Stepping into August, we only have around 4 months left for the D-Day! By now, every CAT aspirant should be well versed with taking and analysing mocks. Mocks are a crucial part of your CAT Preparation and should be taken very seriously.
This article will take you through all that you need to know about mocks!
When to start?
NOW. Start taking mocks right away.
Do not wait to finish your preparation before starting with mocks! That time generally never comes. Sit down for 2 hours today and write a mock! If it is too late today, make it a point to take a mock tomorrow!
Remember, the more you postpone, the more you lose.
How to take Mocks?
The purpose of taking mocks is to get comfortable with sitting for 2 hours straight in the exam and reduce fatigue to the minimum level. Mocks also give you an opportunity to try out different strategies and see what works best for you.
This purpose goes down the drain, when mocks are not given in an environment that replicates the exam environment. Make sure that mocks are given exactly the way you would give you CAT exam. No breaks in between, no distractions, strict time limit, and full concentration.
Strategy for taking mocks
1. Take the mock CAT
The first step is to dive right into it and take a mock. The environment you take a mock in should exactly replicate the environment of the exam. Give that mock all that you’ve got! If you do not feel completely exhausted after taking a mock, you have not given your 100% to the mock.
If you are still looking for mocks, 2IIM’s Test Dojo series offers you 15 mock CATs with detailed solutions.
2. Review and analyse the mock
As important as it is to take mocks, the value resides in analysing the mocks. Spend as much time analysing a mock as you spent taking one! While analysing, make sure you go through not only the questions you got wrong or skipped but also the questions you got right.
Click here to understand how to review mocks in detail.
3. Identify gaps
After you go through all the questions in the mock, try and identify your gaps. Look for simple questions that you missed, questions you spent too much time on, questions you got right by chance, questions you could not attempt from your strong topics, etc. This will help you identify where you need to work on. Mock cats have the best questions. Learn to solve ALL of these.
4. Revisit the fundamentals
List down the topics or areas you need to work on and revisit the fundamentals to get a better hold on them. Review this list whenever you take a mock.
How many mocks should be given in a day?
In a day, stick to giving only one mock. Do not overwork yourself.
It is important to derive value and learn from the mock. Giving more than one mock in a single day will over exhaust you and will bring down your learnings from the mock.
How many mocks should be given before the CAT exam?
Take as many mocks as you can but do make sure that you are taking them seriously and not just to increase your mock count. What you learn from these mocks will add more value than simply taking mock after mock.
Experiment with different strategies while you are giving the mock and try to find the one that works the best for you.
How many mock providers should I go for?
All mock providers have their own way of creating and providing mocks. Hence, the mocks from different providers ought to be different from each other in terms of the way the mocks and the questions are structured and formulated. If you go in for one single mock provider, there are chances that you might get used to the way those mocks are structured.
Ideally, you should take the Mocks from atleast two providers. This diversity helps you have a better perspective in what you can expect in the exam.
How much importance should I give to my mock scores?
After giving mocks, have a good look at your mock score. It is natural to not be able to ignore the scores you get, so stare at the screen and get a good look. That is the only significance of your scores. Now, you are ready to move on and do what is actually important, that is the analysis part!
What to do if scores are volatile?
The Mock CATs are just a reflection of what could be possible with the kind of preparation and mental alertness that you had during that period of taking THAT particular Mock CAT. Hence, it would be prudent to look at the Mocks as an opportunity to assess your preparation rather than a milestone because it really ain’t one. So, the scores are bound to be volatile initially, kindly don’t sweat over it.
If your latest CAT mock hasn’t gone well, don’t fret. Watch this video that’ll help you deal with the dejection and help you move forward.
Taking mocks is extremely crucial but analysing and learning from your mistakes is what will add value to your preparation. Start giving mocks right away, if not done already. Don’t get bogged down by a few bad scores. Make sure you identify your gaps and work on filling those. Mocks have the capability to make or break a year’s CAT attempt. Don’t take mocks lightly, give them the respect they deserve!
Cheers and Best Wishes!
Vibhuti Sharma works with 2IIM as a Product head.
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