Get ready to crack CAT 2017 with these tips from 99.03%iler

Aakanksha Raj

Aakanksha Raj scored 99.03% percentile in CAT 2016 and believes that the exam is a marathon, not a 100m race, and to win this race, consistency is the key. Aakanksha emphasises on the importance of dividing time equally across each section. Also, she believes that attempting mock tests and analysing them is the best way to improve the weak areas. 

Fond of reading, writing poems, and watching anime, Aakanksha says that as CAT approaches, it is important to remain positive and not to succumb to pressure. Know how she prepared for the exam:

I joined a coaching to maintain a disciplined routine. By ourselves, we tend to procrastinate with tasks. Also, the competition from peers keeps you going!

Actually the minimum time frame varies from person to person. It really depends on what level of preparedness you are at present. I started my preparations from Dec, 2015.

If you are working, devote at least 2-3 hours on weekdays and 6-7 on weekends. Divide your time equally across each section. Keep Sundays solely dedicated to mock tests. Analyse your mock tests well, identify your weak areas and throughout the following week work upon them. Give the next mock test better prepared.

Use the complete set of Arun Sharma or TIME material. Whatever material set you chose, make sure to stick to it till the very end. Complete a set fully rather than skimming through multiple material sets. That way, all topics get covered.

Verbal: Read passages based on various topics. The level of comfort in reading any passage is directly proportional to your familiarity with the subject of the passage. Hence, expand the breadth of topics you read about. Read newspapers like Economic Times and the Hindu, especially the editorials. Make sure you comprehend well what you read. Merely increasing reading WPM (words per minute) will not help. 

DI/LR: Solve a variety of questions. Go through previous years’ CAT papers and mock test papers after attempting them. Make a note of any interesting questions you come across in a separate notebook. Go through this notebook as often you can. With practice, get better in picking sets. Some sets are really difficult or time consuming, and it is advisable to skip them. 

Quant: Be very thorough with the fundamental concepts. Don’t just memorise the formulae, make sure you understand the approach given in a solution. Focus on solving the questions accurately as well as speedily. If you come across a less time consuming method to solve a problem, make a note of it in a separate notebook. Do not skip any topic.

For all the sections, keep a mantra in mind- if you are stuck with a question for more than 3 minutes, leave it and go to the next. Come back to it when you are done with the respective section completely. Solve familiar looking questions first.

Make a daily timetable and follow it religiously.

Give a mock test. The areas where you are constantly scoring less are your weak ones. First diagnose the real problems with your weak areas. Is it due to lack of speed or lack of knowledge in solving the problem? In case of the former, try finding shortcut methods in that topic. In case of the latter, work upon your fundamentals. Then, gradually solve problems in increasing LOD (level of difficulty), for these topics.

Yes definitely. CAT is very unpredictable in nature. It is advisable to hedge your risks and apply for other management exams. It also helps in reducing stress while giving CAT as you already have a strong plan B. I would suggest you to give NMAT, XAT, SNAP, IIFT and TISS (if you are inclined towards HR).

Be regular with your preparations. CAT is a marathon and not a 100m race. So, consistency is the key! 

Don’t let the grass grow under your feet once you get a good percentile. Everything is unpredictable till your final admit. Keep yourself updated in General Knowledge and Current Affairs throughout the preparations. Once you get your CAT percentile, prepare well for the interviews. Treat each call with importance. Do not slack till you get your final admit.

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.