The last few days are the most determining days of the preparation and it is important to focus on our goal and keep working towards achieving it. Here is the advice on how to bell the CAT by a working professional.
What should working professional do in the last few days to maximize the score in CAT?
Being an Engineer and working while appearing for CAT-2018, I took the last few days off from my work to completely focus on mocks and analysing those mocks.
The strategy I followed in the last few days are as follows :
1)Familiarizing oneself with the actual CAT environment and timing: In the last few days we are well aware of the exam slot that we will be attempting CAT exam, Therefore, I made sure to give a mock at the time when my actual CAT exam was scheduled (ie 9 am - 12 noon).
2) Try, try and keep on trying until you win: Once the mock test was over, I would try and solve the questions I had attempted wrong during the mock test. If again I was unsuccessful in solving those questions, then I would see the solution and then solve them again. This sort of helped me in understanding the concept better. This re-solving part would take another 3 to 4 hours.
3) Relaxation is also important: After 2 hrs of relaxation that usually involved lunch and a power nap, I would again write another mock and solve it again.
4) Finalizing the Strategy for the D-day: After dinner and some TV binging, I would solve 1 sectional mock every day. Initially, I solved VA-RC mocks and over the course of 7 days, I had perfected the strategy of VA-RC. Then, I used to solve LRDI section mocks and finally, I used to solve sectional mocks for QA. This helped me in developing muscle memory for the sections and helped me treat the exam as 3 exams of 1hr each. This was important to avoid the feelings towards one section affect the next one.
5) Learning from past mistakes: I had written CAT 2017 as well and I was aware of the things that went wrong. I had solved nearly 80 mocks in 2017 and didn't bother to check where was I lacking.
6) Dealing with less percentile in the mock test: There were numerous times when I felt disheartened especially when I wouldn't get good marks during mocks however during those times, I would watch one episode of Modern Family and treat myself to a plate of momos.
7) Mental health is also crucial: The fact is that this exam is a game of strategy and proper planning but we must not forget that for correct implementation our mental health must also be our focus.
8) Treat CAT as 2 tests of 1 hour: Don't treat CAT as one 2-hours long exam but treat it as 3 distinct 1-hour exams. Just give your 100% and remember, "They conquer who believe they can" (John Dryden).
May the forces be with you !!!
About the Author
Gargi Mahato is currently pursuing her MBA from IIM Lucknow. She has interned at Uber last Summers. She has completed her Mechanical Engineering from Indira Gandhi Delhi Technological University for Women and worked for 3 years in Hero Motocorp Limited as a Project Manager in the Strategic Sourcing and Supply Chain Management department. At IIM Lucknow she is a part of Lucknow Laughter Club . She is passionate about problem solving and stand up comedy. Apart from this, she loves travelling and creating memories.