How to prepare for CAT Exam in 100 days PDF Download

How to prepare for CAT Exam in 100 days

To successfully pass the CAT exam, it is recommended that aspirants dedicate approximately 500 hours of overall preparation. With only 15 weeks remaining until the exam, this translates to approximately 33 hours per week, distributed as 3-4 hours per day on weekdays and around 15+ hours on weekends. This time should be allocated for studying, practicing, and taking mock tests, followed by analyzing the results. Initially, the focus should be on learning, with less emphasis on practice and even fewer mock tests. However, as time progresses, the balance shifts, and a month later, candidates should be actively engaged in both learning and simultaneously answering a large number of questions. At this stage, taking numerous mock tests becomes essential, as candidates must thoroughly analyze their performance and identify areas for improvement. Based on the gaps identified in the mock analysis, candidates should then return to focused learning and practice to address their weaknesses.

How to Make the Most of Your Time

Allocate 2 hours daily for Quants, starting with Arithmetic, a crucial topic in Quantitative Ability. Once you have completed Arithmetic, progress to more challenging Quant topics and initiate your preparation for DI (Data Interpretation) and LR (Logical Reasoning). Additionally, dedicate one hour each day for reading. To practice effectively, utilize previous CAT papers, preferably in the form of timed tests.

Change your mindset toward precision

Claiming to have a 75% accuracy rate in QA (Quantitative Ability) and DI-LR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) is unreasonable if aiming for a high score. It is concerning when students assert that they have attempted 26 questions in Quant and expect a 75% accuracy rate. In such cases, it is important to question which specific questions are likely to be incorrect. Why did the student attempt these particular questions? Is it just one question or more than one? Achieving near-perfect accuracy is crucial to achieving a high score in these sections.

Reduce your efforts

Engage in an activity where you significantly reduce the number of attempts in Quant and DI-LR sections until you achieve a perfect score. If, for example, you are currently attempting 19 questions and consistently getting 4-5 wrong, try reducing your attempts to 10 and ensure that you answer all of them correctly. Although your overall score may be impacted, this exercise will be beneficial as you will have the opportunity to analyze an error-free mock. This process may even lead to an "Aha moment" that positively influences your performance in subsequent mock tests.

Study in small groups and do your best

During my preparation for a competitive exam several years ago, I was known as the "flair" candidate. In a typical 50-question paper, around 40 questions were considered standard, while the remaining 10 were challenging. I consistently answered 36-37 of the standard questions correctly and managed to get 5-6 of the tough ones right. This performance was considered exceptional because most students struggled to answer more than 2-3 of the difficult questions correctly. As a result, I often ranked among the top few candidates in math.
However, our group was introduced to a new member who consistently outperformed us all. This was surprising since he didn't possess the best approach to understanding new challenging topics. After observing him for a few weeks, I realized that his success stemmed from his ability to swiftly and accurately solve all 40 standard questions. This allowed him to devote enough time and effort to answer two of the tough questions correctly, even if it required considerable determination and perseverance.

For CAT, three months are sufficient

Previously, students used to believe that three months was a sufficient duration to prepare for the CAT exam. This was before CAT preparation became a full-fledged industry in the early 2000s. Back then, most students would start thinking about the CAT exam around mid-August and reluctantly begin their preparation. However, with the emergence of 12-month, 18-month, and 24-month CAT courses, students have started perceiving this exam as exceptionally challenging.
It's important to note that the CAT exam is a proven test of aptitude rather than genius. Around 90% of students who perform well on this exam and achieve a score in the 99th percentile or higher are talented individuals who don't boast about their abilities. They plan their preparation effectively, put in hard work, face criticism, but at the end of the day, they are ordinary individuals with slightly above-average IQs.

Squeeze out every last minute

To maximize your preparation time for the upcoming CAT exam, consider making some adjustments to your daily routine. For instance, reduce the time spent watching a sitcom by half an hour and shorten your sleep duration by one hour. Utilize your lunch break to address any inquiries or study-related tasks. If necessary, resort to reading articles from reputable sources like The Economist or The Guardian to gain additional knowledge. It is crucial to be resourceful and find ways to save time and prioritize your CAT preparation until the exam day arrives.