10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting CAT Prep
— By Sultan Raichand
When I started my CAT preparation, I genuinely thought it would be simple.
“Bas padhai hi toh karni hai.”
“CAT is just another exam.”
I was wrong.
Embarrassingly wrong.
Now that I’m knee-deep into this journey, there are so many things I wish someone had told me on Day 1.
If you’re just starting, consider this my honest, elder-brother-style advice.
Here we go — the 10 truths I learned the hard way.
1. Your Basics Matter More Than Fancy Resources
I wasted the first 2 months hopping between coaching materials and YouTube videos.
Later I realised:
Quant basics are the real boss fight.
If your fundamentals aren’t clear, no book or teacher can save you.
2. CAT Prep Is More About Discipline Than Intelligence
I’ve met super-smart people who quit within 3 months.
And I’ve seen average students crack 99%ile because they were consistent.
CAT is not a test of talent.
It’s a test of habits.
3. You Don’t Need 8–10 Hours a Day
I used to feel guilty if I wasn’t grinding all day.
Now I know:
3–4 quality hours beat 10 distracted hours.
Always.
4. Mocks Will Break Your Ego (And That’s Good)
The first mock I took ended my confidence for a week.
But that’s part of the game.
Mocks are not meant to make you feel smart.
They exist to show you reality — so you can improve from it.
5. DILR Is Not “Logical”… It’s a Skill
Everyone told me it’s “just logic.”
No bro.
It’s practice.
Pure practice.
The more sets you solve, the sharper your brain becomes.
6. VARC Isn’t About Grammar — It’s About Understanding People
The day I realised VARC is actually about how people write and think, everything changed.
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Reading daily is non-negotiable.
No shortcuts.
7. The Syllabus Feels Infinite Only in the Beginning
In month 1, everything looks huge.
By month 3, you start seeing patterns.
By month 6, you’re solving questions without overthinking.
It’s a slow burn.
But a powerful one.
8. Your Mental Health Matters More Than Your Study Plan
There were days I studied 5 hours straight.
And days I couldn’t open a single book.
Burnout is real.
Breaks are part of the preparation — not a weakness.
9. Comparing Yourself With Others Will Kill Your Progress
Whether it’s mock scores or college backgrounds, comparison drains your energy.
The person you should compete with is you from last week.
Not toppers.
Not classmates.
Not strangers on Telegram.
10. CAT Prep Changes You as a Person
This journey really does something to you.
You become:
- more patient
- more disciplined
- more self-aware
- more emotionally strong
You start believing in long-term effort.
You start trusting yourself.
You start seeing yourself differently.
And honestly… that growth is bigger than any percentile.
Final Thoughts
If I could go back in time and talk to my “Day 1” self, I’d say:
“Don’t panic. Don’t rush. Just show up every day.”
CAT isn’t a sprint.
It’s a long, messy, beautiful marathon.
And every single day counts.
— Sultan Raichand
