Common Mistakes to Avoid During CAT Exam Preparation
Categories: Education
One of the toughest exams in the nation is the Common Admission Test, or CAT. Candidates must be assured and well-prepared for the exam. One needs to prepare properly and stay away from some of the frequent mistakes that most candidates do in order to rank among the top percentile scorers.
Candidates may make mistakes for a variety of reasons, including poor planning, a lack of enthusiasm, a lack of mentor assistance, etc. Here, some of the most typical errors are listed along with advice on how to avoid them. These techniques will undoubtedly aid CAT hopefuls in their preparation so they may ace the test with ease.
It takes thoughtful planning and consistent work to successfully prepare for the Common Admission Test (CAT). It's critical to steer clear of a few typical blunders that students frequently make when preparing for the CAT exam in order to increase your chances of success.
We are certain to make a few errors when we are preparing for the CAT. We can, however, learn from the errors that most students make and avoid them. Make sure you avoid making these seven very common blunders when preparing by keeping them in mind.
Here are several mistakes to prevent:
A lack of time management: Lack of time allotted for preparation is one of the major errors. Because the CAT exam is so competitive, you must consistently and deliberately study for it. Make a study plan and follow it, making sure to provide enough time for each component.
Ignoring practise exams: An crucial component of CAT preparation is taking mock exams. They enable you to assess your performance by simulating the actual exam environment. Some students commit the error of taking too few practise exams or failing to evaluate their results afterward. To monitor your development and pinpoint your areas for growth, take periodical practise exams.
Ignoring the syllabus and the exam format: Get acquainted with the CAT exam format and syllabus. Recognise the several sections, their relative importance, and the nature of the questions. A lack of preparation and a lack of comprehension of the exam's structure may result from ignoring this material.
Conceptual Impairment: CAT is intended to evaluate how well you comprehend key ideas. Avoid the error of just memorising shortcuts or formulas without comprehending the underlying ideas. Focus on conceptual clarity to lay a solid basis, then practise employing those principles to solve issues.
Not Examining Errors: It's essential to carefully analyse your errors on practise problems and mock exams. Recognise your error's cause and draw lessons from it. Recognise trends in your mistakes, then focus on enhancing those areas. You can improve your preparation with the help of this analytical technique.
Emphasis on One Section Too Much: Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability are just a few of the areas that make up the CAT. Some pupils have a propensity to pay excessive attention to one subject while ignoring others. To guarantee thorough preparation, keep a balanced approach and allot enough time for each part.
Last-minute planning and procrastination: Your CAT preparation can be seriously hampered by starting late or putting it off. It's a thorough exam that necessitates a calculated and organised approach. To avoid last-minute cramming, start your preparation early and stick to a rigorous study schedule.
Not Enough Revision: To retain what you have learnt and solidify your comprehension, regular revision is essential. Some students commit the error of not reviewing the material they have already studied. Set up time for frequent revision sessions to strengthen your understanding and increase memory.
Putting accuracy and speed last: In CAT, time management is essential. You must correctly answer questions within the allotted time limitations. Don't only concentrate on answering questions; work on increasing your accuracy and speed as well. To hone this talent, practise answering questions while being timed.
Neglecting one's needs: Last but not least, skipping out on self-care when studying for a test can hurt your performance. To keep up your general wellbeing, make sure you get enough sleep, eat healthily, and exercise. Staying focused and productive requires regular breaks and stress management.
Giving up your job: We have emphasised this time and time again, and we will continue to do so, that the CAT exam, unlike the UPSC, does not call for 14 to 15 hours of daily preparation. You can get through the preparation and CAT Exam by giving your full concentration for 3-5 hours a day. Therefore, avoid making the mistake of quitting your work to focus solely on your CAT preparation. It is usually preferable to study for the exam while working.
It is always advised to first assess one's own capabilities before developing a strategy for preparedness. While some children may be skilled with mathematics, others may have strong grammatical abilities. Therefore, there isn't "one strategy" that works for everyone. Additionally, candidates should develop their own test-taking methods, which may be done simply by taking many of practise exams and completing a variety of sample and test papers.
These are the most frequent errors CAT hopefuls make, which decreases the effectiveness of their preparation. Avoiding these blunders will help you prepare effectively and gain the confidence you need to answer exam questions with ease.
Candidates frequently skip going over the fundamentals when beginning their CAT preparation and get right into answering the questions. Some applicants also omit some of the topics on the syllabus (often from the quantitative section) and only practise questions from the subjects they are proficient in. It is vital for applicants, especially those without engineering backgrounds, to master the fundamentals of mathematics before beginning problem-solving. Additionally, it's crucial to avoid skipping any topics or portions until the exam is in a month.
One of the most frequent errors that most candidates commit is this one. Candidates frequently start their CAT preparation in a disorganised manner since they are in a rush to get started. This has an impact on all aspects of CAT preparation and decreases its efficacy.
Examine the syllabus and identify the strong and weak topics before beginning your study. Then, create a schedule outlining all the topics and follow it. Candidates can use a mock test to gauge their level of skill in each section and perform a first self-analysis.
Candidates frequently finish one topic and move on to the next without reviewing or making sure they still understand the principles. Some candidates wait until the night before the exam to start revising at all. Some applicants lose motivation at this phase because they can't remember the ideas, calculations, or tips they studied.
Some sources suggest that when preparing for the CAT, a person should take 15-20 mock exams per day. However, there isn't a certain figure on which one should concentrate. Everything relies on how prepared and committed you are. You can start with up to two practise exams every day, and after each one, evaluate your performance and look over your errors.
As you continue your preparation, gradually increase the number of mock exams you take each day. Focus more on administering at least 10 practise exams each day as the deadline draws near and making sure to analyse each one.
The second idea that comes to mind is the minimum amount of questions that should be attempted during an exam. Your desired score will determine everything. If you want to achieve a score over the 90th percentile, you must attempt 22 of the 34 quantitative aptitude questions, 20 of the 32 data interpretation and logical reasoning questions, and 20 of the 34 verbal and reading comprehension questions. Only if you answer every question correctly will you score in the range of 90 percent or higher. If your goal is to achieve a high score without giving 99 percentiles any thought, try at least 10-15 questions from each set in accordance with how you comprehend sets.
You can improve your chances of success by avoiding these typical pitfalls and taking a methodical, all-inclusive approach to your CAT exam preparation. Good luck!