Taking Mock Tests can assist you in CAT Preparation

By: Pankaj Patel

The article below focuses on key preparation points for the CAT exam. It includes a thorough strategy, time management, managing mock tests and avoiding common mistakes.

One of the most common questions every aspirant has is about mock tests. It is the most crucial step in CAT preparation. Usually, aspirants think that they will start giving mocks after completing the CAT preparation, which works against them. One should start attempting mocks along with the preparation for CAT. Giving mocks will help you to analyze your preparation at regular intervals. It will also help you make strategies for topic and section. You will also get to know about lengthy topics and common mistakes. There are situations where some students, even after giving more than 50 mocks, land up with a low percentile. On the contrary, ones who give fewer mocks get a good percentile. Giving mocks completely depends upon the syllabus you covered. On an average 20 to 30 mocks is sufficient during preparation. Initially, fewer mocks, however; as you start covering more syllabus, increase your frequency. Reserve the time in October and November for mocks and analysis.

The number of questions to be attempted depends on the difficulty level of the paper. If it is tough, then you can attempt a lesser number of questions, however, if the difficulty is lower then attempts should increase. I would advise going through the previous years’ papers so that you will get an idea about the difficulty and number of questions to be attempted. For CAT 2019, 33 right questions were 90 percentiles however for the CAT 2018, it was lesser because of difficulty level. If you want to score above 90 percentiles, then your one-third of the total questions should be correct. Therefore, decide according to the difficulty level and the total number of questions in the CAT paper.

 Another common mistake which the CAT aspirants usually make is that they skip certain topics in preparation hoping that we will handle that topic in the exam. However, sometimes, the easiest question comes from the topic that you skipped. Prepare all the topics as you can you never know which topic will be easy or tough in the CAT exam. Time Management is also an important factor. Some aspirants end up consuming a lot of time in a particular hoping to get an answer. Therefore, I advise allocating time to each question and skip if takes longer than expected. It can be re-attempted later if the time is left.

 A few key points will be helpful in maximizing the score:

1. Focus more on your strong area.
2. Try to improve your weak area.
3. Manage time properly.
4. Give mocks and topic tests as soon as your topic completes.
5. Do not attempt what you do not know as it might lead to negative marking which affects your score.
6. Analyze the mocks properly.
7. Stick to your preparation schedule.

About the Author: