Every year more than 2 lakh candidates appear for Common Admission Test for about 2000 seats in IIMs, i.e. about one percent of the total who appear for the test. It is thus quiet evident that there is no room for errors and one should be thoroughly prepared before appearing for CAT.

How well the candidates are prepared they generally tend to make small mistakes. CoolAvenues brings to you a well researched list of some common mistakes made by CAT aspirants.

Preparing only for selected topics – Candidates generally confine their preparations to certain subjects depending on their assessment of last years papers. However it is very important to remember that CAT is one of the most unanticipated tests and is known for springing in surprises every year. Thus prepare all related topics, do not let CAT surprise you.
Blind guessing – Be it CAT or any other objective type test, candidates tend to make blind guesses. Blind guessing may not harm in any other test, but remember CAT has negative marking. It has been observed that blind guessing always leads to negative or low score. Thus, make informed choice.

Analysis of mocks – Taking as many mock tests is definitely yielding, but it doesn’t count if you are not analyzing your weaker areas and working on them to improve.
Predicting the questions pattern – CAT ask questions from a wide range of test areas, thus it is useless to predict how CAT will look the coming year. however, IIM conducting CAT discloses the paper pattern months prior to exam.

Things to carry to exam centre – Last year many students were not allowed to appear for the exam as the landed up at exam centre without their admit card. Be prepared with all required documentation day prior to your CAT exam and make sure to pick them before leaving home.

Sectional time – This year CAT will have just two sections with individual time limit. Once the candidate will start a section, the countdown will begin, as soon as the time ends for that particular section candidate will not be able to attend any more questions. Candidates should keep this in mind while taking full length tests and mocks.
Check out the preparation calendar for CAT 2011