Mohak Arora

I think the phase that stands out most when I look back at my preparation is when I first started attempting mocks. Until then, I had spent so much time building my knowledge and skills, but mocks were where I actually had to put everything to use. And that felt very different.

The pattern was unlike the exams I had been used to in school, so initially, even attempting a mock felt like a challenge in itself. Then came another phase that was perhaps even more difficult when my scores seemed to stagnate. Despite putting in the effort, I wasn't seeing the improvement I expected. There was always this feeling that I was missing something or that I could be doing more.

The strange part was that I never really reached a point where I felt completely prepared. But somewhere along the way, I realised that maybe I wasn't supposed to. Uncertainty was simply part of the process.

What helped me was taking every mock seriously, giving it my full attention and, most importantly, staying consistent. At the same time, I started looking at mocks almost like quizzes. That small shift in perspective made the process more exciting and helped me manage the pressure that came with it.

Looking back, I see the entire preparation as a learning curve rather than just a means to an admission. It gave me a channel for my curiosity and helped me discover more about my own potential.

More importantly, it changed the way I deal with uncertainty. I learnt to stay calmer when things aren't going according to plan, control my emotions and focus on what I can actually change. I became more confident in my ability to influence my circumstances and take responsibility for the things I want to accomplish.

The exam eventually ended, but the ability to stay composed when I don't have all the answers is something I know I'll carry much further.