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
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- 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!
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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. |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Dear reader,
Lovely Professional University (LPU) is a great substitute for Delhi University, which offers a good and prestigious platform for management education. With an industry-aligned curriculum, broad global exposure, and an exceptional track record of high-package placements with top interna
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Dear reader,
Lovely Professional University (LPU) is a great substitute for Virohan: Vivekananda Global University, which offers a good platform for specialised study. With an industry-focused curriculum, extensive international exposure, and an exceptional track record of high-package placements wi
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes. IIMB does require the CAT exam, but the rest of the top B-schools in Bangalore also take in candidates through the state-level CET, ie, the Karnataka PGCET exam, or through MAT or CMAT.
Top B-schools in Bangalore without CAT | Cutoffs Required |
|---|---|
26690 | |
29592 |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IIM Calcutta has only mentioned accepting GMAT score for admission into EMBA courses.
However, CAT is commonly accepted by other similar institutes for both MBA and MBAEx courses. Thus, candidates are advised to ask admission desk for confirmation on this question.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
It is not possible to determine a candidate's admission in IIM Calcutta MBA course through CAT score alone. In Stage 1, a score 85% in CAT will be enough for a general category candidate to be selected for PI+WAT admission stage.
Final admission cutoffs are based on many factors other than CAT score.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, IIM Calcutta cannot get into MBA courses without appearing CAT first. CAT is a mandatory entrance exam and it is conducted every year for admissions into all MBA courses offered by this institute.
However, candidates who are applying for MBAEx course will be required to appear in GMAT for admissi
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
To get a seat at IFMR Chennai, students have to first appear for any one of the entrance exams accepted by the institute for the MBA/PGDM course admission. CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, Andhra Pradesh ICET, IPAMT and SAT India are the entrance exams accepted by this institute for admission to the management
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, you cannot use the CAT score for direct admission to the MBA/PGDM course at this university.
You would need to first appear for the CAT entrance exam, and then get shortlisted for the PI and or GD rounds to be considered for a seat. Since the CAT cutoff is not released publicly, the closest esti
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The Vishwakarma University CAT cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the MBA/PGDM course for the All India quota.
For the General AI category, the estimated Vishwakarma University MBA cutoff 2025 was 50. Students who gained this percentile are then eligible to enter the second round of admission
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The National Institute of Bank Management Cutoff 2026 for General AI category in CAT exam is 80.
R
Contributor-Level 10