CAT 2009: 10 tips to light up your path to success

Here we present to you a summary of all the important advice in the form of the following 10 tips, that will surely help you in your endeavour:

1. Don’t rush with preparations now - Revise a few vital concepts and take a couple of practice tests to fine tune your strategy. All test takers should avoid cramming too much information in these last days.

2. Take Mocks to create the test like situation – Take more and more Mock tests to recreate the exam scenario at home with strict adherence to time.

3. Revise the basics – According to the experts, CAT tests your basic knowledge. So now you should revise on the basics. Keep one hour before sleeping to revise the basics.

4. Analyze Mock tests again – Analyze Mock tests which you have already taken. Try to solve the questions which you did not attempt or got wrong. You can also try and solve the questions which you have got right in a faster way.

5. Don’t waste time by putting your efforts in areas which cannot be improved now – If you find that you cannot grab a particular area, then don’t try too hard to be good at it in this stage. Forget your weaknesses; just build on your strengths. You should take at least one full length Mock test on alternate days.

6. Start Confidently – It is always advisable to start the CAT exam paper with the section you are most comfortable in. In that way you can gain confidence and make the entire CAT exam paper more scoring.

7. Get a balanced score – It is a known fact that IIMs look for an overall balanced paper. Make sure you attempt all the sections and at least get the cut offs in your weak areas and higher percentiles in stronger areas.

8. Keep moving – Don’t get tense if you get stuck in a particular question. Just keep moving and focus on other questions. Your effort must be to read every question in the paper. Use the ‘Mark for review’ feature judiciously.

9. Finish the paper 15 minutes in advance – Attempt to finish the paper 15 minutes in advance. Then only you will be ale to attempt all questions you may know. Have that last 15 minute buffer in the end to boost your score.

10. Relax and take it easy – The CAT exam day will be really hectic. So don’t take much stress on last minute preparations or go overboard with enjoyment. Just relax and ease out.