Devesh Sood’s Post

On a chilly morning in November last year at 8.30 AM, I began to write CAT exam for the 3rd time. The first time was in college due to peer pressure and the second one, mom’s argument, “ek baar practice ke liye de aao”. I didn't practice a question or give a mock back then. Total nonchalance. Result? barely managed to cross the 60% ile both the times. Cut to then present, though I was writing the exam with good preparation for the first time VARC:.It always came naturally to me. The target was to scoop in maximum marks as it happened in every mock I gave. Attempted It with full confidence and was very happy with my attempt of 3 RCs and 5 VA questions. DILR: Was tricky, got stuck in a set but managed to mark the answers with best possible eliminations. Completed another easy one in the remaining time. Quants: The weakest link, but I managed to do 9 questions with full patience, 1 less than what I aimed for. CAT answer key gets released a month before the scorecard and that day was an all-time hit for me. A blow in the face. The blow is attached in the image below. Totally misinterpreted the RCs and VA accuracy hit too. My lowest score, even from all the mocks I gave [ 72.40%ile ], DILR sailed fair, [ 91.80%ile ], Quant was more than decent from my expectation. [ 97.47%ile ] I had lost all hope for a good b-school season this year. My mental health took a toll, I took 2 months to remorse and recover- managed to take a trip, continued to put high focus on my work at Gartner, and eventually also began giving mocks over the weekend to give another shot at CAT. But God had other plans. On another not so chilly morning in February I got a shortlist mail from MDI. It was the only shortlist from my target list that gave me a call and after 1 GDPI, 2 months later I received an offer to join. I’ve never looked back since then. FYI: I’ll be posting stuff about my MBA experience on LinkedIn, but would refrain from sharing advice on the exam preparation as my percentile doesn't justify me giving gyaan on the same. To aid in the department, I will be sharing a list of resources from my peers at MDI aced the exam with a 99%ile soon! #mba #cat #india #gmat #bschool

"As you stand at the threshold of your CAT exam tomorrow, remember that this moment is a culmination of months of tireless efforts, unwavering dedication, and unrelenting passion. You've pushed through late-night study sessions, emotional breakdowns, and self-doubt. You've faced peer pressure, disappointing mock scores, and the constant fear of uncertainty. But here's the thing: every obstacle you've overcome, every struggle you've endured, and every sacrifice you've made has prepared you for this moment. Tomorrow, as you take your seat and begin the exam, remember that you're not just fighting for a score – you're fighting for your dreams, your aspirations, and your future. So, take a deep breath, stay focused, and trust the process. You've got this! To all the CAT aspirants out there, I wish you the very best of luck for your exam tomorrow. May your hard work and determination pay off, and may you achieve your dreams! #CATexam #MBAaspirants #ExamMotivation"

✏️ 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗖𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 ✏️ GCSE exam day is filled with anticipation and nerves. The difference between feeling overwhelmed and confident often comes down to one thing: preparation. At QED Tuition, we emphasise consistent practice as the secret ingredient to exam-day success. The goal is to prepare students to handle any question that comes their way with confidence. This means going beyond memorising formulas and definitions—it’s about building familiarity with question types, timing, and exam conditions. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 📚 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: The more you practice, the more familiar the material feels. By exam day, tricky problems won’t seem so intimidating. 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: Practicing under timed conditions teaches you to pace yourself, so you don’t run out of time or rush through questions. 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀: Regular practice helps you notice common question types and techniques that exam boards love to use. 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆: The more prepared you are, the less anxious you’ll feel. Familiarity turns exam nerves into focused energy. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁: Come exam day, all those practice sessions add up to a smoother, more confident experience. You’ll approach the paper knowing you’ve already tackled similar questions and mastered the timing needed to complete everything on schedule. Start early, keep going, and remember: 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁—𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. What’s your go-to revision method for feeling exam-ready? Share it below! 👇 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔁 Repost | 👤 Follow me Faisal Naqvi #GCSEMaths #QEDTuition #PracticeMakesPerfect #StudentSuccess #ExamTips #MathsConfidence

STRATEGISING EXAM-TAKING APPROACH As the exam date approaches, candidates should finalise their exam-taking strategy. This includes determining the number of questions to attempt, allocating time for each section, and planning for revision. Having a well-defined strategy will help ensure a systematic and efficient approach during the exam. LAST-MINUTE REVISION TIPS 1. Revise Core Subjects: Focus on revising core subjects by reviewing notes and analysing previous question papers or mock tests. 2. Exam-Taking Strategy: Ensure clarity on time management, question selection, and revision tactics to enhance efficiency and confidence during the exam. 3. Minimise Mock Tests: While mock tests are valuable for practice, minimise their frequency in the last few days before the exam. Instead, focus on analysing previous performance, identifying weaknesses, and improving concentration to minimise errors. 4. Avoid Starting New Topics: Instead, dedicate time to brushing up on language sections, general knowledge, and other non-core subjects to maintain a well-rounded preparation. 5. Utilise Online Resources: Tap into online resources such as study groups, expert videos, and exam day strategies shared by past toppers. MAINTAINING BALANCE AND RELAXATION In the days leading up to the CUET UG exam, prioritise self-care and relaxation. Remember, staying calm and confident is key to performing at your best on the exam day. ALL THE BEST !! 🧡💖 #cuet #nta #cuetug #cuetnta #exam #students #tips #tricks #tips&trick

The authorities didn’t let me sit for the XAT exam! Because I forgot my ID card at home in the last-minute rush, don’t let it happen to you. Here are some simple things for CAT's D-Day that can make your life easier: 1/ Visit your exam centre at least once before the exam to familiarize yourself with its location and estimate the required travel time. 2/Print out three sets of coloured copies of your admit card and affix passport-size photos in the designated spaces. 3/ Keep your government-issued photo ID handy and place it in a folder with your admit card. The authorities will provide stationery. 4/ Don’t listen to anyone—CAT is one of the most unpredictable exams in India. Don’t fall into the trap of comparing one slot with another. 5/ If the exam seems difficult, remember it's the same for everyone. Taking a minute off is okay if you find questions hard to comprehend. During my CAT attempt, a short break of 2-3 minutes helped me save my entire attempt. 6/ Let go of tough questions—not all are meant for you. Focus on the scoring +3s, not the -1s. 7/ Don’t let the performance in one section affect your performance in others. Treat it as three separate exams, and aim to ace each one individually. 29th November 2020 — A Sunday I will remember, recalling every detail from three years ago. This won't be a usual mock day; factors beyond your control will influence some things. Don’t overthink; approach the exam with a fresh and calm mind. Let's meet some folks outside the exam hall. All the best! #mba #bschool #cat

Small Motivation for You Guys: Reflecting on my first attempt at the CAT exam brings back vivid memories. Despite achieving higher percentiles in subsequent tries, there's a unique essence to the first experience, isn't it? Back then, the CAT comprised two sections: - QA and DI (Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation) - VARC and LR (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning) With a duration of 3 hours, the CAT has evolved, yet the constant remains: hard work is non-negotiable. If I could commit, prepare, and secure a percentile for top B-school admissions, what's holding you back? With less than six months remaining, discard any procrastination and dedicate yourself. Even post-achievement, challenges persist, but the journey becomes smoother, benefiting not just you but your loved ones too. Best of luck, Abbas Imran #cat #mba #motivation

You can download your CAT Admit card starting today. This is the point where you must start your actual paper-giving practice. On the card, you will get your slot for taking the CAT exam. Many people might have already told you to start giving mocks in that slot. I wanted to share my experience with this particular event. I got the 2 slots- evening in the 1st attempt and afternoon in the 2nd attempt. I am a morning person, so basically, I wanted the 8 am slot but never got it, and honestly, I was upset and worried about how my brain would work when I mostly take a nap at 12:00 pm (Fresher's problem). The solution to this problem was only one- to leave thinking and start studying in that time slot. It was really difficult for me, and when you know that you have to be active in that particular time slot, then your brain has a special power to shut down naturally. To cope, start studying from the 1st day itself and stop feeling demotivated, underconfident, and leaving things in FOMO based on your Mocks marks, Friends' performance, or seeing some person's amazing strategy. I was talking to a CAT aspirant today, and she said a thing that is, I think, very common- "I am not able to do the advanced questions; when the teacher in the coaching solves them, I am not able to understand, and for that then I have to devote extra 2-3 hours. Even after that it feels as if I have not understood the logic!" I went back to what my senior once told when I faced this problem. It's very simple leave all the advance questions, 1stly they come for the same marks and secondly you might not be sure of the right answer even after devoting more time to those! Instead, be smart and first solve all the easy questions and if time left can try those (12-20) out of 66 advance questions! I hope this was helpful, also don't feel demotivated even after seeing your mock's marks, those are only and only for your practice not to tell your worth, you don't have the time to look down on yourself, literally not even 20 days are left. If you still have any doubt feel free to reach out to me! Don't be negative! If you can trust yourself, you will do it! #cat #iimc #du #iitd #kmc P.S. Sharing a very positive feel from the campus view! Hope this helps

🎯 How to Analyze CAT Mock Exams Effectively 📝 As CAT exam aspirants, taking mock exams is crucial for tracking your progress and improving your performance. However, the true value lies not just in attempting mocks, but in analyzing them deeply. How to effectively analyze your CAT mock exams: ☑️Accuracy Check: Identify which sections and question types you are consistently getting wrong. Track the pattern and analyze whether it's due to a lack of conceptual clarity, time pressure, or silly mistakes. ✅Time Management: Break down the time you spent on each section and type of question. Were you spending too much time on RCs or DI sets? Figure out where time can be optimized. ✅Question Categories: Divide questions into three categories: ☑️Easy: Should have been attempted. Moderate: Could have been attempted with more thought. Difficult: Can be left to avoid wasting time. ✅Unattempted Questions: Analyze why certain questions were skipped. Was it due to time constraints or difficulty level? Make a plan to improve your speed or approach for such questions. ✅Sectional Focus: Identify the section that needs more attention. Whether it’s Quant, Verbal, or LRDI, deep dive into your weaker section and work on the concepts. ☑️Error Log: Maintain an error log. Write down every mistake or tough question after each mock. Revisit this regularly to avoid repeating mistakes. ☑️Strategic Tweaks: Based on the analysis, modify your strategy for the next mock. Whether it’s attempting fewer risky questions or changing the order of sections, experiment with different approaches. Remember, mock exams are practice tools. Consistent analysis and strategic changes are the key to maximizing your score on the actual CAT exam! 🚀 #CATPreparation #MockTestAnalysis #TimeManagement #QuantitativeAptitude #MBAEntrance #ExamStrategy #TestTakingSkills

Show this to a young person getting their exam results today... Your results do not define your entire identity or future. Remember: • You're More Than Grades: You have unique skills and talents beyond what's on a test. There are many opportunities in life where your exam scores aren’t the deciding criteria, and your skills and talents as well as personality and attitude will be what gets you where you want to go. • Think Long-Term: Consider what things you want in life that don’t involve exams. Whether that’s having strong relationships with the people you love, caring for others, building things, or making people laugh, there’s many ways to arrive at your long-term goals and aspirations. #GCSEs