How Many Mock Tests Do You Need To Score 99%ile in CAT?

The Common Aptitude Test (CAT) serves as the gatekeeper to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other premier B-schools in India. With its intricate and expansive syllabus, the CAT demands rigorous preparation. An essential part of this preparation involves attempting mock tests, which help students understand their readiness level, gauge the time needed per question, and sharpen their problem-solving skills. However, a common question among aspirants is, “How many mocks are enough for CAT preparation?” Let’s delve into this question.

There’s no universally correct number of CAT mock tests an aspirant should take, as it’s highly dependent on the individual’s current level of preparation, understanding, and familiarity with the exam pattern. Yet, certain benchmarks can guide the study process.

The process of learning can be cut into two common folds: One where you actually learn and the other where you practice what you have learnt. Some of the answers of the number of CAT mocks that we need to take are given in the nature itself, no sapling turns a tree within a day and it takes years of nurturing and growing for that process to happen.

Many fitness enthusiasts have gone through the process of body transformation and have seen 2 things- one, that the gains are quick at first and slow later and second that it requires determination to put in the Boring yards in order to be successful. Attempting or charting out your CAT preparation is of similar length.

For a well-prepared aspirant, a general recommendation is to attempt around 20 to 30 full-length mock tests in the months leading to the exam. This number provides ample opportunity to experience the test’s structure, rigor, and timing without causing burnout.

In the initial stages of preparation, it’s beneficial to take mock tests to understand the exam pattern and identify weak areas. As one’s understanding of concepts improves, these tests become essential tools for developing a time-management strategy and ensuring the effectiveness of this strategy in an exam-like setting.

Also Read: CAT Mock Strategy & Analysis

Importance of CAT Mock Tests

The importance of CAT mock tests in CAT preparation cannot be overstated. To begin with, they offer students a simulated environment that mirrors the actual exam. This immersion helps students understand the exam’s rigor, gradually alleviating any fear or anxiety associated with the test. It also helps to familiarize students with the CAT exam pattern, which comprises three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).

Taking a mock test is, however, only half the story. Detailed analysis of each test is critical to draw meaningful insights and identify strengths and weaknesses. Post-test analysis involves reviewing every question, understanding why an answer is correct, and learning from incorrect responses.Regular revision of topics where mistakes were made is also essential. This process of feedback and improvement can help aspirants gradually increase their speed and accuracy, which are crucial for CAT.

Also Read: Best CAT Mock Test Series with A.I. Based Analysis

But remember, the purpose of mock tests is not merely to answer a large number of questions. Rather, it’s about understanding the nature of the exam, acclimatizing oneself to the exam pressure, learning to manage time efficiently, and making necessary adjustments in strategies.

For aspirants who have just started their preparation, the number of mocks might be higher as they acquaint themselves with the exam pattern.

Mock tests also provide students with invaluable insights into their preparation strategy. They highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the students, enabling them to fine-tune their approach.

Furthermore, mock tests are indispensable for learning effective time management. Each section in the CAT exam is timed separately, and therefore, it is crucial to learn to allocate time efficiently across all sections and questions. Mock tests help in developing this skill, which can often be the deciding factor in achieving a high percentile score.

While mock tests are an integral part of CAT preparation, they must be complemented by thorough study and understanding of the core subjects. Conceptual clarity is key in CAT; unless the fundamental concepts are clear, attempting a large number of mock tests will not yield the desired result. Once the foundation is solid, mock tests can be used as a tool for strengthening and consolidating the knowledge.

Equally important is the maintenance of physical and mental health. While it might seem tempting to take numerous mock tests in the hope of improvement, it could lead to burnout. CAT preparation is a marathon, not a sprint. Hence, it’s vital to maintain a balanced schedule, which includes breaks for relaxation and recreation.

How Many Mocks To Attempt Before CAT Exam?

Given below are the approximate number of mocks you should appear for before the CAT exam. Please keep in mind that where you stand currently is also a big factor when determining the number of mocks you should appear for in the CAT exam.

Preparation From the Mock

There is no hard set fast rule for the number of questions that can pass the exam but in general opinion, it can be contrived that 10,000 questions is the number that can propel an absolute nobody to someone who can derivatively get ahead in the exam. This number is also presented through the 66 questions that you will solve while attempting one mock exam for a duration of 2 hours. What this will also enable is to give you an idea on the kind of questions you will not be attempting. Due to a standard limitation of time, you will be better of to not attempt all the questions and thus you will have to strategise and understand which questions to leave, the negative marks that come with every wrong answer brings along a huge opportunity cost, every wrong answer you mark and every mark you loose will mark a huge difference between your apparent success and disbelieved failure

Learning how to attempt and what to attempt for the paper is a critical and important aspect of maximizing your score.

Making it Hard

There is no hard set fast rule for the number of questions that can pass the exam but in general opinion, it can be contrived that 10,000 questions is the number that can propel an absolute nobody to someone who can derivatively get ahead in the exam. This number is also presented through the 66 questions that you will solve while attempting one mock exam for a duration of 2 hours. What this will also enable is to give you an idea on the kind of questions you will not be attempting. Due to a standard limitation of time, you will be better of to not attempt all the questions and thus you will have to strategise and understand which questions to leave, the negative marks that come with every wrong answer brings along a huge opportunity cost, every wrong answer you mark and every mark you loose will mark a huge difference between your apparent success and disbelieved failure.

Learning how to attempt and what to attempt for the paper is a critical and important aspect of maximizing your score.

Weak Areas are Your First Target

CAT is one such exam where just being outstanding in one section of the exam is not enough to go through for the next round, what then becomes important is how you are adequate at all sections of the exam. A minimum of 80 percentile is expected out of all the sections of the competitive exam in order to place yourself with an adequate chance for getting the interview to your stipulated college. In order to get 80 percentile, you must aim for at least scoring a minimum of 6 questions right from total set of 23/20 questions in the exam section within the range of 40 mins, For instance, some students might be excellent in QA but struggle with VARC. Regular practice with mock tests can help identify such trends and provide a direction for further study.. It is a daunting task and which is why mock exams come in handy.

Strong Areas Need Polishing

We are all born with our strengths and weaknesses and thus it is important for us to make important use of that strength. Mocks for CAT will help you polish those strengths and helps you maximize it during the Exam day. A good score and a great score can make a huge difference in your final selection chances at any College, it is always suggested to go in all guns blazing when you attempt the final exam and for that it becomes important that you can gain the best knowledge you can of the Area that you are good at.

Do Final Score & Mock Score Tally

For 60 percent of the students, the mock scores and the final scores are about the same. For the other 40 percent it is either better or worse. Though Mocks are a simulation to the final exam, they cannot guarantee your final day performance and a lot of factors come into play for the last day of your exam. These factors are over and above your preparation (your mental health, your physical health, the environment around you, etc.) and thus students must keep in mind that mock tests are merely a part of the preparation process. They are not the actual exam, nor do they predict the exact score one might get in the actual CAT. They are tools for practice and self-assessment that can aid in the learning process, but they are not the sole determinants of success.

Best Mock Tests For CAT

Now that we have discussed the number of mock tests one should attempt before the CAT exam, choosing the best mock test series for CAT becomes important. Keep in mind the relevancy and to what level the content follows the CAT exam pattern.

Get the most relevant CAT level questions which are at par with the CAT exams. Curated by our experts, iCAT mocks by iQuanta is the best test series you can refer to for an efficient CAT preparation.

To enrol for iQuanta’s mock test series, click on the link below.