Preparing for CAT 2021 Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The MBA coaching institutes are conducting regular classes, training sessions, mock tests, etc. online so that the pace of CAT preparation doesn’t slow down. Read some self study tips for CAT 2020 here.

CAT 2021 will be conducted in the last week of November and nothing has changed from last year. The nation is still in a partial lockdown state due to COVID-19. One hoped that life will be back to normal by the middle of this year, but with the second wave of COVID-19 panemic creating havoc all over the country, it seems unlikely that we will be back to leading a normal life anytime soon.

But that shouldn’t make CAT 2021 aspirants halt or slow down their preparation. There is no time to relax for MBA aspirants. CAT exam preparation must go on despite all the hurdles due to COVID-19.

Candidates who already opted for self-study their CAT preparation must be on track. Those who opted for coaching institutes too are being provided study material and guidance via video calls and online classes. So, all you need to do is utilize the time at home and study in a disciplined manner.

Also Read:

• Changes in CAT 2020 Exam Pattern
• Changes in Top MBA Exams Due to COVID-19

Online CAT Preparation

The MBA coaching institutes are conducting regular classes, training sessions, mock tests online so that the pace of CAT preparation doesn’t slow down. The benefit of online coaching and home study is that it is low cost as well as time saving. The time spent in travelling to and from the coaching centre can be utilized in going through Quant formulae or vocabulary. Or solve a few extra sample questions of Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.

COVID-19 and CAT Preparation

The COVID-19 lockdown has also resulted in less distraction for CAT 2020 aspirants. Since, all the means of recreation and public places such as malls, theatres, restaurants were shut, the students got more time to study and prepare well. No social gatherings, no visits from friends and relatives meant peaceful environment at home to study.

Studying at home has proved to be a better option for some students because of the flexibility it offers. Anuj Sikka, a CAT 2021 aspirant from Delhi told Shiksha that he is a late riser and reaching coaching centres for morning classes was a task for him. “Studying at home has made my life easier as I can wake up just an hour before my online classes now. I can also choose to study in evening if I don’t want to study late  night,” he said.

Another student from Lucknow Bhishma Kumar shared that, since mostly all the study material available online and our mentors are available on the phone, WhatsApp and video calls, there’s been no problem in preparing for CAT.

Also Read:

• How to Prepare for CAT 2021: Ultimate tips from experts
• Best Books for CAT 2021: QA, DILR, VARC
• CAT preparation: Self Study vs Coaching

Self Preparation Tips for CAT 2021

Now that about three months are left for CAT preparation, it is not time to complete the syllabus and move to practicing CAT mock tests.

• Devote 8-10 hours daily in studies. Study concepts and solve some sample questions based on it. This is to check how much you’ve understood. If you are taking too much time in solving sample questions or if you are unable to get the correct answer, you may have to study the concept again.
• Start solving CAT mock tests from October onwards. Go for full-length as well as sectional CAT mock tests to have full practice of handling over 30 MCQs in each section within 60 minutes.
• Start with low difficulty level of mock tests. Once you’ve mastered the easy questions, move to moderately difficult and then go for higher difficulty level mock tests.
• After each mock test, analyse your performance. Spend an hour on the weak links daily. Get in touch with mentors and friends to share your doubts on topics and problems.
• Continue to spend one to two hours on vocabulary building. Read dictionary, Word Power Made Easy and newspapers.
• Keep practicing reading comprehension passages for the more you read, the better you get at solving RC questions
• On weekends, take out two to three hours to revise all the Quant formulae and DILR tricks. Revision is very important until the exam day.
• Practice previous years' CAT question papers to know the type of questions and test pattern.
• Stay in touch with your mentors and friends who are preparing for CAT 2021 to keep the sense of competition intact. Yes, in a physical classroom, this plays a great role in getting the best out of students. Even though you are at home due to COVID-19, don’t allow complacency or fatigue to set in.
• Join study groups on Facebook, YouTube, Telegram and other online platforms to get access to additional study material.
• There are many MBA preparation apps too which you can download on your smart phone and practice quick exercises, puzzles, Mathematical problems in free time.

Also Read:

• CAT preparation: 10 popular myths busted
• How to Prepare for CAT in 3 months
• Simple Tips To Optimize CAT Exam Preparation
• CAT exam: Last month preparation tips
• CAT 2017 question paper
• CAT 2018 question paper
• CAT 2019 question paper
• CAT 2020 question paper

CAT Preparation with Toppers

Click on the links below to know their preparation strategy of CAT toppers.