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  • How to build your profile for an MBA

    by Tony Xavier

    This is a question that I get asked often by students and a very important one at that — how do I build my profile? So before we get on to the answer, let us evaluate what elements of a profile are.

    March 18, 2019
    Comments 74
    B-School Selection, CAT Strat
  • Why I Teach

    by Tony Xavier

    The germ for this post sprouted in the aftermath of the death of Dr.Kalam. In the deluge of Kalam-related information that dominated the media after his death one small bit struck a chord — his love for teaching. Of all the things he was — a teacher, a scientist, an advisor to the government, the President […]

    September 5, 2018
    Comments 13
    Motivation
  • CAT 2018: Setting the right targets on your way to a 99 percentile

    by Tony Xavier

    A few years back, I attended the Chennai convocation function for aspirants who cleared the Company Secretary (CS) exam (a relative of mine had cleared the exam). The Chief Guest was Padmishri awardee T.N.Manoharan, who is a pre-eminent figure in the Banking and Accounting sector in the country with his book being a must-read for all CA aspirants. He was part of the government-appointed team...

    June 13, 2018
    Comments 21
    CAT Strat
  • How to prepare for CAT – II

    by Tony Xavier

    In the first part of the post on to how to prepare for CAT , we discussed what your practice routines should be like. In this part, we look at how you should approach your practice, how you can get most out of your practice sessions and how you can maximize your potential in fewer iterations.

    April 19, 2018
    Comments 2
    CAT Strat
  • How to prepare for CAT – I

    by Tony Xavier

    We are slowly getting closer to the business end of the CAT 2018 season. Some of you would have joined for classroom programs as early as last June, a lot of you in Jan and I am sure a few are yet to start but all of you know that you have to start your prep with all seriousness. All of you know that...

    April 16, 2018
    Comments 21
    CAT Strat
  • Preparing for an MBA and not just the CAT

    by Tony Xavier

    The results of quite a few top b-schools are out and even now I get a lot of queries about that revolve around specializations — which specializations should I choose, I do not have any idea what my area of interest and so and so forth. This is not surprising since in India our strategy is simple — first crack the test, then see...

    April 22, 2017
    Comments 49
    B-School Selection
  • How to plan a GMAT attempt along with a CAT re-take

    by Tony Xavier

    In the aftermath of the CAT, a lot of aspirants who did not make it will be contemplating their next move and the GMAT as an option will be looming large on the horizon. I feel that for those aspirants who have a good profile and are aiming at top-tier colleges, the GMAT should definitely be an option to consider.

    March 14, 2017
    Comments 2
    CAT Strat

Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP

by Tony Xavier

One of the things about preparing for a b-school personal interview, especially that of an old IIM, is that one struggles to find a structure to prepare for what can potentially be the most random 20 minutes of one’s life. I am sure my previous post, despite my intentions, would have scared readers rather than re-assured them. So let us see how you can...

January 14, 2021
Comments 19
B-School Selection, WAT-GD-PI

Preparing for a pandemic PI

by Tony Xavier

Now that the CAT scorecard is out, the time to start preparing for WAT-GD-PI has come. But how does one go about it? Especially in a year, or should I say season, such as this (somehow I feel that the New Year will truly start only when the mask becomes unnecessary, until then we are living in the pandemic’s orbit not the planetary orbit)....

January 7, 2021
Comments 17
WAT-GD-PI

XLRI Cutoffs and taming the XAT beast

by Tony Xavier

  The XAT is closer now and it seems that it is the VA-RC section of the XAT that is causing the most trouble for test-takers. DM seems to be a beast that is now manageable and QA is fairly manageable as well, it is VA-RC that seems insurmountable.

December 27, 2020
Comments 19
XAT Strat

A timing strategy for the XAT

by Tony Xavier

  I never thought I will be doing a timing strategy post since the CAT has gone with fixed sectional time-limits for a long time now. But a reader asked for one for the XAT and thought it might not be a bad idea to do a short post on the same. I have always preferred a test without sectional time-limits since it tests...

December 24, 2020
Comments 20
XAT Strat

How to crack XAT Decision Making – Part III

by Tony Xavier

This piece on Decision Making has really expanded and I hope as I begin to write this post that this will be the closing piece that concludes this and this.

December 19, 2020
Comments 26
XAT Strat

How to crack XAT Decision Making – Part II

by Tony Xavier

In the previous post ,we discussed how Decision Making can be the undoing of XAT aspirants and tried to understand the nature of questions that come up on the section. We took up two sets from the Decision Making section of a past XAT and discussed a structure to answer DM questions. In this post, we shall look at the remaining questions from that paper.

December 16, 2020
Comments 18
XAT Strat

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7 Skills To Crack The CAT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkdUtOhyet0&t=7s

All About Specialisations – I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o46wmaM-8L4

All About Specialisations – II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GHha7GcKbU

Learning To Learn Math

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14UdqpNO3pk

Categories

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Recent Comments

  • Shruti on Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
  • cloud9high on Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
  • Tony Xavier on Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
  • Underachiever101 on Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
  • Underachiever101 on Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
  • Underachiever101 on Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
  • Tony Xavier on Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
  • Ashwini on Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
  • Tony Xavier on Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
  • Tony Xavier on CAT 2020 Changes: Are you ready for a sprint?
  • Tony Xavier on How to crack XAT Decision Making – Part III
  • Tony Xavier on XLRI Cutoffs and taming the XAT beast

Top Posts & Pages

  • Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
    Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
  • Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
    Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP
  • Preparing for a pandemic PI
    Preparing for a pandemic PI
  • How to approach the IIM-A AWT
    How to approach the IIM-A AWT
  • How to write an essay for the WAT
    How to write an essay for the WAT
  • XLRI Cutoffs and taming the XAT beast
    XLRI Cutoffs and taming the XAT beast

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

DI-LR Strat

How to crack the DI-LR section of the CAT – II

In the previous post, we took up 6 of the 8 sets from the DI-LR section CAT 2017 Slot 2 and took a call on which ones solve and...

September 14, 2020
Comments 31
DI-LR Strat

How to crack the DI-LR section of the CAT – I

Just like I keep getting queries on how to increase RC accuracy, despite the Masterclasses and the Last Mile To CAT sessions, I keep getting queries around the DI-LR...

September 7, 2020
Comments 29
DI-LR Strat

Are you prepared for Mathematical Reasoning in DI-LR?

In the previous post, we covered the Dos and Don’ts of representing or structuring data and how to prioritise conditions. In this post, we will take a look at...

August 29, 2020
Comments 27
DI-LR Strat

How to select the right DI-LR sets

After the previous posts, a few of you had commented saying that you are eagerly awaiting the post on the DI-LR section. The earnestness is understandable since most of...

August 22, 2020
Comments 25
DI-LR Strat

DI-LR: Improving your core strength

DI-LR, as we know, has been the nemesis of many a CAT aspirant over the past few years, and every serious aspirant asks me that — how do I...

June 2, 2020
Comments 52

Quantitative Ability

How to improve your QA percentile – IV

Published by Tony Xavier

While the previous three posts on Accuracy, Selection, and Speed are more than comprehensive in terms of what is needed to push your score north, I still keep getting...

July 29, 2020
Comments 43
Quant Strat

How to improve your QA percentile – Part III

Published by Tony Xavier

In the previous two posts, we took a look at the first two building blocks to increase your score and percentile on CAT Quant — Accuracy & Question Selection....

July 22, 2020
Comments 27
Quant Strat

How to improve your QA percentile – Part II

Published by Tony Xavier

In the first part of this post we covered the first building block to achieve higher scores and percentiles on CAT QA — accuracy. In this post, we will...

July 16, 2020
Comments 18
Quant Strat

How to improve your QA percentile – I

Published by Tony Xavier

Unlike the other two sections, QA is a section that has a direct link to what you have done in school and college. Most of the topics that are tested on the...

July 10, 2020
Comments 41
Quant Strat

CAT Strategy

How to plan your post-CAT prep for other exams

Published by Tony Xavier

I hope the last week served its purpose, which was for you to process all the emotional side-effects of the CAT. Going by the response to the previous post,...

December 7, 2020
Comments 39
CAT Strat

What after a horrible CAT?

Published by Tony Xavier

Be it the day of the CAT or be it when the final admits results come out it is not easy to be a mentor — on one hand...

December 1, 2020
Comments 171
CAT Strat, Motivation

Getting ready for CAT D-day

Published by Tony Xavier

You have about 3 days left and some of you might still be awaiting answers  to some questions such as should you listen to what happened in the earlier...

November 27, 2020
Comments 9
CAT Strat, Motivation

How to manage your 120 minutes

Published by Tony Xavier

We have reached the last stretch now. If you are in a track and field race, you have turned the last curve and hit the straight. We have done...

November 17, 2020
Comments 34
CAT Strat

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension

How to increase your accuracy on RC – 3

Published by Tony Xavier

In the previous two posts, RC-1 and RC-2, we discussed 3 RCs from CAT 2017 Slot – 2 and executed a specific strategy — paragraph to questions — to...

August 10, 2020
Comments 81
Verbal Strat

How to increase your accuracy on RC – 2

Published by Tony Xavier

In the previous post, we discussed a strategy to approach RCs and solved an actual passage from CAT 2017 Slot 2. In this post, we will take up a...

August 5, 2020
Comments 38
Verbal Strat

How to increase your accuracy on RC – 1

Published by Tony Xavier

So much weight does RC have on the CAT, so many are the difficulties faced by test-takers and so frequent are the queries that I receive about RC, that...

August 1, 2020
Comments 94
Verbal Strat

Increasing Accuracy — RC Masterclass

Published by Tony Xavier

Hi All, I am doing a webinar on how to increase your accuracy on RC questions. If this masterclass cannot help you move beyond getting stuck on two options...

September 17, 2019
Comments 22
Verbal Strat, Webinars

B-School Selection

Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP

Published by Tony Xavier

One of the things about preparing for a b-school personal interview, especially that of an old IIM, is that one struggles to find a structure to prepare for what...

January 14, 2021
Comments 19
B-School Selection, WAT-GD-PI

How to fill the S.P.Jain profile-based form

Published by Tony Xavier

S.P Jain (SPJIMR in full or SP as it is usually referred to) is one of the most underrated business schools in the country. One of the highlights of...

October 1, 2020
Comments 416
B-School Selection

The Second Stage

Why every WAT-GD-PI call-getter should write the IIM-B SOP

Published by Tony Xavier

One of the things about preparing for a b-school personal interview, especially that of an old IIM, is that one struggles to find a structure to prepare for what...

January 14, 2021
Comments 19
B-School Selection, WAT-GD-PI

Preparing for a pandemic PI

Published by Tony Xavier

Now that the CAT scorecard is out, the time to start preparing for WAT-GD-PI has come. But how does one go about it? Especially in a year, or should...

January 7, 2021
Comments 17
WAT-GD-PI

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My GMAT Blog: The GMAT Blogger

GMAT Quant Skills – Tackling Word Problems

GMAT Quant Skills – Tackling Word Problems

GMAT Quant: The Roman Numeral Problem

GMAT Quant: The Roman Numeral Problem

GMAT RC: Guided Practice Set 2

GMAT RC: Guided Practice Set 2

GMAT PS: You will never need to do heavy calculation

GMAT PS: You will never need to do heavy calculation

GMAT SC: Idiomatic Usage III

GMAT SC: Idiomatic Usage III

GMAT SC: Idiomatic Usage II

GMAT SC: Idiomatic Usage II

GMAT SC: Idiomatic Usage 1

GMAT SC: Idiomatic Usage 1

GMAT SC – The preferred form of the verb

GMAT SC – The preferred form of the verb

GMAT Reading Comprehension: Guided Practice Set 1

GMAT Reading Comprehension: Guided Practice Set 1

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It's not just practice but mindful practice that makes perfect

I don't think my natural talent is much different from the other gymnasts. It is a matter of how I train and how I think about my training.

Kohei Uchimura, GOAT — Gymnastics

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