65 Days to CAT 2024 – Prep & Exam Tips

With only 65 days to go for CAT 2024, it is crucial to plan the last few weeks properly. Here are some tips and suggestions for prep and exam times.

Sep 19, 2024

I am a 1st-year MBA student at IIM Calcutta. I secured 99.9%ile in CAT 2023 and converted all of my top IIM calls, including IIMA, IIMC and IIML. Prior to this I completed my engineering in IT from Jadavpur University. To know more about me, consider dropping a connect request on my LinkedIn.

Getting into the MBA institute of your dreams is a decently doable task, when you have the right guidance, good prep resources and a proper plan of action.

However, first and foremost, before attempting CAT, you should take a deep and thoughtful look into your plans, goals and expectations, to be absolutely sure than an MBA perfectly fits into your roadmap to your dream future.

Think long and think deep. And if you do choose to pursue an MBA from an Indian institute, your journey will involve the following steps.

Step 1: CAT

I started my CAT preparation journey properly after receiving an on-campus placement offer from a consulting firm in late-August 2023. My preparation journey was broadly in 2 parts, which in business terms, I’d call upskilling and strategising respectively, which should be in order initially but mixed later.

The first part involves practising different types of questions from different topics, with a not so strict limit on time. The main target of this step is to get used to solving a variety of questions from multiple sources, developing the internal tricks and shortcuts which are specific to every individual, and also understanding better approaches by trying and comparing with solutions. This helps in developing the ability to handle all types of questions. Whether or not you need tutorials before practising depends on your prior exposure to aptitude questions. If required, you may follow text or video tutorials.

Consider attempting topic tests and solving PYQs, question banks, topic-wise compendiums and other available resources. Previous experience in solving aptitude or logical reasoning or mental ability papers can be beneficial to some extent, but CAT requires focused preparation and a lot of practice.

List of topics for practice in VARC: Verbal Ability (para-jumbles, para-summaries, para-completions, para-eliminations, substitutions, (optional) analogies, cloze tests, speech, voice, assumptions, strengthening and weakening, inference and conclusion, fill up the blanks, spellings, synonyms and antonyms), Reading Comprehension (practise RCs across multiple topics like art, literature, business, economy, environment, history, geography, politics, philosophy, psychology, science, sociology, culture, travel, technology, etc.)

List of topics for practice in DILR: Data Interpretation (tables, trees, bar charts, line charts, pie charts, combination charts), Logical Reasoning (arrangements, puzzles, games and tournaments, groups and distributions, time and place scheduling, set theory, analytical reasoning, deductive reasoning and logical consistency, etc.)

List of topics for practice in QA: Algebra (coordinates, graphs, functions, linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, functions, maxima and minima, logarithms, modulus, polynomials, sequences and series), Arithmetic (averages, mixtures, alligations, percentages, profit loss discount, ratios, proportions, interest, time speed distance, time work) , Geometry (lines, triangles, circles, polygons, areas, perimeters, volumes), Numbers (digits, factorials, multiples, factors, remainders, divisibility), Counting (permutations, combinations, probability).

List of websites to solve PYQs: Cracku (https://cracku.in/cat-previous-papers), 2iim (https://online.2iim.com/CAT-question-paper), iQuanta (https://www.iquanta.in/test/cat-previous-papers), Apti4All (https://www.apti4all.com/cat-mba/previous-year-papers/cat), BodheePrep (https://bodheeprep.com/cat-question-paper-previous-years-pdf), Career Launcher (https://www.careerlauncher.com/cat-mba/cat-question-paper).

The second part involves time management and developing strategies for choosing which questions to solve, and more importantly, which to leave. During my CAT attempt, I spent less than 30 seconds on questions I could not solve, in other words, it is necessary to identify unsolvable questions without dedicating precious exam time to actually try solving them. This is something that comes with more practice and a better understanding of individual strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right questions to solve and leave is the key to successful time management. For example, you might adopt a defensive or an aggressive approach to VARC depending on your previous observations of your accuracy in specific types of questions.

Do take a lot of section tests and full mock tests. Analyse every paper after the test. Try solving the unsolved questions. Check solutions and compare different approaches. Understand your strengths and weaknesses. You need to consolidate the former and work harder on the latter. CAT is a test of skill and not knowledge or memory. So practise way more than you study.

Recommended strategy for VARC: Depending on what works for you, you may solve the VA questions at the beginning, after a few RCs or at the end. For the RCs, choose the passages based on either length or likely complexity, then read through each passage once at a comfortable pace before solving the questions. The VA questions are independent but can be easy to score if you have practised enough, so keep ample time for these.

Recommended strategy for DILR: Use the first 1-2 minutes to identify the 2 easiest sets among the 4. Then start with the easier of the two. If you have solved 2 sets completely, go for the easier of the remaining two. Do not rush in your first two sets thinking you have to solve all four, almost nobody does. For every set, skim through the question once to understand the structure, then read it properly while drawing tables or diagrams as applicable.

Recommended strategy for QA: Go through the questions in 3 iterations. In the first iteration, solve the questions which look familiar and imaginable. You may solve only a few questions. In the second run, try solving those which are not totally unimaginable or you can make at least some sense of them. After this, try solving the other questions, starting with the topics of your strength. You may choose not to prepare certain rare topics unless previously known.

Some important tips for D-Day: Research the location of your exam center and the routes to it well in advance. Keep the admit card and other necessary items ready. Depart for the location keeping ample time in hand. Choose a comfortable outfit, keeping in mind that you do not know the temperature inside the test center. Try not to go through any new concept or practise a new paper on the day before the examination. Most importantly, remember that CAT is just one way to your dream future, because you can and you will always figure out another if one does not work out. Never associate your self-worth or value to your performance in an exam. Only you can define yourself.

Another small but important step: Don’t forget to apply to the non-IIM institutes which also accept CAT score. These include FMS, SPJIMR, IIFT, MDI, etc. and also the management studies divisions of many IITs like IITD DMS, IITB SJMSOM, IITKGP VGSOM, IITM DOMS. You may also apply to non-CAT examinations like XAT for XLRI, GMAT for ISB, NMAT for NMIMS. Registrations for these exams and institutes open at different times, so stay updated and discuss with other aspirants if possible.

Optional step: Once CAT releases the official answer keys and the candidate response sheets, different coaching institutes publish online calculators for marks and tentative percentiles. Eventually, the score cards will be published. No matter what percentile you secure, congratulations! You tried your best.

Step 2: PI Call

Getting calls for the GDPI/WATPI/AWTPI round from your dream institutes depends on several factors whose weightages vary across institutes and over years. Some of these factors include (1) a function of your CAT score, almost always the most important factor, (2) class 10 percentage, (3) class 12 percentage, (4) undergraduate CGPA, (5) notable academic achievements like scholarships, (6) sometimes, notable extra-curriculars, (7) gender diversity, (8) academic diversity, (9) category, (10) certifications like ACCA/CA/CFA, etc.

Since most of these factors are beyond your control at this point, focusing on CAT is the best route. If you’re in college, then trying to maintain good grades would be an additional recommendation. Remember that you do not need a perfect score in all of these factors, an overall good profile is enough.

You will need to fill online application forms for more detailed data and SOP related questions. Prepare and revise these answers in several iterations. Get them reviewed by seniors or tutors if possible. Your answers should indicate your interest and suitability to the MBA programme, without explicitly stating it. These answers might also serve as talking points during interviews.

Step 3: Admission Offer

Converting the call is the next big step. All institutes will call at least double the number of candidates they intend to accept. Interviews are typically held either on campus or in hotels. IIM interviews usually do not require air travel.

Depending on the institute, the second round may include just a PI (personal interview), GDPI (group discussion and PI), WATPI (writing ability test and PI), AWTPI (analytical writing test and PI) or some other combination of these.

Business formals and a black executive folder. Be calm and confident during the interviews. Remember these are not technical interviews or viva exams. The interview is a conversation aimed at understanding the suitability of the candidate for the programme. Interviewers might often continue on what you say or how you answer their questions. So, you lead the interview as much as the panel does. When the ball is in your court, use the opportunity to drive the conversation to your desired direction. And the best opportunity for this is the introduction. Keep it short, simple, informative and interesting.

Selections are made based on different factors, once again varying across institutes. CAT score still plays a major role, however, the GD/WAT/AWT score and the PI score are added at this stage. School and college grades may or may not be a part of the function, depending on the institute.

I’ll try to write more detailed profile-building and interview guides later.

Step 4: Acceptance

The amount of thought required in this last step depends on the calls you convert and in what list, i.e., shortlists and waitlists. It is also advisable to do your fair share of research on life and opportunities at all the institutes you might be expecting an offer from. Remember that you do not have to choose the best institute, you have to choose the institute which is best for you. So once the interviews are done, it might be a good decision to reach out to current students and alumni of these institutes and discuss your queries.

And if you do not get a satisfactory outcome, remember it’s just one exam, one attempt, one degree – one option for you, one that cannot limit you.

“I knew that if I failed, I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.” – Jeff Bezos

Preparing for any examination, be it CAT or JEE or UPSC, takes a lot of effort and motivation. Don’t put everything into it, but give it your best try. If you have any other query, you can always reach out to me on LinkedIn.

ALL THE BEST !!!

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