At some point in time, we all must have heard some verison of this quote, "Life isn't just about aptitude but also about your attitude", and I think CAT exam is a perfect reflection of this. CAT doesn't just test our aptitude, it aso tests our attitude. It's two hours of quick decisions, unexpected questions and a clock that seems to run like Usain Bolt. You might have spent months giving mock tests, perfecting your techniques, shortcuts and formulas. But on exam day, this one little thing can make all the difference which is your ability to stay calm because a nervous mind forgets what it knows whereas a calm brain finds the answer.
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Staying Calm on CAT Exam Day
Staying calm doesn't magically happen. It's built brick by brick days before, when you sleep well, eat healthy and start seeing the exam as a puzzle to enjoy not survive. Even 5 minutes of deep breathing and meditation daily can improve your ability to manage stress. Try giving exams on weekends as per the 3 slots of CAT exam.
First steps are always important which is why first five minutes of the exam are very crucial. That's when adrenaline is highest and clarity is lowest. My go to mantra has always been, Don't rush, First breathe, then scan and then finally begin. Resist the temptation to dive into the first question. Take a moment to settle. Trust yourself and you will perform better once you're mentally calm.
It's easy to panic when one question takes longer than expected. But here's an important rule, your time is more valuable than your ego. If a question feels like it would require more than 2-3 mins, mark it for review and move on to return later. CAT rewards smart navigation and not stubbornness. This is why practicing mocks daily to come up with your custom stratergy is very important.
Our brain is an amazing tool, you don't need a meditation mat to regain focus mid exam. A simple 10 sec deep breathing, straightening your posture, cracking your knuckles can do wonders. Sounds silly but these tiny acts signal your nervous system to calm down. You'll only come back sharper.
There's an old japanese samurai quote, "Do not speak badly of yourself. For the warrior within hears your words and is lessened by them". Always be kind to yourself. It is imperative that you understand that you will definitely face one tough section. Maybe an RC passage read like latin, or maybe DI throws a curveball. That's normal. The trick is not letting your inner critic hijack your mind. Always keep repeating thoughts like. "One question at a time", or "I've handled worse in mocks". Confidence is built in moments like these.
After you are done with exams, resist the urge to dissect every question. Instead, try to evaluate how well you managed your calm. Did you panic? Did you calm yourself after stress spikes? These evaluations are more important then answer speculations.The test's over. What is done is done.
CAT is tough but stress doesn't have to be a part of the equation, managing stress is s skill, just like solving quant or verbal. Train it and carry it with you into the exam. This is why giving mocks are important. Why don't you give one now? Head over to the mocks section, we have free mocks for you. All the best!!!!
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