r/CATExam

1st result and 1st rejection, Udaipur was my best call, idk what to do now. It's not that my interview went bad, it was good, but still rejected not even waitlisted. Wtf is this process so traumatic? Hella clueless about what is going to happen now😭.

10th: 75.5% | 12th: 87.2%

B-Tech ,CSE: 8.64 CGPA | 2025 passout

Category: SC
Currently preparing for a govt exam(cg vyapam). Was thinking should I also give CAT this year? How's the profile looking for IIMs honestly?

April – May (Foundation Phase)

This is where most people waste time by jumping straight into mocks. Don't.

• QA: Get your basics locked — Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry. Arun Sharma Level 1-2 or equivalent. Target: finish one topic per week.
• VARC: Start reading daily. Hindu editorial, Aeon, Psyche magazine. 2 passages a day minimum. Don't time yourself yet.
• DILR: Pick 2 set types per week and drill them until they feel boring. Arrangements and Blood Relations first.

Goal by May end: One full mock done (just to see where you stand, not to score).

June – July (Build Phase)

Now you layer speed on top of concept.

• QA: Move to advanced topics — Number Systems, P&C, Probability. These are low-attempt, high-reward in the actual exam.
• VARC: Start timed RC. 20 mins per passage set. Track accuracy, not speed.
• DILR: Move to harder sets — Caselets, Scheduling, Venn Diagrams.
• Mocks: 1 per week minimum. Analyse every single one. Where you lose time > where you lose marks.

Goal by July end: Consistent 75+ percentile in at least one section.

August – September (Serious Phase)

Stop learning new things. Start plugging leaks.

• Weekly mock + 3-hour analysis session per mock. Non-negotiable.
• Maintain an error log. Categorise mistakes: silly error / concept gap / time management.
• VARC: 3 RC sets per day. Inference and tone questions are where toppers separate themselves.
• DILR: Triage practice — learn when to leave a set within 3 minutes. This skill wins percentile.

Goal by September end: 85+ percentile consistently in full mocks.

October (Peak Phase)

Exam is in November. This month is about mindset as much as marks.

• Full mock every 2-3 days. Simulate exam conditions — same time slot, no phone.
• Revise your error log weekly. Don't learn anything new.
• VARC: Read one quality long-form article per day (not for practice, just to keep the brain sharp).
• Rest: At least one full day off per week. Burnout before the exam is the worst outcome.

Goal by October end: Mental readiness. You should feel bored of the exam pattern — that's when you're ready.

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to understand a major life trade-off and would love some honest perspectives.

On one side:

Becoming a Group Captain in the Air Force

High respect, authority, disciplined lifestyle

Stable income (~20–25 LPA equivalent), strong identity

On the other side:

Software Engineer + MBA earning ~75 LPA

High income, freedom, flexibility, corporate lifestyle

More control over personal life and finances

The question is:

👉 If you had to choose purely for your own life, which path would you pick and why?

I’m especially interested in:

Long-term satisfaction

Work-life balance

Regret factor after 10–20 years

Would really appreciate brutally honest opinions from people who’ve thought about or experienced similar choices.

Thanks!

All the best 👍