Picture this: you’re midway through a CAT mock. You read a Quant question, choose option B confidently, and then, that tiny whisper in your head starts: “Wait… is it really B? Maybe it’s C. Or maybe I missed something. Let’s check again.”

Five minutes later, you’ve reread the problem twice, scribbled the same steps in three different ways, and ended up selecting option D. The result? The first answer, B, was actually correct.

Welcome to decision paralysis, when overthinking drains time, erodes confidence, and costs you marks.

Why Decision Paralysis Happens

CAT thrives on pressure. The paper is built to make you doubt yourself. And when the stakes are high, your brain sometimes works against you.

The psychological trap is simple: humans hate being wrong more than they love being right. So even when you’ve solved something correctly, a small seed of doubt convinces you to recheck endlessly or switch to another answer at the last moment.

Ironically, this over-analysis rarely improves accuracy. More often, it flips correct answers into wrong ones.

The Power of Your First Choice

Here’s the counterintuitive truth: in CAT, your first choice is often your best choice.

Research in test-taking psychology backs this up. When you’ve worked through a problem logically, your first answer reflects both your preparation and your instincts. Constantly switching usually stems from anxiety, not fresh reasoning.

Think about your mocks: how many times have you changed from right to wrong? And how many times from wrong to right? If you track honestly, the first category often outweighs the second.

When Sticking Works, and When It Doesn’t

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should blindly trust your gut every time. The art lies in knowing when to stick and when to re-evaluate.

Stick to your first choice when:

• You followed a clear process (not just guessing).
• Your doubt is vague (“It feels wrong”) rather than concrete (“I misread that condition”).
• You’ve already spent the reasonable time budget on the question.

Re-evaluate only when:

• You spot a specific misstep (like a calculation slip or a skipped constraint).
• You solved in a rush without checking units, signs, or options.
• The answer clashes with known logic or reality checks.

How to Train Against Decision Paralysis

1. Track change-of-answer data in mocks.
2. After every mock, mark each question where you changed your first choice. Was it a correction or a mistake? Over time, you’ll see your personal pattern.
3. Set a recheck rule.
4. For example, only change an answer if you can identify the exact error in your first attempt. Doubt alone doesn’t qualify.
5. Practice timed single-pass attempts.
6. Train yourself to answer questions in one go under a strict time limit. This builds trust in your reasoning speed and reduces the urge to rehash.
7. Strengthen fundamentals.
8. Many doubts arise from shaky basics. The stronger your concepts, the less your brain nags you to recheck.

Why This Matters in CAT

Every minute you spend in decision paralysis is a minute stolen from another solvable question. Worse, it erodes your confidence. The exam isn’t just about knowing answers; it’s about keeping your flow intact.

When you learn to trust your first logical choice, you save time, preserve energy, and protect accuracy. And in a test where every mark counts, that small discipline can shift your percentile in a big way.

The Real Lesson

CAT doesn’t reward perfectionists who second-guess every move. It rewards problem-solvers who trust their process, make a decision, and move on.

So the next time you feel the urge to circle back endlessly, remind yourself: your first choice wasn’t random. It came from preparation, logic, and instinct you’ve been building for months.