If you’ve been preparing for CAT long enough, you’ve probably faced the same question every time you sit for a mock: Do I start with the easy ones and build momentum, or do I attack the tough ones first while my brain is still fresh? It sounds like a strategy problem, but deep down, it’s also a psychological problem. How your brain responds to pressure, reward, and fatigue decides more than any formula you memorised.

Let’s break down this tug of war between “Easy First” and “Hard First” and how a little reverse psychology can trick your brain into performing at its peak.

The Easy First Approach 

There’s something deeply satisfying about ticking off a couple of straightforward questions at the start. You feel like you’ve got the rhythm, the scoreboard lights up, and your confidence shoots through the roof. For many CAT takers, this psychological boost is priceless.

The logic here is simple: when you warm up with easy problems, you reduce early anxiety. You create a positive loop attempt which leads to success, and improves accuracy. It’s like starting your gym session with stretches before lifting weights. But here’s the catch: CAT isn’t a fixed gym routine. Sometimes, spending too much time basking in “easy zone” comfort delays your encounter with the real monsters. 

The Hard First Approach

On the flip side, there’s a school of thought that says: hit the beast head-on. Tackle the trickiest DI set, the nastiest RC passage, or the weirdest geometry problem when your mind is fresh, oxygenated, and unburdened by time panic.

It works brilliantly for people who thrive on challenges. The satisfaction of cracking a tough nut early often makes the rest of the paper feel lighter. Also, even if you leave some easier ones for later, you know the biggest obstacles are already behind you. But here’s the risk: if you get stuck even for 8–10 minutes, the panic spiral kicks in. Time lost. Confidence shaken. Suddenly, even the easy ones start looking like traps.

Reverse Psychology on Your Brain

So which one is right? Truth is neither. The smarter approach is to play a trick on your brain: use reverse psychology. Instead of committing blindly to one camp, you can nudge your brain into performing both roles without even realising it.

Here’s how: when you enter a section, permit yourself to scan, not solve. The first two minutes are for reconnaissance only. You’re mapping the terrain: which questions look like freebies, which ones are medium grind, and which ones are fire-breathing dragons.

Tell your brain: “I’ll only attempt the easiest-looking ones for now.” You start collecting those low-hanging fruits, riding the confidence wave. But in the back of your mind, you already know where the tough ones are parked. After the first round, when your engine is running smoothly, you circle back to the tough ones.

Finding Your Personal Equation

At the end of the day, the CAT strategy isn’t about copying what the toppers say on YouTube. It’s about understanding your wiring. Some students genuinely lose steam if they don’t slay the dragon early. Others crumble if they don’t first taste victory.

The only way to find out? Mock experiments. Dedicate three mocks purely to “easy first.” Dedicate three to “hard first.” Track not just scores, but also your stress levels and decision quality after the halfway mark. The results might surprise you, and more importantly, they’ll give you a customised formula, not a borrowed one.

CAT is testing how you manage your brain. When the clock is ticking on exam day, the winner won’t be the one who memorised the most formulas, but the one who managed their mind the smartest way.