Future managers across the country are eagerly waiting for November 24, the day when the most prestigious MBA entrance exam, CAT will be held. It’s the gateway to India’s top management colleges, such as IIMs. So, they leave no stone unturned to score high and clear the path to IIM.
As the day approaches, the anxiety level may rise. It’s natural. However, students can manage stress, boost preparation, and perform as per expectations with some last-minute strategies. The exam gives you 120 minutes to apply all your knowledge, strategy, and creative thinking ability. How can you make the best out of it? Let’s dive deeper into strategies you should adopt.
1. Revision: It’s the key to scoring high. You must dedicate some time to revise what you have studied, particularly, formulas and short tricks. It’s also important to practice their implementation while solving questions.
2. Avoid Trying New Topics: During exam days, you must focus only on what you have covered in the classroom. Studying new topics will not add to your preparation. It will be a waste of time. Instead, focus on strengthening your grip over the covered topics.
3. Develop a Strategy for the Exam: Till today, you must have attempted mock tests. Based on your knowledge, level of preparation, and mock test experience, you must make a strategy for the real exam. You must make a mental map of how to start attempting questions, the number and order of attempts, and time management. While making a strategy, you must consider the fact that the difficulty level of the sections might vary.
4. Keep Sectional Cut-offs in Mind: To secure admission to top MBA schools, particularly IIMs, you need to clear cut-offs in all sections- QA&DI, English, and Reasoning. While making attempts, you must consider two vital points- cut-off and negative marking.
5. Be Ready for Unpredictable: CAT is an unpredictable exam, which makes it unique. Sections might be of high, medium, or low difficulty. The cut-off may vary accordingly. So, you must be ready to modify your target attempts and marks and perform accordingly.
6. Identify Easier Questions First: You cannot answer all questions, and you should not try to do so. Instead, you must try to analyse and identify questions that are relatively easier and can be solved in less time with accuracy. You must also have the ability to identify tricky questions.
7. Develop the Habit of Concentration: As the exam is near, you must train your mind well to focus on a particular point or question. Your high concentration level will help you save time by making you comprehend questions and data quickly. It also helps in applying formulas and doing calculations. You won’t need to recheck.
8. Keep All Essentials Ready: A day before the exam, you must keep all the essentials, such as the admit card and the identity card, ready to avoid a hurry while going for the exam. Follow instructions about carrying anything else. Try to reach the exam centre at least half an hour before the entry.
9. Adequate Sleep: Proper sleep revitalises your mind and body. Go to bed with some positive thoughts and ensure better sleep.10. Make it Your Day: On exam day, keep yourself positive, energetic, and enthusiastic. Try your best with all the knowledge you have acquired over the year of preparation. All the best!
10. Make it Your Day: On the exam day, keep yourself positive, energetic, and enthusiastic. Try your best with all the knowledge you have acquired over the year of preparation. All the best!
