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It is only with CAT 2010 that the examination is finally properly going online, with all the glitches most probably well taken care of after a futile first run. The doing away of the conventional paper based test does not alter the way you prepare, but it definitely requires a very high degree of online readiness. There is abundant time left to work on your speed, practice till you feel confident with all the sections, and benchmark with your peers to know where you stand. If you have already been doing all this then believe half your battle won, and if you’ve been doing all this online, you have scored over your competitors already.

Mock CATs are the best method to assess yourself and analyse your strengths and weaknesses. The usual paper-pencil based mocks have been replaced by online mock tests to give you a feel of the real examination day. Take a fair number of mock tests to get an idea of the kind of questions, and how well you handle with a 2.5 hour long online test session. Here are some more useful tips for Online CAT takers:

1. Remember not to strain yourself too much by over-doing Mock Tests. 2-3 full lenghth Mocks a week should be ideal for those in the final stages of their preparation. Some of you may feel more contented with a lesser number, or some of you may want to take as many as possible, the important thing is to work on your speed and accuracy with each. Analysing each test is of utmost importance to recognize where you’re going wrong, and which sections want revision.

2. An important piece of advice for those who are exclusively concentrating on their weak areas now. While working on them is a good idea, don’t forget to concentrate on your strengths as well, lest you end up devoting all your time only to the problem areas.

3. In the examination, begin with the section you are most relaxed with. Not only does it give you the confidence to attempt the more difficult ones, but you also don’t waste precious time working on the others.

4. Too much of only one section can lower your concentration levels and cause exhaustion. Alternate between a few questions from the Reading Comprehension and Data Analysis section so you don’t feel the pressure of either. Another reason you should not devote all your time to one section is that you may not be able to clear the cut-off for the other sections.

5. Reading newspapers and books are always a fine idea, and 1 hour a day dedicated to this will do wonders for your Reading Comprehension score. Solving puzzles, crosswords, news stories with numerical data and graphs will also help you achieve a better score in Data Analysis.

An aspirant of Clinical Research from Bangalore enquired, ‘I just completed B. Pharmacy with an aggregate of 85 percent marks. I am interested to join M. Sc. (Clinical Research) in CREMA, Bangalore. But my elders, who completed M. Pharma are suggesting that there will be no jobs for Clinical Research. I am confused to choose between M. Pharma or M.Sc. (Clinical Research). Please assist me which will be the right option for my career.’

This one is really a bit tricky. Both Pharma and Clinical Research streams are having their own advantages and disadvantages. It is you who should decide what you want to do with your future. But without doubt M.Pharm is a steady and firm stream. Future options are quite good if you want to pursue research.

On the other hand, clinical research is having few specific options where you can get jobs. But personally I do feel it (Clinical Research) is better for medical professionals. If you would like to in the field of clinical data management and analysis, then it is better to opt for clinical research. Otherwise going for M. Pharmacy will fetch you more if you can excel in the subject.

Whatever course you opt, you must be very careful in selecting the institute on which your job opportunities are directly depending. You must go through the background of the institute like faculty, infrastructure, placement assistance etc. There are many centers offering M.Pharmacy under management quota which is just useless. We suggest students to go to places like NIPER and other premier organizations.