How to Prepare for CAT Exam? Learn Tips & Tricks from the Expert
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Preparing for the CAT exam can be challenging, but with the right strategies, tips, and tricks you can get admission into your dream IIM.??
Welcome to TR Connect. We conducted a super amazing podcast with our CAT exam expert trainer Bhushan Bapat sir who has real, tried, and tested preparation tips for all of you preparing for CAT and OMETs.?
Bhushan sir is known to be a veteran in the CAT industry. He prepared for MBA exams and pursued his MBA degree from IIFT Delhi. He has teaching experience of over 10 years.
Let us see what major tips he has suggested for you all!?
Managing Time While Appearing for the CAT Exam??
Managing time effectively while appearing for the entrance exam is crucial due to the intense competition.??
The CAT exam tests academic content and decision-making skills across three challenging sections. Particularly in the DILR section, some sets can take more than 40 minutes to solve.??
Therefore, it's important to smartly pick and choose questions in VARC and DILR to maximize your score. Remember, you're competing with top students from IITs, SRCC, Xaviers, and professionals from diverse fields, so efficient time management is key.?
Is it necessary to have Math in grade 12 to ace the QA section??
The QA section will only be different for students who did not take math in high school; the rest will be the same, which means you will have the upper hand on those 44 questions from the remaining two sections.??
The QA section, consisting of 22 questions, includes about 4-5 higher-level questions. The remaining questions are solvable with basic arithmetic concepts studied till grade 10. This means you have an edge over roughly 18 questions.??
It's a myth that non-math students can't ace the CAT exam. Many students overlook the challenges in VARC and DILR sections, which can work in your favor.?
Which Section Should Be Practiced More??
As per our expert, answering this question is highly individualized, considering the diverse range of students with varying calibers, strengths, and weaknesses. It's important to recognize that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to exam preparation.??
What are you expected to prepare for these three sections? For example, subjects like VARC or English cannot be learned or practiced in a day or two. In contrast, subtopics within the Math sections can be homed in a few days, like Quadratic equations, which can be practiced and aced by practicing questions from good study material and learning all the formulas.???
Take a diagnostic test to analyze where you stand, and which subject you need to focus more on. This test can be in the same format and level as the CAT exam. It will give a clear picture of identifying your weak and strong areas.??
The key to self-identification lies in language comprehension, which is crucial for a better understanding of questions in all three sections. Pay close attention to question comprehension. You may be familiar with the formula and how to solve a question, but failing to understand the question is a common reason for students losing marks.?
MOCKS! A Must Practice While CAT Prep
It entirely depends on an individual looking at the current situation of an aspirant fandom, your preparation, and your syllabus. But if we speak generally, one should target around 40 mocks before the CAT exam day.??
The reason behind attempting 40 mocks is to make yourself habitual of the straight 2 hours of sitting in front of the desktop. You must refrain from practicing in your rough pages or highlighting the books when you face the online interface where you cannot highlight anything.??
Another reason to consistently appear for the mocks is obviously to keep your practice intact and strong. Until you give a mock, you will not be able to mend your mistakes.?
Ideal Duration to Prepare for CAT Exam?
Typically, 6 to 8 months is an ideal time to start preparing before the actual CAT exam or D-day.??
However, there are courses available that let you prepare for the exam in 3-4 months, which means this can also be counted in a subjective preparation methodology. One can prepare based on other commitments, such as if someone is working or pursuing another college degree. However, if you are a fresher, you will need eight months to prepare well for the exam.?
Total IIMs that You Can Target??
IIMs are categorized based on their establishment period:?
Note: The total of new and baby IIMs is 20.?
The biggest Motivation to Ace CAT Exam: Placement Packages?
MBA Considered a Money-Minting Machine??
The highest package ever offered by an IIM is ?1.46 crore, with the median CTC around ?30 LPA in top IIMs and ?22-23 LPA across all IIMs.??
Median CTC- 30 LPA in any top 5 IIM.??
Overall IIMs- 22-23 LPA??
The kind of job you get once you get placed in an IIM attracts students the most because they are super amazing.??
As Bhushan Bapat sir says one of the biggest motivations for preparing and clearing the CAT exam is the willingness and appetite to work in such a fantastic ecosystem.??
What Not to do While Preparing for CAT Exam?
Colleges to Target with CAT Besides IIMs?
Other prestigious colleges accepting CAT scores include:?
Other MBA entrance exams:?
Tips for the second Round: WAT, GD, and PI?
Do not take these stages lightly as the competition is fierce. Start building your profile and personality parallel to entrance preparation.?
Explore and identify your hobbies and career plans and have clarity about yourself.?
Conclusion?
Preparing for the CAT exam can be a challenging journey, but with the right strategies and dedication, you can achieve your dream of getting into an IIM. Bhushan Bapat Sir, with his wealth of experience, has provided invaluable tips to help you navigate this path.?
Remember, managing your time effectively, focusing on your strengths, and consistently practicing with mock exams are key to success. Whether you come from a math background or not, there are ways to excel in each section of the CAT exam.?
Stay motivated, keep refining your skills, and don’t overlook the importance of the WAT, GD, and PI stages. With persistence and the right approach, you can secure a place in one of the top management schools in India. Good luck!?
If you have any questions or doubts, share them on our community to get your queries resolved within 24 hours or shoot an email at [email protected]
Warm Regards,
Anshul Sisodia | TR Connect
Director (Growth) CUET Brand at Toprankers | Ed.Tech Business Expert | Ex CUET Category Manager at Adda247 | Ex Category Manager Banking at Entri | Ex Senior Project Manager at Arihant Publications
4 个月Good insights