Common Admission Test is one of the most difficult entrance examinations for any management aspirant in the country of India. A candidate undergoes rigorous practice while preparing for the CAT, and mock tests play an important role in his/her practice schedule.
Mock tests help simulate the actual exam environment that enables practice time management and getting familiar with the exam pattern. However, most aspirants don't get adequate help from these mocks because of some common mistakes. This article points to some of the major pitfalls that a candidate should avoid at the time of preparing for the mock CAT in order to ensure maximum performance and readiness for the real exam.
Mistakes to Avoid While Taking CAT Mocks
Leaving out on Easy Questions
One of the most common mistakes in taking CAT mock Tests is spending too much time on tough questions and leaving the easier ones.
The typical error is that most of the candidates remain stuck on some difficult questions, losing much of their time and energy; by doing so, they tend to ignore or fail to attempt low-hanging fruit questions that could be solved quickly.
Many times, you face questions in which you are at sea, and it becomes challenging to score. So it is important to develop a strategy for such questions. Marking and moving along: In case the question does not look straightforward, mark it for review and move ahead. Doing this will help you not let go of the easier questions' score.
Focusing Too Much on Syllabus Completion
While keeping in view the cat syllabus is important, just running after it and not fine-tuning a test-taking strategy for yourself can sometimes prove counterproductive.
Many aspirants spend much time covering the syllabus in depth, but they do not work hard enough to develop a solid strategy for attempting the test.
Divide your preparation into two parts—mastering the syllabus and honing your exam strategy. Hence, you must try different strategies during mocks to get an idea of what works the best for you in terms of time, choice of questions, and being comfortable under pressure.
Not Analyzing Mocks
Doing mock tests without a review and analysis is wasting a huge opportunity for improvement. Many candidates do mock tests but fail to spend sufficient time going through their performance, understanding the mistakes, and areas of improvement.
After every mock, make sure to analyze it to the fullest. Go through all the correct as well as incorrect answers and see what your approach was in answering the question. Try and find out the patterns of errors – say, for example, consistently committing a mistake in a topic or a kind of question. You'll then know where you really have to focus your time and effort on.
Ignoring the Importance of Simulating Exam Conditions
Practicing in an environment that does not simulate how the actual conditions would be on the day of the real test can have disastrous effects. The mocks taken in the relaxed setting, with many breaks and other distractions, do not bring you to the actual high-pressure environment of the CAT.
Take mocks in as exam-like conditions as possible. Choose a quiet place to sit and avoid any kind of interruption, sticking rigorously to the time limits. This builds the required mental stamina and focus for the actual exam.
Quantity Over Quality Mocks
Taking too many mocks without proper analysis is counterproductive. They feel that the number of mocks taken will serve them better. However, it is the time needed for analysis such that something is learnt from each test which produces the desired results.
Focus on the quality of mocks rather than the quantity.
Better to take fewer tests and analyze them deeply than to take numerous tests without gaining true insights. Ensure you learn from each mock and make incremental improvements in strategy and knowledge.
Neglect of the Psychological Aspect
The psychological angle to preparation gets ignored, be it handling stress and continuation of motivation. Scores may demotivate, thereby adversely interfering with preparations.
View mock scores as feedback, not as a judgment of your caliber. Bring a positive attitude and learn something from each mock. Build mental resilience by practicing mindfulness and stress-handling techniques.
Conclusion
The CAT is the world-beater among competitive exams in churning out surprise treats. The best-laid plans can always go awry because of changes in the CAT pattern and question types.
CAT should be approached with smart work rather than hard work alone. Some of the common mistakes committed during the mock tests are to be consciously avoided since their effect on the final result for the actual exam can be very positive. So, exercise caution against these pitfalls, and you shall make the fine line of preparation come to great use while maximizing your chances of success in the CAT exam.
