7 Mistakes that can ruin your CAT 2025 performance

Introduction  

The Common Entrance Test (CAT) is considered to be the most preferred entrance exam for admission to top b-schools in India. It is also believed to be the toughest among all MBA entrance exams as it is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). This computer-based assessment consists of three sections namely, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR).

CAT aspirants would often believe it is challenging and arduous to get a great score in CAT. Well, actually, it's not the case. This is only when you adopt wrong strategies for CAT preparation and commit major mistakes while preparing for the test. Let's discover the 7 mistakes that can ruin your CAT 2025 performance and discuss how avoiding these mistakes could transform your CAT preparation journey for the better.

Starting preparation without understanding the CAT exam syllabus and pattern

Starting your CAT preparation journey without gaining an in-depth understanding of  the CAT exam syllabus and pattern is like walking on a path to reach a destination without knowing the route. You would take double or triple the actual time to reach the destination as discovering the wrong routes would eat up more than half of your time. Unfortunately, the CAT doesn't allow its aspirants so much time to waste. Not scanning the complete CAT exam syllabus at-least 7-8 times before starting your preparation won't give you a clear understanding of your subjects, which would eventually result in an ineffective and unorganized study schedule. Hence, understanding the CAT exam syllabus should be the first tick off on your checklist to CAT preparation as only then can you strategize your phases of preparation and execute them effectively.

Inconsistent preparation  

Even the most ideal plan is equal to zero without proper execution. Planning a super packed study schedule on the first day and dozing off the following day won't fetch you any results. A well-structured study schedule acts as a backbone of your CAT preparation, but without consistent efforts, the desired results can't be attained. Even if you study for 6-7 hours on a single day and take a 4-5 day gap, your net efforts come near to zero. This is so because inconsistent learning practices can break your flow of concentration and the chances of forgetting concepts get increased. The frequency of revisions tends to increase, and a shortage of time makes it difficult to meet daily targets.

Not scheduling your daily targets, having no roadmap  

Another major mistake that CAT aspirants tend to make is 'not strategizing a proper roadmap for CAT preparation' and beginning the prep without any specified direction. The lack of a good study schedule gives rise to confused study timings, routines, and topics. It also promotes poor time management and difficulty in prioritizing tasks on a daily basis. A well structured daily schedule creates a positive pressure to achieve daily targets of completing the syllabus, practicing questions, and giving mock tests.

Focusing on favorite topics  

Scoring a top grade in CAT is not a child's game, and prioritizing topics based on their level of ease won't do you any good. CAT aspirants need to act maturely while scheduling their topics, and it is essential to understand the CAT exam syllabus and pattern to know which topics are to be given a priority over others according to the marks weightage they hold. You might be feeling like getting done with the easier topics first and leaving the tough ones for the last, but this can be a destructive plan for someone planning to convert India's top b-schools through CAT. Hence, scheduling subjects and topics according to the degree of importance they hold in the CAT is crucial.

Not preparing revision notes and formula lists  

This is a point which a CAT aspirant needs to take care of from the beginning stage of CAT preparation. Preparing notes and recording your formulas in a separate notebook makes your preparation much more organized and promotes effective revision. Not preparing revision notes and formula lists can pose the following obstacles during CAT preparation:

➤ Inefficient revision

➤ Forgetting concepts

➤ Difficulty in locating & learning formulas while solving questions

➤ Difficulty in a quick recap before the exam

➤ Weaker conceptual clarity

Hence, it is essential to prepare good quality notes and a list of formulas that can act as a self-customized study material throughout your CAT prep journey and make it a smooth walk.

Jumping on practice questions without concept clarification  

A lot of students have the habit of skipping the ladders to success assuming they would reach the top much faster than others. But while doing so, they forget that this kind of success is very short-lived. Jumping on practice questions before devoting sufficient time to understand the concepts is one such foolish move. This can backfire your CAT preparation in the following ways:

➤ Struggle to solve questions with variations

➤ Increased speed of solving questions

➤ Higher chances of committing errors

➤ Frustration and loss of confidence

➤ Habit of memorization instead of logical thinking

➤ Poor performance in mocks & sectional tests

➤ Difficulty in revising & retaining concepts

Hence, you must ensure to get a good grasp of your theoretical and conceptual knowledge before moving on to solve the practice questions.

Not managing stress and health  

Last, but the most important aspect of any exam preparation is to take care of your overall well-being. Preparing for the CAT can sometimes become very overwhelming, and chances of burn-out might increase. In addition to this, poor time-management can cause poor eating and sleeping habits which eventually result in-

➤ reduced concentration and focus

➤ increased mental fatigue

➤ low productivity

➤ inconsistent preparation

➤ risk of poor performance in the examination hall

Thus, taking steps to ensure your mental and physical well-being through various ways, like indulging in a regular sport activity, practicing meditation, and inculcating healthy eating and sleeping routines, can turn out to be a game changer in your CAT preparation routine and fetch you the best results.

FAQs  

Q1. Is it okay if I prepare for the CAT without making any revision notes?

Ans. Preparing notes helps you enhance your revision and save time while recalling concepts.

Q2. How many years of question papers should I be solving before appearing for the CAT?

Ans. Solving 8-10 years of past question papers is considered ideal to enhance your CAT preparation.

Q3. Is 6 months enough to crack the CAT?

Ans. CAT preparation depends more on your efforts and dedication rather than the number of months. However, with the correct strategy and sufficient efforts, 6 months is enough to crack the CAT.

Q4. For how many years will my CAT score be valid?

Ans. The validity of your CAT score shall be of one year.