Should I Prepare for the CAT After a BCom or During a BCom?

Deciding whether to prepare for the Common Admission Test (CAT) after completing your BCom degree or while still pursuing your BCom depends on several important considerations. This article will explore the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches to help you make an informed decision.

Preparing During BCom

Advantages

Time Management: Starting your CAT preparation early allows you to gradually and less stressfully plan your studies. This method provides a more flexible schedule that can adapt to your academic workload.
Familiarity with Concepts: Some concepts in your BCom coursework, such as quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning, may overlap with key skills required for the CAT. This overlap can make your preparation more efficient and effective.
Flexibility: You can adjust your study plan based on your academic schedule, which can prevent the feeling of being too overwhelmed or underprepared.

Disadvantages

Divided Focus: Balancing college coursework and CAT preparation can lead to stress or reduced performance in either area. It's important to find a balance that ensures you excel in both.
Time Constraints: If your BCom program is demanding, finding enough time for CAT preparation can be a challenge. This might require prioritizing and managing your time effectively to avoid burnout.

Preparing After BCom

Advantages

Focused Preparation: Once you complete your BCom degree, you can dedicate your full attention to CAT preparation. This approach minimizes distractions and allows you to focus on improving your scores.
More Maturity and Experience: Completing your degree can provide you with a better understanding of your career goals and the type of MBA program you want to pursue. This can help you tailor your preparation more effectively.

Disadvantages

Time Pressure: You may have less time to prepare if you wait until after your BCom degree, especially if you aim to take the CAT soon after graduation. This can create additional stress and pressure.
Re-adjusting to Study Habits: If you take a break from studying after your BCom degree, you might find it challenging to get back into a structured study routine. This can impact your overall preparation and performance.

Conclusion

Either preparing during your BCom or after it depends on your ability to manage your time and maintain a good balance. Preparing during your BCom can be beneficial if you can effectively manage your time and avoid a divided focus. However, if your BCom workload is demanding or if you prefer to focus entirely on CAT preparation after graduation, that approach can also work well. Ultimately, choose the option that aligns best with your personal circumstances and study preferences.

During or After BCom: A Phased Approach

It's important to consider a phased approach to your preparation. Here are some practical tips:

50:50 BCom: CAT: Allocate roughly 50% of your time to BCom studies and 50% to CAT preparation. 60:40 BCom: CAT: Dedicate a bit more time to BCom studies (60%) while still reserving 40% for CAT preparation. Consider your college attendance requirements, internal assessment class timetables, and level of semester exams. Also, factor in any extra-curricular activities or other commitments.

Begin serious preparation 6 months before your CAT examination. Aim to study for at least six hours a day during this period. Prior to this, you can allocate 3-4 hours per day, which will be sufficient.

Why Not After BCom?

If you are aiming for a CAT score around 95th percentile, which is substantial and requires strong conceptual clarity, practice, and time management, it can take some time. To my understanding, a minimum of 1.5 years of preparation is required for CAT, with the last six months needing serious preparation. Given this, it might not be feasible to spend another 1.5 years in preparation immediately after completing your BCom.

Moreover, BCom is generally not as rigorous as a BTech degree. Students are capable of preparing and cracking the CAT in their last semester. If they can do it, why can't you?

All the best!