CAT Exam Preparation Tips

 

CAT is a popular entrance exam in India. It is a gateway for securing admission in IIMs or Top Business Schools. Every year, More than 2 Lakh candidates undertake CAT. This aptitude test evaluates students' verbal and analytical skills. Basically, CAT is considered as toughest among all the MBA Entrance Exams. To crack the CAT exam, one must make an appropriate CAT Preparation strategy. The mode of the CAT exam is online. The CAT exam comprises three sections: VARC, DILR and QA. We have shared some of the preparation tips for the CAT Exam in this article.

 

CAT Exam Preparation Guidelines

Know the CAT Syllabus & Exam Pattern thoroughly

·        At first, candidates must be familiar with the CAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus. It helps the candidates to know about the important topics, CAT marking scheme, exam duration, total marks etc.

·        The duration of the CAT Exam is 120 minutes. The question paper consists of three sections.

·        CAT has a sectional time limit, which means students have to complete each section within a limited time frame. And also comprises sectional CAT cut off.

·        Thus, candidates should not ignore any topics/sections. Otherwise, the sectional cut-off score might directly impact the overall CAT Cut-off score.

·        All three sections are very important in CAT Syllabus. To work easy, Make a chart and include the topics from each section. Make a topic wise schedule and study accordingly. This strategy helps in covering the entire syllabus within 4 to 6 months.

·        It would be more beneficial if you prepared section wise. So that one can focus on individual topics. It helps to learn in-depth.

·        Candidates must note that only the CAT syllabus is not adequate for taking the exam. But also require a versatile approach in the study plan.

 

Buy the Best Books for Cracking CAT.

·        Before buying any reference book for CAT, choose wisely. If possible, do select the latest editions.

·        Books that are available in the market will belong to many authors. Few are new authors, while some are nationally recognized. Thus, try to purchase the books which well-known author writes.

·        The author is renowned because his quality of content exists according to the reader's need. Such books cover all the very important and relevant topics.

 

Take the CAT Mock Test Online.

·        The mock test helps the candidates to experience real exam ambience. The mock test will be as similar to the actual exam.

·        Once you cover the CAT syllabus, try to solve Mock Tests.

·        Candidates must solve at least 35 to 40 Mock Tests during preparation.

·        With the help of Mock tests, one can understand the online CAT exam process. They can understand the exam pattern, questions as well marking scheme.

·        Candidates can solve all types of questions in the actual exam if they solve many mock tests. (Difficult, easy, long, tricky)

·        Analyze your performance after taking each Mock Test. Better know your strength and weakness, and work on them. In this way, students can improve their performance levels.

·        By solving as many mock tests, candidates can improve their time management skills. It also improves speed and accuracy levels. It might be helpful for all the CAT test takers out there.

 

 

Solve CAT Sample Papers or Previous year question paper.

·        Try to solve as many as CAT Sample Papers. Besides, solve the previous year CAT question papers. It helps the candidates to know about the difficulty level of the exam.

·        Candidates have to solve at least five years of previous CAT Question Papers.

·        Solve each question at least thrice. In the first attempt, you will understand the logic. In the second attempt, you will solve it accurately. In the third attempt, you can finish in lesser time.

·        Thus, it helps in solving the real CAT Exam in a limited time without any last minute rush.

 

Know the CAT Preparation Strategy or Study Plan.

·        Make a proper study schedule/Time Table. Being consistent in studies is very important. Studying for 2hrs in 6 days will be better than studying 10 hours in 2 days. Hence, studying on a daily basis will impact on a good result.

·        Focus on all important topics of three sections by going through CAT Syllabus. And, if you are already familiar with a certain topic, do not work on it again. Identify the new topics you haven't touched and work on the same.

·        In the last phase of CAT preparation, try to save time for revising. This helps the candidates to score well. To many of practices and revision helps in scoring above 95% in CAT.

·        Nowadays, students often use mobiles most of the time. The students should download MBA Preparation Apps on their Mobile. So that they can prepare anywhere and at any time, through Mobile.

Best Time to Prepare for CAT.  

·        It is worthwhile to start CAT Exam Preparation early. Students cannot advance their verbal aptitude in a month. Thus, it requires continuous practice and a lot of attention.

·        As per experts suggestions, Nine months before the CAT exam date is ideal for CAT Exam Preparation. 

·        Within six months, aim to cover the CAT syllabus. Don't stretch to complete the syllabus till the end. Save time for other study plans.

·        Then, start concentrating on speed accuracy, mock tests, sample papers etc. The last phase is very crucial, try to revise the topics.

 

CAT Exam Preparation through Coaching Vs Self-Studying

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·        Most of the CAT Coaching Institutes begin the batch 1 year before the exam date. They even offer crash courses for a short period.
·        If a candidate doesn't want 1-year commitment, they can prefer a crash course for CAT Exam Preparation.
·        The biggest drawback of coaching classes is tiredness. Candidates have to attend both the academic as well coaching classes. In the case of Self-study, students get flexible time.
·    In the Coaching centre, they give special attention to the toughest topics. Whereas in self-preparation, there will be no expert guidance
·        In Coaching classes, study preparation will be in the right direction from time to time. In self-study, lack of time might affect.
·        While students prepare themselves, there will be no competitive spirit and no peer pressure.
·        In coaching classes, a competitive environment brings the best in students.