Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
10 Tips to Crack CET (Common Entrance Test)
The Common Entrance Test (CET) is a critical exam for students aspiring to get admission into top colleges for various professional courses like engineering, management, pharmacy, and more. Given the competitive nature of the exam, having a strategic approach is key to success. Here are 10 practical tips to help you crack the CET and secure your spot in a reputed college.
Tip 1 — Know the exam pattern & syllabus inside out
Why it matters: If you know section weights, marking scheme and negative marking rules, you’ll plan attempts and avoid risky guessing.
What to do:
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Memorise section-wise question counts and marks.
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Note negative marking (if any) and time per section.
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Make a short “pattern sheet” and pin it to your desk.
Tip 2 — Build a week-by-week study plan (30-day sprint)
Why it matters: Structure beats random studying. A 30-day focused plan turns revision into predictable progress.
30-day micro-plan (copy-paste):
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Week 1: Finish concept revision for Quant & Verbal; daily 20-min GK.
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Week 2: DI & LR practice; 2 sectional mocks; fix top 10 errors.
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Week 3: Full mocks (2 per week); mixed timed sets; GK consolidation.
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Week 4: 4 full-length mocks; final formula sheet; light revision & sleep.
Daily time: Full-time: 4–6 hrs | Part-time: 2–3 hrs.
Tip 3 — Prioritise high-yield topics
High ROI topics (start here):
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Quant: Percent, Ratio, Averages, Time & Work, Progressions, Basic Algebra, Number Systems.
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DI: Tabular sets, simple charts, caselets — practice estimation.
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LR: Arrangements, puzzles, blood-relations, scheduling.
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Verbal: Reading Comprehension, para-jumbles, para-completion.
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GK: Business & economy, schemes, awards, static GK (250 items).
Do: Keep a “priority list” and practice these daily until you can solve them fast and accurately.
Tip 4 — Make mocks your primary tool — and analyse them deeply
Why it matters: CETs test speed and decision-making more than memory. Mocks train both.
Mock routine:
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Start with 1 mock/week; build to 3–4/week in final 3 weeks.
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Post-mock analysis (non-negotiable): 60–90 minutes — categorize errors (conceptual / calculation / time / careless) and schedule fixes.
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KPI to track: Accuracy %, Avg time per question, Attempts per section.
Tip 5 — Learn time-saving shortcuts & estimation techniques
Why it matters: Many CET questions can be eliminated or estimated — saving minutes that add up.
Tactics:
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Use bounding (upper/lower) to eliminate choices.
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Round numbers for quick estimation; only calculate exact if needed.
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Memorise multiplication tables up to 20, squares, cubes, and common fractions → decimals conversions.
Tip 6 — Create an error log & fix repeated mistakes fast
Why it matters: Repeated mistakes are the biggest speed/accuracy drain.
How to do it:
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Maintain a simple spreadsheet: Question, Mistake Type, Correct Approach, Re-test date.
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Every day, review the top 5 recurring mistakes and do 10 targeted practice problems.
Tip 7 — Smart GK routine — daily micro-habits that stick
Why it matters: GK is high-ROI — small daily effort yields safe marks.
Daily 10-15 minute routine:
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Read 6 headlines (business, policy, awards).
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Revise 10 GK flashcards (Anki/Quizlet).
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Weekly consolidation test (30 Qs).
Tip 8 — Simulate exam conditions regularly
Why it matters: Familiarity with the test environment reduces exam-day anxiety and timing errors.
Do this:
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Take full-length mocks under real conditions: strict 3-hour timing, no phone, replicate breaks.
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Practice CBT interface if your CET provides demo tests.
Tip 9 — Health, sleep & exam-day routines matter
Why it matters: Cognitive performance depends on rest and routine.
Checklist:
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Sleep 7–8 hours daily in the final 2 weeks.
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Eat light, balanced meals before mock/exam.
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Do a 5-minute breathing exercise before starting the test to calm nerves.
Tip 10 — Apply for CAP/document readiness & backup options
Why it matters: Even after a good score, missed documents or lack of backup choices can derail admission.
Do this now:
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Prepare scanned copies of degree, domicile, caste/category, passport photo, signature.
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Create aspirational/target/safety college lists and monitor cutoffs.
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Apply within deadlines to avoid missing CAP rounds.
7 Common CET Pitfalls — and how to avoid them
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Overattempting with low accuracy — focus on accuracy.
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Doing mocks but ignoring analysis — always analyze.
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Overdoing GK before blocking basics — balance is key.
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Studying without a schedule — keep a daily plan.
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Cramming last day — revise only, don’t learn new topics.
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Ignoring sectional practice — practice each section under timed conditions.
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Poor document readiness — keep CAP documents ready.
FAQ
Q1. How many mocks should I take to crack CET?
A: Start with 1–2 mocks/week during early prep; increase to 3–4 full mocks/week in the final 3 weeks. Quality > quantity — always analyze.
Q2. How many hours per day should I study?
A: Full-time aspirants: 4–6 hours/day. Working students: 2–3 focused hours/day. Final month: prioritize mocks & revision.
Q3. Which section should I attempt first in CET?
A: No hard rule — choose the order that maximises your attempts with high accuracy. Common choices: LC+LR first for a confidence boost, then QA+DI, finish with GK.
Q4. How to prepare GK quickly?
A: 15 minutes daily: read headlines, revise flashcards, do a weekly 30-Q test. Focus on business/economy, awards, major schemes, and static GK.
Conclusion:
Cracking the CET requires a combination of smart preparation, effective time management, and staying focused under pressure. By following these 10 tips and maintaining consistency in your preparation, you can enhance your chances of success. Remember, patience, perseverance, and practice are the keys to cracking the CET and achieving your desired result.
All the best!
Also read:
CET Exam Details | Top Colleges through CET
How to crack verbal ability | CET Preparation
MAH-CET Preparation Plan How to prepare for CET in one month
How to Crack CET MBA CET Syllabus
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