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Is Self-Study Enough for CAT Preparation? Self-Study vs Coaching!


CAT preparation depends on strategy, not just coaching. While coaching offers structure and expert guidance, self-study provides flexibility and cost-effectiveness. The best approach depends on your learning style and consistency. So let's solve this puzzle of self-study vs coaching for CAT aspirants.
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Introduction  

India has seen a massive rise in the number of coaching centers over the past few years, and also the percentage of students turning to coaching centers from self-study has increased rapidly. Households, both rural and urban, spent about 13.53 per cent of their annual education expenditure on coaching and tutoring in 2022-23. This is 1.67 percentage points higher than 2011-12. But are these heavy investments in coaching centers worth it?

CAT is considered to be one of the most popular and most preferred MBA entrance exams in India. While majority of the students are now turning towards various coaching centers, some of them still prefer to prepare for CAT with self-study. Let's discover the pros and cons of cat exam preparation through self study vs coaching so that it becomes easier for you to set the perfect cat preparation strategy for yourself. 

 

Self Study vs Coaching for CAT Preparation  

Basis

Coaching   

Self-Study

Structured Preparation Timelines

CAT coaching centers provide a structured road map for preparation for students with conceptual classes, practical questions, and mock tests.

Candidate requires to create a self-structured study schedule and achieve self-set timelines for CAT preparation and take mock tests followed by self-evaluation.

Inculcation of Discipline

Joining a coaching helps the student hold onto a fixed schedule with mandatory attendance of regular classes and tests. The accountability for assignments & tests also instills a sense of discipline in them.  

Students opting for self-study need to follow a self-made routine and take steps to analyze one's own progress. They have the advantage of creating a flexible study schedule, but need self-discipline to adhere to it.  

Cost-Effective

CAT coaching centers nowadays can drain a lot of your finances. This is one of the major reasons students consider self-preparation for the CAT.

Self-study for the CAT is considered to be the most cost-effective as it involves minimal investment for exam preparation.

Concept Clarity and Doubt Solving

CAT coaching centers provide dedicated doubt-clearing sessions with expert guidance and interactive learning, promoting immediate clarifications of doubts.

Students have to find ways to clear their doubts like consulting a senior, accessing free resources like YouTube, problem-solution pdf, CAT prep online doubt-solving forums, etc.

Tips and guidance

Trained mentors often share some tips and guidance on how to make the CAT preparation journey easier.

Students can turn to diverse resources such as youtube videos, blogs, books, etc to find tried and tested tips and tricks for CAT.

Study material

CAT coaching centers provide comprehensive study material with books, revision booklets, mock tests, etc for preparation.

Students need to research and collect the study material on their own and solve past year question papers.

Productive feedback

Direct coaching provides productive feedback for tests and assignments by experienced mentors.

A student needs to devote time to analyze its mock tests and identify mistakes to improve in the future.

Competitive environment

Coaching going students get to experience a competitive environment with peer-learning, group studies & discussions that motivate them to perform better.

Self-study students need to be self motivated and have the option of joining online CAT study forums to create healthy comparisons and carry out engaging discussions.

 

Who Should Consider Joining a Coaching for CAT Preparation?  

➤ New to the Field- Candidates who are new to the field of management and have little to no understanding of the CAT exam pattern, syllabus, and preparation should prefer to join a CAT exam coaching to create a better understanding of the exam.

➤ Struggle With Self-Discipline- Students who have the habit of procrastination and find it difficult to follow a self-made routine might consider joining a coaching to inculcate seriousness and dedication towards CAT exam preparation.

➤ Need Conceptual Clarity- Students who feel like they need a mentor to acquire an in-depth understanding of concepts and problem-solving techniques can prefer coaching for better concept clarity.

➤ Need Expert Guidance- Candidates looking out for personalized doubt-clearing sessions, tips & techniques for practice questions, and feedback & guidance on mock tests can prefer joining CAT coaching centers.

 

Who Should Consider Self-Study for CAT Preparation?

➤ Prefer Flexible Study Routines- Some students prefer learning at their own pace and structuring study schedules according to their own commitments rather than sticking to the timings of a coaching center. Opting for self-study can be their ideal choice.   

➤ Self-motivated Candidates- Candidates who have the habit of creating routines and sticking to them without any external pressure can perform well with self-study for CAT exam preparation.

➤ Budget Constraints- Students who prefer to have a cost-effective approach to CAT preparation rather than investing heavy amounts on CAT coaching centers.

➤ Previously Participated Candidates of CAT- Candidates who have already given one or more attempts to the CAT examination can prefer self-study now, as they are already well-acquainted with the exam pattern and syllabus and just need to improve on their preparation.

➤ Working Professionals- Working professionals can find it challenging to manage their working hours along with the fixed timings of coaching centers. Hence, self-study allows them to prepare at their own pace without disturbing their working hours.

 

Ultimate Solution: Maxxcell's Self-Paced CAT Preparation Courses  

Now that you are well-versed with all the points to keep in mind for CAT preparation, self-study vs coaching, you are ready to select the best option that suits your interests and current situations. However, if you're still unsure of which mode of study to select, then you must give a try to Maxxcell's Self-Paced CAT Preparation Courses to stop wasting time any further and get started with your CAT exam preparation. Maxxcell is here to solve all your challenges related to CAT preparation by introducing full-fledged courses with concept-builders, practice questions of different difficulty levels, past year paper solving and what not. What makes us stand out from the other CAT coaching centers is that you get these comprehensive courses at unimaginably low rates that suit every candidate and make knowledge affordable and accessible to all.

So stop wasting any more time and kick-start your CAT prep now with Maxxcell Institute!!

 

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