Should one prepare for CAT during their undergraduate degree or wait to get out of college?

Question

NITHIN E · Answer

It is a good question. Preparation from Under graduation helps to pass the exam easily. A Lot of students are studying and willing to get into IIMs but they are not able to. The CAT entrance is not like an engineering or medical entrance. It tests ones mental ability, thinkability, communication skills, etc. The best thing to be done is preparation from UG itself. If you are preparing for CAT then no need of separate work for MAT. The Syllabus is almost same. I was also a student who prepared for CAT immediately after my graduation. The important things which you should look into while preparing for this exam are as follows: 1. Select one of the best coaching centers which offer quality education- TIME is one of the famous coaching centers for CAT. 2. Dedication- Be focused on the aim which you need to achieve. 3. Try to read Hindu newspaper editorial. Most of the passages which appear in CAT are from Hindu editorial. 4. Try to maximum number of online mock test. You will definitely clear CAT by doing the above. 5. Try to read as much as you can and make note of points. 6. Revision of each week topics is very important. 7. Mathematical ability questions will be little twisted try to do as faster as you can.

Om Pandey · Answer

One should start self preparing for CAT as soon as possible during first year of UG if one started its preparation, it will be easy to complete the syllabus within the time with better preparation. So, as per my preference one should start preparing along with their UG.

Vinit · Answer

Yes, definitely you should prepare for CAT during your undergraduate stage.The important things which you should look into while preparing for this exam are as follows: 1. Select one of the best coaching centers which offer quality education- TIME is one of the famous coaching centers for CAT. 2. Dedication- Be focused on the aim which you need to achieve. 3. Try to read Hindu newspaper editorial. Most of the passages which appear in CAT are from Hindu editorial. 4. Try to maximum number of online mock test. You will definitely clear CAT by doing the above. 5. Try to read as much as you can and make note of points. 6. Revision of each week topics is very important. 7. Mathematical ability questions will be little twisted try to do as faster as you can. Admission are open for 2020 Batch for Law and other Courses. B.A. LL.B. From IILM University is a 5 year integrated course, students with any discipline from recognized board in 10+2 can do it. It aims at developing a new generation of versatile legal professionals through BBA LL.B.A comprehensive and contemporary course of integrated knowledge and rigorous education. This course has been designed innovative and has been developed in association with academicians and professional experts, and as per the guidelines of Bar Council of India. It provides an integrated understanding of the interrelationship of Management Studies for corporate functions and the Law in its entirety. Students who take this course will understand interaction between law and businesses, can anticipate the legal need of their business entities and comprehend how law and regulations impact them. It equips students with a range of transferable skill of potential value to future employers as it incorporates a specialised level of integration with management subjects. They can work successfully with companies, law firms, and as legal officers at various organizations. They can also represent ministries in government through their panel in the courts as a standing counsel and represent the company in capacities such as in-house counsel or an advisory and perform all that functions of a lawyer.The candidates have to download the application forms available on the official website of the university: https://iilm.edu.in. They have to fill all necessary details in the form and submit it. Admission to B.A. LL.B. (Hon. ).

Gaurav Kanungo · Answer

You can prepare for CAT during undergraduate degree in the final year. If you are able to give 3-4 hours daily to studies and practice mocks, then you can crack CAT . All the best.

Samarth K · Answer

If you are doing under graduation and are keen to pursue an MBA immediately after it, then it is better that you appear for CAT during your final year of college. That is, if you are finishing your college in May 2019, then you should attempt for CAT 2018. As soon as you graduate out of college you will be having a valid CAT score and will be able to join a school of your choice the next academic year. On the other hand, there are aspirants who actually complete their graduation, take up a job and prepare for CAT alongside. This too is a cool idea because having work experience will add weight to your profile during your admission processes. But again it's completely your choice. Choose your option without giving a break in your career path anytime. I should also mention that dropping a year after college to prepare only for CAT has its own disadvantages. You might not be able to completely justify as to why you needed a whole year to prepare for CAT instead of preparing in parallel with the job you would have got. In short, attempt for CAT in your final year of college, so that you can continue your higher studies without break, or take up a job, work for a few years preparing for CAT alongside and then join a B-school with work experience in addition.

Vidhi Sethi · Answer

Yes, definitely you should prepare for CAT during your undergraduate stage. There are many institutes who provide coaching like Times, Career Launcher etc. They will make you learn Quant, English, and Logical Reasoning to make you crack for CAT. It is better to start your preparation very early, because then you get the knack of how the examination system play its role. You have to be very much focus while preparing for it. As the saying goes, "Set a goal and strive sincerely to achieve it". So, your goal should have to be focus. If it is, then there is no boundary to start your preparation. Make sure you should have good hands on the general awareness, need to be updated with the trends which are going on. Do lots of mock test online, they will help you to score better.

KRITESH GUPTA · Answer

It is better to prepare while you are in the college because you are in a habit of studying in the college. Also, you have advantage of doing joint studies with your batch mates who are also aiming for CAT. Following can be a good preparation strategy while you are in college or once you get into professional world after getting out of college. Preparation can be three types: Self, self plus coaching and coaching. It depends on whether you are working or a student. So, if you are working you have to prepare either by self-using the correspondence booklets or you can take option of taking weekend coaching classes or you can buy some famous books used for preparation of MBA entrance exams. But if you are a student then you have good amount of time to prepare so you can use the correspondence courses and books initially for self-preparation and later can join coaching classes for brushing up your preparation with added techniques. So, any MBA entrance exam have generally three sections - Quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning & data interpretation and Verbal reasoning along with study of general current affairs. So, depending upon your strengths, weakness and speed prepare the three sections accordingly and nail the exam.

Deepak Singhanwal · Answer

You can do anything you want. CAT is yet to come out of the bag but MBA aspirants aiming for a seat at a coveted B-School have already started planning on how to crack it. While some students take the safer route and start their preparations even before the notification is announced, some wait to plan their preparation strategy based on the official release of exam pattern. But there is another group, which is in a dilemma on when and how to start the preparation process. Those who are in college. I think starting the preparation during undergraduate is a good idea. You can start studying during the last two years of college. It will help you in cracking the exam. You will have an advantage over those who are waiting to pass out and start the course. But juggling between college and CAT preparation is not easy. So, be sure that it does not affect your college studies.

Kundan Singh · Answer

I think CAT preparation during undergraduate degree will be best idea. You can easily manage college subjects along with CAT preparation. You will have to make effective study plan for that. Here are some tips which you should follow for best outcome: 1. You can join a good coaching (if possible) for CAT preparation. TIME coaching institute is considered best for that. There is always an option of buying study materials if you can't join coaching. 2. You should make a group for discussion part. 3 Avoid using social networking sites like Facebook, WhatsApp, etc. 4. Read The Hindu editorial regularly. 5 Improve your grammar and increase your vocabulary (You can take help of mobile apps). 6. Solve previous year's papers as well. 7. Don't lose hope .You should study your college subjects too. You will have to use your free times and weekends properly.

Vivek Nandwani · Answer

It all depends on your preference and career aspirations. There are people who want to have a certain work experience before they enroll for any management programme whereas some students feel that they need not have a work experience and have a fresh perspective towards management education. In a reputed institution you would find a good mix of both kinds of students as most of the B-Schools are focusing on diversity much more than ever. Also, it depends on the opportunities that you are getting. I have interacted with a lot of management aspirants over the past five years and most of them weren't happy with what they got in their first attempt at CAT and they had to attempt it multiple times. I also attempted CAT three times before I got my institute of dreams SP Jain Institute of Management and Research. So it is always advisable to start early.

Category	Sectional (per section)	Overall
General	65 each	85
EWS	60 each	80
NC-OBC	55 each	75
SC	40 each	55
ST	35 each	40
DAP	35 each	40

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