Last 30 Days CAT Preparation Tips
With just 30 days left until the Common Admission Test (CAT), these final weeks are crucial for securing your spot in a top business school in India. This period calls for a smart, focused approach that enhances your preparation, improves your problem-solving speed, and helps you approach the exam with confidence and calm.
Below are practical tips to optimize your study routine, reduce stress, and ensure you're well-prepared for the exam. Whether you're reviewing key concepts or refining test-taking techniques, these strategies will keep you on track during the final leg of your CAT preparation.
Planning for 30 Days
CAT is a nationwide entrance exam for MBA programs, providing access to some of India’s most prestigious B-schools. Since the official syllabus isn’t released by the conducting body, it’s crucial to focus on exam-centric study materials during the final month. A phase-wise study plan, dedicating 6-7 hours per day, is recommended. Each section of the CAT syllabus must receive attention, ensuring balanced preparation.
Tips for preparing for CAT in the final 30 days:
1. Focus on your strengths:
During the last 30 days of CAT preparation, avoid focusing on tedious or uncovered topics. Instead prioritize revising areas where you are already strong. Deepen your understanding of these topics as mastering them will increase your accuracy .
In the CAT exam, quality matters more than quantity, and revisiting known concepts can work like magic for success.
2. Review Important Topics in Every Section:
Concentrate on reviewing the essential topics from each section—Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Ability (QA), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). Print out the CAT syllabus and highlight important areas for review. Dedicate around two hours to each section, taking short breaks between sessions to maintain focus.
3. Cover all Topics:
While revising, ensure you don’t skip any major topics. CAT can be unpredictable, and skipping a particular topic could hurt your chances if more questions than expected appear from that section. A strong foundation across all key topics will give you an advantage in handling unexpected questions.
4. More Mock Tests:
The CAT 2024 will be conducted in three time slots-8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM- and the candidates will be allotted their specific slot, which will also feature on their CAT admit card. Every slot in the exam has questions that are different. To get familiar with the pattern of the exam as well as the testing environment, it is recommended that candidates undertake at least three to four CAT mock tests in the final 30 days of preparation.
5. Work on CAT Previous Years' Papers:
Experts believe that the last 30 days of the examination should be spent with many CAT previous year question papers. These contain many questions that are going to constitute the actual version of the CAT examination. There is much scope in practicing these previous papers and thus enabling the student to evaluate his work. Subsequently, to increase speed and accuracy, students must attempt to solve at least two CAT papers within a stipulated time frame for each attempt.
6. Proper Rest:
Finally, make sure to rest and stay relaxed in the lead-up to the exam. Managing your stress levels is just as important as studying. Maintain a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and avoid overexerting yourself. A healthy lifestyle in the final 30 days will help you stay confident and composed on the day of the CAT exam.
There are certain important aspects one must take care of in a test like the CAT. It is essential that a candidate maintains the same schedule the last two to three days before the exam, which ensures that his mind and body are well in tune with the pattern followed on the day of the exam. This is the only way through which he can excel maximally on the CAT exam day.
By following these strategies, you’ll be well-prepared to approach CAT with focus and confidence, giving yourself the best chance of success.