Is it ok to start preparation in June?
The short answer is Yes. The syllabus covered for CAT is very straightforward. Maths syllabus is equivalent to what is seen from the 6th to the 10th standard text books, and basic reading comprehension and sentence structures in English. The exam is tough because the questions are very application-intensive and because there are ~2 lakh people fighting for ~6000-12000 good seatsAn aspirant can start by June, comfortably finish all the portions by August, or latest early September, take 20 mock CATs and be ready for CAT by November. This exam is as much about momentum and intensity as it is about knowledge or application. The intensity with which one prepares in the last lap will be a bigger determinant than how long you have been poring over basic formulae.So, why do people start 12-months before CAT? This trend of starting 12 or 15-months before CAT started recently. When I took my CAT, we guys used to start preparing in August (reluctantly). Now, I took my CAT in 2000 and back then the CAT exam was in December. But even adjusting for that, we guys used to prepare for barely 3-3.5 months. But we threw in a lot in that final lap. Many of my friends hit 30 mock CATs before the exam. Back then 70% of preparation used to be about taking practice exams. (Most of us would have been shocked if someone had asked us to prepare for percentages for 5 weeks)The most important driver for this change has been the development (over-development) of the test-preparation industry. It really helps the industry if college-goers start enrolling themselves for courses 12 or 18 months before the exam. Less than 5% of this brigade takes the exam seriously. Any trainer will tell you that the longer term batches are the worst preparing. Students start missing classes and delude themselves into believing that they are geared merely because they started very early. 12 months into the course, the average attendance levels are less than 10% and when the time is perfect for starting preparation, these long-term and uber-long term batches lose all momentum. I am starting preparation now, what should be the plan?To start with, do not tell yourself you dont have a chance because you are starting late. Cover topic by topic for maths for the next ~8 weeks. Read something for at least an hour each day. Spend 2-4 hours each week on DI and/or LR. Run this schedule for ~ 8weeks during which time you should have also taken 2-3 mock CATs. In this first phase, do not worry about time pressure, speed, overall percentiles, etc.By middle of August, you would have seen most question types, and covered most topics in quant. From here on, take one mock CAT every week and fill whatever gap areas you have. Identify gap areas based on your own gut feel and from what the mock CATs tell you. Have this as the plan for the next 6 weeks. During this phase, you should start building intensity. Plan part tests and exercises in short bursts. Mix up topics and ensure that you avoid concentration lapses. You should create a package like 10 questions in Number Theory, 3 selected passages from Economist, TIME and NYtimes, one DI grid and one LR puzzle from the web in 45 minutes and test yourself at breakneck speed. This phase is like strengthening muscle by muscle before a tournament.Final few weeks, take mock CAT, review mock CAT aggressively. Repeat. Fill gaps if they still crop up and be as relaxed as possible.I started preparation last November, what should I do now?This is quiet simple. Restart now. Create a plan to aggressively ramp up intensity.
FAQs
You can start preparing early and give yourself at least 6-8 months to prepare for CAT. This will give you enough time to go through all the material, do practice questions and mock tests, and improve your weak areas. You should focus on building a strong foundation first.
How can I prepare for a CAT in less time? ›
Don't forget to take short breaks to help you study better. Use Good Study Stuff: Pick CAT books, online courses, or coaching materials that cover everything in the CAT syllabus. Practice a Lot: Doing practice regularly is super important. Work on different problems, do mock tests, and see how you're doing.
How long does it take to prepare for the CAT? ›
CAT preparation may take more than a year for a CAT aspirant with a normal past scholastic record, 6-8 months for a student with a better-than-expected past scholastic record and 3-4 months for an aspirant with an amazing past scholastic record.
Is 5 month old CAT still a kitten? ›
Most cats are still kittens, in mind and body, through the first two years. The following chart provides general guidelines for the stages of development.
Will my CAT remember me after 5 months? ›
As long as they have built up a strong bond with you over an extended period of time, they won't forget you easily. Even if you've been separated for a while, it's likely that they will still recognise your smell and voice. But it's difficult to say exactly how long they will remember you for.
Why wait 6 months to spay a cat? ›
It is well documented that spaying and neutering before skeletal maturity is reached (before the growth plates have closed) will delay closure of the growth plates which will result in disproportionately long limbs.
Is a cat almost full grown at 6 months? ›
Here are some important milestones for kittens as they become adult cats: Months 3-4: Baby teeth start to fall out and are replaced by adult teeth; this process is usually complete by 6 months of age. Months 4-9: Kittens go through sexual maturation. Months 9-12: A kitten is almost fully grown.
Do cats calm down at 6 months? ›
Young Adults (6 months – 2 years): Activity levels begin to stabilize for most kittens. Individual personality, breed, and lifestyle become significant factors in how playful they remain. Adult Cats (2 - 10 years): Energy levels continue to vary.
Is 4 months enough for cat preparation? ›
Is 4 months enough for CAT preparation? Generally, candidates should give at least 4-5 months of time to prepare for CAT. This way, they will have enough time to go through all the material, practice questions and mock tests, and improve their weak areas.
How do you prepare your cat when you go away? ›
Follow every tip in this checklist and you'll be able to fully relax while away.
- Clean Up. ...
- Leave Toys & Entertainment. ...
- Set Up Food And Water. ...
- Clean Up The Litter Box. ...
- Set Up A Camera. ...
- Keep Doors Unclosable Or Closed. ...
- Move Poisonous House Plants. ...
- Leave Your Scent.
CAT Preparation Tips For Beginners
- Know the Test: Learn about the CAT exam format, which has sections on Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. ...
- Plan Your Study: ...
- Practice Regularly: ...
- Manage Your Time: ...
- Work on Weak Areas: ...
- Stay Healthy and Positive:
The short answer is Yes. An aspirant can start by June, comfortably finish all the portions by August, or latest early September, take 20 mock CATs and be ready for CAT by November.
Where should I start preparing for CAT? ›
You can begin your CAT preparation by following the given tips:
- Assess the syllabus and exam pattern.
- Identify the weak and strong topics.
- Prepare a study plan and follow it.
- Take mock tests regularly & analyze them.
- Attempt past papers to familiarize with the actual paper.
Among these, the VARC section is widely regarded as the toughest section due to its unique challenges. The VARC section demands extensive reading and comprehension skills. It includes passages from various domains such as literature, social sciences, technology, and philosophy.
Can a CAT go out at 5 months? ›
It is best not to leave your kitten outside alone until it is 6 months old and it is essential that it is neutered (from 4 months of age) before allowing it unsupervised access. If you have adopted an adult cat you probably will have been advised to keep it in for 2-3 weeks to settle into its new home.
Can I prepare for CAT in 3 months from scratch? ›
Whichever category you belong to, it is possible to crack CAT. Let's say you devote around 4 hours daily for 80-88 days. (You are more than welcome to increase your study hours, though) This means you have a minimum of 320-352 hours in hand to prepare for CAT in 3 months or less.
Can cats go into heat at 5 months? ›
Heat cycles can start as early as four or five months in a female kitten. Heat cycles in cats repeat every two to three weeks until the cat is spayed or becomes pregnant. Heat cycles may cause pain or discomfort in cats.
Is it possible to prepare for CAT in a month? ›
The question, "Is it possible to crack CAT in 1 month?" can be answered with a yes, but only if you're committed to a disciplined study schedule. So, if you're asking, can I crack CAT in 30 days? or can I clear CAT in 1 month?, the answer is yes, with the right strategy and hard work.
