MAH MBA CET Strategy Mistake: Solving Questions in Order Without Selection
One of the most common reasons why well-prepared candidates fail to score high in MAH MBA CET is not lack of knowledge, but poor question selection. Many aspirants enter the exam hall with a fixed belief: start from Question 1 and solve till the end.
This approach may work in academic exams, but in MAH MBA CET—a speed-dominated, high-volume test—solving questions in order without selection is a serious strategic mistake.
This article explains why this habit hurts your CET score, how toppers approach question selection, and what practical changes you must make before exam day.
Understanding the Nature of MAH MBA CET
MAH MBA CET is designed to test:
- Speed of thinking
- Decision-making under pressure
- Pattern familiarity
- Smart utilisation of limited time
The exam is not meant to be completed question by question. It is meant to be navigated.
Candidates who try to solve everything sequentially usually:
- Get stuck early
- Lose rhythm
- Panic in the second half of the paper
Why Solving in Order Feels “Safe” (But Isn’t)
Aspirants follow the question order mainly because:
- It feels organised
- It avoids confusion
- It reduces decision fatigue
However, CET rewards active decision-making, not passive progression. What feels safe actually reduces your final score.
Problem 1: Early Time Drain on Time-Consuming Questions
The first few questions in CET are not always easy. If you start solving blindly:
- One long calculation can eat 3–4 minutes
- Your speed drops instantly
- Anxiety builds early
CET does not forgive slow starts. Momentum matters.
Problem 2: Easy Questions Get Missed Later
CET papers often have:
- Easy questions scattered throughout
- Repetitive patterns
- Direct formula or logic-based problems
When time runs out:
- These easy marks remain untouched
- You regret not skipping earlier, tough questions
Solving in order prevents you from harvesting easy marks first.
Problem 3: Mental Fatigue Sets in Early
Solving tough questions back-to-back:
- Drains mental energy
- Reduces accuracy
- Affects later sections like Logical Reasoning
CET requires sustained energy across the entire paper. Poor selection breaks this balance.
How CET Toppers Actually Solve the Paper
Top CET scorers do not solve in order. They follow a structured selection approach:
1. Quick Scan Strategy
They spend the initial minutes:
- Scanning questions
- Identifying familiar patterns
- Marking quick wins
2. Easy-First Approach
They solve:
- Direct questions
- Familiar patterns
- Low calculation problems
This builds:
- Confidence
- Score cushion
- Speed rhythm
Question Selection vs Question Solving
In the MAH MBA CET, question selection is more important than question solving.
A candidate who:
-
Solves 110 easy/moderate questions
with 75–80% accuracy
will outperform someone who:
-
Solves 80 tough questions
with 90% accuracy
CET is a numbers game, not a perfection contest.
Common Selection Mistakes Aspirants Make
- “I’ll come back later” (later never comes)
- Emotional attachment to questions
- Trying to prove ability instead of scoring marks
- Treating CET like CAT
These habits cost precious minutes and marks.
Practical Question Selection Strategy for CET
Step 1: Divide Questions Mentally
- Green – Easy & familiar
- Yellow – Medium, doable
- Red – Time-consuming/unfamiliar
Step 2: Attack Green First
- Maximise attempts quickly
- Build confidence
Step 3: Selectively Attempt Yellow
- Only if time allows
- Avoid ego-based solving
Step 4: Ignore Red Without Guilt
- Skipping is a skill
- CET rewards discipline
Role of Mocks in Building Selection Skill
Mocks are not just for percentile checking. They should be used to:
- Practise scanning
- Improve selection speed
- Analyse time spent per question
Institutes like The Prayas India focus heavily on mock-based selection training, helping students learn what not to solve, which is critical for CET success.
Why Selection Skill Must Be Trained Early
Question selection:
- Cannot be mastered in the exam hall
- Requires repeated mock exposure
- Needs conscious reflection
Aspirants who start practising selection late often revert to old habits under pressure.
FAQs
Q1. Is it wrong to start from Question 1 in CET?
Not always, but blindly solving every question in order without selection is risky.
Q2. How many questions should I scan before solving?
Ideally, spend 3–5 minutes scanning to identify easy and familiar questions.
Q3. Won’t skipping questions reduce accuracy?
No. Smart skipping improves overall accuracy by avoiding careless mistakes.
Q4. Should CAT aspirants change their solving style for CET?
Yes. CET demands speed and selection, not deep analysis.
Q5. How can coaching help with question selection?
Focused mock analysis and CET-specific strategy—like that provided at The Prayas India—helps aspirants develop disciplined selection habits.
Conclusion
MAH MBA CET is not about solving everything—it is about solving the right things first.
Aspirants who abandon the habit of solving in order and adopt smart question selection consistently score higher, even with the same level of knowledge.
In CET, success is not decided by how many questions you can solve, but by how many questions you choose to solve wisely.