“While we cannot live without history, we need not live within it either.” is attributed to Amartya Sen from The Argumentative Indian. It means that history is important because it teaches us about the past and helps us to understand the present. However, we should not let history control our lives. We should learn from history, but we should not be afraid to make changes and create a better future.

In your life you will pass and fail many exams. Till the time you don’t give up, you will always have opportunities to make your career as good as somebody from IIMs or even better. There are many people who never made it to the IIMs and are still extremely successful. Hence, failure at your CAT exam  is not  a full stop on your management dream. It’s a push for you to learn, revise, amend, and retake your exam. This time with a fresh and broadened mind as now have better view at your weaker edges.

Preparation for CAT requires lot of hard work and one has to go through many sleepless nights to finish the syllabus if not followed a proper strategy and thus consumes lot of energy and one has to constantly motivate himself to keep working hard until that exam date, here are the 5 ways you can keep yourself motivated for studies for CAT exam.

How to muster motivation for exam preparation after failure?

Positive Self-Affirmation:

When you are not able to solve any quant problem even when you have spent half an hour solving that problem and you are feeling like dropping the subject, remind yourself that all the students who are preparing for CAT are going through the same struggle and give tell to yourself 5 times aloud that “No one is smarter than Me” and then get back to solving the problem. Give enough positive self-affirmations to yourself all the time, right from you wake up in the morning, that will keep you motivated and you will not feel bad about the hard work you are putting in.

Failure is a Part of the Process:

When we take a closer look at the great thinkers throughout history, a willingness to take on failure isn’t an extraordinary thing at all. Instead to quit play it safe, fly below the radar, repeating the same safe choices over and over again gives you a reach to success. Slow and gradual increase in your mock scores is a sign of success but you need motivation at your fall too. A continuous practice instead of dropping that subject or question is must.

Reward Your Hard Work:

Set a daily goal, like solving 3-4 area tests correctly in limited time or may be finishing a topic that day. Once you achieve your goal, reward yourself with small joys like your favorite chocolate or may be a little extra time than usual surfing the internet. Do this frequently, this will help you rejuvenate your mind and body and encourage you to set and achieve bigger goals.

Take a step back and assess the situation

The first step to staying motivated is to take a step back and assess the situation. Ask yourself why you failed the exam and what you could have done differently. Instead of dwelling on the past, focus on what you can do now to improve your performance in the future. Reflect on the good and bad aspects of your preparation, and identify what you need to do differently next time. This will help you gain perspective and move forward with a positive attitude.

It’s also important to look at the bigger picture. Consider the other opportunities that may be available to you and how you can use them to reach your goals. Think about how you can use this experience to become a better version of yourself. This will help you stay focused and motivated to keep going.

Take a break and relax

Taking a break is an important part of staying motivated. Give yourself time to relax and unwind and do things that make you happy. Spend time with your family and friends, go for a walk, or take a break from studying. This will help you stay motivated and will give you the strength to keep going.

It’s also important to give yourself time to reflect on your goals and progress. Take time to think about what you’ve achieved and what you still need to do. This will help you stay focused and motivated.

Realize your Progress:

Simply tracking or rewarding your progress is not enough. This will help you keep moving with full dedication and positivity. How to do it? For example, if you are going to start with quant, never start it from first chapter. Instead, take a in-depth knowledge of important chapters from the syllabus. Based on this you’ll be able to allocate the time for every topic/chapter. This is always a good way to start and finish a section.

Company Matters:

Success in CAT also depends on your company. Although we are not generalizing here, it is usually seen that the outcome will be good if you join a group of smart chaps and vice versa if you are in a bad company. Hence, try to stay away from negative company and stay focused towards your goal. You can also surround yourself with books. Books provide you a motivating and inspirational company and also improve your comprehending skills. Here are a few books to keep you motivated through another attempt at CAT:

1. “To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee” This novel can help you improve your understanding of societal issues and human behavior, which can be valuable in the MBA admission process and group discussions.

2. “1984 by George Orwell” A dystopian classic that can enhance your critical thinking and analytical skills, particularly in understanding political and social systems.

3. “Brave New World by Aldous Huxley” Similar to 1984, this novel explores dystopian themes and societal structures, encouraging critical thinking.

4. “Animal Farm by George Orwell” A short and powerful allegorical novel that offers insights into politics and power dynamics.

5. “The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald” This novel can help you appreciate themes related to wealth, ambition, and the American Dream, which can be relevant in business and management studies.

6. “Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen” A classic in the realm of social commentary and relationships, it can enhance your understanding of human behavior.

7. “Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky” A complex exploration of morality, guilt, and psychology, which can help sharpen your analytical thinking.

8. “The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger” This novel offers insights into the mindset of a young protagonist, which can be relevant for understanding consumer behavior and youth culture.

9. “Lord of the Flies by William Golding” An exploration of human nature and the dynamics of leadership and group behavior, which can be valuable in group discussions and interviews.

10. “The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand” While it’s a substantial read, this novel deals with individualism, integrity, and the world of architecture and design, which can have relevance in business contexts.

Conclusion

Failing a competitive exam can be a disheartening experience. It can be difficult to stay motivated afterwards, especially when you’ve worked hard and put in a lot of effort. But it doesn’t have to mean the end of your journey. With the right mindset and approach, you can still reach your goals. To stay motivated after failing a competitive exam, you must take a step back and assess the situation, identify your strengths and weaknesses, develop a new plan of action, and stay focused on your ultimate goal. With the right strategies, you can use failure as an opportunity to grow and develop and eventually achieve your goals. So Aspirants, stay motivated!