They Came, They Saw, They Conquered
Who better to seek advice from than those who’ve been there and done it? Let’s hear what some successful CAT-takers have to say about their experience

I cracked CAT in the 98th percentile. I got calls from various colleges including IIM-I, NITIE, IMI, IMT-G, KJSOM, TAPMI, GIM, LBSIM, and I converted IMT-G, IMI, KJSOM, TAPMI, GIM, and LBSIM. But after much thought, I finally opted for IMI Delhi. I realised in the end that holding your nerve was the key to performing on the D-Day. That was the critical factor.

The most important lesson that anyone can get is self-realisation. In the last month, you need to sit back and think about your strengths. Be honest with yourself. No flashy imaginative images of yourself. Just the current state and where you stand. I solved many mocks and previous year papers a month before CAT. I solved many sprints. I tried to solve at least one sprint of each section daily. And most importantly, I analysed them well after taking the test. I was working, but I still spent around 3-4 hours daily on this. I would advise all CAT aspirants to be focused and work hard in the last month. Do not lose hope. You never know what is there in the CAT house. Best of luck!
— Shishir Shukla (IMI New Delhi)

My memories of the CAT are of a very hectic time. I was very worried but managed to overcome my fears and ensured that my preparations were on track. The last few days before your exam call for a lot of hard work. Do as many mocks as you can, and brush up on the verbal sections. Many people lose out here. Don’t worry about any fancy techniques or tips & tricks. Mocks are your best friend. Try old papers too. Time yourself and make sure you don’t buckle under the pressure. This year’s new format should make this aspect easier. Also, use your last few days to keep your mind fresh. Go for a game of tennis, or for a walk late night and early morning. You will not do yourself any good if you’re all tired and stressed out. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
— Gaurav Verma (IIM-A)

You’re at the final checkpoint and you’ve done all you could. If you feel there’s something you need to focus on, have a quick look at it but don’t try and reinvent the wheel at this stage. Right now, you should be brushing up on your skills, and doing mock tests. The CAT is not that difficulty and scary – a lot of the fears people have is mostly hype. Believe in yourself; that’s the most important thing you can do in the last few days. After having studied so intensively for the CAT, you have done all you possibly could. This stage at the finishing line is about being confident and not getting affected by the stress. Get some proper rest – many of my friends stayed up studying late and that affected their ability to think fast and accurately. You don’t want that to happen to you. Study hard but don't worry.
— Mohit Pandey (MDI)

WHAT I did wrong was that by trying too hard I ended up choking because of stress. The first time, I studied a lot, and barely slept 3 hours a day before the big day. And on the big day, my mind refused to work. The second time I was also stressed as the memories of my first attempt were fresh in my mind. My third time proved lucky and I got the college of my choice and I must credit my success to the mock tests I did and the support of my family. I also realised that the CAT was not the end-all, be-all of existence and decided to take things in the right spirit. Surprisingly, or perhaps not, this helped by reducing my anxiety levels and I was able to do well on the exam day. I wish you all a lot of luck. Do believe in yourself.
— Aditya Saxena (IIM-L)