CAT is one of the toughest exams conducted by IIM every year for MBA admission in India. Every year over 2,00,000 aspirants apply for the entrance exam. However, only a few get admission to the top business schools in India. So, what makes one candidate crack the exam with 100% and another one scores 90% even if both study for the same time period? Well, the only difference here is proper planning.

According to Steve Maraboli, “having a goal without a plan is like wanting to travel to a new destination without a map.” Those who plan before starting preparations for the CAT exam have already won half of the battle. In addition, a lack of motivation and no mentor support can also result in failure. 

While many candidates join CAT coaching centres, aspirants who wish to crack the CAT exam in 2022 must have a proper plan. However, before you start your preparations, check out the list of a few common mistakes you should avoid when preparing for the CAT exam. Without ado, let’s get started.

What common mistakes should candidates avoid during CAT preparations?

Not going through the syllabus for the CAT exam: Since there may be some updates in the CAT syllabus, many students overlook the importance of checking the updated syllabus. They start preparing and forget to check what topics are and aren’t covered in the syllabus. As a result, they don’t have any idea about the important topics they should cover for the exam and end up having undesirable results. Hence, it is recommended to all aspirants go through the syllabus before starting preparing for the exam. Not only will this save time but also ensure you cover all the important topics.

Not having a timetable: No matter whether you are a beginner or it is your second or third attempt, every candidate should have a proper timetable to understand how much time they should devote to one topic, depending on the weightage of marks for a particular topic. When you prepare a proper timetable, you will be able to complete your syllabus before actually appearing for the exam. You can use that time to practice mock tests and previous year's question papers. It will help you understand the strong and weak areas you should focus on.

Overlooking the importance of mock tests: Mock tests are a great way to understand where you stand and what areas you need to focus on to crack your CAT exam. However, many students don’t solve mock tests before the exam. Experts recommend every student must solve 6-7 mocks every week. It will help you know your mistakes and ensure you don’t make the same mistakes in the exam. Moreover, mock tests are prepared as per the exam pattern. So, you will also get to know about the exam structure and what you can expect during the CAT exam 2022.

Inconsistency in Preparations: CAT exam is a tough nut to crack. It demands patience and consistency. Inconsistency in CAT preparation reduces the chances of scoring high in the CAT exam. Hence, it is recommended to be regular with your exam preparation. In addition, make sure you follow your timetable and complete your syllabus at least one month before the exam to accomplish your goal. While you may score less in the mock tests, you should concentrate more on preparation instead of thinking about the bad score.

The Bottom Line

The time left for the CAT exam 2022 is short; you should start preparing for the exam as soon as possible. Also, keep the aforementioned points in mind to ensure you clear your exam with a high percentile. Also, try to improve your English and time management skills. Make sure you join a good CAT exam coaching institute in Chandigarh.