CAT 2024 COACHING : Which is better? CAT Online Coaching vs CAT Classroom learning i.e. Offline Coaching
Before we get into this comparison of CAT Online Coaching vs CAT Classroom learning just to make sure everyone is on the same page, here are some details about CAT 2024 for the uninitiated.
CAT or Common Admission Test, is the most popular national level management entrance exam conducted by Indian Institute of Management for admission to 20 IIMs and more than 100 renowned B-schools across India. Around 2.5 lakh MBA aspirants appear for CAT every year. CAT is a 3-hour test consisting of 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Non-MCQ type questions. There are three timed sections, namely Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning(DILR).
Each of the participating institutes of CAT will execute their individual admission process, however, the shortlisting would be done based on the CAT 2024 Cutoff. The candidates will be called for further rounds, namely, Group Discussion (GD) or Writing Ability Test (WAT) or both and Personal Interview (PI) rounds for the final admission.
HOW TO CHOOSE CAT 2024 COACHING ?
CAT coaching, if taken a seriously, will be a great value addition to your preparation for CAT 2024, however making an appropriate choice out out of many online/offline preparation centres running all over the country, is something that requires careful analysis. During the last decade, numerous coaching centres have emerged in the country. But the decision of choosing a good learning centre is nothing short of making the decision to chose which B-school to goto.
The choice between CAT Online Coaching vs CAT Classroom learning
Learning centres could be either online or offline. The offline coaching is the traditional classroom one while the online system is innovative, convenient, easy to approach and computer-based, wherein the aspirant doesn’t require to commute to the coaching centres and enables to take the class at convenience.
A number of top preparation centres have either gone online or have added online coaching for CAT 2024 preparation as thousands of candidates now prefer online preparation to the offline conventional method. The following are the comparison between both the methods of coaching:
Comparison between Online and Offline CAT 2024 Coaching
Parameters |
CAT Online |
CAT Classroom |
Remarks |
|||
| Flexibility of Time | Gives good flexibility with regards to the time. Online classes offer the opportunity for flexibility. In fact, it is a class with convenience. | Consumes more time travelling to the classes, batch attendance, there is no flexibility with regard to class timings. | It is one of the most important factors impacting the decision in choice of coaching. Online Coaching requires no commutation. One can take classes from anywhere at their convenience. | |||
| Cost Effective
|
Another significant advantage of opting for online preparation is cost-effectiveness. Online educational resources are available at more reasonable charges and some resources are even at a free of cost. In addition to this in the online preparation format, aspirants have the choice of buying only part of study material, question papers or online videos, depending upon their specific requirements. | On the other hand, Cost of CAT preparation through offline mode or classroom training is very expensive. However, for offline classes, one might have to incur a huge amount of fees which may exceed Rs. 50,000. | In addition to this, in the online preparation format, aspirants have the choice of buying only part of study material, question papers or online videos, depending upon their specific requirements. Hence online coaching’s are considered more cost-effective. | |||
| Study Material | An aspirant is more comfortable with online study material since he can read it anywhere on the screen of his computer with a click of a button. | Many have hailed coaching institutes for preparing targeted and effective study materials that can help students crack the exams. But, if we look at this in detail the study materials are often outdated. | Study material can be effective and helpful for the preparation only if it is updated in accordance with the changing exam pattern and syllabus. An outdated=] syllabus is often a big disadvantage of offline coaching institutes. | |||
| Self-Study Format | The biggest advantage of opting for online study resources for preparation is that it promotes and inculcates self-study techniques among the candidates. According to many experts, self-study is a best and most effective form of study format that candidates should follow, especially when it comes to such competitive examinations. Self-study helps aspirants design a strategy, also helps them identify their strengths and weaknesses. | Despite charging a premium fee for coaching institutes, they still predominantly operate in the same classroom format. Considering that, more number of students in a classroom generates more revenue, coaching institutes often compromise upon quality and teaching standards. Students do not get personal attention from the tutors and do not get to work on their strengths and weaknesses. | As one size does not fit all, so does the pace of learning. Most of the times in offline classes one is expected to match the pace of the class or of the faculty. Whereas Online CAT classes offer the CAT online preparation material with space to learn at one’s own pace, pause or repeat the lecture according to their own convenience. | |||
| Updation of Study Material | Updating the Online study material can be instant whereas the offline material will require more time, updating and getting the supplements after due printing corrections. | Every year with frequent changes in the exam pattern, style and syllabus, it is very unlikely that outdated and low-quality study materials will help aspirants. | Instant updating of materials and notification is possible only in case of online coaching institutes. | |||
| Quality Lectures | Online CAT preparation classes offer quality video lectures prepared by the best available faculty. Based on all the parameters, without paying first, the best Online Coaching for CAT can be selected. | The quality of lectures is a major concern in attending offline coaching institutes. The faculty varies from every center and even after paying a huge amount there is no assurance of quality lectures in offline coaching institutes. | A lot of classes have a huge number of students in a class and therefore the weak students generally get lost in the class which is a major drawback of offline classes. Whereas in online coaching study one can study at their convenience. | |||
| Time Management & Discipline | There would be no faculty member to gauge the CAT preparation performance, so one needs to be proactive. The CAT examination may not be a cakewalk and would require hard work and have a self- control and determination. | For aspirants, who are just starting out in the field of competitive exams, it is very difficult to manage their time and exhibit necessary discipline when it comes to studies. Joining a coaching institute would ensure that they would devote an amount of time and effort for the preparation, irrespective of their other commitments. | The CAT online preparation phase may include ups and downs. One needs to motivate himself constantly over the period to achieve high scores. One needs to be proactive in clearing doubts and maintaining a track record for his/ her own performance. | |||
| Doubt Clearing | Online classes do not offer the opportunity for one to one doubt clearing. In fact, it is a class without convenience. | In Offline Coaching, the student can approach the faculty for one to one doubt clearing which enhances the learning process. | It is one of the most important factors impacting the decision in choice of coaching. Online Coaching requires no one to one doubt clearing.One cannot ask the faculty if done through some other method by showing. Moreover, one cannot type the doubt as its time consuming. | |||
| Study Material | An aspirant is not much comfortable with online study material since constantly reading online leads to eye strain or headache. | Many have hailed coaching institutes for preparing targeted and effective study materials that can help students crack the exams. But, if we look at this in detail the study materials are often updated. | Study material can be effective and helpful for the preparation only if it is updated in accordance with the changing exam pattern and syllabus. Thus, offline coaching can be a good one as one can mark the questions or topics that he/she is through with in the study material. | |||
| Personal Mentoring | The biggest disadvantage of opting for online study resources for preparation is that it lacks constant mentoring and attention. According to many expert, personal mentoring is a best and most effective form of study format that candidates should follow, especially when it comes to such competitive examinations. Self-study does not helps aspirants design a strategy or identify their strengths and weaknesses unless the student is experienced or repeater. | Coaching institutes like Mindworkzz, help their students in giving them attention and mentoring whenever needed.Considering that, limited number of students in a classroom helps faculty in monitoring the performance of each and every student. Coaching institutes often take into consideration the quality and teaching standards. Students get personal attention from the tutors and get to work on their strengths and weaknesses. | Offline Cat coaching help students in getting insight about where they are lacking and what should be done to upgrade their performance. Thus, offline coaching help the students in achieving the score they tend to achieve by helping them out through constant monitoring. | |||
| Fresher or Retaker | In case the student is a retaker then it is preferential to go for online if offline is inconvenient due to job pressure. | In case the student is either retaker or fresher and needs personal guidance and attention, then it is best for him/her. | Offline Coaching for CAT 2024 is more appropriate for both retaker as well as fresher. | |||
| Quality Lectures
|
Online CAT preparation classes offer quality video lectures prepared by the best available faculty. Based on all the parameters, without paying first, the best Online Coaching for CAT can be selected. | The quality of lectures is same as online one. Arun Sharma books for CAT add value to the offline coaching. Moreover, if taught by the faculty himself in the institute is more like cherry on the cake.So, in this offline one is better. | A lot of classes have a limited number of students in a class and therefore the weak students generally are given more attention in the class which is a major advantage of offline classes. Whereas in online coaching study one cannot be given attention. | |||
| Time Management & Discipline | There would be no faculty member to gauge the CAT preparation performance, so one needs to be proactive. The CAT examination may not be a cakewalk and would require hard work and have a self- control and determination. | For aspirants, who are just starting out in the field of competitive exams, it is very difficult to manage their time and exhibit necessary discipline when it comes to studies. Joining a coaching institute would ensure that they would devote an amount of time and effort for the preparation, irrespective of their other commitments. | The CAT online preparation phase may include ups and downs. One needs to motivate himself constantly over the period to achieve high scores. Thus, for a student who needs constant mentoring offline coaching is a good choice. | |||
