Tips to Optimize CAT Preparation- Don’t Just Study!

Candidates appearing for CAT 2021 are preparing at breakneck speed as the exam date is nearing. CAT 2021 is going to be conducted pan-India on November 28 and the countdown has begun with less than 10 days left. Aspirants are burning the midnight oil for the CAT preparation coupled with relentless coaching sessions and hours upon hours of revisions, mock exams, and self-study. However, preparing for the CAT exam is a long-term thing, and often, fatigue sets in. Aspirants must commit at least 8-10 hours/day for CAT preparation, which might be overwhelming at times. Caught in the midst of all these, aspirants often ignore key things that can have a substantial impact on their performance.

Simple Tips to Optimize CAT Preparation

1. Sleeping Is As Important As Studying

A sound sleeping habit can improve the cognitive skills of an aspirant vastly. This can have a positive impact on the CAT hopefuls, as sharp memory and high alertness are very much a requirement to put the candidates in the driver's seat during the exam. According to experts, sleeping for at least eight hours at night is necessary to be completely invigorated, aware, and attentive during the day. You must set aside a fixed time to sleep in your regular routine to avoid mid-day tiredness. Every day, go to bed and wake up at a fixed schedule. This will automatically aid in resetting your internal clock. The better sleep you get, the better you can focus on your CAT preparation. It's pointless to study until the wee hours of the morning if you fail to memorize what you had studied at night.

2. Recreational Activities Helps Your Brain

While you must dedicate the maximum time to studies, in the absence of any recreational activity, your brain can't give its best in the CAT exam. You can actually slow down if you are spending too much time on cracking DILR puzzles and ramming your brain going through Quant problems. You should listen to your heart when you are fatigued and take a break from your work. Doing something fun will refresh you and you can take up those puzzles with a fresh mind. Watch that episode of Squid Games, listen to music, play some chess/cricket or take an hour off to play some PubG! Some sort of daily physical activity is also important to keep lethargy at bay.

3. Dieting Is Not For Gym-goers, It's For CAT Aspirants Too

You must be physically active to maximize your gains from the rigorous CAT exam preparation. In addition to getting enough sleep, you should keep an eye on your nutrition. Forget fried & fatty foods for some time because they cause lethargy. Vitamins, protein, and other essential minerals are what your body needs and they are abundant in fresh vegetables and fruits. Seafood(read fishes), dark leafy vegetables, walnuts, berries, and omega-3 fatty acids are all beneficial to the brain. Try not to dine out to avoid an upset stomach or an unwanted disease that could interfere with your study. Lastly, wear a mask and follow a Covid-appropriate behavior because it won't be a good thing if you are infected just before your exams.

Also Read: CAT 2018 Question Paper Analysis & Tips for CAT 2021- Check Difficulty Level, Section-Wise Weightage

4. Lighting System

Extended spells of study might have a negative impact on your eyes. 
Eye fatigue is something that we all experience from time to time. To overcome it, your study space should be well-lit. It shouldn't be too bright or too dark. Whenever possible, study in the natural light. It has a calming impact that is lacking in artificial lighting.

5. Study Desk

Ensure that your study table & chair are at optimum height to help your posture. A poor posture can cause discomfort and impair focus. 
You should also make sure that the seating arrangement isn't uncomfortable and causes you any back problems. 
 study for long periods of time. Taking 10-15 minute intervals in between can work wonders! You will rest both your eyes and brain if you take short breaks in between.

6. Realize Your Motivation

Last, but not the least, there are a thousand reasons behind people wanting to pursue an MBA. However, those reasons do not have to apply to you. You must consider and determine YOUR purpose for pursuing an MBA. When the going becomes tough, this reason should be powerful enough to keep you motivated throughout the preparation. You should be feeling a strong bout of energy by leveraging this rationale.

Also Read:How to Crack CAT 2021 in 2 Months: Useful Section-wise Tips for Aspirants

Closing Note:

As vital it is to be diligent and stick to your preparation routine, it is also essential to take breaks, relax, and then get back on track for your preparation. This lowers the risk of you being overworked and stressed. We hope these CAT preparation tips will help you to give your best in the Common Admission Test and you shall excel in flying colors!