MBAUniverse.com Exclusive: DOs & DONTs for the CAT test day

The CAT 2010 test day is approaching nearer for many test takers. It is time you keep in mind what you are supposed to do and also not supposed to do on the test day. In this exclusive article, MBAUniverse.com brings to you the DOs and DONTs of the CAT 2010 test day.

1) Do not discuss what you have not done
Ever had someone sit next to you in an exam who would always ask you about the topics you did and didnt cover, right before an exam? Suddenly all those topics you had thought so trivial, the other night, start seeming so very important. Remember that spiraling feeling in the pit of your stomach, threatening to make you sick even before the paper began? We definitely dont want that happening before CAT. Do not discuss what you left out or didnt focus much on.

2) Try not catching the contagion of tension. Engage yourself in solitude
Before any paper, you find test takers huddled in grave discussions about how the test is going to be extremely tough and end up feeling unprepared. Confidence is crucial for performance, so avoid these tension groups like the plague. And if you dont find anyone with a similar approach, you would still be better off alone.

3) Do not be late
If youre rushing to the CAT centre with one eye on the road and the other on your watch, dont be surprised to find your nerves fried by the time you reach. Be there early, with plenty of time to relax and get used to your surroundings. Find out well in advance where you will be seated, and double check your admit card and stationery. In case you are late, do close your eyes for a moment and take a few deep breaths to calm yourself.

4) Know what you can carry in the exam hall
Carefully sift through the guidelines in the admit card and make yourself aware of the rules and regulations for the CAT exam. Know what you can and cant carry. There have been innumerable cases where students thought they were allowed to carry a certain kind of equipment and had to face a lot of problems at the center. The CAT exam is a serious affair and you can expect the invigilators to be strict as far as discipline is concerned.

5) Do not relax till the last minute. The war is not won till the last battle is won. Neither is it lost till you lose the last battle
Once the bell rings and you start with the paper, do not hold back. Whether you do well, or not, your focus should be to give it your best shot. So many people from the IIMs that we have spoken with have later confessed that they really thought they had blundered up their paper. Many a times, its just paranoia.

6) Do not remind yourself of the tension by watching others
Sometimes we get tensed just watching other people who are tensed. Do not pay heed to any surprising remarks that a fellow test taker makes after watching the paper! When you are in the exam hall, keep your eyes to the paper and ears preferably closed. Literally, closed! Consider earplugs, maybe cotton balls, it worked for me when I took the exam! But be sure to check with your centre in case they prohibit that.

7) Do not let your eyes off the familiar stuff in the paper. This is what would get you into the IIMs
Your core competence is what will get you ahead of the pack. Besides, the CAT is no time to experiment. Make sure you are done with all the questions you are confident about, disregarding or giving lower priority to even those questions that may appear simple but you are not very familiar with.

8) Do not forget that there are enough questions in CAT that could fetch you enough to get a Call
The CAT was designed to be too lengthy for an average student to complete. Some may feel pressure thinking about this. But it really is a blessing in disguise, there are enough questions and variation to provide you with a considerably greater opportunity to fare well. Think what it would be like if there were just 4 questions, and you knew the answer to only 1. Get the point?

9) Do not come out saying ... My God I did not spend enough time on the areas of my strength
Keep your eyes peeled for questions that bare resemblance to areas that you are most confident about. If there is any question that is worth a little extra time, its the question that you have cracked several times already. Do not take chances by letting your mind wander over any other question, no matter how tempting, until you are sure that you have tackled all the questions relating to your strength areas first.

10) Last but not the least... During the exam do not let your thoughts delve on the question what if I do not crack CAT?
Focusing on negative thoughts during the paper, such as what if I dont do well, is not going to help anyone. You will be losing out on time, energy, and confidence. Instead, keep your thoughts engaged with the paper, your current question, your time management. You take care to put in your best efforts and let the rest take care of itself.