The Dopamine Dilemma

Instagram is like that over-friendly neighbour who won’t stop talking, it’s entertaining, and even comforting, but completely derails your actual plans. And Instamocks? They’re like your brutally honest friend. No filters. Just cold, hard performance feedback. Every time you choose Instagram over your mock schedule, you're giving your brain short-term relief at the cost of long-term glory. Harsh, but true.

Why This Battle Matters More Than You Think

CAT prep isn’t just about Quant, VARC, and DILR. It’s about mental discipline. One of the biggest predictors of CAT success? The ability to focus for 2 uninterrupted hours, without distractions, without FOMO, and without mentally wandering off mid-RC to think about the Instagram reel you saw last night.

Which Muscle Are You Training?

Every time you scroll, you're training your brain to leave your task midway and avoid mentally demanding tasks. The constant usage of Instagram decreases your attention span and concentration. Your cognitive abilities weaken over time. And CAT definitely demands these two activities. It’s like preparing for a marathon by taking escalators.

Nice, but not helping.

How Do You Fight the Scroll and Choose the Mock?

Glad you asked. Here's how to win the real battle:

1. Turn CAT Prep Into Content

You want to post stories? Great. Post:

• Your mock scores
• Your error log
• “Today’s agenda: RC + Arithmetic + 1 DILR set”
• 
  

Use social media as a tool for accountability, not escapism. Turn your prep into a highlight reel worth watching.

2. Schedule Instagram Like a Break, Not a Habit

Scrolling isn’t evil; it’s the timing that kills you. Build a rule: “Only check Insta after finishing today’s RCs.” Let it become a reward, not a reflex.

3. Practice Mocks Like You’re Taking the Actual CAT

Mocks deserve the same focus you give to your feed. Wear a watch, sit at a desk, and keep your phone in another room. Every time you don’t break during a mock, your focus muscle grows. Every time you do, the algorithm wins. Again.

4. Replace Passive Scroll Time With Active Prep

If you’ve got 15 minutes to scroll, you’ve got 15 minutes to:

• Solve a Para-Jumble
• Revise formulas
• Watch a short DILR explanation

That time adds up. One reel = 30 seconds. Ten reels = five minutes. Twenty reels a day = two hours of you know what wasted.

One Feeds Your Ego, One Builds Your Score

Instagram gives you a temporary high, likes, comments, and reel scrolling. Instamocks? They hit you with reality. But they also show progress. And trust me, there’s nothing more addictive than growth. The day your mock score jumps 20 marks? That’s real dopamine. And it lasts longer than a dancing cat reel.

Choose Your App Wisely

Nobody’s saying delete Instagram. But during CAT prep, you’re either building focus or breaking it. So the next time you feel the itch to scroll, ask: "Is this helping my percentile... or just my procrastination?” Because when D-day comes, reels won’t save you, but your readiness will. And let’s be real: the only story that matters is the one where you crushed CAT and flexed that 99 percentile like a true boss.