C AT (Common Aptitude Test) is a journey of will, concentration, and strategic preparation.
While every aspirant has a method of their own, the common thought is: that to avoid certain
pitfalls, it is as important as to adopt the right practices. Here are some common mistakes done
made by students during preparation for the CAT Exam and how to avoid them.
Starting Late Without a Proper Plan
Many students procrastinate and think they can do CAT preparation in a few months. But CAT is not
just about understanding concepts; it is about applying concepts under a time constraint.
What to Do:
Be sure to start your studies early and have a clear-cut plan. Set some concentric hours to be
devoted to QA, DILR, and VARC; keep those hours stitched in with regular revision.
Neglecting Mock Tests
The most common fault students commit is the neglecting of mock tests until the last 2-3 months.
Without mocks, you cannot assess your progress nor develop your strategies for taking the exams.
Lesson from Toppers:
The earlier you start taking the mocks, the better it is for you. Analyze your performance after every
mock. Identify your weak areas and start working on them. Most of the toppers emphasize that
analyzing mocks is much more important than just writing them.
Ignoring One Section
Many aspirants focus greatly on one of their stronger sections and entirely neglect to put effort into
weaker ones. Since CAT happens to have sectional cutoffs for most IIMs, balanced coverage is of
utmost importance.
How to Avoid This:
Devote equal time to all three sections, QA, DILR, and VARC. If the quantitative analysis is your
strength, each time from this section and invest in verbal and logical reasoning. A balanced score
improves your chances of getting shortlisted by top colleges.
Relying Only on Shortcuts
Shortcuts and tricks will save time but will lead to disasters if one becomes over-dependent on them
without really getting into the conceptual details, especially in QA and DILR.
Toppers’ Advice:
Build your fundamentals and concepts before you begin with shortcuts. Solve problems
step by step and increase the speed over time. This helps in tackling difficult and out-of-the-box
questions in the exam.
Overloading with Too Many Resources
There is no shortage of study materials available - from coaching materials, and online videos, to
books. But, if too many sources are referred to, the aspirant might reach a state of confusion and
will be wasting time.
What to Do:
Stick to one or two trusted resources, like Arun Sharma's books for QA and DILR, and Word Power
Made Easy by Norman Lewis to build vocabulary. In case of joining any institute like JIMS Rohini,
make the most of your time with their study materials, which cover the entire CAT syllabus, as they
are curated by experts.
Not Managing Stress
It's tiring to prepare for the CAT by burning oneself out during the exam. Stress and lack of sleep can
impact the performance that one is required to give on D-day.
Toppers’ Insight:
Take some time off, exercise, and maintain a good daily routine. All these may include a little bit of
yoga or meditation that is calming and focuses the mind. CAT is just one step in your career; it's not
an end point.
Ignoring Time Management
Getting stuck on a question or section for too long will throw one's timing out the window, leading
to a panic rush in the final minutes. Time management is a skill that would requires practice
right from the beginning of your preparation.
Pro Tip:
Mock tests simulate the pressure of the actual examination. Make sure to give each section time and
practice sticking to it. One has to learn how to let go of a question that takes up too much time.
Final Thoughts
CAT preparation is as much about avoiding mistakes as following positive practices. These blunders
can be avoided to boost your efforts and increase your likelihood of success.