Let’s face it, sitting down for a CAT mock test feels like trying to meditate in the middle of a rock concert. You’ve barely started reading the first RC passage when your brain decides to take a quick detour: Should I quickly post a story? What’s for dinner? Should I try NMIMS too?

Sound familiar?

During my CAT prep, I wrestled with distractions like a cat chasing a laser pointer. But over time, I found a few strategies that worked like magic. So, here’s sharing my playbook to help you build laser-sharp focus during CAT mocks.

1. Treat Mocks Like Actual Exams 

Think of each mock as a dress rehearsal. You wouldn’t show up to your final CAT paper in pajamas, phone by your side, and random tabs open, right? So, don’t do it during mocks either.

Create a test-like environment. Shut the door. Put your phone in airplane mode (or better yet, another room). Keep only a water bottle and your test screen in front of you. This physical boundary builds mental seriousness. Over time, your brain will start associating this setup with focus.

2. Use the “Parking Lot” Trick

Ever had a genius idea or urgent thought pop up mid-mock that absolutely needed attention? Here’s a trick: keep a small notepad beside you labeled “Parking Lot.” Every time a distracting thought hits—be it “Text Riya back” or “Look up permutation shortcuts”—jot it down and get back to the question.

It’s like telling your brain, “Not now, but I’ll get to it.” And guess what? You rarely even feel like going back to most of it post-mock.

3. Warm-Up Before the Mock

You wouldn’t start a race without stretching, right? The same goes for your brain. If you dive into a mock test straight out of a nap or after binge-watching reels, your mind will wander faster than a kid in a candy store.

I used to spend 10–15 minutes before every mock solving a few easy LR puzzles or revising formulas. This helped switch my brain into “exam mode.” Like priming an engine before a long drive.

4. Train with Distractions 

Here’s something unconventional that surprisingly worked for me: I started doing some mocks with mild distractions around—TV murmuring in the hall, people talking nearby, or soft background café sounds.

Why? Because CAT centers aren’t monasteries. Someone might sneeze, tap a pen, or shuffle their chair for 3 full hours. Training your brain to focus through noise can build mental endurance. It’s like learning to swim in both calm and choppy water.

5. Practice Mindfulness in Tiny Doses

Now, I’m not telling you to become a Zen master, but a little mindfulness helps. After every mock, I took 2–3 minutes to reflect: Where did I zone out? When did I lose track? What pulled my attention away?

This tiny debrief helped me become more aware of patterns, like always getting distracted during DI sets or near the 50-minute mark. Awareness = improvement.

Building focus isn’t about forcing your mind into submission, it's more like gently guiding it back, again and again. Think of your focus like a muscle. The more you train it, the stronger it gets.

Distractions will come. They always do. Let them come and pass. With a few smart strategies and some consistent practice, you’ll learn how to stay in the zone, question after question, mock after mock.

Remember, CAT isn’t just about how smart you are, it’s about how present you can stay when the clock is ticking.