So, you are done with your CAT (Common Admission Test) exam and thinking about what to do next, then we have the answer for you!
After months of hard work, preparing for the exam, and finally appearing for it, the next steps can seem frightful. However, the post-CAT phase is just as vital as the preparation period because now is the time, for students to set the tone for their further MBA/PGDM journey by securing a place in the top management institutes.
These are the ten most important things to do after the CAT exam to secure your career.
1. Assess Your Performance: Things to do after CAT exam
Start with evaluating your performance thoroughly! No, you are not going to say ‘The exam was tough’ or ‘It was tougher than the previous year’, rather you will analyze your performance by following these factors. Such as:
– Section-wise performance: Look at your performance based on these three sections—Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Segregating the whole exam into sections will help you identify your strong and weak areas.
– Expected score: It’s not easy to assume your exact score, that’s why grab answer keys released by reputed institutes and try to calculate your expected score (based on that answer keys). This will give you a ballpark figure of how much you can score and what your next steps must be.
2. Check the CAT Answer Key After the CAT Exam
Now it’s the moment where you can access the official CAT answer key released by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). After getting the keys:
– Download the answer key to compare it with your answers.
– Raise questions about any inconsistencies in the answer key within the given time (if any).
Now, these are the legitimate answer keys so comparing your answers to these will allow you to gauge an idea about your score and set your expectations accordingly.
3. Calculate Your Percentile
To calculate your percentile, use CAT percentile predictors available on various MBA preparation websites like MBAROI where you will have to put up your rough estimate score (to get the percentile).
Percentile calculation is necessary because major institutes like IIMs and other top-tier colleges consider your percentile as a key metric to determine your eligibility for interviews.
Also remember, this might not be the exact percentile but this will give you an idea of which colleges you might call you.
4. Research and Shortlist Colleges
You have your approximate percentile in hand, start shortlisting colleges! It’s a no-brainer that everyone’s dream college is the IIMs but there are other good business schools out there such as Taxila Business School, XLRI, SPJIMR, and NMIMS that offer excellent management programs.
You should begin by:
– Research the cut-offs and trends of the colleges in previous years.
– Read more about specialized courses offered by each institute.
– The location suitability, fee affordability, placement records and so on must be on your list of exploration.
Realistically, make a list of colleges that will actually offer you an interview.
5. Prepare for Other Management Exams
There exist other management entrance exams as well such as XAT, IIFT, NMAT, SNAP, or TISSNET. Generally, students who have appeared for the CAT sit for these exams as well. So, if you are one of them, start gearing up and preparing yourself for other exams as they have different formats and you need to be well aware of them before appearing in any exam.
6. Start Preparing for Group Discussions, Writing Ability Tests, and Personal Interviews
Most B-schools follow this selection process while taking up a student for their institute; so, when you are done with the CAT exam, prepare yourself for Group Discussions (GD), Written Ability Tests (WAT), and Personal Interviews (PI).
– For GD, read updated and latest current affairs, economic developments, global news and business trends. You can also read our other articles (such as https://mbaroi.in/blog/e-commerce-vs-quick-commerce/) to prepare yourself for your group discussion. Don’t forget to participate in mock GDs.
– Practise different types of essays on trending topics to do your best on the writing ability test.
– Personal interviews are something that actually shows your personality, presentation, and wit. Be confident, read some famous interviews, use your presence of mind, and be ready to answer- ‘Tell me about yourself.’
7. Work on Your Resume After CAT Exam
Interviewers see your resume before they see you! So, make it memorable and relevant. Include your academic achievements, work experience, internships, co-curricular activities, and anything pertinent. Your resume must be professional, and focus attention on your strength and best qualities.
8. Enroll in Mock Interview Programs
Mock interviews are such a helpful way for anyone to brush off that nervousness and fear and if you are someone who lacks the skill of communication, then this is one of the best ways you can prepare yourself for the real interview.
There are many institutes and schools that offer mock interview programs with industry experts and alumni from top B-schools. Join that and improve yourself.
9. Stay Updated on Current Affairs
As a student who is interested in the business and corporate world, you must know what’s going on in the world and how it’s affecting trade worldwide.
That’s why business schools are keen on candidates who are aware of the world around them. GD, WAT & PI, all these rounds will be about current affairs, polish yourself by reading leading newspapers like The Hindu, Economic Times, and Financial Express or you can follow genuine news channels to get your information.
10. Maintain a Positive Mindset
Last but not least, having a healthy mind always takes you forward. One can easily get stressed after appearing for the exam and waiting for the result to come out but with a positive mindset, any student can get over the worry and pressure.
Final Thoughts
It’s difficult to navigate the path after the CAT exam especially when you are not prepared fully but there’s nothing to worry about. You can go through the guide carefully and plan your days accordingly.
Be positive and prepare yourself for PI, WAT, and GD rounds after carefully analyzing your percentile.
Remember, aim for the colleges based on your percentile expectation and prepare correspondingly.
We wish you all the very best for your future!
Want to ace your CAT exam, here you go- https://mbaroi.in/cat-mock-test/
College Predictor- https://mbaroi.in/iim-call-predictor/
Previous Year’s papers- https://mbaroi.in/cat/cat-all-previous-year-papers/
GD Topics to cover- https://mbaroi.in/blog/india-vs-canada/
