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.
Advice to MBA Aspirants – How to Succeed in Life | CAT Exam Motivation
Every year, thousands of students prepare for CAT with one clear goal in mind — getting into a good B-school. But somewhere between mock scores, percentiles, and cut-offs, many aspirants forget why they started in the first place.
CAT and MBA are important milestones, but they are not life itself. They are tools — powerful ones — but tools nonetheless. This article is written for MBA aspirants who are preparing hard, feeling stuck at times, or quietly questioning themselves. It’s not about shortcuts or formulas. It’s about perspective, discipline, and long-term success — both in CAT and in life.
CAT Is an Exam, Not a Verdict on Your Worth
One of the biggest mistakes aspirants make is attaching their self-worth to CAT scores.
A low mock score does not mean:
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You are not capable
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You don’t deserve success
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You are behind in life
CAT tests aptitude under pressure on one day. Life tests consistency, patience, and decision-making over years. Keep the exam in perspective.
Discipline Will Take You Further Than Motivation
Motivation is unreliable. Some days you’ll feel inspired; most days you won’t.
What actually works is discipline:
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Sitting down to study even when you don’t feel like it
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Reading daily even when progress feels slow
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Analysing mocks even when scores disappoint
Discipline quietly compounds. Motivation comes and goes.
Stop Comparing Your Journey With Others
Someone else’s mock score, college, or strategy has nothing to do with your path.
Comparison:
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Creates unnecessary anxiety
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Distracts from your own improvement
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Leads to rushed and poor decisions
CAT rewards self-awareness. Focus inward. Measure progress against your past self, not someone else’s highlight reel.
Learn to Handle Failure Calmly
Every serious aspirant faces:
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Bad mocks
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Weak sections
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Self-doubt
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Plateaus
Failure during preparation is not a sign to quit. It’s feedback. Students who succeed are not those who avoid failure, but those who respond to it maturely.
MBA Is Not the Finish Line
An MBA opens doors, but it doesn’t guarantee happiness or success.
What actually matters after MBA:
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Willingness to keep learning
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Ability to adapt
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Communication and people skills
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Integrity and work ethic
CAT may get you into a B-school, but character shapes your career.
Take Care of Your Mind and Body
Burnout is real, especially during long preparation cycles.
Simple habits help:
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Adequate sleep
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Short breaks
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Physical movement
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Occasional time off without guilt
A calm, healthy mind performs better than an exhausted one.
A Thought Every MBA Aspirant Should Remember
Your life will not be defined by one exam, one college, or one year. It will be defined by how you:
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Handle pressure
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Treat setbacks
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Keep improving quietly
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Stay grounded in success
CAT is a chapter, not the entire story.
Final Thoughts
Prepare seriously. Aim high. Work hard.
But don’t forget to stay kind to yourself.
Success in CAT comes from discipline and clarity. Success in life comes from patience, perspective, and resilience. If you build these qualities during preparation, you are already winning — regardless of the final result.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is CAT the most important exam of my life?
No. It is important, but not life-defining.
2. How do I stay motivated during long preparation?
Focus on routine and discipline rather than motivation.
3. Is it normal to feel anxious during CAT prep?
Yes. Almost every serious aspirant feels this way.
4. Can average students succeed in CAT and MBA?
Yes. Consistency and mindset matter more than background.
5. What if I don’t get my dream college?
Success depends more on how you use opportunities than where you start.
Watch More: Why to do MBA ? | Motivation for MBA Aspirants | CAT Exam Motivation
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