Embarking on the journey of CAT preparation is no small feat, and if you find yourself at this juncture, pat yourself on the back. The road to D-Day is laden with challenges that demand relentless effort, and the accompanying pressure is not everyone's cup of tea.
Delving into the myriad of emotions swirling within you as it's common for everyone to come out of the exam room and immediately start speculating about their chances of getting a call from their dream B-School. Coaching institutes will release percentile predictors based on responses and analysis, but it's crucial to take these predictions with a pinch of salt. They're just estimations, not certainties. The anxiety is real, juggling between various thoughts about the outcome. I've been through this process, and I understand that these feelings are part and parcel of the post-exam phase. But remember, there's no end here; you must keep going.
There are generally two predominant feelings among aspirants after giving CAT. The first is the optimism that stems from a feeling of performing well, expecting good percentiles, and anticipating calls from top B-Schools. On the flip side, there's the second feeling of uncertainty, where the exam didn't go as planned, and there's doubt about receiving calls from desired institutions. However, irrespective of these feelings, the journey doesn't stop here.
Taking about the former scenario first where you believe you've performed well and can expect good calls, it's time to shift your focus to interview preparation. CAT scores are just one part of the equation; interviews play a crucial role in deciding your entry into your desired B-School.
So, now the question that comes here is, how do you start your prep?
First and foremost, create a detailed mind map outlining what you need to cover in the given period. This should encompass everything from your academic and professional background to your hobbies to why you've chosen an MBA. Know your role models and why they inspire you. Understand your roots, and the place you come from, and gather information about the city or state where the B-School is located. The key here is to shape your interviews by emphasizing the aspects you want the interviewer to focus on, be it your experiences, academics, or personal interests. Every individual can steer their interviews in the desired direction by strategically presenting their strengths and achievements.
Now, talking about the latter scenario where you're not so optimistic about your performance. The good news is that there's always a choice available. If this attempt didn't go as planned, it's not the end. You can retake the exam, and in the meantime, you have the opportunity to start preparing for other MBA entrance exams like XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CET, and more. These exams offer a similar course structure to CAT, so you won't be starting from scratch. Identify the areas where you can improve, work on new topics, and channel your efforts into minimizing weaknesses along with maximizing strengths.
Thus, always keep in mind that CAT is just one part of your journey, not the final destination. Regardless of the results, there's always something more you can strive for. Life is full of opportunities, and you have the resilience to keep moving forward, no matter what challenges come your way. So, take a deep breath, acknowledge your efforts, and get ready for the next chapter in your academic journey.
