Scoring low in CAT mocks? This is how you can fix it

When you started your CAT 2020 preparation, you probably thought of staying up all night, finishing all the fundamentals on time, and taking mocks with great scores. Sounding perfect, right? Instead, your mock-life turned out to be more of a malfunctioning rollercoaster, lurching from high to low with no warning. Result? Mood plunges. You feel on the brink of madness but you’re not alone because every other CAT 2020 aspirant feels like this at some point. So, scoring low in CAT mocks should not be taken as a setback! Here is a quick guide to understanding the reason behind low scores and how to fix it.

Do you know that scoring low in CAT mocks is simply a domino’s effect? How? Well, the chain starts when your scores start getting worse with each mock, and you succumb to the pressure. And this is where you start losing, not because of a low score, but because of how you begin to perceive yourself because of some mocks. First things first, understand that CAT is more of an attitude test than an aptitude test. Anyone who can maintain his calm during those three hours is sure to excel in it. So, with CAT preparations in the final lap of the race, let’s first understand why you are scoring low in CAT mocks.

Let’s take an example of a mock with a score in the range of 60-65 percentile. So, the aspirant’s attempt might look something like this:

*This is based on the number of questions from the previous year, as the revised number of questions in CAT 2020 is yet to be confirmed. 

Along with such a result, if his/her peers score a mock percentile in the range of 96-99, it will altogether kill the confidence. Right? But instead of sinking the heart and crying the eyes out, it's time to fix this problem.

Why I am scoring low in CAT mocks?

“Mocks are tougher than actual CAT exams” - you might have heard people saying this all the time, the same old story and now you might feel it is worn out and hackneyed. But NO! This actually is tried and true. Get this straight, CAT mocks are designed on a bit tougher note. To get a rough idea of your actual CAT percentile, you can add 15 percentile to your current mock score. 

Moreover, these mocks are built in such a way that it usually entails questions based on similar tricks and concepts that are bound to be common in study materials. So do not panic on seeing questions which do not have patterns in them, you might do well in the final exam. Some other reason for your scoring low in CAT mocks can be:

• Relying only on a particular section during CAT preparation
• Giving too many mocks without preparation
• Overconfidence in finishing the syllabus or having a strong QA or verbal section or the overconfidence of being way better than others 
• Focusing just on the number of attempts overlooking the accuracy 
• Wasting too much time on the wrong question
• Imitating the strategy of the successful CAT aspirants
• Attempting the paper too recklessly or cautiously
• Burnout, lack of proper sleep, diet, and of course, the peer pressure!

It is high time to check where your approach is going wrong. Instead of following the toppers, work on your own strategy, and do NOT forget the importance of the last point!

How can I improve my CAT mock scores?

The month of October-November is the season of CAT mocks. From giving one mock per week the students have also fuelled their CAT preparation by increasing the number to three to four mocks per week, which is appreciable. But does the mock routine involve an honest, complete, and thorough analysis? We hope, YES!

Here is a clear and crisp picture of how your mock routine should look like:

NOTE: It is a guide to help you prepare a personalized strategy. It is strongly suggested to devise an approach based on your own performance.

So, if you are scoring low in mocks, either your accuracy is not up to the mark or your attempts are lower. If your accuracy is low, then reduce the number of attempts! Go for only those questions in which you have full confidence. To achieve the target shown in the chart above, follow these 2 rules:

• Whenever you analyze your mock, see which questions you attempted were wrong. Because if you can bring 100 percent accuracy to your attempted questions, you will easily score 95-99 percentile in your mocks. The trick behind this is getting all your attempted questions correct, even if it requires lowering the number of attempts by a few numbers!
• The moment your accuracy starts improving and your confidence builds-up, go forward and start increasing your attempts now.

Do NOT run after just the number of attempts. Accuracy before attempts should be your funda if you are scoring low in CAT mocks. Most importantly, keep an updated note of your progress and re-strategize your approach regularly. Unless you are clear about your strengths and weaknesses, the whole idea of writing mocks is a complete waste of time. 

Before we end this, let us quickly remind you that low mock scores can be demotivating, but never let them drag you into the trap of thinking that you will not be able to achieve your aim of going to your dream B-School this year. 

To read more on CAT preparation and get inspiration from the success stories of CAT takers, check out the following links:

• Answers to all your queries on taking and analysing CAT Mocks
• The magic potion that will help you manage CAT preparation stress
• How to prepare for CAT in 3 months or less and get 99+ percentile
• CAT preparation: From a negative score in mocks to 97.30 in CAT -By Sagar Vazirani from MDI Gurgaon
• Scoring a 99.8 percentile while struggling with placements, college exams and CAT preparation –By Roshan Kumar
• How to prepare for CAT in one month or less? -By Praneeth Allada, 99.78 percentile, IIM Calcutta
• The ultimate CAT preparation guide: How to maximise your score? -By Hemanth Reddy Varakantham, 99.13 percentile, IIM Ahmedabad - Part I
• The ABC of CAT preparation and mocks -By Mehendi Basu, 98.54 percentile, IIM Kozhikode
• With these two things you can also score 99+ percentile in CAT -By Aishwarya Nair, 99.82 percentile, IIM Bangalore
• Are 2 months enough for CAT preparation? -By Shakshi Sodhani, 98 percentile, SPJIMR Mumbai