This write-up is more than just a letter; it's a story of my journey and the lessons learned on the way to improving my CAT percentile. From T-1 year, T-1 month, T-1 week, T-1 day, to the T-0th day, I corrected my mistakes and gradually transformed my approach. During CAT '22, I was somewhat directionless, chasing the elusive 99.99%ile and striving for 100% accuracy. Little did I realize, CAT is not about perfection but rather a Pareto principle game — where 20% effort can yield 80% of the results. Here’s how some last-minute tips helped me crack CAT 2023:
1️⃣ The First Hit: The 'Delulu' Section – VARC
For many, VARC is a tricky section where candidates often second-guess themselves between two options. This uncertainty can lead to wasted time, impacting accuracy and confidence.
? Pro-tip: Spend 1-2 minutes scanning the RCs and questions. Assess whether the passage suits your strengths. Personally, I was more confident in RCs than VA, so I dedicated 32 minutes to complete 3 RCs and used the remaining 4 minutes for Para Summary questions. If there's extra time, tackle the TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.
2️⃣ The D-Aunt-I-ng LR House: DILR
This section can make or break your confidence for the QA section. Many students panic at the length of the sets and attempt every question within a set, even if it's challenging. In their rush to maximize attempts, they may solve just one or two sets with low accuracy.
? Pro-tip: In DILR, even attempting just 40% of the questions with high accuracy can secure a 99%ile. If you're someone who struggles to solve more than two sets, don’t force it. Dedicate 4 minutes to selecting two sets, aim to solve 7 out of 10 questions in the next 28 minutes, and bookmark the remaining 3. Use the last 8 minutes to revisit ‘Marked as Read’ questions and solve a few additional ones using options.
3️⃣ Trick-or-Option: Navigating QA
Unlike other sections, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for QA since each question varies. To avoid wasting time, use the color palette strategy outlined below. Don't shy away from lengthy questions; they may be simpler than they appear.
? Pro-tip: Most Arithmetic questions can be solved using shortcuts like Allegations and Mixtures, while Algebraic problems can often be tackled by playing with the options. Review your notes and books a week before the exam to familiarize yourself with common question types that only change in values.
4️⃣ A 5-Hour Exam, Not Just 2 Hours ⏳
CAT isn't merely a 2-hour test but a 5-hour ordeal. You’re expected to arrive at the center an hour early, meaning you’ll likely leave home an hour before that. The atmosphere at the center, coupled with invigilators checking your admit card, can be both exhausting and overwhelming.
? Pro-tip: To simulate this, I practiced giving mocks under similar conditions. I used to sit idle for an hour before starting, deliberately absorbing the pressure. In the last 15 minutes before the exam, I would meditate to clear my mind and manage the stress.
5️⃣ The Anxiety of 'Jumping Jacks' ?
It’s common to panic when the first two sets of RC or DILR seem difficult, causing anxiety as you skip to the next sets. This often results in wasting precious time, increasing the fear of missing out on questions.
? Pro-tip: Before the exam begins, mentally review your strategy and stick to it, no matter the complexity of the questions. Spend the initial minutes identifying the right sets and focus on completing them in one go.
6️⃣ The Color Palette Strategy ?
Many students neglect the ‘Mark as Read’ tab during mocks. However, it’s crucial for categorizing questions into four buckets: A, B, C1, and C2.
? Pro-tip: I divided my attempts into four categories:
A ✅: Questions I’m confident about and will attempt in one go.
B ?: Attempted questions I might revisit for an extra 5 seconds later.
C1 ❓: Confused between two options but haven’t attempted yet. These are ‘Marked as Read’ for 15 seconds review later.
C2 ?: ‘Red-flagged’ questions to skip after reading.
