It is just about a week to go now for CAT 2012 to begin. The question on most students minds, especially those giving the exam in the first half of the exam window is, "What should I do between now and the CAT to be able to crack the exam?"
Right up there on the To-Do list is to check your familiarity with the online test format. If you have not given enough Mock CATs, and are not well versed with the aspects of CBT, you have to get familiar immediately. Visit the link provided by CAT & Prometric for the demo test and also go through the official test guide. The links are as below
http://catiim.in/CATPracticeTest/index.html
&
http://catiim.in/pdf/CAT2012PracticalGuide.pdf
Most students believe that the best way to prepare is to take as many mocks as possible, very close to the exam. This obviously isn't the right way to go about it as repeated mocks highlight the same weaknesses and if students are not analysing their mistakes and rectifying them then there will not be any major improvement in their performance. And taking the mocks this close to the exam, with no time to improve on the areas of development highlighted by the mocks, will only serve to hit the confidence levels of the students negatively. A thorough analysis of the mocks taken so far will yield far better dividends than taking more such mocks now.
Do not leave out on areas that you think are the least important. One of the most common errors that students make is to prepare on selected topics, based on the what their friends who have taken CAT last year said. It is essential to understand, that these 'friends', though they are as well meaning as possible, have seen only one slot of the exam and are giving advice to you based on that one slot. They have no idea what happened on the other slots. So, it is risky to follow such advice and base your preparation on selected topics. If there are any topics/areas that you have not touched so far, now is the time to get at least a basic grip on them.
During the last week, focus more on revising all the topics which you have learnt so far. This will ensure that the topics are fresh in your mind and that you don't need to struggle to remember them when you need them the most. Making a ready reckoner, a kind of a flip-able set of papers with the important concepts listed, might help some students who have a problem with particular topics.
Speed Maths – It is never late to add to your speed. Spend at least one hour every day practicing speed maths concepts and calculations. The concepts, however much you can gain in this short time, will help you save time in the exam. Remember that time saved is time gained and hence marks gained and thereby, could result in a seat gained.
Last but not the least, shut your mind and ears to rumor mills about the exam. They only add to the nuisance value and will distract you from your preparation making you lose valuable time and getting you worked up for no reason. Always remember – all that is in your control is to put up your best performance in the exam.
All the best.
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