One of the major questions MBA aspirants have is how to prepare for CAT. Many go to coaching institutions but are still not able to crack the exam with good percentile, while some people do manage to get into top IIMs in the very first attempt with self-study, like me ;)
Calls: All IIMs except A and B
Converted calls: All except C
My home since last 4 months: IIM L, or Hel(L) as we call it adoringly.
So, How did I go about it?
I started by analyzing how to attempt different sections in the exam. CAT has three sections, all of which require a different approach.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
It is a lengthy section with sets of questions. The previous year, there were 8 sets, with 4 questions each. The focus should be on selecting the question sets that you are confident of solving. Solving 5 sets correctly can easily get you 99+ percentile in DI&LR.
Verbal Ability
Prior extensive reading though helpful, isn’t the only qualifying factor to do good in this section. It was easy for me, and though I did not give it a lot of time, I didn’t neglect it either. Practicing mock tests and previous-year exams would be sufficient for this section.
Quantitative Ability
Speed and efficiency are the keys. Go through the previous year question papers to gain insight into the pattern of questions. Most importantly,
Practice. Practice. Practice.
After analyzing the sections, I went through the syllabus, giving section tests along-with. Since CAT is an online test, practice it in a similar environment. Practicing only the pen-and-paper way might create problems in the actual examination.
I usually find sitting at a place for a long time difficult. A month before the exam, I made it a point to attempt a previous-year test once every three days and not get up before the alarm rang, indicating that a 1-hour interval for each section was up. This exercise proved really helpful in the final exam. Besides, solving those tests gave the feeling of attempting the real examination.
Tip - Attempt the sections in the same sequence as they come in the actual exam.
Also, make it a point to practice these tests during the slot you have an exam on, start it at least 15 days before the exam date. Wandering away time or sleeping in that period might lead to less focus, and subsequently less efficiency during that slot on the exam day.
The key is not to attempt all the questions but attempt the maximum questions correctly. Subsequently, the focus should be on speed and accuracy.
A bit of advice ;)
Competition to get into top B-schools is definitely high. But with practice and diligence, getting 99+ percentile wouldn’t be difficult. Whenever you get demotivated, remind yourself why you signed up for this in the first place.
All the aspirants are anxious about the exam, it is not just you. So, don’t stress yourself much, go out once every two weeks, don’t shut yourself up in a room. And for the jittery feelings that day, remind yourself of all the effort you have put in and how it was all worth it.