Last Minute Tips to Ace the CAT 2017

The Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted by the IIMs is scheduled to be held on 26^th November 2017. With just 4 days to go, we are positive that you might be done with the complete revision at least once by now. For your assistance, we bring to you some last-minute tips to ace the CAT. Just before that, let’s have a look at the previous years’ scores and percentile analysis for your understanding.

• CAT 2014 – Easy (Overall)
• CAT 2015 – Verbal (Moderate); LR + DI (Difficult); Quant (Easy)
• CAT 2016 – Verbal (Moderate); LR + DI (Difficult); Quant (Easy to Moderate)

CAT – 2015 had introduced a major pattern change (from a 2-section paper to a 3-section paper with sectional time limits). CAT -2016 followed the same pattern. Though the verbal and DI + LR sections remained same in terms of the level of difficulty, the quantitative ability section was more difficult when compared to the previous year.

6 Last Minute Tips for CAT

1. Learnings from Mock Attempts

By now, you might have attempted many mock tests. It is always advised to do analysis of mock attempt to identify strong and weak areas. Make a repository of questions which you have failed to attempt correctly. Also, the time you took to solve the tests. This will help you identify your speed as well as strong and weak areas. Attempt more questions from the weak areas so that you get an edge over the topic in the actual exam. If there is any topic that is consuming more time, try to use some alternative method to solve the problem to improve your speed.

2. Revising the Basics

If not, please do it immediately. It is very important to have clear understanding of the basics. Revise all the quant formulas and make sure you remember all of them. Go through the notes of formulas and rules that you have been maintaining during preparation.

3. Exam Strategy

Have you decided on your exam strategy? By now with ample amount of practice you should be able to devise a strategy that will work in the exam. Topics that you will attempt first and are more confident at and so on. Do ensure that your strategy is flexible enough to go through some changes if needed during the exam day.

4. Time Management

The last few days should be completely dedicated to revision and improvement of speed and accuracy. Many a times, though you know the answer you cannot attempt it due to lack of time. It is very important that you take time bound mock tests. This will improve your speed and give you a feel of the exam. Also, do not spend more time on one question. Attempt the easy and scoring ones first and then move to the rest.

5. Focus on Accuracy

It is important to answer CAT questions fast but another factor that is equally important is to answer accurately. As there are negative marking for incorrect answers, you cannot afford to answer incorrectly.

6. Avoid these Must Don’ts

You are in the last phase of exam preparation. Do not try to learn any new concept during these days. It will confuse you and waste the time you could have otherwise utilized in some learning. Stick to the topics that you have learnt and try to revise them well. Also, do not overburden yourself with exam stress. Ensure that your body is well rested and healthy before the exam.

Finally, practice as many tests you can. As quoted by Ganesh Nagarsekar (cleared CAT with 99.89 percentile), “I was fairly confident about Verbal, but QA and DILR were areas in which I had to put in a lot of effort. There were times when my performance in these areas was extremely disappointing (especially DILR where my percentiles were all over the place), but with gradual practice things began to improve and stabilize.” He further adds, “I found the sectional tests offered by Oliveboard extremely comprehensive in their coverage of the topic, and a great way to strengthen your hold of the topic while also increasing speed. The tests also come in three levels of increasing difficulty which help you understand where you stand in terms of a particular subject area.”

Hope this helps. All the best for the exam!