How to prepare for the CAT exam?

Want to score well in CAT? Then check out this article to learn how to prepare well.

CAT (Common Admission Test) is a computer-based assessment for graduate management degree admissions. Esteemed IIMs administer the CAT exam regularly every year to admit aspirants to the top business institutions in India for a variety of programs, including MBA. A candidate must possess general aptitude, analytical ability, and problem-solving abilities necessary for a manager to execute a comprehensive CAT approach. 

Only a solid preparation strategy for the MBA CAT exam will help you crack it. This article will discuss useful tips on how to prepare for CAT. CAT exams are administered after a thorough selection procedure that includes interviews with potential candidates, discussions, and written tests of aptitude. The number of times a candidate may turn up for the exam is not limited. 

You can also check out, Can an online MBA course get you a better salary?

How does a good CAT score get you admission to top MBA colleges?

The CAT exam is a terrific approach to improving the quality of your application so that you can enroll in universities based on your results. If you pass the exam with high scores and a high percentile, your desire to enroll in MBA programs at top-ranked universities will come true. Getting a good CAT score takes a lot of effort, consistency, and requires an appropriate preparation method.

• CAT Cutoff

After CAT results are out, universities announce their cut-offs, while IIMs disclose their cutoffs separately. Candidates who achieve the minimal B-school cutoff requirements will be considered for the institute-specific selection processes. The appropriate CAT score to pass the CAT cutoff may depend on several variables, including:

• The degree of difficulty of the exam
• Participants in the test
• Availability of seats
• Institutional reputation
• Cutoff patterns from the previous year

You can also read MBA without CAT: Top CAT exam alternatives in 2022.

Self-learning or coaching: Which is the best way to prepare for a CAT exam?

You can either attend coaching classes before appearing for CAT, or also study by yourself. Both have their own pros and cons. What matters is finding a CAT exam preparation strategy that works for you. While many of the CAT toppers believe coaching is essential, some also stand by independent study. 

Let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of coaching and self-study before deciding which is best for CAT 2022 hopefuls. 

Advantages of coaching classes for CAT preparation

• Focused planning
• Competitive landscape
• Mentors’ ongoing assistance and direction
• Access to study materials
• Regular evaluation and feedback on progress

Disadvantages of coaching classes

• High costs
• Long study sessions
• Physical weariness and a lack of downtime
• Complacency risk
• Peer pressure to perform flawlessly

Advantages of self-study for CAT preparation

• Free to learn at your schedule
• No peer pressure
• Better use of time
• Better improvement of analytical skills as one learns shortcuts and techniques for answering queries
• More possibility to relax

Disadvantages of self-study

• Lack of guidance may cause one to veer off the intended course.
• Lack of competitiveness poses a risk of complacency.
• During study hours, students may wind up squandering additional time.
• Inadequate preparation may result from a lack of professional advice on challenging subjects and uncertainties.
• The lack of a mentor or peers to discuss potential obstacles might be discouraging.

Important CAT preparation tips

Candidates must focus all of their concentration on studying for the CAT exam because they have a limited amount of time and a broad syllabus. Below are some tried-and-true techniques for achieving results. 

• Managing time

Time management becomes crucial for applicants hoping to perform well in CAT because time is a crucial component of success on an exam like this. A proper timetable with ample time allotted for each section to be addressed is essential when you begin your CAT preparation. Students will have 60 minutes for each segment; thus, efficiency is key while answering questions, especially in time-consuming portions like QA and DI.

• Refer to the syllabus and genuine CAT Books

A crucial aspect of CAT preparation is adhering to the official site and the syllabus provided there. The market is filled with books for CAT preparation. Every book claims to have a 100% success rate, but this is just fiction. Only a few books are worth reading; therefore, only invest in CAT books filled with useful information.

• Appear for mock tests

Students must take mock tests to learn how to manage their time and stress on D-day. Candidates will gain familiarity with the exam setting and, most importantly, learn the specifics of the CAT exam format by completing sample CAT papers. Additionally, practice exams will enable students to identify their strengths and limitations, enabling them to assess their level of preparation and obtain a high CAT score. 

• Identify your strengths and shortcomings

Participating in practice and mock examinations enables students to identify their areas of strengths and weaknesses and tailor their future preparation. This approach will foster strategic planning, optimism, a lot of repetition, self-direction, and hard effort. Students need to understand that there aren’t any alternative routes to success. One must diligently try to improve their area of weakness to pass this highly sought-after management entrance exam.

• Maintain your composure

It’s crucial to maintain a degree of passion and positivity when you study for CAT to overcome any challenge. Students must monitor their anxiety levels in addition to accuracy during the exam. It is essential to understand how to control stress when responding to questions. Keep in mind that answering questions correctly and accurately is more important than attempting as many questions as possible to perform well on an exam like the CAT.

• Focus on Speed

Speed is yet another constant. In two hours, the applicants have to respond to 66 questions. So, throughout the CAT exam, applicants should maintain their speed. Higher scores and chances of admission are correlated with more accurately answered questions.

What are the popular MBA colleges/Universities in India?

In general, the IIMs spring to mind using the best MBA programs in India. The scenario has evolved, though, and several additional MBA programs are now included on the list of best MBA programs in India for 2022. 

The best MBA institutions in India include:

• Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) 
• Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ)
• Amity University 
• Great Lakes Chennai
• ICFAI Dehradun
• Great Lakes Gurgaon
• IMT Ghaziabad
• UPES Dehradun
• SRM University Chennai
• Mysore University
• Chandigarh University
• Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida
• IPE Hyderabad
• IFIM Business School
• Mizoram University

Benefits of doing an Online MBA through Online Manipal

Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) provide online MBA programs through the Online Manipal platform. The programs are managed by experienced instructors who make learners reach new milestones. While the online MBA course from MAHE is specially designed for working professionals, the online MBA program from MUJ is appropriate for both recent graduates and experienced professionals. With a NAAC A++ accreditation, MAHE is one of the top universities in India and has been named an Institute of Eminence by the Indian government.

It is to be noted that a CAT score isn’t mandatory to enroll for an online MBA from MUJ or MAHE. The sessions of the courses are taught by top-notch faculty with years of expertise in both the workplace and the classroom. Students can access course material on the LMS and learn whenever and wherever they want with an internet-capable device. Live e-tutorials, recorded classes, quizzes, an e-library, and a discussion board are all instances of study resources. Along with industry connections, job placement aid, and free access to Coursera content, the online MBA program from MUJ and MAHE is highly regarded as one of the best in India.

To know more, you can check out the MBA course guide: All you need to know.

Conclusion

Candidates are urged to read the vital facts regarding one of the trickiest MBA entrance tests as the date to show up for the CAT exam draws closer since getting a high score is more difficult than it appears. 

There is fierce competition to get into India’s best business schools, as a lakh hopefuls plan to show up to try to pass the CAT with a 90 percentile. Hope you are clear with all the tips to ace your CAT exam. If you are committed to a high CAT score, the simplest and most effective way to do so is to comprehend and put into practice the crucial CAT preparation tips and adjust your study schedule following them.