i just completed my UG in april 2018 nd should i take 1 year time for CAT preparation nd give CAT 2019

Hello Mudheli,

CAT Exam all depends upon your level of preparation.

More you practice, more the chances of you getting through CAT .

Depending​upon the level of preparation and practicing mocks and analysing them, if you think you can score more than 80+ percentile than i think u'll crack CAT easily this year but if not try to accelerate your pace as there is still time you can brush up your skills and practice smart enough.

Either side always have take a one year gap for preparation and practice it ang give mocks and repeat in 2019 CAT.

But before that focus on this year CAT 2018.

All the best. Best wishes for CAT 2018. !!

Do one thing, take a job even if it is small and take some experience along with preparing for Cat. Take your time for Cat give it in 2018  for an idea so that you understand how much more do you need to work upon it. And then start preparing for Cat 19. Cat is more about strategy than content. It can be done in 6 months with good planning. So work on it accordingly.

SMIT-IIM-AMRITSAR-PGP/04

Dear Mudhelli,

It is a highly subjective question and its answer completely depands upon your current level of preparation and confidence about how much time you need and can dedicate while working or by being completely devoted to CAT.

If you thing youe job will give you time to study then please go ahead and take the job as it will add to your MBA selection as well.

Hello Akash,

It depends on the level of preparation that you currently have. If you feel that you are ready enough to give CAT this year then go for it. But, I would suggest that if you haven’t prepared still you should give it a try. It will give you an idea of what type of questions are asked and give you better understanding of your weaker sections. This would give you an idea where you stand currently and what level of preparation you need to do for the next year. Since there is not much of time left, you should go for some mock tests and focus on your weak sections.

If you still plan to give it next year only then try not to take a gap and do some internship or job related to your academics or your interest. For next year also focus on some extra-curricular activities as they would help you in interviews.

All the best

Hello Mudhelli

I would advise you not to take gap in your career. Because during your placement recruiter may ask you reason behind gap, and preparation for exam is not a good reason to justify the gap.

So you can go ahead with doing some certification course in the meanwhile or join some start up which gives you edge in your career track moreover you can do internship where you can genuinely learn something.

You can do online certification on Courseara, Github as well. Along with this you can carry on with your preparation. And you have to contribute on average 3 hrs for practising three sections of CAT exam course.

So first and foremost you need to schedule your plan.

Good luck for your career ahead.

Thanks

Hello Mudhelli,

Since there are only two months left for CAT 2018, it would be good to prepare by yourself in the upcoming months and give CAT a try this year. I have known many students who cracked CAT with ease the first time they gave it in their final year of UG. Since you are in touch with the basics learnt at UG degree, it might be a good idea to try this year itself.

In case you do not score well this year, do not worry. This would be a good start as your current performance can act as a benchmark towards your preparation. I wrote CAT 2016 before aiming for a full year long preparation for CAT 2017. I got shortlisted for a few interviews as well in CAT 2016, and went through the interview process to understand the entire process. This gave me a well rounded understanding before I prepared seriously to crack CAT 2017.

If you are aiming at MBA seriously and you are clear about it, join a good coaching institute for a year long course aimed at CAT 2019. The guidance and shortcuts provided by coaching institutes can help you crack the exam with ease. It is equally important to spend time at home for self study and practice, as practice is what makes everything perfect.

Good luck for the exam!

Best wishes,

Anjali

IIM C

Hey Mudhelli!

This completely depends upon your preparation level. I have seen many students cracking in first go, with no past work-experience. And, there is no harm in giving it in 2018, even if you are not prepared; it will be a great learning experience. And, if you take a gap, they won't ask you about the gap. As, I myself graduated in 2017 and gave and cleared CAT in 2018. So, prepare well and ace it.

Hello Akash,

It completely depends on the level of preparation you have currently and your motivation to pursue management degree.

In case you are prepared for CAT 2018, I suggest you to go ahead and give the examination. From my personal experience, if you are sure that pursuing MBA is your next monumetal step, it is the right time to give CAT.

On the other hand, if you are skeptical about pursuing MBA or not clear about how to proceed, I suggest you to take a break, explore the options that available to you, prepare thoroughly and then attempt in 2019. But do give CAT 2018 to get the feel of actual examination.

Good Luck.

Hello,

Well this decision can be made solely on the basis of level of your preparation. If you think you are so well prepared to appear this year, you can definitely appear and give it a try at least, just to check what the paper pattern is.

Nextly, I would personally never suggest year drops but yes if you are really passionate about MBA and IIMs, do go ahead and work hard to achieve your dream.

Join a good centre that can guide you well, invest time in personal studies, give good number of mock tests and since you have one year in hand start reading newspapers and magazines (especially business) like Business Standard, Economic Times; Business World, Frontline, etc.

And yes, do remember after one year of drop, CAT application forms will ask you the rrason for your drop. Ensure that you do something productive and worth mentioning too so that you have an answer to during interviews. You can take up some diploma programs and complete them meanwhile or some online certifications as per your interest.

Hope this helps!

Wish you all the best!!

Dear Mudhelli,

This is a very subjective question and highly depends upon your current level of preparation for CAT.

If you are good with basics then two months mock practice is good enough to get a decent percentile. However if you think you need time then its your own decision to make.

all the best

Yes you shoukd because there ar ehardly two month sleft for CAT and if you have never started CaT Before then its difficult to crack.

You can join Suitable coaching institutions like TIMe or CATking or IMS Or CareerLauncher .

List of books and preparing strategy shared below.

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/best-books-for-cat-preparation/amp