Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: The Common Admission Test (CAT) represents one of the most formidable academic challenges in India, offering a gateway to the nation’s elite management institutions. Its rigour lies in the blend of verbal, logical as well as quantitative questions that demand speed, precision, and mental stamina.
According to behavioral psychologists, moderate exam stress activates the prefrontal cortex, improving attention and analytical reasoning. Those who convert pressure into focus, structured thinking, and resilience often emerge not just as successful candidates but as individuals better equipped for the demands of leadership. Dr Bushra, Associate Professor - Finance, JIMS Rohini, has shared the key strategies to keep the CAT exam stress at bay.
Laying the Foundation: Structured preparation that reduces stress
A systematic preparation plan limits uncertainty, a major source of anxiety. Dividing the CAT syllabus into smaller plus manageable units helps maintain steady progress, that too without cognitive overload. Realistic timelines, to a greater extent, make it certain that complex topics receive adequate revision, while strong areas remain polished. Regular mock tests play a transformative role by reflecting real exam pressure, improving pacing, and sharpening decision-making. With time, patterns from mock scores and past papers build familiarity. This, in turn, helps in steadily transforming stress into informed confidence.
Moreover, each CAT section demands a focused strategy. VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) benefits from a habit of efficient reading and contextual interpretation. On the other hand, DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) needs careful selection of sets as well as the ability to avoid time traps. QA (Quantitative Aptitude), rooted in fundamental mathematical concepts, challenges aspirants with deceptively simple but time-sensitive questions. Knowledge of these nuances aids in better planning and reduces panic during preparation and on the exam day.
Strengthening Stamina: Physical and mental balance
Physical well-being significantly influences cognitive sharpness. Adequate sleep strengthens memory retention and prevents fatigue-driven mistakes, especially during long reading comprehension passages or data-intensive DILR sets. Light physical activity—yoga, walking, or simple stretching—acts as a natural stress release, helping maintain emotional stability.
Dr Bushra, said, "Nutrition and hydration further support mental clarity. In addition, consistent energy levels prevent the dips that impact study flow. Small lifestyle choices, such as limiting overstimulation, taking mindful breaks, and maintaining a clutter-free study space, help create an environment conducive to focus."
Mental composure completes this balance. Approaches like box breathing, deep breathing, and the 4-7-8 technique help reduce anxiety spikes. Visualisation, often underestimated, reinforces internal confidence by mentally practising a calm and successful exam-day experience. Stress journaling allows emotional release and clears mental blocks that interfere with concentration.
Converting stress into momentum
On the day of the examination, effective time management becomes the most reliable anchor. Familiarity with section-wise time helps in restraining unnecessary panic. That said, initiating with a comfortable section helps build early momentum. In contrast, skipping overly complex questions conserves energy for solvable ones. The process of elimination facilitates rapid decisions, especially in moments of doubt.
Additionally, composure shapes performance just as much as skill. A short breathing pause before the exam begins sharpens the focus of the mind. Avoiding comparison with others maintains internal focus.
Outside the exam hall, relaxation activities, including reading, music, art, writing, or physical hobbies, help sustain emotional balance via preparation. Goal planners, routine-based study systems, and self-affirmations further stabilise focus and discipline.
Crossing the last mile
In the final phase of preparation more focus should be on settling into strengths, sharpening the instincts, and finding an exam rhythm that feels natural. Focusing on high-impact topics, refining ability to pick the right questions, and maintaining steady mock-test timing can make a noticeable difference. Protecting emotional space by stepping away from stressful discussions, avoiding last-minute material switches, and resisting the urge to peer comparisons. At this stage, calmness and trust in the preparations plays the most important role.
Given its reputation as the country's most challenging MBA entrance test, stress around the CAT is natural. With structured preparation, balanced well-being, and a thoughtful exam-day strategy, stress transforms into strategic focus. When discipline overrides doubt and clarity rises above pressure, stress becomes fuel. It becomes the key driver of improving performance in India's most demanding academic journeys. Aspirants who cultivate calmness, emotional steadiness, and strategic clarity often find themselves performing at their highest potential when it matters most.
