SHOULD I QUIT MY JOB TO PREPARE FOR THE CAT?

SHOULD I QUIT MY JOB TO PREPARE FOR THE CAT?

It’s a big choice to decide to leave your employment so you may study for the Common Admission Test (CAT). On the one side, leaving your employment frees up more time and effort for CAT preparation. On the other hand, leaving your work has financial repercussions and may hurt your career. In this post, we’ll look at the variables you should think about, compare the advantages and disadvantages, and offer advice to help you decide.

WHEN IS IT WISE TO GIVE UP?

All things considered, there may be situations in which leaving your employment appears to be your only option. It gets more challenging to navigate if you begin your preparations after working 10 to 12 hours.

This is a possibility to think about if you are a professional with 30-36 months of experience wishing to switch fields. In this case, you could be in a rush to enrol in a business school and consider this to be your final CAT try.

There is no one preparation method that ensures success on the CAT entrance exam, and CAT applicants frequently employ a variety of strategies. The type of preparation method that candidates use depends on a number of criteria. So, before making any major decisions, take into account the following.

IS THERE A PERFECT MOMENT TO STOP?

The timing is a crucial consideration. A novice can pass the test after six months of diligent study.

Ideally, you shouldn’t leave before August because doing so would leave a significant professional gap. You would need that extra push if you were an applicant stuck in the 80–85 percentile area. However, it is crucial to keep discipline and make the most of this time.

DETERMINE YOUR PRESENT SITUATION:

Examine your present position and planned career path. Think about things like career potential, work happiness, and fit with your long-term objectives. Quitting your employment could be an option if it interferes with your preparation or does not match your goals.

MONETARY CONSIDERATIONS

When you leave a job, you lose a reliable source of cash. Check your finances to see if you have enough money saved up to get by throughout the preparation stage. Include costs for living expenditures, coaching fees, study materials, and any foreseeable crises.

SCHEDULE FOR STUDYING AND TIME COMMITMENT:

Consider your capacity to juggle your career and the demands of CAT preparation. Examine your present workload to see if you can properly handle both. Check to see if quitting your career will give you enough time and freedom to concentrate on careful planning.

SUPPORT SYSTEM:

Consider how supportive your friends and family are. Talk to them about your choice and take their counsel into account. A solid support network can ease the journey and provide you the crucial emotional support when things become tough.

PROFESSIONAL CONSEQUENCES:

Leaving your employment to study for the CAT might have a negative impact on your career. Think about how potential employers will react to the gap in your CV. Consider the effect on your professional development and whether you can eventually make up for it.

BENEFITS OF LEAVING YOUR JOB:

• Quitting your employment enables you to dedicate more time and effort to CAT preparation, allowing you to properly cover the subject and practise a lot.
• Reduced Stress and Distractions: By quitting your job, you are free of the stress and obligations that come with it, which enables you to concentrate exclusively on your preparation.
• Schedule Flexibility: You have the freedom to create your study plan according to your preferences, which enables you to maximise your practice and learning.

DRAWBACKS OF LEAVING YOUR JOB:

• Financial instability: Giving up a reliable source of income by leaving your career might put you in a stressful financial situation. Think about how it will affect your spending, way of life, and long-term financial objectives.
• Career Setback: Leaving a job might leave a gap in your employment history, hindering your ability to advance professionally. During job interviews, you can be asked to explain this gap to potential employers.
• Added Pressure to Perform: Giving up your employment increases your pressure to succeed on the CAT exam. Expectations might be higher, and failing to get a passing grade would feel like it would have more serious repercussions.

REDUCE THE RISKS:

There are actions you may do to reduce the dangers if you decide to leave your job:

• Financial Planning: Make a thorough financial plan to cover your costs throughout the planning stage. Think about other income sources, savings, or part-time work that can help you maintain some financial security.
• Networking and Skill Development: Take use of the time you have while preparing for the CAT to network, learn pertinent skills, and become involved in initiatives or volunteer work that will boost your profile and fill in any holes on your CV.
• Understanding the CAT test’s competitive nature will help you set reasonable expectations for your success. Think about fallback possibilities like taking part-time classes or looking into jobs that are in line with your long-term objectives.

The idea behind this is that you need to be very certain that CAT is the solution you’re searching for and that it is, in every way, a superior option than your current position. Then and only then should you think about quitting your job and taking a chance at CAT.

It is important to carefully evaluate a number of variables before deciding whether to leave your employment in order to study for the CAT exam. Consider your financial status, your employment, and the benefits and drawbacks of resigning. Consider how it will affect your long-term objectives, lifestyle, and career. If things do not go as planned, it is crucial to have a well-thought-out strategy and backup solutions. In the end, your unique situation, ambitions, and degree of dedication should guide your choice. No matter if you decide to keep working or leave your job, success in the CAT depends on your commitment, effort, and strategic planning.