Analysis of

CAT aspirants
 Introduction
The Common Admission Test, or CAT, isn't just an exam – it's a
door that unlocks a vast landscape of possibilities in the world of
business and management. In India, it stands as the gateway to
prestigious Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs
across 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,200
other B-schools. For aspiring management professionals, cracking
the CAT is a rite of passage, a test not just of academic aptitude
but of strategic thinking, resilience, and a burning desire to excel.
 Objectives of
analysis

Analyzing Academic
Preparation
Demographics Strategies and
Backgrounds technology used

Challenges faced Mock test analysis,

Coaching institute
and Psychological and Post-exam
impact and Time
factors feedback
management
ANALYSING DEMOGRAPHICS

Gender AGE
21-25 years: 60%
Male: 60-65%
26-30 years: 30%
Female: 35-40%
30+ years: 10%

North: 30%
Region South: 30%
SOCISO
ECONOMIC
Upper Middle Class: 50%
Middle Class: 40%
East: 20% BACKGRO Lower Middle Class and Below:
West: 20% UNG 10%
ACADEMIC
BACKGROUND
The percentage of students taking the CAT exam in India varies depending on
their academic backgrounds. Here's a breakdown of the estimated
percentages for some common backgrounds:

Academic Background Percentage

Engineering 40%
Commerce 25%
Science 15%
Arts and Humanities 10%
Other 10%
Preparation
Strategies
Understand the exam: Know the syllabus and format,
Analyze past papers, Stay updated with changes.
Build a strong foundation: Master basic concepts,
Develop analytical thinking, Strengthen reading
comprehension.
Develop effective study habits: Plan and schedule,
Choose the right study materials, Practice
consistently, Analyze your performance.
Focus on specific skills: Verbal Ability, Data
Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, Quantitative
Ability.
 Technology
Used
Online learning resources: making use of sites like Khan Academy
and BYJUS Unacademic for practice questions, mock exams, and
video lectures.
E-books and PDFs: using tablets or e-readers to read digital
copies of books, practice papers, other CAT study materials.
Attend webinars and online workshops: to improve your problem-
solving abilities and get advice from professionals.
Mock test series: Use the online mock test series to gauge your
progress and replicate exam settings.
Apps for taking notes: utilizing Evernote or OneNote, as well as
organizing study resources.
Mobile app: using the CAP preparation software on a smartphone
to study conveniently with features like flashcards, tests as well as
performance monitoring.
 COACHING INSTITUTE
IMPACT

Positive Impacts:
1. Structured Curriculum: The majority of coaching centers offer a curriculum that
is well-organized and covers every relevant topic and portion of the CAT exam.
2. Experienced Faculty: A lot of coaching centers have knowledgeable
instructors on staff who are familiar with the format of the CAT exam and may
offer insightful advice and helpful study techniques.
3. Mock examinations and Practice Sessions: To replicate the exam atmosphere,
coaching centers frequently hold mock examinations and practice sessions.
4. Peer Learning: Students who are a part of a coaching institute can interact
with other students who have similar objectives. Study materials can be shared
and different ideas can be better understood through group discussions and
interactions with other candidates.
 COACHING INSTITUTE
IMPACT

Negative Impacts:
1. One-size-fits-all Approach: Some coaching institutes may follow a generic
curriculum that might not cater to the specific needs and strengths of individual
students. This can be a drawback for those who require a customized study plan.
2. Cost: Joining a coaching institute can be expensive, and not all students may
be able to afford the fees. The financial burden could lead to added stress.
3. Dependence on Coaching: Some students may become overly dependent on
coaching institutes, relying solely on their guidance rather than developing
independent problem-solving skills. This dependence can be a disadvantage
during the actual exam.
4. Limited Flexibility: The fixed schedule of coaching classes may not be suitable
for everyone. Some students may prefer a more flexible study routine that they
can tailor to their personal preferences and peak study hours.
 Time
Management
Time management skills are essential for CAT preparation. Here's a
short manual:
1. Make a creative study timetable
2. Segment Subjects
3. Consistent editing
4. Simulated Examination
5. Practice with a time limit
6. Equitable Method
7. Flexibility of the schedule
Challenges faced
Academic Challenges: Non-academic Challenges:
Tough syllabus and format Competition
01 Time management
Conceptual gaps
02 Self-motivation and discipline
Financial constraints
Weak reading comprehension Self-doubt and anxiety

Additional Challenges:
Limited access to resources
03 Changing exam patterns
Work-life balance
 Psychological
Factors
The CAT journey is not just about crunching numbers and dissecting
passages; it's also a psychological rollercoaster. CAT aspirants face
a unique set of mental and emotional challenges that can
significantly impact their performance and overall well-being.
Here's a deeper dive into the psychological aspects of CAT
preparation:
Pressure and Stress
Motivation and Self-Doubt
Fear of Failure and Perfectionism
Resilience and Coping Mechanisms
Mindset and Positive Psychology
Mock Test Analysis
Sectional Analysis: Examine your results Accuracy: Evaluate how accurate your
according to Verbal Ability, Quantitative
01 Ability, and Data Interpretation and
Logical Reasoning. Determine your
02 responses were. If you made mistakes, try
to figure out why and try to prevent
making the same mistakes again.
advantages and disadvantages in each.

Acknowledging errors: comprehend the Questions attempted vs. unattempt: assess

rationale behind erroneous responses. if you overlooked simple questions or overly
03 Was there a calculation error or a
conceptual error? Acquiring knowledge
04 focused on challenging ones. Finding the
ideal balance is essential.
from errors.
 Post Exam
Feedback
Difficulty level: Opinions vary on the overall difficulty
of the exam.
Section-wise experiences: Opinions on different
sections such as vary too for example in the
followings fields- Verbal Ability and Reading
Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and
Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Ability (QA)
Time management: Time management was a key
concern for many, with some struggling to complete
all the questions within the allotted time frame.
 Thank
you!
Presented by-
Rashi
Pranav
Dipali