Important Things to do after taking the CAT Exam

The question of what to do next after taking the CAT is one that every MBA applicant has in their mind. Well, it's not over yet. Ideal candidates should not only wait for their CAT exam results to get released before deciding what to do.

Following the CAT exam, candidates should complete many tasks. Such as looking up the best business schools in India, and going over the selection procedures after the results.  Researching the cut-off scores for various MBA entrance exam. Preparing for the Written Ability or Group Discussion and Personal Interview for CAT, and much more. Browse through this post for a list of things applicants should do after passing the CAT exam.

Things That Must an Aspirant Do After The CAT Exam

A few guidelines outlining your next course of action after taking the CAT exam provided are below:

• Review your exam results

To grasp the CAT test's question bank and level of difficulty, start by reading the complete exam analysis. Before applying for admission to any MBA program, it is crucial to assess your performance. Reliable sources discussing the in-depth study of the CAT 2023 paper are a must. To fully grasp the exam, go through them.

• Determine Your Raw Scores for the CAT 2023

Based on the number of questions you have properly, wrongly, or omitted, your raw scores for each part will get determined. Each accurate response will get you three more points, while each bad response will cost you one. If you do not address the question, you will not receive any points. This grading system makes sure that applicants get points for knowledge.

• Learn about the CAT 2023 Score Evaluation Process

The CAT exam 2023 will use many test formats, or versions, like almost all significant tests, do. The complexity of each form may vary. Even though each one gets put together to guarantee that the material is equal. It is not possible to assess these minute variations in the difficulty level. It is important to look if all forms get filled out and the results get examined.

Each form equates to blocks, which are groups of profiled questions drawn from a big item bank, to make it easier to compare results. Candidates can assess their skill levels. Additionally, the precise degree of form difficulty determines their answers by comparing these equating blocks on different forms. The raw scores modify a method known as equating.

By enabling precise comparisons of performance across all exam formats. Equating ensures fairness for all applicants. Equated raw scores plot the standard scale or meter to guarantee that the results properly interpret. Scaling is the name of this procedure.

• Examine the CAT 2023  Normalization Process

There will be two sessions for CAT 2023. There will be two test sessions with two distinct test forms each. The scores of the applicants will go through a normalization process. To ensure fairness and equity, when comparing their achievements across many exam sessions.

The normalization procedure must account for changes in the scale and position of score distributions among various formats. The scores must first get standardized across various forms before being further normalized across various parts. To shortlist - the scaled scores produced via this approach transform into percentiles.

To compare a candidate's scores over various forms. The procedure of normalization is a well-established method. It gets used in other significant educational selection examinations performed in India, such as the GATE exam. Percentile equivalence employed for cross-sectional normalization.

• The procedure used to normalize CAT results in 2023

What will happen after the CAT normalization procedure in 2023

Make adjustments for changes in the size and position of score distributions among various formats.

Following that, the results standardize across parts.

To shortlist, the scaled scores produced via this approach must get transformed into percentiles-scaled Scores for each component, including VARC, DILR, and QA. As well as the score and percentile must get reported for reporting reasons.

• Getting ready for GD/PI

You should keep in mind that getting high scores on the CAT exam does not ensure admission to one of India's top IB-Schools. You must perform well in the GD, PI, and other rounds as well. Your performance in the CAT exam as well as the GD/PI rounds will get taken into consideration when you are to get granted final admission to universities.

Candidates must be knowledgeable about current events to take part in group discussions. They must remember that their discourse should be succinct and free of superfluous details. The applicants must be up to speed on the most recent national and international social, political, and economic events. Candidates would be prudent to incorporate reading the newspaper into their morning routine. The newspapers that candidates must read are below -

• The Hindu
• The Economic Times
• Live Mint
• The Indian Express

The following subjects for the CAT Group Discussion (GD) part of the interview should applicants use to prepare:

• Social media
• Quota system
• Globalization
• Reservation in India
• Terrorism
• Privatization
• Politics

• Apply for B-School Admission

Need to maintain track of the deadlines for applying to the institutions you have chosen. Before receiving the CAT results, several universities have an application deadline. You cannot apply after the announcement of the result.

• Take part in workshops and webinars

You may familiarise yourself with the kind of questions. You could encounter the interview by participating in webinars and seminars. Besides, it will make you feel more confident before you attend an interview.

Now would be an excellent moment to update your C.V. presentation. Although it's crucial to show oneself in the best light possible, there's no need to overdo it, which is why professional help is useful. Reputable institutions can help you advance.

• Select an MBA specialization 

You have some time to select your specialty after you have taken the CAT exam. Before deciding on a CAT specialization, you might research its growth and tendencies. You must select a concentration that aligns with your interests and background.

• Plan B for MBA Admission in 2023

You should have a backup plan ready because you are unsure of the CAT outcome. You should take at least two or three more admission examinations, such as the XAT, NMAT, or CMAT. If you do well on any of these management entrance examinations, you will undoubtedly get accepted into a reputable B-School. You require to rely on the CAT findings.

• Enjoy a Break

Last but not least, give yourself a break. Read a book, watch some fun movies, and sleep because you deserve it. Since it won't be workable to do so for the next two years.

Conclusion

It is very important to take care of yourself throughout the process. But just after the CAT 2023 exam, it is important to take a look back at what you did. It is also important to have a backup plan, so keep tracking top B-Schools for MBA programs. Knowing all the processes before selection and group discussion is a must. So go through every aspect in a detailed way.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which prestigious MBA schools take CAT scores into account for admission?

Ans. GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, SRM University Delhi-NCR, Sonepat, Maharishi University, Lucknow, Future Group of Institutions, Bareilly, Rai University, Ahmedabad, and many others are very known MBA institutions that give admission based on CAT scores.

Q2. What selection criteria do the institutions use that accept the CAT score?

Ans. The written ability test, group discussion, and personal interview are the shortlisting criteria used by institutions accepting the CAT scores.

Q3. Does passing the CAT test with high scores ensure admission to the best business schools that take the CAT exam?

Ans. One step closer to admission to the best business schools get achieved by performing well on the CAT exam 2023. Total performance determines the final admission. It takes into account any unique selection procedures used by the institutions.

Q4. What happens after the CAT exam?

Ans. The answer key publication comes next once the CAT exam has been successfully completed.

Q5. What are the requirements for CAT eligibility?

Ans. A candidate must have completed or be taking their Bachelor's degree final year examination with at least a 50% add score to be eligible for the CAT. A university must provide the degree if it gets recognized as accredited by the Ministry of HRD of the Indian government. If it incorporates as such or gets declared to be such under Section 3 of the UGC Act of 1956.