Common Admission Test (CAT) is unlike any other competitive exam. This exam demands the presence of mind, strategy, and perfection to ace. The 100 percentile scorers of the exam have some tips and tricks that they had used in the exam to qualify it with a perfect score. Here we are revealing 10 such tips from the 100 percentilers of CAT exam, keep reading.
#1. Do not overdo – The 100 percentilers of CAT exam say that they take it easy in the last week before the exam.
They study and revise constantly but they keep their study hours moderate. To keep the mind away from exhaustion, good sleep is needed, thus the 100 percentilers advise to have a good sleep routine in the last week before the exam.
Also read: VARC Preparation Tips, 10 Verbal Ability Question Types Asked in Previous Year Papers
#2 Filter – It is very important to filer out the high priority topics from the lesser ones.
The last week must be dedicated to revision, important topics and practice. Therefore the candidates have to take out the important topics from the lot ad concentrate the energy on those important topics.
#3. Concentrate on mock tests – Solving full length mock tests of CAT in the last 10 days before the exam is a must.
They not only solve the mock tests but they analyse their weak spots like any particular topic, speed, or accuracy. They work on those pints in the last few days. CAT 2018 topper, Rounka Majumdar says that his entire preparation was based on mock tests. He took 30 – 35 mock tests in all.
#4. Working on weaker sections – There are a few 100 percentilers who believe on concentrating to only those section of the exam which they feel they are weak in.
The candidates can thus repeatedly revise and solve the questions from the section which they feel they are lagging. However, they advice not to start anything new.
#5. Set target – CAT toppers say that they set a target in their mind.
They define the IIM that they wish to get admission into and keep the cutoff score to get into that IIM in their mind each time they prepare. Hence the candidates must make sure that they are keeping in mind the target that they want to achieve and work towards it with each preparation that they do for CAT.
Also read: DILR Revision Tips, 15 High Frequency DILR Questions
#6. Must compromise on little things to achieve big – CAT topper Chhavi Gupta says as she had a full time job she got less time to prepare for the exam.
However to squeeze time out for CAT preparation she used to wake up early in the morning, she started to cut down time for friends and social media. Thus the candidates must make out time for CAT preparation and in last few days they must stay away form distractions as much as possible.
#7. Variety is more effective than numbers – In the last few days the candidates have to concentrate on solving different types of problems and not on solving many questions.
CAT topper Madhur Gupta, says the number of mocks does not matter alone. What is important is that one must attempt variety of questions so that the possibility of surprise questions in the actual exam is negated.
#8. Learn to handle the pressure and time management – The 100 percentilers say that we often get overwhelmed with not able to complete the entire test on time, and its is natural to happen.
However, along with all the preparation, it is important to train the brain to remain calm in situations like this. For this the candidates have to build in confidence to solve the questions and manage their timr per question. This comes naturally to the candidates who have prepared for the exam vigorously by taking mock tests. The challenge is to apply the strategy on the exam day.
#9. Develop a strategy to attempt the VARC section – The VARC section comes as a challenge for many.
This is because long passages come in the VARC section. Many students waste a lot of time just reading the passages. However, CAT 2019 topper, Rishi Mittal says that reading alone won’t do anything in RC. He says candidates must work on RC separately and for each type of question develop a strategy.
Also read: How To Prepare For Quantitative Aptitude For CAT, Last Year’s Questions
10. Do not guess – CAT exam has negative marking, guessing a answer to a question is a downfall.
The CAT toppers suggest leaving the questions if not sure about the answer, but guessing the answer is a big no. The guessing of answers in CAT does more harm then good. This is because guessing answers in CAT is impossible.
For a good score in CAT exam, candidates must take mock tests, analyse their performance in each, and improve speed and accuracy. This time the exam pattern has changed. Now the exam will be of 2 hours instead of 3, and sectional timing will be 40 minutes.
