A lot of people who want to pursue management for the first time start off with questions and confusion. They frequently look for assistance because they are unfamiliar with the format of the exam and the admissions process. They can get this assistance from teachers, mentors, and increasingly, from online communities that help them at every stage.
One such community is the subreddit r/CATpreparation. Consisting of approximately 100,000 members, this platform acts as a saviour for many aspirants who seek help and guidance. The vast number of members on this subreddit makes it a hub of information. Moreover, some members who are already pursuing an MBA often help aspirants make informed decisions regarding their admissions and future career growth.
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During the preparation phase, whenever an aspirant faces any problem related to a section or topic, they can share it on r/CATpreparation, and there are genuinely helpful people there to support and motivate them. Not only this, but once aspirants begin attempting mock tests, the subreddit becomes a space to discuss these mocks and their difficulty levels. Some score more, and some score less, but those who score lower often find solace when they realize they are not alone in this journey. The encouragement and guidance from fellow aspirants make it easier to sail through these tough phases.
Then comes the stage of filling out application forms for various B-schools. This is another area where the subreddit proves immensely helpful. Information regarding the application process, placement statistics, industry connections, and faculty profiles of different institutes is frequently discussed, especially through Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions conducted by current students or alumni.
The anonymous nature of Reddit also encourages members to share the real scenario of their respective B-schools without any hesitation. This honesty helps aspirants form realistic expectations about the institutes they are applying to.
Finally, after the form-filling phase comes the GDPI (Group Discussion and Personal Interview) stage, with this stage comes a lot of uncertainty and noise regarding how tough or easy the admission process of different B-schools might be. At this point, members of the subreddit begin sharing transcripts and detailed experiences of both current and past interview rounds. These shared insights help candidates gain a better understanding of what to expect and how to prepare for the interviews at the B-schools they are targeting.
Once the entire process is complete, candidates move into the waiting stage – typically the most mentally taxing stage of the process. It is heartwarming to observe so many candidates tracking results or tracking waitlist shuffles from different B-schools and simultaneously rooting for each other. Members of r/CATpreparation become, of course, each other’s well-wishers, providing motivation and support during this uncertain phase.
Talks about waitlist trends and conversions maintain hope for everyone, using past trends and current data to frame expectations. At the same time, many candidates start participating in discussions around pre-MBA courses and profile-building activities that would enable them to transition more seamlessly into B-school life. This optimism, along with self-improvement, transforms the waiting period into yet another point of the community's personal growth and self-reinforcement, boosting the community spirit of the subreddit.
The journey of CAT preparation is very demanding and unpredictable, and having a community on which one can rely can make a very big difference. After facing setbacks during the preparation journey, aspirants need empowerment and encouragement. Anyone who is taking a step into the world of management entrance exams, this community can play a part of a very empathetic and helpful place.
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