There is no pass/fail system in the CAT. You will either get a high percentile through which you may quickly receive a call from your desired university or a low percentile through which you would be unable to receive any calls for admission. The percentile is the sole factor determining whether a student taking the CAT test successfully gets a call from the institution of his choice. As a result, no student who is studying for the CAT exam fails the exam.
These days, students of all ages often experience exam anxiety, sometimes known as the dread of exams. Some pupils have test fear and find it difficult to recover. They may get more anxious or even depressed as a result of this. The kids' exam anxiety might be a big barrier to academic success. Before your fear destroys a crucial opportunity in your life, it is crucial to recognize when you have developed a phobia of something and to overcome it at the ideal moment.
Why do candidates have this phobia?
Despite the fact that the CAT is far more challenging than some of the other MBA tests, it is nevertheless true that it is not insurmountably demanding. Only those who have studied thoroughly will be able to complete the exam's moderate-to-high difficulty level questions. For the CAT, planning and decision-making are just as important as answering every question. How well you do on the CAT exam is greatly influenced by your decision on which questions to answer and which to skip. Thus, it is untrue to assume that only those with exceptional intelligence can pass the CAT.
You shouldn't worry if you think you're an ordinary student. You may most certainly clear the path to your ideal MBA schools with the proper preparation. However, it's critical that you begin your preparations as soon as possible and give it all of your attention. All of the success tales of former top students and IIM graduates have one thing in common: they all gave their objective their whole and gave their all effort. Therefore, I can assure you that nothing is impossible as long as you follow through, especially not CAT!
Exam anxiety may also result from the following factors.
- Concern about doing badly on tests or examinations
- Fear of losing control is another.
- The concern of disappointing others (guardians, educators)
- Assigning exams and tasks that are too significant and valuable
- Set a very high standard for themself.
- Attributing one's self-worth to grades
- Lack of confidence or critical thoughts about oneself
Because test anxiety may harm a child's physical and mental health, it is crucial to conquering it. Typically, test fear is accompanied by poor self-esteem and anxiety in many students, both of which need to be handled. The fear of exams may cause a kid to do poorly in school.
What are the main recommendations to prevent CAT anxiety?
- Acing CAT is not difficult:
To prepare for the "toughest test," you must first and foremost change the way you see it. It's not difficult math on the exam's curriculum. Everyone has previously had the opportunity to study it in school. To solve it, all you need is instruction on how to think critically and reason analytically. This is sufficient for a fantastic score when combined with the appropriate level of confidence. Additionally, you may inquire about their CAT-writing experiences from professionals and former pupils. You will hear this from the majority of them. Avoid reading unrelated blogs and listening to those who haven't even tried CAT. Motivate yourself properly by all means.
- Begin early with your planning:
One must begin early if they want to finish the curriculum and have enough time to revise before the test. This is part of the CAT syllabus:
- Vocabulary and comprehension of text
- Analytical Thinking and Data Interpretation
- Skill with numbers
Preparation for the CAT should ideally start 12 months prior to the test. Prioritize topics of increasing complexity after studying each one thoroughly from the beginning. Aim to improve your vocabulary and critical thinking skills. Your curriculum should be finished at least six months in advance, and you should use this time to review, work on the CAT's past ten years' worth of test prep materials, and take practice tests. The secret to success is a strict regimen combined with self-study, so keep that in mind if this plan does not work out for you.
- Pay attention to your qualifications and flaws.
Examine your skills and shortcomings by completing chapter-based assessments. Focus on the part that needs the most development. You must do equally well in every section since sectional cutoffs are in effect. If, for example, you have trouble managing Verbal RCs, then make an effort to complete at least two Reading Comprehension exercises each day. Consider your mistakes and the kinds of queries you are unable to answer. There has to be a pattern, which you should then try to figure out. Maintain an awareness of your strengths, nevertheless, at all times. Spend time at least twice a week reviewing your areas of strength. Many students make the mistake of focusing only on their weaker subjects while blatantly neglecting the others. Try to start with an all-around mindset since doing otherwise might cost you the final test.
- Make a good study schedule.
An aspirant's preparation is often clouded by a last-minute study plan, and by the time test day arrives, they have no idea how to manage the pressure of CAT preparation. To do this, create a comprehensive study plan for the CAT test that includes enough practice sessions for all of the exam's components. Nevertheless, just preparing won't be enough. That strategy must be faithfully followed. In your own time slot, you should begin your preparations and schedule your activities accordingly. The optimum CAT preparation schedule should be divided into four objective slots.
Study for two to three hours each day. So that you may complete your syllabus on time, strive to attempt enough questions.
- SHORT TERM GOAL: You should split up your study time so that you may devote equal time to each and every CAT syllabus unit.
- LONG TERM GOAL: Finish the CAT Syllabus by the end of August and then begin the mock exams.
- MAJOR OBJECTIVE: To successfully complete the CAT.
- Consult with Professionals
In order to learn how to handle stress or strain related to their uncertainties, CAT aspirants benefit greatly from having a personal mentor throughout their preparation. You'll encounter certain subjects or issues that are challenging for you to comprehend or solve while you complete your CAT preparation. Ask professionals to clear up any questions you may have. The chapter will be challenging for you to master if you keep your doubts to yourself.
Additionally, make good use of your technology, particularly your mobile devices. You may now utilize a broad range of programmes to assist you in becoming acquainted with CAT preparation. But keep in mind that using these applications does nothing more than test your appetite and get you used to cook in your leisure time. With job candidates who travel often, this tactic is fantastic. However, under no circumstances should they replace careful planning.
- Finish several mock tests.
The value of practising for the CAT and other MBA tests has been stressed time and time again. Mock exams are a foolproof method since they help you get acquainted with the kinds of questions you may anticipate on the test as well as offer you a sense of what the actual exam will be like. Your tension and anxiety will be significantly reduced as a result. Mock solutions, on the other hand, provide you with some strategies for answering problems that might otherwise take a long time to answer. In this manner, you may also improve your efforts. It's crucial to solve practice exams for this reason regularly. Never ever fail to do this.
- Have a healthy diet and get enough sleep.
Getting enough rest and eating a healthy diet is the next strategy to combat CAT test anxiety. Eating healthily significantly influences how well students are prepared for exams, especially around test times. It's essential to have a balanced diet for the human body to function properly.
Our ability to re-energize and get motivated will improve with rest. Stress and weakness are caused by lack of sleep. Creating exam fear as a result. Finally, your planning strategy will have a negative influence. Make sure that your body and mind are receiving enough rest to avoid this.
- Stop evaluating yourself in relation to others.
While this is nothing to worry about, it might also lead to tension, pressure, and anxiety. Students often phone their friends to discuss each other's test preparation (progress, amount of preparation, etc.). Many pupils get anxious when they realize how much their classmates have advanced and improved. Focus on your preparation and avoid making a big deal about what other people are doing in order to get over this.
There is a limit to how much you can do because, at the end of the day, you are a human. You just need to exert yourself consistently, and the rest will take care of itself. Additionally, if you can manage your stress, you will be able to prepare well enough for the CAT (or any other test), which will change the way you see the CAT from "a challenging examination" to something you would really like. Your productivity and effectiveness will unquestionably increase if you do this.
This post about overcoming CAT test fear is something I hope you enjoyed. Maintain your composure and drive while you work hard. Good luck.