Students’ Speak: Five simple rules for last minute CAT preparation

One of the best ways is to practice questions that test all the concepts. In this way, not only you will be able to revise them but also you will become strong at connecting different theories and formulas.

As CAT 2019 is just around the corner you must be feeling anxious or excited, after all this exam is the key to the premier business schools in our country. Don’t worry and just keep in mind the following tips which are based on my own experiences and advice from my friends and coaching institute which helped me during CAT preparation.

1. Mock Tests

By now, you must have taken a sufficient number of Mock tests to understand your SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats). Mock tests help in the revision of concepts. Also being a time-bound test provides you an environment that is similar to your actual exam (CAT). A wise man said, “The day of the match is just a presentation of your skill, it is in practice that the actual magic takes place”. So in your practice aka Mock tests and you will be much more comfortable while giving the exam on Sunday. My suggestion would be to take 1-2 Mock tests as a final preparation.

Take your Mock test one in the morning and then in the afternoon. Have a gap of at least 40 minutes between the two tests so that your mind is recharged sufficiently to take the next test.

2. Don’t fret over your weak areas, instead build on your strong foundation

The whole point of the exam is to maximise your score and not to attend all the questions. Accept the fact that there are certain concepts and areas that are your strengths while few others are to be at best avoided. Hence, continue building your strengths by revising key concepts, formulas and shortcuts.

One of the best ways is to practice questions that test all the concepts. In this way, not only you will be able to revise them but also you will become strong at connecting different theories and formulas. You can find these questions in your coaching materials or in Mock tests.

3. Common mistakes to avoid

In spite of our best preparation, sometimes things don’t go in our way. In such situations, it is important to keep your cool and trust your abilities. It is easier said than done though. Be like Dhoni during your exam - icy cool, calculative and alert. Look out for these mistakes

4. Spending too much time on one question

Don’t fret if you are not able to solve it, take a maximum time of 3-4 minutes and if you are still unable to solve, it’s better to move to the next question. Once you have seen all the questions, if you have time you can try to solve it, who knows you might be able to crack it. The basic principle is to keep your mind relaxed but at the same time alert so that you look for low hanging fruits (easier questions) and keep the difficult ones for later.

5. Reading new concepts before the exam

This will not only make you anxious but can also hamper your existing concepts that you have mastered so hard over the months. Don’t learn anything new rather build on your existing foundation (remember SWOT!).

About the Author:

Tata Subramanian is pursuing MBA from Thiagarajar School of Management (TSM) in Marketing and HR. He is a passionate public speaker who is enthusiastic about new technologies in marketing. A fan of crime fiction novels, he loves to study human nature. He is also a core committee member of debating and quiz club.