CAT 2023: Affirmations for exam day

A few days before CAT 2023 exam

Identify your areas of weakness. Make sure that you work on these areas in the best way possible, but do not over-stress on them. In the worst case, make sure that the preparation in these areas is such that you will be able to answer at least the easy questions from these areas.

Last day before CAT 2023 exam

Over the past many years, we have seen the best of students cracking under the enormous (self-created) pressure and therefore, it is critical that you reduce the pressure and lighten the load on your mind if you are to do well in the CAT. Take care of these two things for this:

— You should keep telling yourself that, as far as the preparation for the exam is concerned, you have done whatever you could do and that you will now do your best in the exam. Tell yourself that the end-result does not matter to you, and more importantly, believe in that. Remember that you will not be able to achieve anything by worrying about your preparation. Please remember that not doing well in CAT is not the end of the world and that there will be numerous other management entrance exams where you can prove your mettle and come out with flying colors. An enterprising, hardworking and intelligent person like you will be able to achieve many things in life.

— Do not undertake any serious preparation during the last couple of days before the CAT 2023 exam. Certainly, do not work on any new test papers or exercises; the most you should do is ‘light revision’ – brushing up on formulae/concepts. You can pick up selected problems from the AIMCAT papers that you have taken and run through them – try to recollect the concepts involved and the approaches needed. Do not put yourself under pressure to solve the questions again.

Things to take care of, other than academic preparation

— Ensure that you visit the exam centre at least a day before the test day to find out its exact location, how to reach the place, and how much time it will take to reach the place. Do not be satisfied by just taking directions from somebody to reach the place. You should take maximum care to arrive at the centre well in advance with all the necessary documentation (admit card, ID proof etc., as specified by the CAT authorities). This becomes even more important if your centre is in a place other than your home town.

— Do not wear any jewellery or carry any valuables with you as you may not be allowed in or may be asked to keep them outside the hall. This should not be a reason for distraction. If you can, go to the centre with a friend/family member who can take care of your wallet/keys and any valuables. They can also help you keep a cool head before you enter the exam hall. 

— Make sure you do not get into discussions about the test with other students at the test centre. You may also see some students referring to books or discussing questions at the test centre. Just ignore them and concentrate on staying calm and focused.

— Before you enter the exam hall, use the restroom if need be. In general, once the test starts, you will not be allowed to leave the exam hall until the test is over — which could go over 2.5 hours from the reporting time. 

— Do not go to the exam with any expectation about the pattern/ difficulty level of the test, the composition of the sections or about the models of questions that are likely to appear. Any such speculation will only heighten your worry.

— If the table / bench / chair / monitor / keyboard are not proper, please ask for a replacement or a change in the position before the exam starts — once the exam starts, the invigilator may not entertain such requests from you. Even if they do, that may cause you to lose valuable time.

— Do not skip breakfast/lunch for the exam. Having a light breakfast/brunch/lunch will help you be energised throughout the test.

(The writer is the senior course director at T.I.M.E.)