The Common Admission Test or CAT is an online competitive exam for admission to graduate management programs in India which tests the verbal, logical reasoning, quantitative, and reading comprehension ability of the candidate. Qualifying the CAT examination is a tough nut to crack – candidates will have to select the best CAT coaching institute but often it is challenging to know how to find best CAT coaching. In this article, we will be discussing some of the most important tips to choose the best coaching for CAT exam as coaching plays an important role in increasing the chances of success.
Tips to Choose Best CAT Coaching Institute
Aspirants willing to crack the competitive CAT examination seek proper guidance and a continuous momentum of counseling to maintain or improve their performance. But, with a wide pool of CAT coaching institutes out there, there is an immense need for tips on how to find best CAT coaching. Let us know the most important ones.
1.Faculty credentials – Very important tip to select best cat coaching institute
The most important determinant of a good coaching institute is its faculty members. Experienced mentors and subject experts are crucial when it comes to preparing for a competitive exam like CAT. Well-trained teachers will not only explain and demonstrate well but also be cognizant of teaching the most difficult concepts with ease. With experience comes proven techniques of successful teaching which is why the faculty team of any coaching is an asset to the institute as well as the students.
Often CAT coaching institutes employ retired professionals, an MBA graduate, or someone who has cleared the examination. So, learning under their supervision will enhance your preparation and allow you to delve into the real-world experience of a management student. So, you might want to pay attention to this aspect as a tip on how to find the best CAT coaching.
Apart from the above facets, you should consider the following concerning the faculty members–
- Level of approachability of the teachers
- Quality of education
- Punctuality of the teachers
2.Pedagogy
Proven and well-analyzed pedagogy yield successful candidates. You have to ensure that a proper and balanced arrangement of teacher-student interaction is practiced in the coaching institute. This is important because the CAT examination is based on analytical thinking rather than rote-learning.
Many teachers undertake the pain of preparing specialized training methods like Technology-based lectures, Group discussions, Management games, Case studies, etc. Such interactive and innovative pedagogies will definitely boost preparation because it will keep the interest alive till the day of the exams.
3.Mock Tests
The frequency of mock tests is very important to determine the reliability of students on a coaching institute for CAT examination. Weekly as well as monthly tests compel students to read and revise regularly and reduce chances of slacking. Mock tests also help in analyzing the progress of the candidates and determine whether the tests are of standard quality.
The best coaching institute for CAT exams will design the perfect mock papers for students to experience an environment similar to that of the entrance examination. As Vince Lombardi says, “Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect”.
4.Doubt clearing Sessions and Special Attention
Students will have manifold queries when they are taught new concepts and theories. The best coaching institutes for CAT exam will ensure that there are regular doubt clearing sessions. Doing so will establish a sense of reliability on the methodology and approach towards clearing the CAT examination. Second, such sessions will build confidence and enthusiasm in the students to learn and ask more!
Students who are unable to comprehend difficult concepts in the class often seek guidance in doubt removal sessions. In this way, the teacher also gets to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the candidate and pay special attention if the need arises. When it comes to how to select CAT coaching, this aspect is important to consider.
5.Study Material
The availability of relevant study material is imperative and crucial for cracking any exam. Coaching centers must provide learning material that will aid students in reading and understanding concepts. The best coaching institutes will provide access to updated and revised study material according to the latest CAT syllabus.
Also, the best coaching institutes will provide material based on previous year questions ranging from simple to the most difficult questions. This dynamicity will allow students to get exposure to all sorts of questions and develop an analytical mind. You can also check if the coaching institute has a library for better access to study material.
6.Past Achievements
Have a look at the previous records of the top coaching institutes for CAT exam through the achievements of their prior students. Analyze whether there has been an improvement in the results of the students clearing the CAT examination. Coaching institutes with remarkable growth in their success curve will have a reputation in the city. This is a useful tip on how to select CAT coaching. Based on the results of the students, one can easily judge the credibility of the coaching institute. But, this is not always true as the results also depend upon the hard work of the students.
How to find Best CAT Coaching based on your needs
With a plethora of CAT coaching institutes available, it has become easier to provide tips on how to find the best CAT coaching. The availability of resources and feedback in digital space, advice from friends, and reviews from all over the country have made it feasible to come across tips to choose the best coaching for CAT exam.
1.Web browsing
The easiest way to find and choose the best coaching for CAT exam is through web browsing. Access to digital content has made it easier for everyone to search for anything through various search engines like Google, Youtube, Bing, etc. The top search results will be the best coaching institutes for CAT exam. Some of the top trending websites of coaching institutes for CAT exam are – Career Launcher with over 200 centers across India, and TIME, with over 250 centers, etc.
After you check the trending results, check out the website of various coaching institutes, and compare their USPs (Unique Selling Proposition). The better the USP, the better the chances of you achieving the best coaching experience. In the case of online as well as classroom coaching, you will find credible coaching institutes. This is one simple way on how to select CAT coaching institutes.
2.Demo Classes – One of the important tips to Choose Best CAT Coaching
To understand the classroom environment and the quality of teaching, you have to be a part of the class for a first-hand experience. Demo classes help you evaluate the standard of teaching and the caliber of the teachers.
Make sure that you attend a few demo classes in at least three to four coaching institutes. Doing so will help you scrutinize and decide the best choice according to your needs. It is one of the proven tips to choose the best CAT coaching.
3.Feedback and Reviews
Students who are currently studying or were previously enrolled will be able to provide clear and honest feedback on the reliability of the coaching institutes. It is one of the best ways on knowing how to select CAT coaching institutes.
Apart from student feedbacks, internet reviews from trusted sources play an important role. Google reviews and ratings also help determine and select the best CAT coaching institute. You can also check out comparison posts by various websites on tips to choose the best CAT coaching.
On top of all, you ought to go through testimonials of students who cracked the CAT exam with the guidance and direction provided by the faculty team of the particular coaching institute. Ensure that the faculty team has not been replaced and even if that is the case, do check their credibility and ask questions about their prior work experience without any inhibitions.
4.Class Strength
Some coaching institutes have multiple batches for better implementation of classes and maintain a decent student-teacher ratio. It is important that you check the strength of the class before enrolling yourself in any of the classes. This tip will help you choose the best cat coaching institute.
With more than the reasonable capacity of the classroom in any coaching class, it becomes an extremely arduous task for students to listen, let alone comprehend what has been taught to them. It is therefore mandatory that the classroom experience does not fail to provide you proper education. Otherwise, the whole purpose of enrolling in a coaching class will become meaningless.
How to select CAT Coaching Institute
With multiple choices of coaching institutes thrown at you, the perplexity which will arise with the task of choosing one is unavoidable. A few more important aspects that you need to consider as tips to choose the best coaching for CAT exam have been listed below.
Fee Structure
The admission fees of any renowned coaching institute for CAT exam ranges anywhere between 30k to 70k rupees. Some coaching institutes may even charge more based on the facilities they provide like fully air-conditioned classrooms, a huge staff to maintain the coaching institute, the availability of a library, etc. The cost of the coaching varies from city to city and hence, it is always suggested that you compare thoroughly.
Sometimes, negotiations can make a huge difference. So, do not hesitate to save some of the hard-earned money even if it takes a little convincing.
Distance of the Coaching Class
The competition is getting tougher day by day and nobody likes to waste time commuting long distances. It is always viable that the coaching institute is at the nearest possible distance from your house. In case you prefer a coaching institute that is farther away but worth the money and time, consider moving to a locality near the institute. This might seem like an unfeasible step in the beginning but it will save you tons of time which can be utilized for CAT preparation.
Coaching timings – Most useful tip on how to Select CAT Coaching
Even if you are satisfied with the fees and the distance to the coaching institute, coaching timings matter the most. This is one of the necessary tips to choose the best CAT coaching.
Firstly, the class timings of the coaching institute must be conducive and favorable to you. If you are a student, you will have to ensure that your college is not hampered because of your coaching. You will have to balance both in this case. For those who are preparing solely for CAT, this will not be an issue unless there are other commitments like a job.
Second, there are different batches and slots (morning and evening batches) in various coaching institutes. You should make sure that you are well aware of such an arrangement before pursuing any of the coaching classes.
Cost-Effectiveness – Is it worth it?
One of the tips to choose best CAT coaching is to assay the cost-benefit ratio of investing in the institute. You will be investing a good lump sum of money. It becomes imperative that you evaluate to what extent will the classes be fruitful and if they are worth the money. So, do not forget to check what other institutes are charging for the same academic structure.
FAQs | Tips to Choose Best Coaching Institute for CAT Exam Preparation
Today, many coaching institutes provide online classes for CAT preparation. They have live as well as recorded sessions in case you miss any of the classes. Self-preparation at the click of a button has become easy and a feasible option for many who are college students or juggle between jobs and studies. Coaching institutes like Career Launcher, TIME, etc. provide online classes for CAT preparation.
People ideally vote for Delhi as the best place for CAT preparation because some of the oldest and renowned coaching institutes are situated there. Delhi has always been the hub of major coaching institutes and has a successful track record of candidates making it big in their dream careers and CAT is one of them.
Some of the most important tips to choose best CAT coaching are the faculty team (in terms of experience and teaching methods), standard study material, quality of mock tests, distance from your house (minimum possible distance is suggested), and if the fee structure is viable for the CAT course.
Editor’s Note | Choose Best CAT Coaching Institute
Covid-19 pandemic has been a huge blow to the Education industry. With coaching institutes temporarily shut down, students are shifting to the digital platform. Coaching institutes are providing online classes and offering a variety of packages to choose from so your preparation does not stop. If the situation is no longer grim, the CAT exam will be conducted as scheduled. If not, dates may be postponed like other competitive exams. In any case, students can continue their preparation with the help of online lectures and mock tests.
