PGDM - Advantages of appearing in the CAT exam while pursuing a bachelor's degree program

Over the past ten years, there have been significant changes to the CAT exam, including changes to the question format, time limit, exam structure, scoring system, and other key elements. The most recent exam pattern, which IIM Ahmedabad published last year for the CAT 2021 exam, is now the basis for the syllabus. Each of the three categories that make up the exam syllabus has a different weight on the CAT question paper. Time constraints, test structure, scoring methodology, and other crucial components. The competition has gotten tougher as more pupils are taking the test. Therefore, it is crucial now more than ever to read the best materials and fully prepare for the exam. While still in their final year of graduation, the majority of aspirants begin their preparations for it. The advantages of taking the CAT exam while enrolled in a bachelor's degree program are detailed below.

Advantages of the CAT Exam for Students Pursuing Their Final Year of Graduation

Although the aspirant decides when they are prepared for the CAT, taking the exam while still in your last year of graduation has its benefits. We'll go over a few of them right away.

• The benefit of preparation: It takes at least nine to twelve months to adequately prepare for the exam. It is the optimal time to study for this exam while a candidate is still in their last year of graduation. Students majoring in BTech, BSc, and BCom can better prepare because certain courses they are enrolled in, such as Math, make it simple for them to get ready for the Quantitative Ability exam.
• The advantage of coaching: The benefit of coaching is that applicants in their final year of graduation may easily carve out time to attend coaching programs, unlike working professionals. These prospects are not constrained by standard 9 to 5 workdays. Any working individual who has passed the exam will cite a lack of time as the reason they did not enroll in coaching sessions. Although enrolling in coaching programs may not be necessary for everyone, it does aid the applicant in a structured and organized preparation.
• No gap year: Because it takes at least nine to twelve months to prepare for the exam, a candidate who has already graduated will have to set aside that much time, causing a void between their undergraduate and graduate degrees.
• No income loss: Many working professionals who intend to take this exam must leave their well-paying professions to study for the test. Those who study for the exam while working must strive harder to balance both their regular jobs and good study habits. However, an undergraduate candidate is protected from such a circumstance.
• Can gain work experience before enrolling in the course: Some universities permit applicants who have been accepted to postpone their entrance for up to two years to gain job experience before enrolling in the PGP program. For such candidates, 10% of the seats are set aside. If a candidate for the last year of graduation is admitted in a given year, they may even work for a year or two before beginning the program.

Key Points to Remember for CAT Preparation

A speed and accuracy test is the CAT. To increase speed and accuracy, practice as many question papers and practice tests as you can.

After each practice test while you study for the exam, evaluate your performance. Analyze your skills and weaknesses to improve them.

Solve each question at least three times since you will grasp it on the first try, solve it more quickly on the second, and possibly find a shortcut on the third.

The CAT exam has a segment time limit, so you must finish each portion within the allotted time.

There are failing grades on this test. There is a one-mark deduction for each incorrect response. Learn the technique of choosing the correct question for you to prevent this.

There are sectional cutoff limits in the CAT, so don't disregard any subject. The selection in WAT-GD/PI and overall CAT percentile are directly impacted by the sectional cut-off.

Develop time management skills by taking timed practice tests.

Maintain the best level of preparedness, but avoid going overboard. if you've previously prepared a few subjects. Don't continue to work on them. Concentrate on subjects that still cause you discomfort.

Analyze your performance on a mock test carefully to determine where you need to improve. Develop it. Determine the categories of problems that remain unanswered. Avoid answering any of these questions on the exam.

Recall up to 20 tables, including those for square, square root, cube, cube root, etc. You can use these to aid your mental calculations during the exam.

Every day for an hour, review all of the VA, LR, and QA formulas. You should be familiar with these to the point where, on the day of the exam, you can recollect them without losing any time.

Concentrate solely on practice exams and revision throughout this final round of preparation. The moment when you can move your score from 95 to 99 percentile is now.

Eligibility requirements

• The candidate must hold a bachelor's degree in any stream from a recognized board or university with at least a 50% aggregate or comparable CGPA* (45% for SC, ST, and PWD/DA categories).
• The applicant must have earned a professional degree (CA, CS, or ICWA) with the required grade point average.
• Candidates who are awaiting results or who are in their final year of a bachelor's degree or comparable certification may also apply for the exam.
• The test can be taken by people of any age.

Tips for Exam Preparation Using the CAT Exam Pattern

In the Exam Pattern, a brief explanation of how to study is provided:

• The almost equal weight of each segment leads to the conclusion that the exam should weigh each section equally when learning the fundamentals.
• To decide how to start with exam preparation, sample exams are crucial. He has the most conceptual understanding of the exam section where he performed the best. As a result, less time may be spent on it, and the candidate should concentrate their efforts on the component that received the lowest score.
• The efficiency of the mocks must be reevaluated after some time. The candidate must ensure that both the area in which they are concentrating and the area in which they excelled is improving.

When Should You Begin Practicing CAT Exam Questions?

After finishing the course, only then should you begin to solve the CAT test questions or sample questions. If you haven't done that, working through example papers won't help you because you won't be able to accurately answer the questions. As a result, finish the syllabus first, make sure you understand all the formulas and theorems, and only then should you start working on the example paper. Three months before the exam is the ideal time to begin solving them. Since this examination is in November, you must begin taking practice tests in September.

Although anybody with a graduating degree, including recent graduates and professionals in the workforce, is eligible to apply for the CAT, students in their last year of a bachelor's degree program make up the majority of applicants. Unpleasant surprises are much less likely to occur if an applicant adheres to the CAT preparation plan closely.