Choosing the CAT Preparation Strategy Right for You

The applicant must decide which strategy is best suited to his or her situation, time frame, commute, and financial constraints.

The biggest advantage for an applicant preparing by himself/herself is that he/she can prepare without distractions, at a rate most suited to them regardless of the time spent and place; additionally, applicants preparing online have an additional benefit in that they can get in touch with others aiming for CAT, discuss their strategies with their best teachers for CAT preparation, and get a medium for communicating with those in the same mindset. Applicants who enroll in an institute have the opportunity to study alongside their peers, which fosters a healthy sense of competition and pushes them to improve. 

The applicants should choose the appropriate strategy based on the conditions that best suit them.

Commuting

Commuting to and from the institute may be an impediment for those who live a long distance away, but it may also provide a break from a period of continuous study. Applicants preparing online can study from any location.

The online portals

Online portals are, of course, a direct result of technological advancement, but they may also be significantly less expensive than an institute, which is one of the most important factors for applicants. Also, because this is a one-time investment, applicants should concentrate on the institute if they believe it will be extremely beneficial to them.

The applicants

In the case of an online portal, applicants have the option of returning to the same topic multiple times if they are having difficulty understanding. The institutes also offer this option, but only as backup classes.

As stated, applicants preparing online have access to a medium for questions, doubts, and grievances that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In institutes, applicants can get answers from faculty members either after classes or during specific doubts sessions.

The institutes

The institutes have a tendency to conduct seminars and workshops for their students on subjects not only important for the CAT but also important for the subsequent admission stages, namely GD, PI, and WAT. For example, for the GD and PI, there may be a seminar on the Budget released discussing its features and details. Similar seminars may also be available online, though interaction with the experts is lacking.

The tenure

Admission to an institute lasts from the CAT preparation period to the interview process and until the B-school session begins, ensuring complete guidance at all stages. The applicants are given detailed instructions on how the interview and group discussion processes work, they are instructed on how to appropriately conduct themselves during the interview and GD, and they are trained for the written ability test by providing them with material to familiarize themselves with topics followed in the past and the general criteria that are usually evaluated.

Mock interviews

Mock interviews, GD, and WAT are conducted by the institutes, allowing the applicant to become acquainted with a similar environment for these stages, evaluate themselves, and focus on improving. These instructions are also available on online portals, but the lack of practical application may make it difficult for applicants.

These are some of the considerations an aspirant should make when deciding on a preparation strategy. If the applicant has previously been a classroom student, institutes or teachers for MBA Exam may be a better option, as adjusting to online classes may take some time. On the other hand, if an applicant is reasonably comfortable with online instruction, he or she can select the portal that best meets his or her needs.

This decision is monumental, as the amount of time, effort, and money invested in one strategy cannot be reversed if it is not appropriate. Candidates are therefore advised to conduct extensive research before selecting either of the options. They should learn about the quality of instruction, comparative fee structure, class schedules, and all other factors that will influence their decision.

However, applicants should remember that it is they who are amenable to their goal of attending top management schools, as well as the preparation for the same, and as a result, it is they who must ultimately follow the plan and strategy for achieving their goals.

Persistence, consistency, and an unwavering focus are required for preparing for and passing the CAT. Here's a quote to get you started.