise candidates with the actual test environment and this can save your time on the day of the actual exam as you will already be well-versed with the format of the entrance exam.

It is necessary to attempt at least two to three mock tests in a week by sticking on to the time limit.

2. Evaluate:

Once you're done with the mock tests, it is time to evaluate your responses. Analyse your scores and look for errors that you have made.

Revise all your concepts and try attempting more questions or focus on those areas where you made the errors.

3. Time management:

Time plays a crucial role as the new format has incorporated descriptive questions that may take long to answer.

In 180 minutes, you have to answer 100 questions. Take time-based mock tests to track your progress.

Each section gets 60 minutes, therefore, plan your time well.

One cannot leave a section incomplete and move onto the next. Therefore, it is essential to plan out time accordingly and finish one section to move on to the next.

4. Focus on weaknesses:

As you have taken mock tests, you are aware of the areas that need improvement.

Give more time to practice your weak areas and ensure that you are thoroughly prepared before the actual exam.

Also, devote time practicing questions from the areas that you're confident about and increase speed to solve them quickly.

5. Practice and more practice:

Candidates should not be contented with mock test results, as one cannot predict the level of difficulty for the actual exam.

Keep attempting mock tests regularly and improve your performance. Increase your speed and sit for three hours at a go to complete your sample test.

Go through vocabulary, grammar rules and revise all the easy and difficult formulas regularly.

6. Get your fundamentals right:

Do not ignore the basic concepts. Revise them regularly as the fundamentals will help you to delve deeper into a question.

Unless one is confident and well-versed with the basic concepts, you won't be able to solve the questions. You're bound to waste time,which you can't afford in this time-bound examination.

7. Take time to relax:

It is equally important to relax and spare some time for yourself.

Too much of stress will affect your health and can have an impact on your concentration levels.

Meet your friends or indulge in meditation and yoga to temper anxiety. Take good breaks, eat good food and exercise. All these will help to combat stress and release tension.

8. Stay calm:

While you are nearing your exams, it is necessary to stay confident.

Do not lose hope or pressurise yourself to do well.

Stay calm, think less and go for your exams with a cool mind. It is essential to stay calm as a nervous mind will create more confusions and lead to more mistakes. Keep yourself mentally, physically and emotionally fit.

CAT 2016 Exam Pattern

Let’s have a look on complete CAT 2016 exam pattern descried in this article. If you want to crack the most desired MBA entrance exam of India such as CAT, you must have a strong strategy for the same and a strong strategy can be prepared if you have appropriate knowledge of exam pattern.

Important Points

CAT exam 2016 will be a computer based test. Candidates are allowed to give answer of questions by using mouse only. Under no circumstances, candidates will be allowed to use keyboard, otherwise it will lock the terminal.
Test duration will be for 2 hours and 50 minutes. Extra time will be provided to candidates belong to PWD/DA category.
Language mode of the exam will be English only.
Total number of questions will be 100 and all questions will be multiple choice questions.
Subject Name Total No. of Questions
Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation 50
Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning 50
Total 100
For every right answer, candidates will get 3 marks and for every wrong answer 1 mark will be deducted. There will be no mark awarded for unanswered questions.