Students’ Speak: Last minute prep tips for CAT exam

Here is a firsthand account and preparation tips from a student who has appeared for the CAT exam. Read below to know what you should do with three days left to the exam.

In this article, Soumyadip shares hands-on tips for the aspirants preparing for the upcoming Common Admission Test or CAT 2019 to be held on November 24.

 

• I would suggest you go through the proper formulae and short-cuts in the last few days. You should not study a new topic extensively because it might confuse you. It is better to focus and concentrate on the topics which you have already studied.
• Try to focus more on practice because speed matters a lot in the examination hall. So, do not just study formulae. It is always better to have synchronisation between the two.
• With three days to go, do not give too many mocks. Just attempt a maximum of two mock test at this stage. However, analysis of mock tests is important. Most of the cases students only give mocks and not analyse them properly.
• I would suggest watching a movie just a day before the examination. Because sometimes a refreshment is needed before an examination such as CAT. This helps improve the performance the next day. Too much study before the exam day is not advisable. Take a deep sleep in the night to give your best the next day.
• In the examination hall, do not look into how fast other people are attempting the exam. Just keep believing in yourself and do your best with calm and patience. Look for the accuracy first rather than attempting more questions.
• If you want to achieve a decent score of say 90+ percentile, attempt at least 120 questions in total, and for 95+ percentile you need to attend at least 140 questions with a 95 per cent accuracy in both the cases. Also, keep the focus on sectional cut-off and first focus on your strongest part. First, try to attempt verbal part because many people say that it may be problematic to attempt it at the last due to time constraints. Next, move to logical reasoning or aptitude according to your convenience. You should try logical reasoning set by set because at least four questions will be there in a set.
• Lastly, do not stick on a single question. It is always better to go forward rather than sticking to a single one. My last tip is please scan the whole question first rather than starting it. You can see the areas in which you are comfortable so that you can focus on those areas first. Many students leave some simple questions without seeing them. However, avoid this practice and look at every question. It will take a maximum of 10 minutes. You could begin this practice while attempting mock tests.

Here's wishing everyone all the best for the examination. Give your 100 per cent and believe in yourself.

About the Author:

Soumyadip Roychowdhury is a student at Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB) studying Master in Business Administration with a specialisation in International Business (MBA-IB). He is a second-year student and has interned with brands such as Adani Wilmar and HealthScion. He is also a committee member of the Entrepreneurship Cell at SIIB.