Let’s get real: CAT preparation is no easy feat. It’s more like climbing an uphill road that sometimes seems never-ending. For every mock test you slay, another doubt or fear rears its head.

But here’s the thing: the most successful CAT aspirants aren’t the ones who had it easy—they’re the ones who found ways to keep going, even when the going got tough. In this blog, we’re diving into the common obstacles faced during CAT prep and, more importantly, how to tackle them head-on.

Let’s dive in!

Obstacle 1: Lack of Motivation

Ah, the bane of every student’s existence: waking up one day and thinking, “Why am I even doing this?” First things first, take a deep breath. Now, revisit your “why”—the reason you started this journey. Whether it’s that dream B-school, a career pivot, or simply proving something to yourself, keep that reason front and center.

Pro Tip: Create a vision board and write your target college, career aspirations, and put it somewhere you’ll see daily. Motivation is just a habit in disguise.

Obstacle 2: Managing Time

“There’s just not enough time!” said every CAT aspirant ever. Juggling CAT prep can feel like a circus act between college, work, or other responsibilities.

Here’s the hack: Break it down.

Split your day into chunks: Mornings for Quant, evenings for Verbal, and late nights (if you’re a night owl) can be for logical reasoning and data interpretation. Keep your weekends for mock tests. But don’t overdo it—burnout is real!

Obstacle 3: Fear of Mock Tests

Mocks can feel intimidating—and sometimes, they are. A low score can break your confidence. But mocks aren’t your enemy; they’re your best ally. Each one reveals what you need to fix.

Approach mocks strategically. Analyze every question—not just the ones you got wrong but also the ones you accidentally aced. Was it luck or skill?

Pro Tip: Don’t aim for perfection in mocks. Aim for progress.

Obstacle 4: Don’t Overthink

Overthinking can turn your brain into a pretzel, but remember: stress is a sign you care. Channel it productively.

Practice mindfulness. No, you don’t need to become a Zen monk overnight. Just pause for five minutes. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Imagine sitting in your dream campus library. This little mental exercise can refresh your focus.

Pro Tip: Reward yourself whenever you ace any topic.

Obstacle 5: Comparing Yourself to Others

“That guy in the WhatsApp group scored 99% in his mock. What am I doing with my life?” Sound familiar? Here’s a reminder: Everyone’s CAT journey is unique. You don’t know how many nights they stayed up or what areas they struggled with.

Focus on your progress. Compete only with who you were yesterday. Comparing yourself to others doesn’t pay off.

Pro Tip: Distance yourself from overly competitive study groups if they’re stressing you out. Healthy competition is great, but toxic comparisons are a no-go.

Obstacle 6: Plateauing Scores

So you’re stuck at a 70% accuracy rate in Quant, and no amount of shortcuts seems to work. It’s frustrating, but plateaus are part of the process. They’re your brain saying, “Hey, let me catch up!”

Pro Tip: Go back to the basics. Watch videos, re-read concepts, and attempt simpler questions to rebuild confidence. And keep challenging yourself with tougher problems once you’re ready.

Remember, preparing for the CAT is less about being the smartest in the room and more about being the most persistent. You're getting closer to your dream with every mock you write, every doubt you clear, and every night you stay up figuring out that dreaded geometry problem.

Keep pushing because YOU CAN DO THIS.