CAT 2009: The unprecedented twist

Note: The target of this article is to help the CAT 2009 aspirants. However, the opinions produced by the author are based completely on his experience of taking his first computer-based mock CAT. Any corrections and suggestions are invited in the form of comments.

The CAT is going computer-based from 2009. The computer-based version is more different than I had assumed it would be. It not only checks your ability to solve a question but also tests your dexterity at mental pictures and calculations. Elaboration on this shall follow but, before that, I must say, if the level of questions remains similar, CAT 2009 will turn out to be much less scoring than its paper-based predecessors.

The paper-based version offered an unnoticed advantage: the use of pencil. Imagine if you had to copy every given figure in a geometry question before you could start solving it; or imagine copying a given table every time you wanted to find the missing links in a DI question; or worse, imagine answering the RCs without underlining! Never had I completely appreciated the help that the pencil provided me in solving all those questions.

Considering that CAT is as much a test of your ability to manage time and selecting the right questions as it is of your analytical and logical ability, the computer-based version has brought an unprecedented twist in the entire approach of taking the test. Drawing mental pictures is now more important than it ever was. Someone who can visualise those angles, tables, and underscores, without “pencil” ling them, can now save double the time he saved earlier.

Anyone seriously preparing for CAT 2009 must make sure that he makes visualising things as much a part of his preparation as clarity of concepts. This alone may account for almost 50% of your preparation for this new version of the test.

Evolution full stop : Devolution begins

What stimulates thought? Is it sitting on a desk and concentrating hard? Its interesting how mundane activities are actually the best thought stimulator. One such thing happened with me yesterday.Walking into the washroom, I noticed a mosquito fly by close to my left foot. Fraction of a second earlier, it was sitting exactly where I placed my foot. If it were not for its ability to fly, the mosquito was dead.

I'm not a student of evolution and my exposure to the theory of Darwin is limited to what I read at high school and a brief introduction during college. As is common knowledge, the possession of wings is an evolutionary development. All winged species originally were land-bound. Development of wings was the only option left to miniature species who given their size and speed on land would've otherwise been crushed under the feet of huge reptiles or gobbled up by lizards and frogs.

Human evolution is no different. Over the last million years or so, the homo sapiens have changed significantly. From moving around on 4 legs, we've gone on to use just 2. The change was indispensable as it helped humans run faster and use the other two limbs more efficiently, which was required, given our weak physical built. This and many other such changes have shaped man as we know him now.

But, are we still evolving? "Oh c'mon, don't be silly, of course we are! Its a natural phenomenon. All species evolve with time. Didn't your high school text books contain that part?You're just being stupid. " Is that what you're thinking? Then, think again; are we still evolving?

All evolution takes place because there is a pressing natural need for it. Evolution is important for survival. A species either evolves or perishes. But, humans are different. Humans developed science, a short-cut. Ever since philosophy was put into mathematical equations and even before that, we have come up with methods to simplify our lives. We have tried making everything easier for ourselves. Today, we control the temperature we live in, the kind of food we eat and the purity of water we drink; our body doesn't need to fight diseases anymore, there are medicines to do that. To put it simply, whenever there is a pressing need for change, we simply find a way out of it using technology. Then, where is the need to evolve further? We are fit to survive without physical evolution.

However, this simplification may result into something unprecedented. With time and the kind of precautions we take these days, humans may become the first species whose bodies start devolving. Sooner than later, we shall lose immunity to diseases we are currently not vulnerable to; we may not be able to survive temperatures beyond a certain range; and water may be rendered totally unfit for consumption. After all, it cannot be merely co-incidence that mosquitoes have developed immunity to DDT in merely a few decades while we have continued to remain vulnerable to malaria for millennia.

The Brain Gain

So, the government has finally come to the conclusion that research in India is going through a poor phase. Well spotted, I must say! And what does the government do? An announcement: Breaking News - "14 National Universities to promote research shall be funded INR 200 crore/annum for research activities. This will also result in NRIs researching in foreign universities coming back to India for world class research." But, wait a minute...turn the clock some 50 years back...An announcement: "The IITs will be the temples of modern India. They will provide world class education and will catapult India to the forefront of research in the field of science and technology."

The government had noble intentions then, the government has noble intentions now. But, i'm afraid, these National Universities (if at all they are separate establishments) will fall in the same lane as the IITs. Why did the government not muse over the failure of IITs in research? Why is it that the IITs, so widely acclaimed, never delivered the quality of research expected of them? Was it lack of funds? I beg to disagree.

The quality of research in any institute depends as much on the students as it does on the faculty. Don't get me wrong, I do not mean to take away any credit from those who made it to the IITs cracking what is touted to be the world's toughest engineering entrance test. In fact, this is the point I want to make. All you need to make it to an IIT (or for that matter any other school in India) is crack a test. What this fundamentally means is that the best schools in India are taking in people who are brilliantly articulate but, may not be great at application. To put it simply, solving a complex electric circuit problem doesn't imply you know how to fabricate the circuit. Research is not just an idea and mathematics to supplement the idea. No research can succeed without successful experimentation and real-life modelling. Successful experimentation requires dexterity with the hand and not just the mind.

If the government really wants research to flourish in India, it should make sure that the induction procedures in Indian Universities is radically changed. Here's a suggestion: Defer the establishment of the National Universities by a couple of years. De-route some of the funds set aside for these universities and commit them to a research on how can the IITs be more effective in research. The research may throw unexpected results. May be, we won't need separate establishments; may be, the IITs can finally live up to what is (also) expected of them.

The immodest Indian

Disclaimer: I have not had the privilege of reading Dr. Amartya Sen's master piece and I have no idea what Dr. Sen talks about in the book. But, this article is not about the book, and other than the title, it does not borrow any inspiration from it.


Remember the Reader's Digest poll which rated Mumbai as the worst behaved city of the world? I was among those who rejected the poll as ridiculous and believed that with the values instilled into us from our childhood, nothing could be more distant from truth. But, the last three months at Parsons Brinckerhoff has forced me to change my opinion. Here are a few incidences:

When was the last time you remember washing your own coffee cup? I haven't; at least for a year. But, today, in the washroom, I was completely stumped when I saw Peter washing his own coffee cup before returning it to the pantry. Okay, good question!Who's Peter? Peter Wright, the Project Director, Parsons Brinckerhoff for DIAL (Delhi International Airport Pvt. Ltd.) project is an Australian expatriat, around 60 years of age. And yup, I call him Peter - not "sir", Peter. Same is the case for Saskia, Cliff, Thongchai, Gita, Andrew, Eric, Michael, and all the others. But, with the top Indian bosses, "sir" is the word. And yup, they prefer to ring the pantry guys to serve them coffee (or tea). Washing cups? You gotta be out of your wits!

My work at Parsons primarily involves drafting letters and doing a few Change Orders (don't bother thinking, even I do not understand what they are). What is not part of my job profile (and what I do more than what I'm supposed to) is searching and finding various correspondence on an issue. Now taste this, 3 months and I'm still waiting for a "thank you" from any Indian even 5 yrs senior/elder to me. What I've got though are a few brickbats for not having done what I was instructed to (at a couple of times, this was followed by a quick reminder -not apology,reminder - that I was asked to look for something that was never there). On the other hand, the expats throw in so many "Thank you"s and "I will greatly appreciate"s that I start feeling embarassed. Its not that they are bound to express gratitude, nor do I say that it forms part of the "good manners" we were taught at primary school, my only logic is that it makes me feel good when someone uses those words. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction for two reasons, one, doing my work well (although, as I mentioned, this is not part of my work profile but, I cqn never be satisfied with it...never!) and two, helping someone do one's work well. Unfortunately, Indians have not been kind enough.

Shouting inside the office premises for work undone or maldone (I'm pretty sure the two terms don't exist, but, can't think of anything better,please bare with me) is a common site at the DIAL project office. And, who makes the most noise? Yup, unsatisfied Indians. Indian bosses show no restraint in venting out their sweet words, be it a compatriot or an expatriat facing their wrath. On the other hand, when I goof up and its an expat I have to face, I'm sure to be told "not to panic" or that "mistakes are a part of learning" or that I'm "getting there". Who minds a boss then?
I may be completely wrong in my assessment in this entry, it might just be that co-incidentally, with Indians, i was always at the wrong place at the wrong time and vice-versa for the expats. But, trust me, one thing that I now understand more than ever is - why do people refrain from returning to India once they leave it? Brain-drain, or whatever it be termed,cannot be stopped only by a booming economy. What is needed is that, as Indians, we learn to be more modest and encouraging.

India Win NZ test series 1-0 and not 2-0

Okay...so Dhoni didn't declare on time...yet again!Or at least that is what our revered ex-cricketers and innumerable cricket commentators will want us to believe.Lets look at a few comments:

1. "When you're winning, crush the opposition..hold them by the throat...scare them for the next time...that is what West Indies did...that is what Australia do.."-Kapil Dev

2. "Dhoni has done what he did against England, to the same result." - Ravi Shastri

Agreed, both comments are succinct and precise...but, wait a minute, lets try and be a little more objective. What were the circumstances before the decision?

1. Throughout the series, but for the T20 matches, India were clearly the superior team.

2. India were leading the test series 1-0 with a comprehensive victory in the 1st test and saving the 2nd test following-on owing to some brilliant performances by Gautam Gambhir, and the oldies.

3. The third test is in Wellington, "the Basin", known for its winds and unpredictable weather.

• The test starts with predictions of rain on all days, especially the final day (I am not sure of latter fact but, this what I've gathered from the columns and for once, I believe the stalwarts on face value).
• Curator says, anything above 250 in any innings is bound to be respectable. India score 379 in the first innings, thanks largely to the tail-enders - clear indiacations that the curator was right. NZ was rap(p)ed (up for 197) by ZaK and company in a mere 65 overs, in the first innings - curator proved doubly right.
• India bat the last session of Day 2 and the entire Day 3 to gain a mammoth lead of 523 with Yuvraj and Dhoni on crease. Bad light stops play early with a minimum of 21 overs left for the day.
• Day 4 starts 30mins early, Dhoni doesn't declare. India bat 10 overs, adding another 30 odd, Dhoni doesn't declare. First hour ends, India has added 50 odd in 12 odd overs, Dhoni doesn't declare. An hour and half and 18 overs gone, India extend the lead to 617, Dhoni Declares! Oops! Wrong timing! Too much time gone!

Or is it? Lets look at a few more points.

1. History:

• Less than two years back, the world champions made a formidable 434 in 50 overs. Result: they lost.
• Less than 6 months back, the world champions pose a similar score as target, but this time in the fourth innings of a test match in their backyard. Result:the same.
• Same day, a team called India make 387 in a fourth innings at the loss of just 3 wickets to win a test match.

NZ may not have done any wonders in the entire series but, what if they pulled off a blinder in the 170 odd overs India were supposed to field?

2. The weather:

• What if there were no bad-light on Day 3 and Dhoni played the remaining 21 overs on that day and declared?
• What if it had started raining an hour early on Day 5 (before Sachin Tendulkar's magical spell)?
• What if rained an hour later (after an Indian victory)?

A third innings declaration on the 3rd day can never be regarded late then, what's wrong if Dhoni consumed those overs on the next day?Or was it his fault that the implementation of day-light saving was stopped in the middle of the test match?

And the rain was unpredicatable...absolutely. No meterological department in the world can predict it with an hour's accuracy, then why blame Dhoni?

True the result was supposed to be 2-0 and not what it reads now. But, we still won the series and with all due respect to Kapil Dev, we did "scare NZ", go and ask Danniel Vettori or Kyle Mills. Please, let Dhoni be the way he is. Do not force your decisions or opinions on him. Yes, training helps, but not at the stake of losing ones natural gift. We spoilt Irfan Pathan, let us not do the same to Dhoni. He's given Indian cricket what it hadn't experienced ever - the belief that we can win every time we play.

Dilemma

Dilemma. I am not about to write anything philosophical, its just a small mention about two trivial dilemmas that I face everyday.

Dilemma # 1. Ever travelled by bus in Delhi? I have. And, this thing that I travel in can't really be classified as a bus. People in Delhi call it an RTV, an acronym for Road Transport Vehicle. A typical RTV is about a half and five ft tall from floor to ceiling and has the capacity to seat 15 people and a standing capacity of,going by what the driver and conductor think, at least a 100 people. I take one of these every morning to get to my office. Ordinarily, any individual would prefer a bus (or an RTV) which is less than half loaded to capacity (only in seating terms please!) but, I really don't know what to wish for every morning when I am at the bus stop. A bus half-full would mean that it will take twice the time at every bus stop and also mid-way, hoping - not always against hope - that some lost soul would apparate out of nowhere (and prove the driver and conductor right). So, in stead, at times, I find myself hoping - again not always against hope - that the next RTV coming down the road will be so full that I find myself crushed inside, hoping - always^100 against hope - it will be pretty girls pressed all around me. Therein lies my dilemma - ordinary I know, but, i mentioned that right at the beginning.

Dilemma # 2: Do you like work? Okay, let me put it differently - Is it your dream to do nothing and make (possibly, a lot of) money? So is mine! And here I am, earning 15k a month (I know that can't be classified as "a lot" by any standards, but, c'mon, I'm just an intern!) for doing nothing, and repenting it. At times, I wish, someone would just pay me half the amount and make me work twice as much - technically, twice as much will still be zero but, lets not get into the nitty gritties of mathematics and read it as a Blog please. But, less than half an hour later, I start feeling good about living a laid back life. And again, less than fifteen minutes later, the former starts creeping in. So, I am stuck! Work or no work? I dunno!

Why Blog?

3 months of internship at Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) has given me ample reasons to start Blogging. I was never an ardent Blogger. I wrote a few posts only in the hope that somebody would read them and reply. But alas! That was not to be. Anyways, to start with, PB has taught me the importance of expression. What is more important than thought is to be able to communicate the thought expressly. Before I joined PB, I was under the impression that I wrote well. Now, I'm sure I can't! So, that's reason number one - I need to learn how to write!

Reason number two is a more subtle one but, when given a thought, is probably the most important. The immense amount of data-entry (yeah! That's what PB makes me do.) has increased my typing-speed many fold which means I can now type close to twenty words a minute implying that a normal Blog of 400 words won't take me more than twenty minutes. So much for 4 years at BITS and two years of slogging before that - an internship that teaches you typing and pays you 15k for that!

Reason number three: My Brain! It keeps thinking and thinking these days, whenever I'm not at office. May be 'coz it gets over-rested these days. 7 hours of sleep + 10 hours of office. So naturally, it has to do that extra 10 hours of thinking in the remaining 7. I thought it was a good idea to pen down my thoughts whenver they come. But, to pen down anything, you need two things, pen and paper - both are scarce resources - so, here's the easy way. No pen, no paper and no need to remember where the diary is - Start Blogging!

So, here I am, Blogging. Just one thing before my next post - is it Blogging or blogging?