How To Prepare For CAT Exam 2024, Important Tips And Tricks, Study Plan
How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2024: Important Tips and Tricks, Study Plan
Before knowing how to prepare for CAT, it is better to understand what the CAT exam is. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) is expected to conduct the CAT 2024 on November 24, 2024. The Common Admission Test is conducted for admissions to IIMs and top B-schools offering MBA and PGDM programs. To crack the CAT exam, candidates need to have the right CAT exam preparation strategy. This includes covering the CAT exam syllabus, studying notes, practicing CAT sample questions and mocks, using CAT preparation material, and implementing strategies for the CAT exam day. It is important to analyze the CAT exam pattern and syllabus and make a study plan accordingly. By referring to previous year papers, candidates can identify their weak and strong areas and focus on improving the areas that require the most effort. Additionally, time management, analyzing and understanding concepts, focusing on strengths, attempting mock tests, and practicing everything studied are important aspects of CAT exam preparation.
Prepare for CAT 2024 - Know about CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The most frequently asked question by CAT aspirants during the last leg of the CAT exam is “Can I prepare for CAT in 2 months?”. The answer to this question is yes. The CAT exam will be conducted tentatively on November 24, 2024. With the right CAT exam preparation tips and guidance along with a planned strategy, one can ace the CAT 2024 exam with a good percentile.
Before starting the CAT preparation for MBA, candidates should go through the exam pattern and syllabus to make themselves familiar with the test scheme and the types of questions and structure of the examination. The CAT 2024 exam pattern is what can be called the layout/structure of the exam. It gives details about the duration of the CAT exam, the total number of questions to be asked, the mode. The CAT exam syllabus and pattern may undergo some changes, but it is expected to be similar to last year’s pattern. Candidates preparing for CAT 2024 should review the exam pattern and syllabus to determine what and how much they need to study. For more information, check out the Best Online Platform for CAT Preparation.
CAT Exam Pattern 2024
- Exam Duration: 2 hours
- Total number of questions: 66
- Mode of CAT 2024: Computer-Based
- Marking scheme:
- Three marks for each correct answer
- One mark deducted for each incorrect answer
Sections:
The CAT exam has undergone changes in its pattern over the years. Here are the features of CAT 2023, CAT 2022, CAT 2021, CAT 2020, and CAT 2019:
| Features | CAT 2023/ CAT 2022/ CAT 2021 | CAT 2020 | CAT 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of CAT exam slots | Three | Three | Two |
| CAT exam time duration | 120 minutes | 120 minutes | 180 minutes |
| Sectional time limit | 40 minutes | 40 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Total number of questions | 66 | 76 | 100 |
| Total marks | 198 | 228 | 300 |
| Total questions in VARC section | 24 | 26 | 34 |
| Total questions in DILR section | 20 | 24 | 32 |
| Total questions in QA section | 22 | 26 | 34 |
CAT Exam Syllabus 2024: Section-Wise Details
| Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Syllabus | Verbal Reasoning Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| Number Systems | Tables | English Usage or Grammar |
| Profit, Loss and Discount | Caselets | Vocabulary based (Synonyms/ Antonyms) |
| LCM and HCF | Bar Graphs | Fill in the blanks |
| Speed, Time and Distance | Line Charts | Sentence Correction |
| Percentages | Column Graphs | Cloze Passage |
| Time and Work | Venn Diagrams | Jumbled Paragraph |
| Ratio and Proportion | Pie Chart | Meaning-Usage Match |
| Averages | Other Basic Reasoning Questions | Analogies or Reverse Analogies |
| Quadratic Equations & Linear Equations | Calendars | Summary Questions |
| Complex Numbers | Number and Letter Series | Verbal Reasoning |
| Simple and Compound Interest | Clocks | Facts-Inferences-Judgments |
| Logarithm | Venn Diagrams | Reading Comprehension |
| Sequences and Series | Cubes | – |
| Inequalities | Seating Arrangement | – |
| Probability | Binary Logic | – |
| Surds and Indices | Logical Matching | – |
| Set Theory & Function | Logical Sequence | – |
| Permutation and Combination | Syllogism | – |
| Mixtures and Alligations | Logical Connectives | – |
| Trigonometry | Blood Relations | – |
| Coordinate Geometry | – | – |
| Geometry | – | – |
| Mensuration | – | – |
How to prepare for CAT 2024: Sectional Strategy
Candidates who are interested in taking the CAT exam in 2024 often have questions like “Can I prepare for CAT in 3 months?” in the last few months before the exam. To prepare for CAT in 3 months, candidates should follow a structured study plan, attempt a number of mocks, CAT previous year papers, and analyze their performance. They should start their preparation in line with the CAT 2024 exam pattern and syllabus. Preparing for the CAT exam becomes easier and more effective when you have the syllabus in mind. This allows students to cover more topics in less time because they know exactly what to study. Instead of having a single strategy for the entire CAT syllabus, it is recommended to have a separate strategy for each section. This article provides a section-wise CAT preparation strategy that will be helpful for candidates.
Quantitative Ability (QA):
- Focus on improving your basic mathematics skills.
- Learn topics such as profit and loss, number systems, and geometry as they are important for CAT 2024.
- Practice as much as possible and take mock tests.
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC):
- Reading extensively is the best way to excel in this section and score well.
- Read newspapers, journals, blogs, articles, etc. to enhance your reading skills.
- Practice solving comprehension, inference, and para jumble questions.
- Consider joining a private tuition or CAT coaching to receive foundational booklets for preparation.
CAT 2024- Topics for VARC
- Prepositions with Exercises
- Pronouns with Exercises
- Phrases Modifiers
- Types of Clauses
- Errors in Tenses
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Para jumbles with Exercises
- Examples of Articles
- Parts of Speech
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (DILR)
- Considered to be one of the toughest sections in the CAT exam 2024, requires a lot of hard work from the candidate.
- It is recommended to check the CAT previous year question paper and attempt those questions again.
- Study basic topics like seating arrangements, blood relations, syllogisms, etc to improve in this section. Avoid using a calculator while solving questions.
CAT 2024- Topics for DILR
- Venn Diagrams
- Percentages
- Number Systems
- Approximation and Conversion Techniques
Prepare for CAT 2024: Know the Best Books for CAT Preparation
Candidates are advised to choose and buy CAT study material for exam preparation wisely. A list of the best CAT 2024 preparation books for each section is provided in the table below.
CAT 2024 Preparation Book for QA Books
| Books | Author | Details |
|---|---|---|
| How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT exam | Arun Sharma | Covers all necessary topics as per CAT exam syllabus 2024 Good and elaborative examples are given The book is divided into three levels of difficulty |
| Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT 2024 | Nishit K. Sinha | Practice tests with difficulty levels Questions with solutions are provided Divided into 5 modules |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT exam | Sarvesh K Verma | Topic-wise division along with practice tests More than one solution for the question are given |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation Books for CAT Preparation 2024
| Books | Author | Details |
|---|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT exam | Arun Sharma | Written according to the latest CAT exam syllabus Can be used for other competitive exams Quick and accurate problem solving is given Exercises to boost thinking in a logical manner New chapters are included Mock tests and sample papers are given for a better understanding |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT exam 2024 | K. Sinha Nishit | Fundamental and advanced topics Examples for a better explanation Foundation, moderate, and advance are the three levels for preparation in this book Helpful for other competitive exams as well |
CAT 2024 Preparation Book for VARC
| Books | Author | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Word Power made easy | Norman Lewis | Improves Vocabulary Explains correct usage of words Review exercises at the end of chapters Divided into oriented sections |
| Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT exam | Ajay Singh | More than 200 passages for better preparation Test papers of other B-School exams are also provided Extensively defined topics as per the syllabus of CAT |
| How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT 2024 | Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay | Mock tests are provided Analysis of past years papers Written in a lucid manner Topic-wise segregation is provided |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT 2024
- Provides mock tests
- Analyzes past years’ papers
- Written in an easy-to-understand manner
- Topics are segregated for better organization
CAT 2024 preparation: Common tips for all sections
The Common Admission Test is a test of speed and knowledge. It is important to focus on improving speed, managing time, and practicing with mock tests. In addition to sectional preparation, here are some important tips for CAT preparation.
CAT 2024 Preparation: Basic Guidelines
- Time Management
- Analyze and Understand
- Reverse Action
- Focus on Strengths & Goal Accomplishment
- Attempt Mock Tests
- Practice Everything
Time Management
Candidates should manage their time effectively in order to answer all questions within the given 40 minutes for each section. Dividing 24 hours in a way that allows for daily practice in each section is recommended. Time management is considered as the fourth section by CAT topper Rounak Tikmani. For first-time CAT candidates, time management offers the following benefits during preparation:
- Enhanced efficiency
- Increased productivity
- Reduced stress levels
Analyze and Understand
Before creating a strategy for CAT 2024 preparation, it is recommended that candidates first familiarize themselves with the exam pattern. They should analyze the number of sections, topics, and sub-topics asked in previous years’ exams, as well as the difficulty levels. Candidates should also decide whether they want to prepare for CAT online or offline. If opting for offline preparation, thorough research on coaching institutes should be done, considering factors such as fees, travel expenses, and timings.
Opting for online CAT preparation is more convenient and cost-effective, but candidates must maintain discipline. Before taking any tests, candidates should analyze their strengths, weaknesses, and areas that require improvement. This analysis should be done not only before CAT 2024 preparation but also during and after it. CAT topper Suvam Debnath worked hard, analyzed his mistakes, and achieved a 99.52 percentile.
Focus on strengths & Goal Accomplishment
Rahul Manglik, a CAT topper, advises candidates to play to their strengths and work on their weaknesses. After identifying their strong areas, candidates should practice regularly to make them even stronger. They should also devise strategies to overcome and correct their areas of improvement. Ronit, another CAT topper, suggests that candidates should have a clear understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. To achieve good scores, candidates should first capitalize on their strengths and then focus on improving their weaker areas.
Aditya Devalla, a CAT topper, attributes his success to his calm attitude and focus on what was necessary. Cracking the CAT exam with a good percentile is challenging, but achievable with the right mindset. CAT 2024 will be similar to previous exams.
Attempt Mock Test
CAT toppers acknowledge that their success was partly dependent on the mock tests they took.
One of the most effective strategies for preparing for CAT 2024 is to take the CAT Mock test. This test provides candidates with a simulated environment that closely resembles the actual exam. There are several benefits to taking the mock test, including self-assessment, time management, accuracy in answering questions, and understanding the level of nervousness on the exam day.
To prepare for CAT, experts recommend practicing everything that has been studied. Regular practice helps assess what more is required during CAT preparation. It is advised to study each topic and practice it on a weekly basis to keep the knowledge fresh in mind. Abhilasha Balakrishnan, a CAT topper, emphasizes the importance of regular practice and taking numerous mock tests to achieve success.
During the CAT mock test or the actual exam, if you encounter difficult questions, you can employ the reverse action technique. This involves scanning the answers first, as they often contain clues that can assist in solving the questions accurately.
