Common Admission Test (CAT) is the entrance gate to the best management colleges in India. On top of that list are mainly the Indian Institutes of Management, popularly known as IIMs. Nearly 2.5-3 lakh students are expected to attempt the CAT exam.
CAT is considered as one of the very important and toughest exams and CAT preparation is not easy at all. It takes the right attitude, right guidance, right preparation material, and time. Also it takes months of dedication and hard work along with taking so many right steps while many of them are still not able to make it because of these common CAT preparation mistakes.
In this blog we will be discussing some very crucial CAT common preparation mistakes along with their redressal. Keep reading to get full insights!
Some Common CAT Preparation Mistakes
While there are many common CAT preparation mistakes which students commit few of them are listed below:
Neglecting the CAT Syllabus
This is one of the most common CAT preparation mistakes which many candidates make by overlooking the syllabus later in their preparation. It is very important to be well conversant with the syllabus. You must go through the entire syllabus of the CAT exam before you start off your preparation.
There are many things you never knew. For instance, you will understand the importance of reading comprehension for the VARC section in CAT. Also keep making a list of relevant topics and subtopics so that when you are studying that topic, you’ll know what to study and what not to study.
Understanding the sub-topics in the CAT sections of Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension is important. While reading the syllabus it is important to look at the pattern of CAT by referring to some sample papers or previous year’s papers of CAT. That is of great importance because looking at previous years’ papers will give you an idea about what kind of questions are asked and what is the pattern of the CAT exam.
Just as in any game, you have to know what your target is before you make your shot. In CAT also you have to know as much information about your goal before starting the preparation. In fact, you must periodically refer to the syllabus and the sample papers to ensure that you are on the right track of preparation and not deviating too much. This visualisation will help a lot.
Also, learn – Preparation Tips for CAT 2025
No study plan
There are many students, who casually just start their preparation by buying any of the best books for CAT and without any study plan this is one of the biggest common CAT preparation mistakes to avoid. Some of them are mentioned below:
- Do not just keep reading the questions, instead try solving the questions with a strategy and plan.
- Do not start studying anytime instead develop a consistent schedule and stick to that.
- Ascertain your strengths or weaknesses and start working accordingly. Do your SWOT analysis first.
- Understand the paper pattern along with the weightage of each topic in CAT
Without developing a consistent schedule it is very difficult to prepare for CAT. Studying only for 1-2 hours daily and dreaming of a seat in IIM is not achievable. Preparing for CAT without proper strategy is like shooting arrows in the dark. If you are serious about CAT and getting a seat in one of the best management colleges, you require a proper CAT study plan. You have to think in the long term, not just for CAT but even after that. Even if you don’t do well in GD, PI, and WAT, your CAT percentile is of no good.
Remember that avoiding errors in CAT preparation and keeping these pointers in mind will help you clear CAT with good percentile:
- How many hours will you give to your preparation every day.
- Identify your strong and weak areas and give time according to that.
- Number of days to be given to every topic depending upon the weightage given for that topic in CAT
- When you have to start attempting mock tests.
- How to start your practice?
- How many hours do you have to spend on current affairs?
A proper study plan means half of your preparation is done. Do not commit the above common CAT preparation mistakes.
Skipping topics
This is also one of the most common CAT preparation mistakes that students make while preparing for the management entrance exam. Ideally, your time allotted to each topic must be on the basis of your SWOT analysis, that is the analysis of your strong and weak areas in the CAT syllabus.
You have to make a list of those weak areas. There might be some topics or subjects which you may not like. But that does not mean you can avoid the topic. You have to be well versed with all the topics. Skipping topics has a direct impact on your performance. Only solving easy questions will also not suffice. Try solving tough questions too. It will help you build your critical skills.
All the parts of a topic are indispensable, and not until you are expected to complete them do you move on to the next chapter. For instance, most of the engineering students who aim for the CAT dislike the Verbal Aptitude and reading comprehension section in CAT. Because sometimes they are unable to understand this part. However, for Quant and DILR, a student can easily reach solutions by calculation and common sense. But as such, it is more about remembering and knowing the rules of the English language for VARC.
This makes most engineering candidates, out of frustration rather, downplay the importance of the VARC section in their preparation for CAT. Similarly, those who come from non-technical backgrounds feel that engineers have an edge over maths in CAT Quantitative ability or DILR as they have learned mathematics while taking up their engineering. It is a myth because the level of mathematics in CAT is high school level. CAT does not test the candidate’s intelligence, CAT tests aptitude.
But, remember CAT is not a test of the brain but of aptitude. Skills tested by CAT are time management, speed, persistence, and so on. That extra time you spend on one or two topics is not sensibly spent on CAT time because even if you get to a difficult question you could answer in CAT, you will certainly have to move on to a more manageable question, because all the questions carry the same marks.
Not Doing Frequent Revisions
Another common CAT preparation mistake to avoid while prepping for CAT is having a Revision Routine. The purpose of revision is to deal with concepts at a profound depth, and to transform those concepts from our weaknesses to our strengths. Revision makes our studies complete & effective. Revision may not seem like something important, but it does help you keep your concepts collected.
Not Taking Enough Mock Tests
Mock Tests are part and parcel of CAT Preparation. Doing mocks impart test-taking experience, thus making a person habituated to the exam pattern. Mocks have been designed in such a way so that the aspirants can build concepts, prepare strategies, realise strengths and weaknesses, and take steps accordingly to remove the same. For many, mock is lifeblood for an aspirant that may make him/her perform very well in the CAT exam.
Not analysing Mock Tests
Most of the CAT aspirants take Mock tests but fail to analyse their scores and this is the biggest CAT preparation mistake. This mistake is commonly committed by most first-time CAT aspirant candidates due to lack of awareness. Analysis of mocks are equally important to take the mock tests. On analysis of mocks, one can really understand whether he is prepared or not, and where his weak areas are. After this analysis, it is highly important to strategize further preparation accordingly.
Getting Panic After Reading Question Paper
Sometimes, it so happens that the candidates get nervous after reading the question paper. This could be either because of the toughness of the questions themselves or going through the questions abruptly. You must not make this mistake as it will directly reflect in your total score although you prepare well. You get enough time for each section. It is just that you have to learn and practice how to avoid CAT preparation mistakes so that you do not panic during the exams. This is where CAT mock tests, previous year’s question papers, etc. come into the fray. Read the questions properly and just go with the flow.
Conclusion
Avoiding CAT preparation mistakes can significantly boost your chances of success in this highly competitive exam. From understanding the syllabus thoroughly to crafting a well structured preparation, each step in your preparation journey plays a crucial role. However, if you skip topics, neglect mocks and fail to analyse them, it can derail you even after putting the best of efforts.
Similarly, revision and time management are indispensable tools to refine your CAT preparation. Remember CAT tests your aptitude, speed and persistence. So stay consistent, keep addressing your weaknesses and maintain a mindset during the exam. It can make all the difference.
Avoiding these CAT preparation mistakes as these CAT exam preparation pitfalls will not lead you to any of India’s top management colleges.
All the best for your preparation.
