HustleCroc
HustleCroc
Greygroup

Feeling underconfident to face CAT 2024

I am a 26F, 3yoe in advertising and marketing. I'm tired of being in agency side and serving the brand. I wanted to shift to brand side for that I'm planning to give CAT and get an MBA from IIMs. To be honest I feel super underconfident to give a try. I am disappointed with myself and throwing a lot of self hate for this attitude towards my preparation. Anyone who has cracked CAT could teach me how to overcome this would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

5mo ago3.9K views
PaytmMaadi
PaytmMaadi
Paytm5mo

Why not consider a drop?

HustleCroc
HustleCroc
Greygroup5mo

Meaning?

PaytmMaadi
PaytmMaadi
Paytm5mo

You can leave your job until CAT results and this gives your more time for prep on a daily basis hence better performance

MicahBell
MicahBell
Startup5mo

Practice mocks during the exam's exact slot hours on Sundays (maybe Saturdays too) Block those hours in your calendar.
The brain kind of gets used to the rhythm/momentum and you actually don't get as stressed when you go for the real thing.

HustleCroc
HustleCroc
Greygroup5mo

Good insight! Will keep in mind . Thanks

MicahBell
MicahBell
Startup5mo

If possible, don't let CAT be the first real exam you attempt in the season. Fill the forms of IIFT or even an IBPS which happen a few weeks ahead. Just to keep you in the momentum of giving exams.

Bumrah
Bumrah
HCL5mo

Gave CAT twice ! Can share few pointers : -Revise basic maths topics like Algebra/Geometry and Arithmetic. -Start Giving 1 Mock test every weekend, and do analyse each and every question, even if you score very less in mock doesn’t matter. Give mock very seriously like you are giving actual CAT. -Read one newspaper every day for like 30mins. The Hindu can help -Read articles of different domain like art/psychology/History/Sociology etc once in while -Read business articles daily, can start with business newspaper as well.

You have sufficient to prepare for CAT, u can start with the above steps and follow it for around 2 months. After 2 months you would have given around 7 mocks and if you have followed the above process seriously then you would be in a much better position to gauge your progress and make plan for next 3 months.

HustleCroc
HustleCroc
Greygroup5mo

Thanks a lot. It helps! Any recommendations on which platform’s mocks to try on??

Bumrah
Bumrah
HCL5mo

You can buy TIME mock test series, its good.

DaringTrain
DaringTrain
Stealth5mo

I'll tell you the secret which worked for me. It sounds counterintuitive, but it's true. And it comes from a decade's experience of writing competitive exams successfully. Join my paid telegram channel to know the secret sauce... Just kidding, but here I can only give generic gyaan. If you want specific tips, DMs are open

DaringTrain
DaringTrain
Stealth5mo

Here's the generic gyaan:

  • 70% of how well you do is not preparation. It's your mindset. Honestly the exam doesn't even challenge your preparation, maybe 30-40% questions do. Others can be tackled by our school level prep and common sense.
  • Mocks, Mocks, Mocks.. Give as many mock exams as you can. And not at home. Go to a cyber cafe (do they still exist?) and give them. You need to be around the distracting noise. In a three hour sitting, all at once. Finish till the end. And once done, review them. Not just for accuracy, but for speed. Identify the sections which you are bad at or slow at? Was it better to skip? It's not an accuracy contest, it's a speed contest. Did you see the last question? Maybe it was 2+3=? and you missed it.
  • Three months is more than enough time to prep. It's a stupid exam. It doesn't deserve more time of your life than more.

Noq I am tired. But I will again reiterate Point #1. It's true. Almost everyone does worse than their aptitude on D-Day. This will be your competitive advantage. I was humming Taylor Swift for the entire CAT duration. And by the time I was done, I thought, What a stupid exam. What was all the fuss about?

HustleCroc
HustleCroc
Greygroup5mo

Thanks for your input and motivation! Let me try mocks and update the progress:)

Ysam
Ysam
TCS5mo

I have not appeared for CAT. But can give guidance based on your inner fear. Feel free to DM if you need any help. Good luck.

HustleCroc
HustleCroc
Greygroup5mo

Thanks but really looking forward to hear from someone who cracked CAT to navigate through my anxiety :)

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