The CAT examination is a gateway for many aspirants to give a better career opportunity as it plays the role of a launchpad to get admissions in the top B schools of India.
And because of the immense opportunities which CAT provides, it is very popular as well as a pretty competitive exam.
Every year, there are two kinds of aspirants: the first kind are attempting the CAT exam for the very first time, and the second kind are the repeaters who have experience from their previous attempts. Knowing the difference between these two kinds of aspirants is an important aspect of this field, as they have different ways to approach this exam.
The purpose of this article is to understand the difference between these two kinds of aspirants. Here’s a smooth transitional line after your purpose statement:
Let’s start by understanding what sets a first-time CAT aspirant apart from someone who is reattempting the exam, right from their mindset and strategy to the way they approach preparation and performance.
- The First time aspirants
- Aspirants who are preparing for CAT for the first time have fresh energy and a high level of motivation with them.
- They may be driven by the goal of entering a top B-school, but might not fully grasp the depth of the competition yet.
- Everything is new, from the pattern of the exam to time management and the strategy they are going to follow. Be it mock tests or their analysis or be it learning shortcuts, every step might consist of some mistakes, and they usually learn from the hit-and-trial method.
- Their approach to preparing for the CAT is also different when compared to those who are reattempting the exams. They usually focus on building foundations, understanding basic concepts, and they usually rely on their coaching or mentor to guide them throughout their journey comparatively more.
- Understanding the reattempt
- Aspirants who are reattempting the exam generally have more clarity and knowledge regarding the exam, they understand the pattern, their own strategy, and the time pressure. They don't need any hit and trials during their journey.
- They usually do their preparation more strategically and with more focus and clarity. They know their weak sections, the topics that have created problems for them previously, and they give more time and energy towards these weak points.
- Unlike first-timers, they focus less on building foundations and more on giving mocks and analysing them, revising key concepts, and learning more and more tricks takes a major chunk of their journey.
- But with these advantages come one huge disadvantage, which is the psychological pressure- The baggage they carry of previous attempts, and along with it comes the fear of failure and constant worry of repeating their past mistakes, which can often result in demotivation and inconsistency.
Tips for First-Time Aspirants
- Focus on concept clarity, building a strong foundation for each section
- Build and follow a routine, and try not to have backlogs in any of the three sections or any backlogs in mocks.
- If one wants, they can start attempting mocks early, but they should take it further gradually.
- Don't get overexcited or heartbroken, no matter how high or low you score in mock exams. Always remember, mocks are only to give you a reality check and to shape your preparation in a better way.
- Tips for Re-attempt aspirants
- Analyse the previous attempts in depth and find out where you faced a problem, and plan how to avoid this problem in this attempt.
- Don't redo everything, focus more on areas in which you are weak, and plan your strategy around them.
- Attempt mocks on a regular basis to build discipline and have a better time management practice.
- Don't overdo and avoid unnecessary stress and burnout.
Final Thoughts
Every single individual who tries the exam for the first time and those who attempt it multiple times are shaped by their past experience and the CAT prep mindset they adopt, so the journey is deeply personal. Capture the excitement and newness of being a first-timer along with the learning spirit, while gaining valuable insights and refining strategies as a reattempter. No matter what, consistency, adaptability, and evolution in approach during the preparation phase are the most essential parts. Keep in mind, it is not about the number of tries—it is about the strategy applied towards the preparation
