wizkid
New member
You have spent many a day attending classes, giving mock tests, competing with fellow aspirants, et al and many a sleepless night with your nose buried in the books. Two months hence and all your hard work would be put to test. This very thought is enough to give anyone the jitters. So, no wonder many students suffer from the so-called 'CAT scare'. And this fear gets all the more pronounced as the examination day approaches!
CAT, as popularly believed, is not just the test of Quantitative or Verbal Prowess. The top B-schools are more interested in your ability to handle uncertainty and stress. Numerous studies conducted by psychoanalysts have shown that 'stress', as opposed to general notion, is not entirely bad; it can have both a positive and a negative effect on us. As a positive influence, stress can help compel us into action; we all thrive under a certain amount of stress. Deadlines, competitions, confrontations, give us a new awareness and perspective. Simply put, stress can be our driving force. Thus, our goal should not be to eliminate stress but to learn how to manage it in a way that it works for us rather than against us!
Managing Stress
At the macro level, you must always keep in mind that you are gearing up to appear for an examination which aims at testing whether or not you have the requisite skill set to make a good manager. And as a manager you would be required to face innumerous stressful situations, hence it's a must that you learn how to handle stress effectively. And, at a micro level - focusing on only the next few months - now is the time that you must begin training yourself to avoid the influence of anxiety on your performance in the CAT.
Here are some tips for better stress management.
From now till the day of the examination
Become aware of your stressors and your reactions to them - We can't be experts at everything that we undertake. The same is true for the different sections of the CAT. We would be comfortable with some sections and sub-sections, and less than comfortable with others. Now is the time for us to identify our weaknesses and our reactions to the same
Recognize what you can change - Once you have identified your weak areas and your reactions to them, examine how you can change your stressors by avoiding or eliminating them. In other words, each mock test that you undertake from now till the day of the examination must be carefully analyzed, not just to identify the errors you made but also your reactions to each sub-section. Work on your weaknesses so as to dispense any negative feelings that they might arouse.
Build your emotional reserves - Ten minutes of meditation and deep-breathing exercises can help build your body's emotional reserves, and thus make you a more resilient person. This would be especially helpful during the first fifteen and the last fifteen minutes of the examination, because it is during these time periods that maximum number of students experience nervousness and anxiety. Learn to remain calm. This would definitely improve your productivity. The results would show in terms of a higher accuracy rate.
Improve your internal dialogue - Monitor your internal dialogue! As you must have observed, we're constantly talking to ourselves. The next time you find yourself anxious or worried, pause for a moment and pay attention to what you're saying to yourself. For instance, if you haven't performed well in a mock test instead of saying, "God! The test was too difficult for me," you should say, "This was an interesting test, it will help me better analyze the areas where I lack prowess."
Take Control - Be flexible, yet have an idea beforehand of what works for you. Which section would you like to attempt first, and within the section which questions if attempted first would boost your confidence. Having a plan gives you a sense of control over what can seem like a difficult situation. Feeling out of control only exacerbates anxiety and stress.
Be positive - Do you see your glass as half empty or half full? In either case, fill it up all the way with a healthy dose of optimism. A positive attitude goes a long way in securing better results
The day before the test
DO find out the exact location of the test Center - Sure, this sounds patently obvious. But in order to avoid panic on the day of the examination, find out exactly (including building number, entrance, even room number, if applicable) where you're going!
DO put together what you'll need for the test - Gather everything that you'll need, like pens, pencils, your roll number, etc, a night before the examination. It would be a good idea to carry along a bottle of water as well. A watch to keep tab on the time is a must!
DO a quick revision the night before - Revise a few basic formulae and take a quick look at the word list. In those last few hours don't spend too much time cramming things, as that would increase your stress levels. It is best to rest and relax.
DON'T vary your usual routine - Try to eat, rest, and sleep as you normally would. Don't formulate a new and unusual sleep-study cycle for test preparation - chances are you'll end up taking the exam when you're not at your peak.
The day of the examination
DON'T get up only 30 minutes before the test - Make sure you are awake and alert well before time to start the test. Do not reach the examination hall half asleep!
Have a light meal before the exam - Even if you aren't hungry, do make it a point to eat something light - otherwise hunger, nervousness or even hypoglycemia could set in midway though the test.
DO dress for comfort and for a range of temperatures - Regardless of the season, you may find the exam room too hot or too cold due to heavy air-conditioning or overly efficient heating.
Reach the examination venue 20 minutes before the prescribed time - Arriving for the test with five minutes to spare only and finding that the venue is a labyrinth is a guaranteed stress-inducing nightmare. To avoid last minute panic, reach the test venue at least 20 minutes before the prescribed time.
Keep a cushion time for traveling exigencies - Murphy's Law does operate when we least want it to. So be prepared for any exigencies that can occur during your commuting from home/hostel till the venue.
During the exam
DO read the entire test through before beginning - Glance at all the sections and the different types of questions. This would help you prioritize areas and complete sections in the order that best suits you. Start with an area in which you feel confident. These steps will increase your sense of control.
DO skip immediately to another question or section if you're drawing a complete blank - Often just reading through the other questions will jog your memory or give you ideas about handling a difficult part of the test.
DO keep track of time and practice efficient time-management skills - Don't sacrifice valuable time on less-demanding areas or on single questions. Recognize what sections or questions will be most time-consuming and plan accordingly. And do keep in mind that all sections must be attempted.
DO try to keep a positive attitude - If you experience overwhelming stress, try closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing for a few seconds. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Tensing and then relaxing your muscles while seated can also help break the tension cycle.
While almost all test-takers admit to having a few exam-day jitters, some people experience severe and debilitating test anxiety that can negatively affect exam performance. No matter where you fall on the exam stress scale, you can use these dos and don'ts to help get your exam stress under control! Wishing you a happy and stress-free test-taking!
Try this 4 sure and u'll get to know the Difference..!!
Be Ready for CAT '06. The Countdown has already Started..!!:horn:
CAT, as popularly believed, is not just the test of Quantitative or Verbal Prowess. The top B-schools are more interested in your ability to handle uncertainty and stress. Numerous studies conducted by psychoanalysts have shown that 'stress', as opposed to general notion, is not entirely bad; it can have both a positive and a negative effect on us. As a positive influence, stress can help compel us into action; we all thrive under a certain amount of stress. Deadlines, competitions, confrontations, give us a new awareness and perspective. Simply put, stress can be our driving force. Thus, our goal should not be to eliminate stress but to learn how to manage it in a way that it works for us rather than against us!
Managing Stress
At the macro level, you must always keep in mind that you are gearing up to appear for an examination which aims at testing whether or not you have the requisite skill set to make a good manager. And as a manager you would be required to face innumerous stressful situations, hence it's a must that you learn how to handle stress effectively. And, at a micro level - focusing on only the next few months - now is the time that you must begin training yourself to avoid the influence of anxiety on your performance in the CAT.
Here are some tips for better stress management.
From now till the day of the examination
Become aware of your stressors and your reactions to them - We can't be experts at everything that we undertake. The same is true for the different sections of the CAT. We would be comfortable with some sections and sub-sections, and less than comfortable with others. Now is the time for us to identify our weaknesses and our reactions to the same
Recognize what you can change - Once you have identified your weak areas and your reactions to them, examine how you can change your stressors by avoiding or eliminating them. In other words, each mock test that you undertake from now till the day of the examination must be carefully analyzed, not just to identify the errors you made but also your reactions to each sub-section. Work on your weaknesses so as to dispense any negative feelings that they might arouse.
Build your emotional reserves - Ten minutes of meditation and deep-breathing exercises can help build your body's emotional reserves, and thus make you a more resilient person. This would be especially helpful during the first fifteen and the last fifteen minutes of the examination, because it is during these time periods that maximum number of students experience nervousness and anxiety. Learn to remain calm. This would definitely improve your productivity. The results would show in terms of a higher accuracy rate.
Improve your internal dialogue - Monitor your internal dialogue! As you must have observed, we're constantly talking to ourselves. The next time you find yourself anxious or worried, pause for a moment and pay attention to what you're saying to yourself. For instance, if you haven't performed well in a mock test instead of saying, "God! The test was too difficult for me," you should say, "This was an interesting test, it will help me better analyze the areas where I lack prowess."
Take Control - Be flexible, yet have an idea beforehand of what works for you. Which section would you like to attempt first, and within the section which questions if attempted first would boost your confidence. Having a plan gives you a sense of control over what can seem like a difficult situation. Feeling out of control only exacerbates anxiety and stress.
Be positive - Do you see your glass as half empty or half full? In either case, fill it up all the way with a healthy dose of optimism. A positive attitude goes a long way in securing better results
The day before the test
DO find out the exact location of the test Center - Sure, this sounds patently obvious. But in order to avoid panic on the day of the examination, find out exactly (including building number, entrance, even room number, if applicable) where you're going!
DO put together what you'll need for the test - Gather everything that you'll need, like pens, pencils, your roll number, etc, a night before the examination. It would be a good idea to carry along a bottle of water as well. A watch to keep tab on the time is a must!
DO a quick revision the night before - Revise a few basic formulae and take a quick look at the word list. In those last few hours don't spend too much time cramming things, as that would increase your stress levels. It is best to rest and relax.
DON'T vary your usual routine - Try to eat, rest, and sleep as you normally would. Don't formulate a new and unusual sleep-study cycle for test preparation - chances are you'll end up taking the exam when you're not at your peak.
The day of the examination
DON'T get up only 30 minutes before the test - Make sure you are awake and alert well before time to start the test. Do not reach the examination hall half asleep!
Have a light meal before the exam - Even if you aren't hungry, do make it a point to eat something light - otherwise hunger, nervousness or even hypoglycemia could set in midway though the test.
DO dress for comfort and for a range of temperatures - Regardless of the season, you may find the exam room too hot or too cold due to heavy air-conditioning or overly efficient heating.
Reach the examination venue 20 minutes before the prescribed time - Arriving for the test with five minutes to spare only and finding that the venue is a labyrinth is a guaranteed stress-inducing nightmare. To avoid last minute panic, reach the test venue at least 20 minutes before the prescribed time.
Keep a cushion time for traveling exigencies - Murphy's Law does operate when we least want it to. So be prepared for any exigencies that can occur during your commuting from home/hostel till the venue.
During the exam
DO read the entire test through before beginning - Glance at all the sections and the different types of questions. This would help you prioritize areas and complete sections in the order that best suits you. Start with an area in which you feel confident. These steps will increase your sense of control.
DO skip immediately to another question or section if you're drawing a complete blank - Often just reading through the other questions will jog your memory or give you ideas about handling a difficult part of the test.
DO keep track of time and practice efficient time-management skills - Don't sacrifice valuable time on less-demanding areas or on single questions. Recognize what sections or questions will be most time-consuming and plan accordingly. And do keep in mind that all sections must be attempted.
DO try to keep a positive attitude - If you experience overwhelming stress, try closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing for a few seconds. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Tensing and then relaxing your muscles while seated can also help break the tension cycle.
While almost all test-takers admit to having a few exam-day jitters, some people experience severe and debilitating test anxiety that can negatively affect exam performance. No matter where you fall on the exam stress scale, you can use these dos and don'ts to help get your exam stress under control! Wishing you a happy and stress-free test-taking!
Try this 4 sure and u'll get to know the Difference..!!
Be Ready for CAT '06. The Countdown has already Started..!!:horn: