How to Prepare for Two Exams at Once Without Splitting Yourself

Many aspirants target two exams, such as SSC and banking, or CAT and XAT. Done smartly, the overlap makes this efficient. Done badly, you master neither.

Map the overlap

List the syllabus of each exam and mark the shared areas. Quantitative aptitude, reasoning and English often overlap heavily across exams, so a large share of your preparation does double duty.

Allocate by gap, not equally

Spend extra time on the topics unique to each exam where your accuracy is lowest. Equal time for each exam ignores where you stand.

Alternate your mock tests

Take one mock for each exam on alternate weeks and compare. If one improves much faster, ask whether the other needs a different approach or more time.

Respect the differences in pattern

Question styles and timing differ. For example, banking sectional timers differ from SSC's single clock, so train for each separately; compare banking's pattern and the SSC CGL pattern.

Know when to drop one

If after a few months one exam is clearly out of reach in the time left, consider concentrating on the other. For scheduling help, read studying while working and the 30-day plan.