IIM CAT is going to close the CAT registration 2021 window on September 15. If you’re like the most, you probably wait until time is running out before starting those important tasks (Ahem! I fall into this category :P). If you haven’t applied for CAT 2021, just get the hell out of this page and apply for CAT 2021 now. If you’re struggling to find answers of your doubts pertaining to the application process, then check out this article which is a one stop solution for all of queries related to CAT application.
This year, CAT is scheduled to be held on November 28th, 2021. This year IIM Ahmedabad, the conducting body of the CAT exam, will close the CAT 2021 registration on September 15. Aspirants interested in appearing for CAT 2021 can fill up the form within the next 10 days. Don’t wait until the last-minute, always finish ahead of deadlines.
Wait, but why you shouldn’t wait until deadline?
#1 It will help you to reduce stress
Deadlines looming over you cause stress. If you have ever sat in bed worrying about something that you haven’t completed ( Like taking a mock test :P) You create your own stress when you don’t meet deadlines.
#2 Deal with the unexpected
Life has a unexpected way of throwing the unexpected at you, usually right before a deadline. (Like the server might go down : P) If you wait until a due date is upon you, then you won’t have time to react when life throws a curveball. And, while it is easy to use these “happenings” as an excuse, you won’t be in the situation if you finish ahead of time.
#3 Prevents missed opportunities
If you miss a deadlines, you sometimes don’t get a second chance. CAT happens only once in a year. If you miss this opportunity you won’t get a second chance. Opportunities will pass you by and you won’t be able to take advantage of them.
But, only 80 days are left. Is it still possible to crack CAT?
The exam fever usually gets to us only towards the last mile. Irrespective of the level of preparation done earlier, the differentiating aspect is going to be the effort that goes in during this final sprint in these 80 days. 80 days? That is less than three months. No? Yes. But, it was never about counting in months. It is never too late to start preparing for the CAT, especially if you have just 2 months left.
Honestly, it does require a lot of effort and focus from your end if you are looking to crack CAT in just two months. If you are repeater, it helps. If you are not, you know that all you have got is two months, but the good things is that CAT is not a test of your knowledge. It is a test of your basic intelligence and aptitude. Therefore, let us deep-dive into devising a strategy for the last lap and get cracking!
2 and a half months before CAT
Just starting out with your CAT preparation means you need to get all the basic concepts under the belly. This is required more in case of quant and lesser in case of VARC, DI and LR which require more of exam practice right from day 1. The first thing you need to start off with is a CAT mock. Take a CAT mock right on the first day of your preparation. This will give you and idea of what is your current standing and how much of an effort will be required to propel you towards the ideal percentile. Cover all the basics of Quantitative Aptitude.
Once you have covered the Quantitative Aptitude basics, now is the time to put the foot on the pedal and get the ‘match-practice’. This is the time where you should take 2 mocks per week. This mock-taking exercise should be followed up with an in-depth mock analysis. Further, for Quantitative Aptitude, solve all the previous year actual CAT questions. This means all the CAT questions from the year 2017 till the previous edition of CAT. For VARC, in the mocks that you will be taking, ensure that you attempt all the questions of VARC. That is the eventual goal for you in the CAT exam. To be able to solve all the questions of VARC with around 90% to 95% accuracy. For DILR, Spot one simple thing, where you able to find out the easy questions across the sets and then go berserk solving that set.
1 month before CAT
By this time, your CAT admit card should be out already. Therefore, it is important for you take all your mocks in exactly the same time slot as the time slot of your actual CAT exam. It goes without saying that your mock taking should be followed up with deep analysis of each mock and going back to the drawing board, if required, to revise the concepts you are weak at. After taking ample mocks you will be able to solidify a strategy for yourself and it is advisable for you to follow that strategy.
2 weeks before CAT
This is the time when you need to take a break from your work if you are currently working somewhere. Sit back at home. Decrease your mocks to about 1 per week but do a full revision of the concepts of all the topics that you have studied. The revision of the concepts should not take you more than one day once you are at home. On the other days, take up all the mocks that you had attempted earlier and go through them. Resolving 2-3 of your worst mocks is a good idea as it will refresh all the mistakes that you made.
The CAT week
Take your last mock here, which should also be the only mock that you take this week. Do not take any mock in the last 4 days. Light revision and glancing through some previous mocks could be helpful. Let go of any kind of studies in the last 3 days. Go and enjoy a comedy movie in these three days. You mind needs rest before you take the CAT exam.
Bottom-line
Spend your time qualitatively. Do not loiter around Youtube channel that claim to keep you motivated during these 80 days. Kindly do not sit around and wait for something great to happen. Get your hands dirty, and do some actual preparation. Throw everything into this last lap and prepare well.
Best wishes for CAT 2021!!
Abhishek Mukherjee works for 2IIM. Apart from solving interesting math questions he likes to eat biriyani and watch movies.
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