CAT 2024 Preparation Tips: Best study hacks to crack CAT exam

In this article, we will discuss in detail about the CAT 2024 preparation tips and exam strategy. Aspirants often get confused about how to prepare for the CAT exam. What should be the right preparation strategy? At SarvGyan News we will guide you about how to prepare for the CAT exam 2024.

The CAT 2024 is scheduled to be held in November 2024. The application process for CAT will be started in August 2024. Candidates can apply for the CAT registration by visiting the CAT official portal.

CAT is one of the top entrance exams in India for MBA aspirants. Every year more than 2 lakh candidates appear in the exam for admission in the top management institutions of the country including IIMs, & other government & private management institutes.

Candidates require a good preparation strategy and study plan to crack the CAT exam. With such tough competition, it becomes of utmost importance for the candidates to be aware of the preparation tips & examination strategies to crack the CAT exam.

CAT 2024 Exam

Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national level examination conducted every year by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM’s) on a rotational basis. Candidates seeking admission in the top tier management colleges must have to qualify for the CAT exam with a good percentile.

Having such fierce competition, aspirants need to have a proper study plan and should start their preparation as early as possible.

Below we have mentioned some of the best CAT preparation tips for candidates –

• Start preparation Early
• Know Exam Syllabus & Pattern
• Get best books & study material
• Practice 
• Makes Notes
• Solve Mock Test & previous year papers

Start Preparation Early

Candidates must start their preparation as early as possible. Early preparation is the key to success in the CAT exam. Candidates must analyze their preparation strategy and give themselves at least 6-8 months to prepare for the CAT examination.  

By starting early, candidates have enough time to do revision identify their weak areas, and utilize time to improve their performance.

Early preparation reduces stress and anxiety.

Know CAT Pattern & Exam Syllabus

Aspirants must be well aware of the CAT exam pattern. Candidates should check the CAT exam pattern before appearing in the exam:

The exam will be conducted in the computer-based mode with objective and non-objective types of questions.

The exam duration will be 2 hours, with 3 marks given for each correct answer and 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.

CAT Syllabus

The CAT syllabus comprises three sections:  Data Interpretation and logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability and reading Comprehension, and quantitative Ability. The topics will include:

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning: Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Bar Graphs and Column Graphs, Caselets and Tables, Venn Diagrams, Combination of two or more types linked to each other, Calendars, Cubes and Clocks, Line Charts & Pie Chart, Number and Letter Series, Binary Logic, Logical Matching, Connectives & Sequence.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension:  Analogies and Reverse Analogies, Facts Inferences Judgements, Grammar or English Usage, Fill in the blanks, Verbal Reasoning, Meaning/Usage Match, Summary Questions, Synonyms Antonyms (Vocabulary Based), Correction in Sentence, Reading Comprehension, Jumbled Paragraph and Close Passage.

Quantitative Ability: Coordinate Geometry and mensuration, Sequences and series, Surds & Indices, Inequalities, Set Theory, Functions and geometry, Mixtures & Allegations, Trigonometry, Profit, Loss and discount, Percentages, Simple and compound Interest, Logarithm, Binomial Theorem, Complex Numbers, Quadratic & Linear Equations, Probability, Permutation and Combination, Number Systems, LCM & HCF, Speed, Time & Distance, Time & Work, Ratio & Proportion, Averages.

CAT Books & Study Material

A good study is important for CAT exam preparation. Below we have recommended some of the best books for CAT Books & study material.

CAT Books for Verbal Ability 

Verbal ability is a very important component of the CAT exam. To score well in this section, aspirants should have a good vocabulary and sentence-forming skills. Aspirants should develop a reading habit and note down important words used in the passages. For this section, we are recommending the following books

• How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
• High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension For the CAT by Nishit Sinha

CAT books for Reading Comprehension 

The Reading Comprehension (RC) section requires extensive reading of books of different genres. Candidates should develop a strong habit of reading this to help them comprehend the RC passages asked in the exam. We recommend reading novels of different genres as well as daily newspapers. Some of the books that the candidates must read are:

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• India in Slow Motions by Mark Tully
• War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy
• A Brief History of time by Stephen Hawking
• The Hard Thing about Hard Thing by Ben Horowitz

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

The right analysis and interpretation of data is the foundation for success in the CAT exam. This section requires extensive practice. Make sure you solve lots of mock papers and prioritize accuracy over attempts. For this section, we are recommending the following books: 

• How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
• Data Interpretation by Nishit Sinha
• A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Agarwal

Quantitative Ability 

This section is  an integral part of any competitive exams. This section checks aspirants’ problem-solving and analytical skills. Practice is very important for this section, also using shortcuts and quick-solving tips plays a huge role in solving Quantitative Ability questions with speed and accuracy.

Candidates must start with easier questions first and solve the tricky questions at last. Solving mock papers becomes very important for this section.

• NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10)
• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
• Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha
• Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
• Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma

Practice

CAT exam requires practice. The more you practice subjects like Quantitative Aptitude, DILR you will be able to solve more questions in less time. Quantitative Aptitude and DILR sections are very good if you have practiced them well.

Solve Mock Test & Previous years papers

• Solving a mock test is the best way to practice for the exam. This helps in developing speed and accuracy to solve the questions.
• With the help of the previous year’s question paper, you will be able to analyze the type of questions asked in the CAT exam.
• It also helps in tracking time and a great way of self-assessment for measuring your progress in the examination.

Feel free to ask any questions or queries you may have regarding the CAT 2024 session examination. Our team will provide you with the best assistance.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)