CAT Preparation Tips

The first step toward CAT exam success is understanding the test format and curriculum. If candidates are serious about clearing CAT, then they should start small and work their way up, keeping in mind how to prepare completely for the exam.

As the test is very competitive, it is the ideal time for the majority of candidates to begin making plans to study for it. If students are committed to passing the CAT, the simplest and most effective approach to do so is to comprehend and put into practice the crucial CAT preparation tips and adjust the study schedule accordingly. To successfully pass the CAT examination and gain admission to the best business schools in India, including IIM’s.

The first step in preparing for the CAT should be to comprehend the complete curriculum of the three sections-VARC, DILR, and QA - and choose which topic to begin with. Verify the syllabus

• According to test-takers' experiences, preparing for the CAT DILR takes time since the subjects need critical thinking. However, preparing for the CAT VARC does not require as much time because this subject does not require calculations.
• The CAT Quant section requires extra concentration since candidates must study several formulae and possess a solid understanding of shortcuts for answering mathematical problems quickly.
• Candidates are recommended to stick to a 6-month schedule that covers all three areas, key subtopics, and practicing CAT questions from prior years.
• Reading Comprehension and Para-jumbles in VARC, Graphs and Charts in DILR, and Number System and Geometry in Quant are the most weighted topics. As a result, CAT applicants must familiarise themselves with the CAT Exam Pattern.

Also read: BEST CAT ONLINE COACHING INSTITUTES IN INDIA 

Exam Pattern and Syllabus

CAT Preparation Tips: How to Study for the CAT Quantitative Aptitude?

Candidates should start their revision with the Number System portion, then go on to Algebra, Permutation and Combination, and other topics.

• Lay the groundwork and review the ideas. Students cannot answer sophisticated questions if they are unfamiliar with the fundamentals of any subject.
• Study time-saving tactics like tables up to 40, squares up to 30, cubes up to 20, and percentage equivalents of fractions up to 25.
• Keep a formula book handy. Make a list of all the necessary and straightforward formulas and review them frequently.
• Practice solving questions in two minutes or less. This is the typical amount of time that applicants spend on each question in the Quant section.
• In mock tests, divide the QA portion into three segments based on the complexity of the questions: simple, moderate, and difficult.

CAT Preparation Tips: How to Study for the CAT DILR?

The DI/LR portion has been consistently shown to be the most challenging of the three over the previous two years. Preparing for this part is challenging because there is no predetermined syllabus. The only way to ace this section is through practice. You can adhere to the advice given below:

• Candidates should pay close attention and use Venn diagrams to answer crucial problems because the syllogism part has a high score component.
• Candidates should employ the King, Soldier, and Public Technique when answering issues that are based on inequity. Candidates should start with answering questions with a limited number of variables for arranging questions before advancing to questions with more variables. For example, start with answering problems with only 5 variables and then move on to questions with 7-8 variables.
• Important subjects in DI/LR include seating arrangement, blood relations, propositions, syllogisms, data arrangement, puzzles, statements, and assumptions.
• The questions in this area should be studied several times by candidates because it is simple to mistake questions with complicated reasoning.

Read: CAT Exam

CAT Preparation Tips: How to Study for the CAT VARC?

The areas that terrify most candidates are verbal ability and reading comprehension. The candidate's English proficiency will be thoroughly tested in this part. The questions include the following categories.

• Candidates should pick the questions and passages in the "reading comprehension part" that they are most comfortable with. To avoid inferential questions that require critical thinking, one should try to stick to factual texts if they are comfortable with them.
• In portions involving sentence correction or questions involving applied knowledge in grammar, candidates shouldn't only rely on guessing or provide answers out of the blue. Candidates must make sure that, at the very least, a reasonable conclusion is drawn from the evidence. The applicant ought to move on to the next question if the first one is too complicated.
• Utilise a two-step process. Divide the VARC portion into two sections: one for reading comprehension and the other for the rest.
• Candidates can go back and forth between the questions since para jumbles and deductive logic demand reasoning, allowing them to choose the answer that is most accurate. For instance, Test takers can identify the start and finish of a logical pair in parajumbles and eliminate the option that does not seem to fit.
• Read the questions before the passage while taking the reading comprehension portion.
• Candidates scoring above 85% should concentrate on the following: grammar, deductive logic, para jumbles, critical reasoning, Para-Completion, and summary questions.

CAT Preparation Tips: Online coaching for CAT preparation

As a result of the expansion of technology in the educational industry, online coaching programmes are becoming more and more popular among applicants for various competitive examinations. The challenge is in selecting a reputable online tutoring learning center, even if online coaching centers offer knowledgeable suggestions and preparation tactics on par with offline coaching institutes. The best CAT online coaching institutes in India are:

• T.I.M.E.
• Career Launcher
• IMS
• PT Education
• iQuanta
• Hit Bull’s Eye
• Career Forum

CAT Preparation Tips: Mock Test

The official mock test is released by IIM as part of the exam preparation process. Take mock tests from the beginning of your preparation and do not rely completely on them.

• It is critical to enrol in a decent mock test series. They may be found through online resources like HandakaFunda, Unacademy, and coaching facilities like T.I.M.E., Career Launcher, etc.
• Mock exams assist in removing the majority of the unexpected parts.
• Speed and accuracy improve as more mocks are attempted.
• CAT Mock Tests are useful for determining one's strengths and weaknesses.
• They also aid in getting the candidate's body used to sitting still for a 3-hour prolonged exam.

CAT Preparation Tips: Solve CAT exam papers from previous years 

CAT applicants can gain important insights into the exam format, question types, and degree of difficulty by solving CAT question papers from prior years. Candidates for the CAT must complete CAT previous year question papers to gain significant insight about the kinds of questions that will be asked, how many MCQs and TITA questions will be in each section, how tough each section will be, how much importance will be given to certain themes, and their own weak and strong points.

Read more: CAT Previous year papers

CAT Preparation Tips: Books & Magazines

It is strongly advised to read books by Arun Sharma, Sarvesh Varma, Nishit K Sinha, Wren & Martin, and Word Power Made Easy for CAT preparation. They are particularly beneficial in establishing a solid foundation in verbal ability, logical reasoning, data interpretation, and quantitative aptitude.

• It is advised that applicants use the Class X and XII NCERT books to prepare for the QA.
• Daily reading material, such as books, newspapers, periodicals, and so on, is the ideal source for preparing for VA/RC.
• Go through the dictionary's pages at random. This facilitates learning new words.

Read more:CAT Books & Magazines

CAT Preparation Tips: Conclusion

• Check the full CAT Syllabus and Exam Pattern to make sure you didn't leave any topics wholly unattended.
• Focus on enhancing the areas in which you struggle rather than honing your skills in those you already excel in.
• Make sure you have allotted 3–4 hours every day for routine preparation.
• Prioritize working on improvement during the majority of your preparation time.
• Take part in timed sectoral and comprehensive mock exams with varying degrees of difficulty.
• Complete your CAT preparation in its entirety at least 10 days beforehand to allow for time for revision.
• Think of your practice exams as the CAT exam itself.

FAQs related to CAT Preparation Tips 

Q. How should one prepare for the CAT ?

Q. Is there a best time to prepare for the CAT?

Q. How many Mock Tests are sufficient to take before the main exam?

Q. What are some time management tips for CAT?

Q. Which coaching is the best for CAT preparation?

Check Best CAT Coaching Institutes