Ever wondered why people prepare for CAT? What is so important about CAT? CAT is short for Common Admission Test. Based on your CAT scores, you can get admission in the MBA college of your choice. CAT opens up doors to the most prestigious business schools in India. And studying in one of these schools can transform your life.
But it is not easy to crack a CAT. It requires some serious dedication and intellectual investment. Some join a coaching institute to gain external help. Whereas other’s stick to self-preparation. Both are two different approaches, but in the end, it all depends on your CAT strategy. The effort is worth it. Below are some tips which will help you prepare yourself for the next CAT.
- Learn about CAT
The first to cracking CAT is learning about it. You need to conduct well-oriented research and gather as much knowledge as possible regarding CAT. The exam syllabus, paper pattern, potential dates, and schedule is just the tip of the iceberg. If you do the proper research beforehand, it will help you organize your preparation method.
Proper knowledge about the syllabus and exam pattern will tell you which parts to direct your focus on.
Other than this, you need to gather previous years’ question papers. It will help you predict which topics are more likely to be asked. It is a big help as it enables you to streamline your studies and increase efficiency. - Study Material
Is it possible to pass an exam without books? You need to gather the right books to get you through this journey. There are hundreds of books out there and thanks to online bookstores you can get these books delivered to your doorsteps. But the important part is not all books are good.
You need to sort out the right kind of study material which is suited your pace. It might be a little tough, but this effort goes a long way. If you have the right study material, you can prepare well and score well.
Similarly, you need to practice test books. It is okay to start with the simplest material and then work your way up. Rather than starting at the top and wondering- ‘What’s Happening?’ - Practice tests
You have your syllabus, you have your books, but your preparation is incomplete without some practice tests. CAT Practice tests are designed to give you a taste of the real exam. The questions are somewhat similar. But this is not what Mock tests are all about. Mock Tests help you with time management. If you regularly take up Mock Tests, you will be able to manage your time, perform better and focus better during the real exam.
Most coaching institutes conduct Mock tests at intervals. But if you have adopted self-preparation, don’t worry, there are many mock tests available online. You can take it in real-time or download it.
After you are finished with the test, make sure to analyze the score and the questions that you missed or answered wrong. Most mock tests come with a key that has detailed explanations for all the answers.
- Group Studies
Many would disagree with it. But group studies help indeed. When you join a group for CAT preparation, whether online or offline, you would realize that there are many people just like you. They are struggling too.
You can choose to join an online discussion forum or an offline study group. The benefit of being in a positive group is you never miss an update. And you can help uplift each other.
On the contrary, there are study groups that are not productive at all. Certain people don’t believe in growing together. And being in such a negative study group can harm you in many ways. In conditions like these, it is best to study on your own.
Preparing for CAT is not easy. But if you take the right approach, it is not tough either. All you need is a positive mindset and a go-getter attitude. Above all, confidence is the key! If you don’t believe yourself, all this hard work will not take you anywhere. Therefore, study hard and believe in yourself!
You can check out these links for some more tips: