CAT Preparation Tips@ Aiming to crack CAT 2012? Know the 5 factors of studying in a group & attaining success

Over two lakh MBA aspirants take CAT every year with the goal to reach the hallowed portals  of IIMs and other top B-schools. Each one has a set strategy  of preparation according to which they spend their months before the D Day. While some can join a coaching institute, but there are many others who do not get the chance to join a coaching and prepare by self.

It is not impossible to crack CAT without coaching. As Subhashish Bhadra, CAT 2011 100 percentiler mentions, “I know several CAT toppers who have achieved success without joining a coaching.” If you are truly focused, nothing can stop you from cracking the dreaded CAT exam at ease. If you are preparing by yourself, or even if you are taking guidance from an MBA coaching institute, group study is a popular and time tested concept that has existed for ages. If you are aiming for CAT 2012, you must not leave aside group study for you can gain a lot and loose nothing in the process.

This article of MBAUniverse.com will emphasize on the virtues of group study and how you can leverage it for cracking CAT 2012.

Make a group of equals

While making your study group for CAT 2012 preparation, you should be careful about the composition. All your group members may not have the same mental level. The weaker members might suffer from inferiority complex, while the stronger ones might have to spend more time to guide their mates.

You must also keep the compatibility level and needs of each other in mind while choosing members for your CAT 2012 Study Group. If you and your fellow group members excel in one particular section and are weak in others, it will be of no use either. Ensure that your knowledge base and skills complement each other’s preparation to reach the doorstep of a top management school. A good mix of aspirants who are enrolled in coaching, as well as going for self study can be beneficial for both.

Share your ideas and resources

When you form a study group who are preparing for CAT 2012, you can share your study materials, books and questions that you are referring and solving respectively. You can also share your strategies with your peers. Adapt the strategy which suits you the best and study together with your peers.

Bond well to make the weaknesses your strength

While studying together, you can discuss your weak areas with the ones who are strong in it. With their guidance and help, you can improve those areas. At the same time, you can also share your special tips on your strong areas for those who are weak in that area. Try getting tips from other members of the Study Group and help your friends by doing vice versa. Amit Tandon, CAT 99.49 percentiler and IIM Ahmedabad alumnus says, “Aspirants can learn a lot of new things among themselves. For example somebody who is good in Quant can give tips for solving Quant problems and someone with good English can offer expert advice on solving English questions.” Sitaram Agarwal, 99.53 percentiler and IIM Ahmedabad alumnus mentions, “It helps in mutual learning which is more effective in terms of overall preparation.”  

Take mock tests and do comparative analysis

You can enroll in the same test series with your study group members and take the test together. Note the time taken to solve the exam and hence plan your time management. At the end of the exam make a comparative analysis of the performance with your peers and take the next step for your preparation. If your group members are from different coaching institutes, you can get a fair idea of the type of questions asked.

Another IIM Ahmedabad alumnus Glen D’Silva shares, “We generally used to discuss the solutions of mock papers and tried to find out if anyone had a better solution.” Sahil Bansal, an IIM Lucknow alumnus seconds the opinion and says, “It is essential to benchmark performance amongst competitors and also to discuss the paper to plug some of the missing concepts.”

Motivate yourselves to pass through the odds

Motivation and determination plays a very important role in terms of your success in CAT. It is your utmost duty to not only keep yourself motivated but keep your fellow MBA aspirants focused as well. A close-knit Study Group can also provide mental peace and a sense of togetherness, and thus boost the CAT exam preparations.

A trait of a good manager is  to work in group and be a good team player. This is just a first step to prove your managerial qualities. A study group consisting of friends can provide the much needed support in order to cope with the huge mental strain of cracking CAT exam and getting through a top management school. “A study group provides the much important support system to keep up the motivation to work hard,” says Bansal.

To know the other tips on self preparation to crack CAT 2012, click on the following links:

Know how to crack CAT 2012 by self study method: Advisory from CAT Toppers of past years

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more on CAT 2012.