CAT 2017: Last minute tips from toppers

CAT 2017: Last minute tips from toppers

The countdown for CAT 2017 has begun. The performance on the D-Day will decide whether an aspirant will or will not make it to any of the top B-schools. With the clock ticking by, CAT aspirants are getting extremely nervous and anxious. Nevertheless, instead of panicking, candidates must remain cool-headed and relaxed so that they can put their best foot forward in the exam.

Shiksha spoke to a few CAT toppers of previous years, and they shared some last minutes tips that can be of extreme help to candidates appearing for CAT 2017 exam this year. Here’s what they said:

Prateek Bajpai, 100 percentile

• Always set a time limit for each section in the exam paper
• Revise the QA formulas
• In case there is a topic that you might have missed, leave it. Do not start anything new now
• Do not panic in case there is a change in the test pattern. Remember that this change is for everyone, not just you
• It is extremely important to deliver a balanced performance across all 3 sections
• Lastly, keep calm – this will help you in performing to your full potential

 Sanuj Mittal, 100 percentile

• Revise all the concepts and formulas
• Keep practicing mocks even before one day before the exam
• If you are getting stuck on one question, do not waste your time on it. Leave that question and move ahead. At the end of the exam, if you are still left with time, re-attempt that particular question
• One must not have a pre-defined mind-set on the exam day
• Go to the exam centre with a calm mind

Abhay Agarwal, 99.99 percentile

• Do not get demoralised if you scored less in the mock tests
• Remember the mistakes you made in your mock tests, and make sure you do not repeat them in the exam
• Go through all the questions and look out for easy questions first. Once you are sure you have attempted all the easy ones, only then move on to the difficult questions
• Stay confident

Nishant Shah, 99.85 percentile

• Brush up your concepts
• CAT as an exam is not difficult – all that you need to pay attention to is time management
• Always remember that you have done well this far, and have given your best. There is no reason why you wouldn’t do well on the exam day
• Stay calm, confident and positive

Achintya Bhattacharyya, 99.63 percentile

• One should try attempting all the questions, but more than this, one should focus on speed and accuracy
• Quickly glance through the entire paper once. Attempt the easy questions in the first 40 minutes, and then try your hand at the difficult questions
• Do not get stuck in a problem for more than 2 and a half minutes
• Stay relaxed, even if you find other panicked
• Do not exhaust yourself just before the exam

Abhishek Sambangi, 99.32 percentile

• To start off with, first attempt all the questions that are least time consuming. When attempting these questions, focus on accuracy
• If required, do not forget to use the calculator
• Have a proper sleep a night before the exam day
• Go with a cool mind on the D-Day

All the best to all the candidates appearing for CAT 2017!

Also read:

CAT scores are used for admission to 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and various other top B-Schools. Are you eligible for the IIMs? To know more, click on the image beside.