The answer is simple but rarely followed – Analysis.
Yet, what most of students do is take a mock test, view score & percentile, and move onto the next. All this approach helps in, if at all anything, is to help you get used to the time & pressure.
A few students asked us how to analyze, and here’s how you can do so. While it may take you 3 minutes to read through this, it may save you several hours while analyzing.
Once you complete a mock test, click on Test Analysis:
Analyze to death:
Do not analyze percentile trends or some such artificial nonsense. You should be able to answer these questions:
- a) How many errors are from guesses, how many from ‘silly errors’ and how many from being caught out by the question. More importantly, how many errors were due to fatigue?
- b) What are my ‘strong’ topics/question types. How come I am making mistakes in these?
- c) Identify 3 questions in each section where you spent too much time on and improve question selection.
- d) Am I selecting the right questions?
- e) How many questions that have been ‘skipped’ were do-able?
Attempt the Un-attempted ones:
You can take an un-timed test of only the Un-attempted questions in the mock test. Click on “Review Unattempted” and this allows you to attempt all the ones left unanswered.
Review the Correct Attempts:
Without spending too much time, quickly review the ones you got correct as well and check if there were better solutions or approaches to the one you adopted.
Try out different strategies:
The mock CAT series is to find a pattern that works for you. With the exam being online, going sequentially is the best strategy to approach. But still one needs to know when to do RC, Puzzles and DI within the sectional time. Have a broad outline (like to attempt at the start or at the end of section), and flirt with 1-2 other patterns.
Start giving 1 mock a week:
It is advisable to give mock once a week, revise and analyse your previous mock again and again before going to another one.
The Takeaways:
Cat needs consistent practice. It can’t be developed in a few days.
So, my suggestion is to continue your practice. Before going through second test, analyse the previous mock and give your time to weaker section.
With regards to basic or study material, leave it. If you go through such a lengthy notes, it actually takes lots of time and you will unfinished with your preparation. But for weaker section, refer your notes and material you were using till now. Atleast solve basic questions from the material exercise.
