The Role of Mock Tests in CAT Preparation

The journey to finally cracking the Common Admission Test (CAT) is as much about preparation as it is about performance on the D-day. As we all will agree that it is a long journey like a marathon, continuous preparation becomes a challenge and also a trick to conquer it.

 

Hence, among the many resources available to CAT aspirants, mock tests hold a special place for aspirants. These are not just practice tools but rather they are your ultimate rehearsal for the D-day.

 

In this article, we will explore the critical role mock tests play in CAT preparation. Additionally, the challenges of finding the right mock test series and which coaching institute offers the best CAT mock test series which can ace your preparation.

 

 

The Role of Mock Tests in CAT

Simulating the Real Exam Environment

CAT Mock tests are nothing but they replicate the actual CAT exam experience. They help you:

• Familiarize yourself with the pattern, timing and format of the test. CAT does not just test your knowledge but also tests on multiple dimensions like time, mental strength, etc.
• They get you accustomed to solving questions under time pressure.
• Build the mental stamina which is very essential to stay focused during the two-hour exam, having 3 different sections.

 

Testing and Strengthening Concepts

CAT Mock tests show a mirror to your preparation. They reveal the following:

• How well you have understood the concepts. Questions are often layered in CAT and hence, depth of understanding is important.
• The topics you are strong in and the areas that need improvement come out here. These can be used to maximise your percentile.
• Completion of syllabus is one thing but to solve questions is totally different. Mock tests provide you with that platform.

 

Mastering Time Management

We all shall agree that CAT is not just about knowing the answers but solving them within the given time. Mock tests help you:

• Practice allocating time to different sections strategically. All sections are unique and hence need to be strategized differently.
• Helps you to identify which all questions to attempt and which one to skip.
• Improve your speed and accuracy simultaneously which is a decider of your overall percentile.

 

Developing Section-Wise Strategies

With mock tests, you also get to experiment with strategies for each of the sections:

• For VARC, you can either start with RC or VA first. Similarly, do you prefer reading the RC first and then reading the questions or do you want to skim through and come back later after reading the questions?
• For LRDI, work on identifying solvable sets quickly. Play on your strengths – solve DI sets if you are good with numbers.
• For QA, focus on selecting questions that maximize your score. Do not chase all arithmetic questions as a few of them can be tricky.

 

Analyzing and Improving CAT Mock Test

The true value of mock tests lies in their thorough analysis. By reviewing your performance, you can:

• Spot patterns in mistakes. Consult a mentor is anything is too repetitive
• Fine tune your approach to solving different types of questions. This can be extremely helpful to save you a few minutes

 

The Challenge: Finding the Right CAT Mock Test Series

While mock tests are truly indispensable, choosing the right mock test series can be very difficult for the aspirants out there as there are various CAT coaching providing mock test.

 

Here are the challenges why is it difficult to find the right CAT coaching for CAT mock test:

1. Mismatch with Actual CAT Difficulty Level: Some test series are either too easy or unrealistically tough. Understand that giving tough mocks mean nothing and what you need is actual CAT-level questions. These issues make them less effective in preparing for the real exam and aspirants often get stuck here.
2. Lack of Detailed Analysis: Not all mock test series provide you with comprehensive feedback. Having solutions is just a part of it. It is of no use if it does not personalise with your needs and areas of improvement.
3. Lack of video solutions: While text solutions may suffice for a few of the easy and simple questions but the complex questions do require a detailed video solution. A lot of the coaching institutes fail to provide the same.
4. No focus on sectional mocks: Full-length mock tests are surely the best and need to be there all the time. But about the sectional mocks? A good chunk of coaching institutes often fail to acknowledge this very need. Sectional mocks build stamina and strength for every section for the aspirants.
5. Cost vs. Value: Aspirants often struggle to find a test series that offers all the needed features at an affordable price.

 

iQuanta’s iCAT Mock Test Series: How is it different?

If you are looking for a mock test series that checks all the boxes, iQuanta’s iCAT Mock Test Series is the answer.

 

Designed by the industry veterans and trusted by lakhs of aspirants, iCAT offers a holistic approach to CAT preparation.

 

Let us now discuss how iQuanta’s mock test series is different:

1. CAT-Level Mocks: iCAT mocks are sincerely curated to match the difficulty level of the actual CAT exam. It also mirrors the question patterns of the actual CAT exam across all the sections. This ensures that you are well-prepared for the real challenge on the D-day.
2. Section-Wise and Full-Length Tests: As discussed above, iQuanta is a total package in itself. iQuanta provides both section-wise mocks for focused practice mocks as well as full-length mocks to simulate the real exam. Use the sectionals first to build a solid grip and then shift your gears to the full-length mocks to practice a real exam-like scenario.
3. Comprehensive Performance Analysis: Each mock comes with a detailed analysis that includes:

• Section-wise scores and percentiles – very important as it tells how good or poor you are with that section. Given that all IIMs and top B-Schools have sectional cutoffs, mastering all sections is needed.
• Accuracy rates and time analysis – playing to strengths is the key.
• Insights into question-wise performance, highlighting strengths and weaknesses across topics and sections. This detailed feedback allows you to make a better improvement plan.

4. Video Solutions for Every Mock: iQuanta is probably the only coaching institute to provide video solutions for mock tests. These solutions include the following:

• Offer step-by-step explanations for all questions. Be it a sectional or full-length mock, no compromise in solutions provided.
• Include tips and tricks for solving questions faster. Using shortcuts sometimes saves you a lot of your precious time.
• Provide alternate approaches to challenging problems. This widens your thought process.

5. Goal Setter: This unique tool helps you keep motivated yet showing you the reality. This basically shows the institute you are willing to target and what all of them would have been possible with the score in that particular mock. This unique offering with the help of AI sets apart the iCAT mock test series from other coaching institutes.
6. Adaptive Learning Platform: iCAT’s platform offers a set of very intuitive and user-friendly features like:

• Flexible scheduling of mocks – give a mock as per your convenience.
• Progress tracking with visual dashboards.
• AI based comparison with the toppers and shows where you are lagging and how to cope up.