CAT Preparation – The three phases to prepare for CAT

CAT preparation is itself is an art CAT exam is a perfect blend of application of knowledge, momentum and intensity with which one prepares just before the exam. It doesn’t really matter how long have you been preparing for the exam, if you don’t develop the intensity and momentum in the final phase, you cannot succeed in CAT. These CAT preparation tips may help you find the way forward. The CAT exam is very straight forward but the exam is so tough as it is highly competitive and only 5% of total candidates are able to grab these seats and is completely application based.

Let’s take an example of a satellite:

When a satellite takes off from the ground it consumes more fuel and energy in the initial 5-7 minutes than the rest of the journey. Similarly, the preparation of CAT requires immense focus for 3.5-4 months of preparation to make you land in the college that can completely change your entire life.

The preparation of CAT can be divided into 3 phases:

Below we have divided the preparation for the CAT exam in 3 phases. The candidates can check the same and use t for their CAT preparations:

Phase 1:

In this phase, the student needs to lay the foundation for the exam.

The following are the things that one needs to do in this phase:

• One should cover the basics for all the topics in quantitative: It means that the candidate should go through the syllabus and cover each and every topic related to mathematics.
• One should set aside 2 hours for reading everyday to succeed in verbal section: Verbal section plays a vital role in the CAT examination. One should be aware of it and should practice and develop reading skills.

Tip: You can read anything you want to, irrespective of topic or genre. It can be fiction, non-fiction, news, politics or anything. The main focus should be on just building a reading habit.

Phase 2:

These are the things one needs to do in this phase:

• One should start dividing topics or chapters and should take the test on the basis of this under a specified time limit of 20 to 30 minutes: Dividing topics is necessary as it can help in lowering the pressure and would help in learning and practicing easily.
• One needs to start preparing for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: These topics play a major role in the examination as most of the questions are based on these topics. It needs to be practiced so well that the candidate could solve these questions precisely.
• Then, try to increase the intensity steadily by mixing up topics and setting different time targets: As time passes by the candidate need to be quicker in learning things. So, one should try and increase the intensity steadily to cover up the topics as much as possible.

Tip: Phase 1 and 2 should go for around 8-10 weeks together.

Phase 3:

This phase basically involves taking mock tests. This is the same as fine-tuning yourself to optimize your performance. This phase should go on for the next 5-6 weeks.

The following are the things one needs to do in this phase:

• One should give mock tests with full concentration covering all the topics: Giving mock tests will help in developing the temperament of the real examination which would benefit later during the examination.
• One should spend time to analyze the paper and should mark the skipped question and those questions as which are incorrect: By doing this, it would help you to know your weak point and strong point and will help in working on yourself.

Tip: Overlapping of phases 1, 2 and 3 can lead to an awful preparation.

Note: If previously you didn’t succeed in CAT, although you had all the knowledge, then probably momentum and intensity were the things you lacked.

“LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEW CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE. IF YOU CRACK THE EXAM, YOUR LIFE WILL CHANGE. YOUR CURRENT SITUATION IS NOT YOUR FINAL DESTINATION.”

Some tips from the toppers:

Arvind Menon: Have a stronghold of the basic concepts used in Quant and DI & LR, along with a lot of practice.

Anandu S. Mukundan: Fully dedicated yourself to preparing for the exam by identifying your own strengths and weaknesses and customize your preparation strategy accordingly.

Yash Patel: Solve previous years’ question papers. Focus mainly on accuracy, try practicing RCs by keeping a timer. Practice 2 full-length mock tests every week.

Atrija Gaur: Work on your strengths. Then check for the weaknesses and overcome them by a hell lot of practice. Have minimum room for error.

Well, these were some tips and experiences of the toppers which would help in performing well if you could implement these tips in the right manner.

About the CAT:

It is a computer based test held in India. The test ranks a candidate on the basis of Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) started this exam and the test is used for selecting students for their business administration programs. The test is conducted every year by one of the IIMs based on a policy of rotation.

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