Is Taking A Drop Year For CAT Worth It?

Introduction  

Candidates aspiring to convert top IIMs and other b-schools often consider re-appearing for CAT if they couldn't convert their dream colleges in the first attempt. However, taking a drop year for giving a second attempt in CAT can expose the candidate to certain risks. Calculating these risks beforehand and taking an informed decision can increase your chances of success in the subsequent attempt and make your drop year worth the struggle.

Factors in Favor of Taking a Drop Year For CAT  

➤ Minimal Distractions- A drop year can help you establish an effective CAT preparation strategy and follow through without any major distractions or disturbances. CAT exam preparation can become really sorted if you solely devote a year to it without any other major commitments. You get to study the CAT exam syllabus in depth and build clear concepts.

➤ Increased Chances of Converting Top B-schools- Devoting time completely to CAT exam preparation can give you an edge over those candidates who are preparing for this exam along with a job or other time-taking commitments. It gives you an opportunity to prepare thoroughly using the best CAT preparation material and score higher marks than other candidates and convert IIMs or your desired b-school.

➤ No Deductions For Drop Year- There are no deductions for taking a drop year for CAT exam preparation in IIMs. This portrays the neutral attitude of top b-schools towards candidates taking a drop year. Thus, if your situations are in favor of taking a drop year, then you must do it without the fear of any negative marking based on this fact.

➤ Below Average Score in First Attempt- It is usually believed that if you managed to score an above average mark in your first attempt of CAT, then it might not be beneficial for you to take a drop year as you can improvise on your marks even while taking a job experience or enrolling yourself in some other course simultaneously. However, if the score in your first attempt of CAT is average or below average, and you feel like you need to devote major time to CAT preparation in order to improve your performance and claim your dream college, then taking a drop year might be a good decision for you, as the time invested during this stage shall reap you the best results in the near future.

➤ Unfavorable Circumstances- In case you are facing any critical health or family or financial issues that would require a few months to get sorted, and you are not in the headspace to manage multiple academic or career commitments at the same time, then taking a drop year might be beneficial for your mental health as well as fetch you better results in your CAT.

 Factors Against Taking a Drop Year For CAT  

➤ Uncertainty of the CAT exam- The CAT is considered to hold a level of uncertainty as its pattern and type of questions can't be predicted beforehand. For example, the sectional question distribution of CAT 2024 was found to be slightly different from that of CAT 2023 as the number of questions in DILR was increased from 20 to 22. These variations in the CAT make it difficult to predict the result of your next attempt. Even after improvised preparation, there is no surety of whether a candidate could claim a better college in the next attempt as the factors affecting the results keep on changing every year.

➤ Obstacles in Interview- Although there is no marks deduction for a candidate clearing the CAT after taking a drop year, the reason behind this is often asked in the interview during MBA admissions and as well as during job interviews. The recruiters need to test the candidate's time-management skills and seriousness towards the degree, as an MBA degree often teaches the student to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. Hence, it becomes important to give a satisfactory answer to the panel justifying the reason behind a drop year for CAT preparation.

➤ A Drop Year Can Add on to Stress- High expectations, social pressure, fear of failure, isolation, academic pressure, and the potential for burnout. All these issues can add on to the existing stress of a candidate during a drop year, and he/she might also feel stuck at times. To avoid this buildup of stress, it becomes crucial to get yourself engaged in a bunch of activities that distribute your efforts and also keep you motivated, such as a part-time internship or side courses.

➤ Beneficial Alternatives to a Drop Year- While there is no problem associated with re-taking the CAT exam for better opportunities, taking a drop year just for CAT preparation in usual circumstances might not be the ideal decision. Enrolling yourself in a few other skill building courses or gaining practical work experience through an entry-level job are usually considered to be more beneficial for MBA admissions and also appreciated in interview rounds.

➤ Dealing With Un-favourable Results- A candidate taking a drop year does hope for the best results in the next attempt, but they also need to prepare themselves mentally to accept the worst outcome as well. Due to the uncertain aspects of the CAT, it is not always possible that the proceeding attempt would surely reflect better scores. Thus, it is important that along with dedicated CAT exam preparation, a candidate also creates a positive mindset to accept challenges and also have a back-up plan in case things don't go as expected.

Conclusion  

The major risks or challenges associated with taking a drop year for CAT preparation and the circumstances in which this option should be considered are stated in this article. Both sides have their pros and cons, and neither of the decisions can suit every candidate. Thus, it is important to contemplate on all the points and choose a path that best suits your interests and career goals.

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