Updated on 22nd October 2024 | 3:17 pm | #CATPreparation2024
How to prepare for the CAT exam is the most frequently asked question that pops up in the minds of every CAT aspirant before starting their preparation. There can be many possible answers to this question; however, CAT 2024 preparation is all about finding the right balance of theory and practice. To achieve this, aspirants must first establish a robust CAT 2024 preparation strategy.
To ace CAT 2024, focusing on the key topics in your preparation can establish a strong foundation and improve your chances of success in the exam. While there is no fixed list of CAT preparation tips to be followed, one should create their own study schedule based on their strengths and weaknesses and the time they have, molding their CAT preparation plan accordingly. Keep in mind that within the given time duration for CAT preparation, you need to focus on both covering the CAT syllabus and practicing CAT mock tests.
For someone looking at a successful career, an MBA is the only option to enhance your growth scope; for that you should know about how crucial it can be in their professional journey, involving everything from packages worth 18LPA+ to getting a personal holistic development.
To achieve this, one must take entrance tests like CAT, XAT, NMAT, and many more, which are the gateway to top B-schools in India.
And to get into your dream B-school, you must change your preparation strategy, and get your hands on the latest copies of preparation material including mock tests. However, the syllabus and question paper styles are likely to remain on similar grounds as of the previous year. For this, one should create a structured study plan by setting monthly goals for each section of the CAT exam. These milestones will help you stay motivated and on track during your CAT preparation.
Though CAT preparation for 2024 requires a 3-6 month preparation period, it is possible to crack CAT in one month as well, depending entirely on the calibre of the candidate. This includes aspirants, regardless of whether they are graduates or working professionals. Below are some of the best CAT preparation strategies one can adopt while starting their preparation.
Gear up your CAT preparation at a fast pace keeping in mind the cruciality of time. Let's start with some CAT preparation tips from our top CAT mentors and IIM Alumni to get the right solution to "How to Prepare for CAT"
Aspiring candidates should carefully consider their needs and goals when deciding how to prepare for the CAT exam. Success in the CAT exam preparation requires dedication, perseverance, and self-discipline to secure a high percentile and gain admission to a prestigious IIM.
Candidates must solidify their foundational knowledge, maintain a consistent study routine, utilize reliable study materials, and participate in regular mock exams. Excelling in CAT preparation is a challenging endeavor that requires honing one's abilities through independent study or professional guidance.
There is no specific time period for CAT exam preparation, and it totally depends on the caliber of the candidate; however, it usually spans 9 to 10 months. There are candidates who have cracked CAT in just one month of preparation. In such cases, CAT online coaching can be beneficial, even for candidates with limited time, as it aids in accelerating the preparation process and reach the desired proficiency level.
All in all, a coaching institute can make it easy for candidates to study and prepare in the right direction. All the focus of the candidate can be on preparations without worrying about the best resources or updates regarding the exam.
Preparing for the CAT exam independently provides candidates with a significant amount of freedom. They can tailor their strategies and timelines to align with their individual needs. CAT self-paced preparation is centered on personal requirements when studying individually.
Thus, if a candidate chooses to self-study, they can practice by themself without any pressure of competing with others. However, studying without coaching classes will require the candidate to do all the analysis, review and implement plans by themselves. So to save time the aspirants can consider opting for a blend of self-study and coaching programs.
Also Read: Prepare for CAT 2024 Without Coaching
Learning should be divided into phases, starting with essential knowledge and moving on to advanced tricks. It's essential to adopt distinct approaches for each section for CAT exam preparation, considering their respective weightage. Here are some tips for section-specific CAT preparation:
CAT 2024 is expected to have 24 questions in the VARC section, with 16 focusing on Reading Comprehension and 8 on Verbal Ability. The Reading Comprehension part will likely include 4 passages with 4 questions each, while Verbal Ability may have questions on para jumbles, para completion, odd one out, or para summary. Strong English skills, including grammar and vocabulary, are crucial for excelling in this section. Here are some tips for VARC preparation:
Learn some smart techniques to crack the VARC section of CAT 2024, provided by top CAT mentors to address your query on how to prepare VARC section for CAT 2024, as follows:
CAT 2024 is expected to have a similar pattern to CAT 2023. This section consists of 20 questions divided into 4 sets of 5 questions each. Understanding the syllabus is essential for DILR preparation, as it typically includes questions on various topics such as linear and matrix arrangements, blood relations, family trees, directions, coding-decoding, sequence and series, syllogisms, and analogies. Here are some steps to help you prepare for DILR:
In order to make your work easier, we have curated some expert tips and strategies that have helped others pass the CAT with flying colors and that will address your question of “How to prepare for logical reasoning for CAT,” as given below:
The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section emphasizes Mathematics, demanding extensive practice of questions and memorization of fundamental equations. With reference to CAT 2023, this section encompasses topics like the number system, percentages, profit and loss, probability, and mensuration. Anticipating CAT 2024, this section is projected to feature 22 questions predominantly focused on algebra and arithmetic, complemented by questions from geometry, the number system, and other areas. Here's how you can excel in the CAT 2024 QA section:
Here are some tips collected from top CAT mentors on how you can increase your score and performance in CAT 2024 with effective preparation strategies for solving questions on "How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT," as follows:
Breaking down the preparation strategy month-wise will allow you to focus on the syllabus at hand and help cover the CAT syllabus systematically. It will also function as a milestone to observe and mark your progress throughout the months leading to CAT.
The first leg of the journey is identifying the syllabus and marking the most important topics frequently asked in the exam. You can start with your weak areas and build the foundation for the basics. Devote time to each section throughout the week.
For candidates just beginning their CAT preparation or looking to strengthen it, the months of June and July will focus on going over the basic concepts of each section and identifying weak areas.
You will attempt and analyze one full-length mock which will help you work better on the areas that require improvement. Overall, you should divide the days into section-based revisions and preparation. Ensure that you dedicate individual time to each section every week.
The objective in these two months would be to gain complete familiarity with the areas, topics, concepts, and types of questions in CAT. This can be achieved through a simple method called C.A.T Funda i.e. Concepts, Application & Tests
There are 3 basic things that one needs to do in October:
The last few days before CAT should be used for the final assessment of the CAT exam preparation. Here one has to take up selective revision, take additional sectional tests, write original CAT papers, and finalize the exam strategy.
After every mock, a thorough analysis of each of the sections, zeroing in on the problem areas, working towards eliminating these problem areas, and most importantly, strengthening the mental ability to crack this exam would be the main requirements in November.
Books are the most reliable source for preparing for any exam. A plethora of books are available in the market for CAT preparation 2024. There are no specific books suggested by any supreme authority conducting CAT; however, many coaching centers and authors also publish various preparatory materials for the CAT exam, including:
In addition to these, we have suggested the best books for CAT preparation that will make your CAT preparation journey easier.
|
CAT Sections |
Book |
|
VARC |
Past Years' CAT Questions (G.K. Publications), Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (Gautam Puri) |
|
DILR |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (Gautam Puri), How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT (Arun Sharma), A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning (R.S. Aggarwal) |
|
QA |
NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 6-10), CAT Quantitative Aptitude (Gautam Puri), Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations (RS Aggarwal) |
Preparing for any entrance exam isn’t a piece of cake and may vary from person to person. Someone aspiring for a successful career in Business Management should understand how crucial CAT preparation can be in their MBA journey, involving everything from packages worth 25LPA+ to achieving personal holistic development.
Candidates appearing for the CAT as beginners should prepare strategically. To get into IIMs, first-time CAT 2024 applicants need to know how to start preparing and score 99%ile. The following tips have been shared by some of our CAT toppers, those who have started their preparation in the final year of graduation and were beginners:
Balancing work and preparing for the CAT exam can be quite a challenge for working professionals. However, with the right approach, cracking CAT is achievable. To start, it's important to kick off your CAT preparation early and create a study plan that fits into your work schedule.
Below are some CAT exam preparation tips for working professionals, provided by top CAT experts, on how you can manage both work and studies effectively:
Maintaining a healthy work-study-life balance is key during CAT preparation to avoid feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. Remember to take breaks, stay motivated, and pace yourself to perform at your best.
The ideal time required to prepare for CAT depends entirely on one’s capabilities. It depends on one’s ability to grasp the fundamental concepts, so there is no fixed amount of time to pass the CAT exam if one starts from scratch.
The time frame of two to three months is enough to finish the fundamentals of three sections for aspirants starting from scratch. On average, dedicated CAT preparation takes 8-9 months. If possible, spend two hours on weekdays and six to eight hours on weekends.
To gain an in-depth understanding of what the ideal time required for CAT preparation is, read the full article by clicking here.
Preparing for the CAT is not easy at all because earning a seat in an elite business institution basically ensures an excellent stepping stone for anyone wanting to pursue a career in management. However, this can only happen if you do not make any of the following common mistakes during your CAT exam preparation.
Ultimately, the most effective approach to CAT preparation is to devise your own strategy. While others may offer their preparation strategies, staying true to your unique strengths and approaching the exam as an assessment of aptitude rather than a traditional academic test is essential. During the final phase of your preparations, prioritize taking frequent mock exams and enhancing your performance. Have confidence in your dedication and believe in your capabilities. Trust in yourself and commence your CAT exam preparation without delay.
Also Read: How to improve your percentile in CAT mocks?
The exam papers from previous years are the most important study resources. It helps the candidates know about the latest exam changes, test structures, and important topics. So, the candidates’ first priority during CAT preparation should be to solve the CAT previous year papers without any failure. Get access to CAT question papers for the past 5 years (CAT 2019-2023), which will give you a brief overview of how the CAT exam pattern has changed over the years, including changes in the sections. Additionally, it will help you develop an in-depth understanding of the types of questions asked in CAT.
Besides the CAT previous year papers, free CAT mocks, students can find additional resources for their CAT 2024 preparation. To further enhance your preparation and support your journey, we are excited to introduce Open CAT—a free resource hub where you can find ample materials to give you a head start as well as the final push you need in your CAT preparation.
These provide students with the much-needed practice for the actual CAT and ensure they don’t lose their nerves on exam day. Students can explore our CAT-free zone to access various free CAT preparation resources and boost their CAT 2024 preparation.
The first step to starting your preparation for CAT is to decide whether you wish to take CAT classes or prepare by yourself. Then you devise a study plan, work on the fundamentals and begin practising with mock tests.
Many coaching institutes and CAT experts offer advice and guidance on their Youtube channels. You can click here to get guidance through Career Launchers’ channel.
Preparing for CAT without coaching is possible. However, it requires a lot of self-discipline, time, and commitment to develop a study plan, identify the best study material, and constantly monitor your progress.
Irrespective of your weakest or strongest section in CAT, if you clear the sectional and overall CAT cut-off along with the following admission rounds, you can get admission to a college of your choice.
To improve your performance in the quants section, you can follow the given steps:
People who score the 99th percentile or aim for it, have an exam strategy set out for them which they consistently modify and change based on their preparation. For candidates who wish to reach the 99th percentile, here is a strategy that can be implemented: