The Common Admission Test (CAT) is known for its high difficulty level, tricky questions, and intense competition. In such a scenario, many aspirants wonder whether guessing questions can improve their score. With proper guidance from CAT coaching in Delhi, students learn that guessing is not about luck—it’s about strategy. Knowing when to guess and when to skip can make a crucial difference in your final percentile.
Understanding Negative Marking in CAT
Before applying any guessing strategy, it’s important to understand CAT’s marking scheme. Each correct answer carries +3 marks, while every incorrect answer results in a -1 mark penalty (except non-MCQ questions, which have no negative marking). Blind guessing in MCQs can severely affect your score, so calculated decision-making is essential.
What Works in CAT Guessing Strategy
Intelligent Elimination Method
One of the most effective guessing techniques is option elimination. If you can confidently eliminate two incorrect options in an MCQ, the probability of choosing the correct answer increases significantly. This method is often emphasized in CAT coaching in Delhi as it minimizes risk while maximizing score potential.
Guessing in Non-MCQs (TITA Questions)
Type In The Answer (TITA) questions do not have negative marking. Even if you are unsure, making an educated attempt is always better than leaving it blank. Logical approximation and estimation can help you arrive at a reasonable answer.
Using Logical Reasoning
In sections like VARC and DILR, logic, context, and approximation can guide you toward the correct option. Sometimes, understanding the intent of the question helps eliminate extreme or irrelevant choices.
What Doesn’t Work in CAT Guessing Strategy
Blind Guessing in MCQs
Randomly marking answers without any reasoning is one of the biggest mistakes aspirants make. Due to negative marking, blind guessing often leads to net score loss rather than gain.
Emotional Guessing Under Pressure
Attempting tough questions just because time is running out can be harmful. Panic-based decisions usually result in incorrect answers and wasted time.
Over-Attempting Questions
Trying to attempt all questions at the cost of accuracy is a flawed strategy. CAT rewards smart selection, not maximum attempts.
Section-Wise Guessing Tips
- VARC: Use contextual clues to eliminate illogical options
- DILR: Avoid guessing; attempt only solvable sets
- Quant: Guess only if you can narrow options logically
Conclusion
Guessing in CAT is not inherently bad, but it must be strategic and well-calculated. Smart elimination, logical reasoning, and awareness of negative marking are key. With consistent practice and expert guidance from CAT coaching in Delhi, aspirants can master the art of knowing what works and what doesn’t—ultimately improving their CAT performance and percentile.
