Aptitude Test for MBA Preparation

8/4/2019 Aptitude Test for MBA Preparation

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Aptitude test for MBA Preparation

Organisations use many methods to assess applicants:application forms; interviews; written tests and

exercises; group discussions and practical exercises.They use these to choose the most appropriate candidate

for each vacancy. Different methods provide differentsorts of information. One method that is increasingly

used is aptitude tests.

Aptitude tests are structured systematic ways ofevaluating how people perform on tasks or react to

different situations. They are characterised bystandardised methods of administration and scoring with

the results quantified and compared with how othershave done at the same tests. They are increasingly

administered on a computer.

No test is perfect, and some candidates such as thosewith disabilities, may be at a disadvantage when taking

this type of test. Employers should make allowance for

this.

Tests are usually only part of the overall assessment

procedure. Employers will use them alongside interviews,application forms, academic results and other selection

methods, so test result usually be the onlyinformation looked at.

The section on quantitative ability in CAT (and othercompetitive exams also) now shows a shift towardsquestions having greater element of commonsense

rather than pure maths (this might have something to dowith paper-setters having more commonsense!!!). This

doesn't mean that we don't need formulas and


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calculations now, but that we use calculations or formulas

in the situation when logical thinking (a euphemism forcommonsense!!!) needs to be supplemented with these

and we don't rush to the formula at the sight of thequestions.

Before you enter the CAT room, the invigilator would

instruct you to keep calculators and other helpinggadgets (so desperately required near the half time!!!)

out. Fortunately, there is no instruction to keep thecommonsense out. So, take it along and use it profusely.

This could be your best bell (oops, bet) for the CAT.

Let's take an example. In this season of "sale" everywhere, you find on one shop a board that says "Buy 3,

get 1 free". And on the nearby shop "Get 30% off". Askthe students in a maths class to find out the better offer

and they are zapped. Many of the mathematicians willpromptly find the discount in the first case to be 33.33 %

and in the other to be 30%, thus declaring the first offer

better. However, a little common sense (which somehowappears only when you are in the market and disappearsas soon as you enter the class room!!!) would tell that in

the first case, you are getting a discount of 25%, as youare not paying for 1 out of 4.

Now, ask someone to find out the sale price when an

object costing Rs. 151.25 is sold at a loss of 130%. Themathematician will enter the jungle of formulas and

calculation, while the one with commonsense (a rarespecies!!!) would know that nothing could be sold at a

loss of more than 100%. Even if you give something freeto someone the loss is 100%. And even if you spend

something further on its disposal, that is added to thecost and the percentage loss still remains 100%.


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Organisations use many methods to assess applicants:application forms; interviews; written tests and

exercises; group discussions and practical exercises.They use these to choose the most appropriate candidate

for each vacancy. Different methods provide differentsorts of information. One method that is increasingly

used is aptitude tests.

Aptitude tests are They are characterised by structuredsystematic ways of evaluating how people perform on

tasks or react to different situations. andardised methods

of administration and scoring with the results quantifiedand compared with how others have done at the sametests. They are increasingly administered on a computer.

APTITUDE, ABILITY AND INTELLIGENCE TESTS

Administered under timed examination conditions.These tests assess your logical reasoning and

become increasingly difficult throughout the test.They commonly take the form of multiple choice

with right and wrong answers.

You are not expected to finish the tests, although of

course you may do so. Your score relates yourperformance to a 'normed' group. So, your aptitude,

ability or intelligence has a relative value to it. Thisis important to an employer who may want to know

how well you can do something in relation to otherapplicants, the general population or people already

doing the job.

Your score can be used in different ways. There may

be a pass mark, which, by achieving, you get the


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job. Or the employer may have planned to interview

a certain number of candidates and provided yourscore puts you in this group you will continue on to

the next stage of selection. Alternatively, your scorecould simply be a further measure considered by an

employer alongside a variety of other measures,such as interviews etc.

SOME PREPARATION TIPS

Practice makes perfect. Evidence suggests thatsome practice of similar tests may improve your

performance slightly on actual tests. However, don'tspend too long practising. It may be wise to brush

up on your exam technique and perhaps becomemore familiar with the types of test you may face.

Even basic word and number puzzles may help youbecome used to the comprehension and arithmetic

aspects of some tests.

Treat it as you would any other occasion when you

visit an employer. Plan your journey to the test site,arrive on time and appropriately dressed. Listen to

the instructions you are given and follow themprecisely.

Before the actual test, you will be given practiceexamples to try - make sure you ask questions if

anything is unclear at this stage.

Work quickly during the test, but pay attention to

your accuracy. Try not to get bogged down on any


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one question, but remember that questions may get

harder as you proceed. You can only score points forquestions you answer, not for those you don't.

Educated guesses are worthwhile. In math'stests you may be able to use the technique of

estimating the answer rather than working it outexactly, to save time.

If you have a numerical test coming up andhaven't done any maths since school then brush up

on your numeracy - Stop using a calculator for

everyday calculations, practice your multiplicationand division, ability to calculate percentages, and toread graphs and tables. Similarly if your English is

weak brush up on this.

REMEMBER- Listen to the instructions. They are

crucial to your success in any psychometric test!

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Aptitude Test for MBA Preparation