Its that time of the year when most students are either beginning or stepping up their preparations for CAT. While students attending coaching institutes might already be underway, a large majority of the candidates who rely on self-study begin the process 4-5 months prior. Which is around this time.
Preparing for CAT is a marathon, and it can be incredibly draining. Ive found that the key to staying sharp isn't just about studying 10 hours a dayit's about finding your "rhythm." In fact, Ive been using the gameplay logic of Friday Night Funkin (FNF) as a metaphor for my study sessions.
In Friday Night Funkin, if you miss the beat, you lose the game. CAT is the same; you need to keep your momentum going for months. For a person beginning their preparation or someone still early into the preparation cycle currently, proper planning and execution will help in making the most of the time available.
Here is my 5-step process to make your CAT prep more efficient, inspired by the precision of a rhythm game:
Map out the "Tracks": Just like choosing a song in Friday Night Funkin, you need to map out the entire CAT syllabus. Don't jump into hard problems immediately; start with the basic "beats" (fundamental concepts).
Maintain your "Combo": Consistency is more important than intensity. Doing 20 minutes of Quant every day is better than doing 5 hours once a week. Keep your streak alive!
Use Gamified Breaks: When my brain feels fried from Data Interpretation, I take a 10-minute break to play some Friday Night Funkin. It keeps my hand-eye coordination and mental reflexes sharp without the heavy reading.
The "Boss Battle" (Mock Tests): Treat every mock exam like a final boss battle. You will fail at first, but each "Game Over" is just a lesson on how to hit the notes better next time.
Review the Replay: After every study session, analyze your performance. Where did you drop the beat? Focus on those weak areas for the next round.
By treating the next 4-5 months like a high-score challenge in Friday Night Funkin, the stress of CAT becomes much more manageable.
Does anyone else use games to stay focused during exams? Or are you all strictly "books only"? Lets discuss!