As Earl Nightingale says: "Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use." It is important to understand that you have to use these 5 days optimally. You may think that burning the midnight oil will enable you to ace the CAT, but rest assured stressing yourself at this present juncture will cause more harm than good. This is the time for you to step back and review your level of preparedness. So, instead of falling prey to nervous disorders or feelings of hopelessness, here are some constructive and effective things that you can do during these valuable and crucial 5 days.

1. Stay focused: Once you have set your eyes on a goal, don't let petty issues distract you. Staying focused can save you a lot of time and energy and get you straight to your goal. Follow the wisdom of the archer who did not see the trees, the leaves the branches or the bird, but only saw the eye of the bird, which was his target.

2. Be positive: Don't let minor set backs get you down. If, for instance, you feel you are not confident with your math, then it is the right time to solve more problems and attempt simulated tests. Don't feel depressed or guilty. Thinking and brooding will only consume more time than what you would take to actually do the task. So go ahead and fix the problem right away

3. Stay Calm: It is very natural for you to get really stressed and anxious since the CAT is not just any ordinary exam. It is one of the most challenging aptitude test that exists. It is of course, your route to the most prestigious and coveted management institutes in India and needless to say, the competition is phenomenal. However, fretting will not make it any easier for you. The need of the hour is to live up to the challenge. De-stress by taking long walks, listening to music and even reading.

4. Exercise: We hardly give any importance to exercise while studying, as the belief is we are wasting time. But on the contrary 20 minutes of exercise a day, be it jogging on the spot, some stretching exercises or even dancing to your favourite number stimulates the brain; it improves blood circulation and boosts memory. It also de-stresses and relaxes you.

5. Eat Well: Eating well is very important. Please don't skip meals and settle for junk food. The best thing for you to eat at this time would be good old traditional meals for breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. Remember to eat plenty of fruits and drink ample water. Eating well and healthy food not only prevents you from falling ill but also leads to a feeling of overall well being that is very essential at this time.

6. Sleep well: 8 to 10 hours of complete rest can do wonders for your mind and body. Sleep rejuvenates you and gets you ready to face the challenges of life. Lack of it can cause serious problems such as poor memory, depression and fatigue. So please be sure you get your full quota of sleep.

As far as test preparation is concerned
1. Solve at least one paper everyday. Sit in a quiet place undisturbed.
2. Spend about an hour each day to memorize/revise all the formulae that you may need.
3. Look up the net or dictionary for words and their meanings.
4. Make notes or use code words to help you remember important points.
5. A day before the D-day should ideally be one of rest and light mental activity. You need a good night's rest to face the challenge ahead.
6. Plan to reach your examination centre an hour early so that you don't need to rush around looking for your classroom and seat number. Once you are in the examination hall, sit at your desk and c