Preparing for CAT can be a long and intense journey. Studying for long hours, covering the extensive syllabus, making sense of the ever-changing exam pattern, and facing the disappointment of low mock scores. All these can bring down the morale and motivation of any aspirant. That is why coaching centres and mentors emphasize the importance of a support system while preparing for CAT. A support system can keep you motivated, help you stay on track, guide you on exam prep, and help you de-stress. Support groups are not just for students preparing on their own, but for those attending coaching classes, too. You may struggle to interact in a new environment while attending online/offline classes and feel isolated. Due to this, you can miss out on information related to the college application process, OMETs application process, and any CAT preparation doubts that aspirants usually discuss among themselves. In this blog we will discuss on how to build a support group for CAT preparation.
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Why do you need a support group?
1. Keeps you disciplined: If preparation gets tough and you start procrastinating, a support group helps you get back on track. When you are in contact with people working towards the same goal, sharing details of their preparation daily, you are more likely to be motivated and consistent yourself. Secondly, your support group doesn’t have to revolve around studying. It also provides you with people you can share your anxieties and fears with, and get back to studying with a relaxed mindset.
2. Peer Learning: While you have teachers and mentors to help clear your doubts, a support group comes to the rescue for quick solutions. You can discuss exam strategies, tips that helped you improve your mock scores, and online resources among your peers. Often, there’s a chance somebody has also faced a similar problem and will save you from having to approach your faculty by helping. Someone might have a better way of solving an LR set or a cleaner explanation to eliminate options in an RC passage.
3. Boost Confidence: We only hear stories of people online who score high on mocks or see the top 10 scorers of any mock test series. Being part of a support group boosts confidence as we see that everyone goes through a phase of low mock scores and how to improve. Instead of feeling disheartened about getting low scores, you can learn from others' experiences.
4. Benchmarking and feedback: Preparing for CAT in a support group gives you an idea about where you stand in comparison to your peers. It gives you a clearer perspective on your strengths and weaknesses. This helps in building a realistic plan to achieve a 99+ percentile in mocks instead of directly jumping ahead from low scores.
How To Build A Support Group For CAT Preparation
1. Start with your network: Start by reaching out to your college friends and ex-colleagues who are also preparing for CAT. You can post on your college groups or directly reach out to people who would be interested in forming a study group. Since you’re already familiar with that person, you can collaborate easily and trust them to be a diligent study partner. You won’t have to deal with any awkwardness or hesitation to reach out either.
2. Find a study buddy: If you are attending an online/offline coaching, you can reach out to someone in your class who has a similar preparation style or study schedule. You can discuss topics taught in class and analyse mocks after classes. Otherwise, you can schedule daily or weekly calls to discuss what you covered apart from classes.
3. Online communities: There are several Telegram, Reddit, and Discord groups for CAT preparation. These long-standing groups will have resources, exam strategies, doubt solving, and interview transcripts. While most of them have a large following, you can find 2-3 aspirants who are interested in forming a group and create a support group.
Red flags to look out for
1. No study group is better than an exhausting one: Refrain from creating a big support group of 8-10 members, and instead have at most 5 members. Having too many people can create distractions and encourage more social interactions. The purpose of the group in’t a social hangout but to study for an exam. You shouldn’t be flooded with hoards of messages every day, with very few being relevant to CAT. It’s important to stay focused on the goal.
2. Lack of discipline: While forming a group, you should avoid people who aren’t consistent or disciplined with their preparation. If they are constantly skipping discussion calls or going without studying anything for days, it will disrupt your flow and demotivate you. It’s perfectly normal to call them out on this and restructure the group. You would just be wasting your time with people who aren’t serious about their goals if you hesitate.
Ultimately, it indeed takes a village to succeed in CAT. It doesn’t have a journey you take alone, but one with people who are as determined and motivated as you. A support group can boost your confidence, provide guidance, and keep you focused through the ups and downs.
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