Introduction
Preparation is key to success in each and every field, one has to traverse through the best possible route to achieve and fulfill his dreams. To begin with, let’s understand the importance of C-CAT examination. As you all know that admission to various Diploma courses of CDAC which are fast-paced and at the same time exhausting/extensive in nature for learning & mastering the technological skills needed by the IT world. The aspirants should bear in mind that it requires above-average skills to successfully complete it. Students have to clear the C-CAT examination which is bifurcated into three parts. A-B-C for getting admitted in the Diploma Courses. For your knowledge, one should know that one has to choose A+B section which is must for courses like DAC, DBDA, DITISS, DMC, DAI, etc, and A+B+C for courses like DESD & DVLSI.
Entrance exams are held to evaluate the candidates for the required skills needed to perform/complete a task after selection. It also checks the ability of a person to complete the training successfully for which he will be enrolling. One should be keenly interested in the course which he is applying for and consider this as a stepping stone for the ensuing career options available after the completion of the course. Students should take the C-CAT exam as a mark of approval for their basic understanding of the IT skills which will be needed for learning advanced and emerging technologies. The multiple modes to prepare are listed as below
- Self Study ( Online Videos, Books, MCQ’s, Study Notes, Solving most likely questions )
- Join Preparatory courses offered by the ATC’s ( Advisable), Register here : https://bit.ly/FastTrackPreCatBatch
- Refresh your knowledge before the exam and appear.
- Mentoring from Alumni’s or technology experts
One should keep in mind while appearing for the exam and attempting section A+B, he/she will have to solve 35 question in A section ( Aptitude) and after a gap of around 15 mins he needs to commence with the programming Section B for another hour solving 40 assorted c/c++, OS, DCN related questions. For students interested in embedded & semiconductor courses will have to appear for C Section as well comprising of 50 questions. ( Note : the pattern may change as per the updated curriculum)
Every Individual who has dreamed of getting admitted to Diploma Courses of CDAC needs to be a multitasker and also technically of sound background and ready for studying 18hrs in a day. Preparatory courses are very helpful and useful for fulfilling the dreams ( https://youtu.be/iUsY4w2tuN8 ), there are multiple tracks in which a student can take admission, shared as below
- Regular Track ( 45 days )
- Semi Fastrack ( 30 days )
- Fasttrack ( 15 days )
- Crash Course / Mock test Series ( 7 Days)
Students should consider this as a gateway to the world of IT sector. This acts as a foundation course for the diploma courses, higher studies, career opportunities, training opportunities, enhancing personality skills etc. One stands to benefit in multiple ways like students get higher rank which enables them to take admission to the center of their choice. Some get Job offers also based on skills & knowledge gained. This can be a base to appear for other competitive exams as well.
Syllabus of C-CAT
Section A includes aptitude questions and Section B includes technical questions (mainly C and c++ some questions from OS, DBT, and Networking). one should be scoring good in both the sections that is A+B so as to comfortably get admitted into to any of the C DAC centers spread across India. It is important to know that close to 20000 Plus students appear for the C-CAT examination which is held twice a year, out of that only around 3000+ students able to secure admission to all the available courses. One should keep in mind that competition is very high so proper preparation is suggested.
Section A ( Aptitude & General English )
For aptitude, one needs to solve high-level questions and concentrate on basic mathematics and reasoning.
Aptitude questions Mainly include AP, GP, HP, %age, Time, Distance & work, Number Series, Profit and Loss, probability, Quadratic Equations, Algebra, Geometry, Ratio & Proportion etc.
B section is the programming section which consists of the below topics.
C programming
OOPS concepts
Data Structures,
Operating Systems,
Computer Networks
Database Technologies
Students are suggested to be practicing more to make their desire for securing higher rank stronger by understanding the concept and logic application. This will help the students to get through in the selection process of the companies that hire through the CCPP and it’s always better to have a foot forward in a direction even before the placements begun. Initially, everything seems to be a big ask and makes one nervous but once a student enters the system, learning & upskilling process is automated and one has to go with the grind, which benefits everyone overall.
Certain Tips : For C programming, there is no way other than writing your own codes and executing them. This way students need not go through hours of theory and besides doing some practicals it will teach you better. Focus on Arrays, pointers and functions. They are the most often asked questions. Find out about different types of functions and implement those in your codes.
For data structures, you just have to learn to write a basic code consisting of 2 to 3 classes. Make sure you learn about topics such as stack, queue, tree, graphs & LinkedList.
Section C for embedded & Semiconductors courses
For students appearing for Section C, he/she needs to prepare basics Microcontrollers, Microprocessor, and Computer Architecture.
One should note the rules during exams students are expected to follow their own work and not indulge in chitchat otherwise they will be expelled from the room for causing disorder. No electronic device is entertained. Switch them off and keep them in your own bag, this, unfortunately, applies to also your simple or scientific calculators. So it is best to be prepared and promptly request a spare sheet for calculations, ask the invigilator, they are instructed to give you as many as you need.Most of you might be aware that most of the CDAC ATC’s conduct PRE-DAC / Pre C-CAT course which prepares students well enough to achieve a higher rank in the C-CAT exams. One can self-study as well, but is advised that you should learn from the experts so as upskill in a perfect and efficient way. Learning from experts provides you leverage to learn more and upskill faster. The biggest advantage is that you get tuned to the culture and system of CDAC and also there is a high possibility that you get higher which enables you to pick up CDAC center of your choice.
Best Suited time for C-CAT
Currently, as the situation demands the sessions and the course is/are being held in the virtual mode, the cited article gives why learning in virtual mode is important in new normal https://www.keshavpkumar.com/enhanced-learning-in-new-normal/, Whenever you are ready to take deep dive, it is the right time, suggested always is to be an early mover, rather wait and watch.
Recommended books for C-CAT
English grammar : Wren and Martin high school composition, Any Grammar Book
Aptitude : RS Aggarwal reasoning, quantitative aptitude, M tyara, Barron’s GRE
C Language : C. ANSI c by Kernighan and Richie 2ed, Test your C Skills (Yashavant Kanetkar), Let Us C (Yashavant Kanetkar), Exploring C (Yashavant Kanetkar)
OS. Galvin, gagne, silberschatzs OS concepts
DSA. Data structure through c in depth by Shrivastava
Foundations of Computing (Pradeep Sinha & Priti Sinha)
CompTIA Network+ Study Guide (Todd Lammle)
Data Structures Through C in Depth (S. K. Srivastava)
Operating System Principles (Silberschatz, Galvin, Gagne)
Test Your C ++ Skills (Yashavant Kanetkar)
Digital Fundamentals, 10th Edition (Thomas L. Floyed)
Digital Design, 4th Edition (M Morris Mano)
The Intel Microprocessor, 8th Edition (Barry B. Brey)Microprocessor Architecture Programming & Application with 8085, 5th Edition (Ramesh Gaonkar)
Register here for batch commencing from 26th July : https://bit.ly/FastTrackPreCatBatch
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