The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level examination conducted by the IIMs to assess MBA aspirants across India. Each year, over 300,000 candidates take the CAT exam, making it highly competitive. So candidates need to prepare diligently for the CAT exam and taking regular mock tests is a critical aspect of the preparation process.
But Before diving into the important question of when to start taking mocks for CAT 2024 or worrying about whether you're already late, let's first understand the concept and importance of mocks taking.
CAT mock Tests, or mocks for the Common Admission Test, are simulated exams designed to mimic the actual CAT exam in terms of format, difficulty level, and time constraints. The basic idea is to familiarize the candidate with the CAT exam so that on the D-day they don't feel alienated with the exam pattern.
Taking regular CAT (Common Admission Test) mocks is crucial for several reasons:
The ideal time to start preparing for the CAT exam varies for each candidate, depending on their skills, abilities, and the amount of time they can dedicate daily.
Candidates who start preparing for the CAT exam in January or February typically begin taking CAT tests as early as April. Initially, taking mocks twice a month, supplemented with topic tests and sectional tests, can be an effective strategy. Once the syllabus is completed, and as the exam date approaches, the frequency of mocks can be increased to one every alternate day or every two days. It is crucial to spend the day after each mock analyzing performance, identifying areas for improvement, and refining strategies.
Candidates who have started their CAT preparation now should focus on understanding concepts and completing the syllabus first, supplemented with topic tests to refine their knowledge. Once they have a solid grasp of various topics, they can start taking sectional mock tests to understand each section and improve time management. Around 4 months before the exam, they should begin taking full-length mocks, starting with one per week to get accustomed to the overall structure and timing.
As the exam date approaches, they can increase the frequency to 2-3 full-length mocks per week, ensuring they spend proper time analyzing each test to identify areas for improvement and adapt their strategies accordingly. Daily tests should be incorporated to keep skills sharp and maintain a consistent study routine. In the last few weeks, candidates should take full-length mocks at the same time of day as their actual exam slot to adapt their body and mind to the exam schedule, focusing primarily on revision and stress management to ensure they are well-prepared and confident on exam day.
Here is the whole plan phase wise:
Focus: Building Concepts
Focus: Transition to Full-Length Mocks
Focus: Intensive Practice and Strategy Refinement
Focus: Fine-Tuning and Stress Management
Choosing the right mock test series is a critical part of preparing for the CAT 2024 exam. The right mocks should closely simulate the actual CAT experience, offer high-quality content, provide insightful solutions, and deliver good value for money. Here's an overview of some of the best mock test series available online, each offering unique features tailored to help aspirants achieve their best performance:
Cost: INR 1,999
Cracku’s DashCAT mocks closely resemble actual CAT papers, providing aspirants with a realistic and comprehensive preparation experience. The series includes 25 National Level Mocks and 45 sectional mocks (VARC, DILR, QA), ensuring thorough practice across all areas. The solutions are provided in video and text format with all questions.
Aspirants can trial the first 3 mocks for free, allowing them to gauge the quality and relevance of the content. Additionally, Cracku offers free daily targets, enabling aspirants to maintain consistent practice with small sectional tests.
Cost: INR 3,450 to 9,450
TIME’s AIMCAT mocks are known for being relatively tougher than the actual CAT exam. This challenging nature ensures that if aspirants can tackle these mocks, they are well-prepared to crack the CAT. However, it’s important for aspirants to stay motivated and not get discouraged by the difficulty.
TIME offers 6 variants in their AIMCAT mocks ranging from INR 3450 to 9450. These variants can cover from basic AIMCATs to Specialized AIMCATs with video solutions. Aspirants can buy the AIMCATS according to their requirements.
Cost: INR 6,450 to 10,950
IMS offers 3 variants for their SIMCAT mock text series only CAT mocks to specialized CAT plus OMETS mocks making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking mocks that are on par with the actual CAT. Their detailed analysis of the tests helps aspirants understand their performance and areas for improvement. Additionally, IMS offers scholarships for returning students and those in reserved categories, adding value and accessibility to their offerings.
Cost: INR 4,000 to 14,500
Career Launcher offers 5 variants in their mock sets so that aspirants can choose between CAT-specific mocks or a combination of CAT + OMETS mocks based on their requirements. Their mocks features tricky questions that prepare aspirants for the unpredictability of the CAT exam. The solutions provided are easy to understand and follow, aiding effective learning.
Yes, two months can be sufficient for CAT mock tests if the students have a strong foundation in the syllabus. They can take mocks every alternative days and analyze their performance thoroughly, and focus on improving weak areas
Attempting 20 to 30 full length mocks supplemented by sectional tests, topic tests and daily targets should be enough for candidates to prepare well before the exam.
Cracku provides few free mocks which are designed to simulate the actual CAT exam. They also have provide Daily Targets which is like a mini mock version which is free for all and can be accessed everyday.
Cracku offers one of the cheapest yet high-quality CAT mock test series making them an excellent choice for strategic preparation at an affordable price.
Free CAT Mocks Available Online, Full-length Sectional Tests
Read BlogHow Many Mock Tests Should One Take Before The CAT 2024?
Read BlogCAT Mock Taking Strategies for Quant, Check Details Below
Read BlogHow to Choose Best Mock Tests for CAT? Compare Now
Read BlogHow to Analyze Mocks To Improve CAT Percentile? Check Now
Read BlogHow to Improve CAT Mocks Score? Tips by CAT Topper
Read BlogHow To Analyze CAT VARC Sectional Test? Check Now
Read Blog