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How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2024?

Learn how to prepare for CAT Exam 2024 with useful tips and strategies. This guide covers study plans, key topics, and time management to help you crack the exam and achieve dream.
authorImageAnil Solonki19 Sept, 2024
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How to Prepare for CAT Exam

Prepare for CAT Exam 2024: Students, to do well in the CAT exam, it's important to have a good study plan. If you are preparing for CAT 2024, try to study for 6 to 8 hours every day. If you are working, aim for at least 4 hours on weekdays and 8 hours on weekends. Even if you are attending coaching classes, make sure to save time for revision and practice.

CAT 2024 will be in November, so there are only three months left to prepare. Now is the time to follow a 3-month plan. This should include taking mock tests, solving problems, and revising.

Note: Finish the syllabus by September and start practicing in October. You can also get help through group studies, online forums, or other resources.

How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2024?

Here is a general CAT 2024 exam preparation strategy that any candidate can follow to create an effective study plan: Step 1: Review the CAT 2024 syllabus carefully and understand the exam pattern thoroughly. Step 2: Gather study materials, including CAT preparation books recommended by experts. Step 3: Join online MBA study groups on platforms like MBAWallah YouTube, Telegram, Quora, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Step 4: Create a detailed study schedule, including monthly, weekly, and daily plans. Step 5: Follow your study plan and preparation strategy consistently to achieve the best results.

CAT Preparation 2024: List of Important Topics

The CAT syllabus is often thought to favor engineering students, but in reality, apart from the Quantitative Aptitude section, no other part of the exam is beyond the reach of non-engineering students. However, they do need to put in extra practice. The Quantitative Aptitude section, which is usually seen as difficult, mainly covers advanced Mathematics topics from Class 9-10. Candidates just need to review the fundamentals of these topics using study material. In fact, it is the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section that many engineering students find challenging due to the long, dense, and inference-based reading passages.

Below is a required table highlighting the important topics from the CAT 2024 syllabus.
CAT Preparation 2024 List of Important Topics
CAT Section Important Topics
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension, Parajumbles, English Grammar, One-word Substitution, Fill in the Blanks, Antonyms-Synonyms, Sentence Correction, Foreign Words, Verbal Ability, etc.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Tables, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Bar Charts, Mixed Charts, Series, Coding-Decoding, Data Structures, Blood Relations, Family Tree, Assumptions, etc.
Quantitative Aptitude Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra, Mensuration, Partnership (Accounts), Profit & Loss, Ratios and Proportion, In-equations Quadratic and Linear Equations, Surds and Indices, Time-Speed-Distance, Number System, Geometric Progression, Inequalities, Work and Time, Percentages, Logarithms, etc.

Prepare as per Latest CAT Pattern 2024

To score 100 or 99.99 percentile in the CAT exam, candidates need to understand the exam pattern well. This helps in choosing the right questions and answering them with complete accuracy. The table below highlights the key points of the latest CAT exam pattern.
Prepare as per Latest CAT Pattern 2024
CAT Exam Features Details
Number of sections Three - VARC, DILR, QA (to be answered in the same sequence)
Number of questions 66
Types of question MCQ
Examination mode Online
Sectional time-limit 40 minutes
Total marks 198
Marks per question 3
Negative marking -1 (no negative marking for TITA and unattempted questions)
Exam duration 120 minutes

How to Prepare for CAT VARC?

The CAT VARC section is mainly divided into Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability, Vocabulary, and Grammar. Each part requires a different preparation approach. For example, Reading Comprehension preparation should start early in the year, as it focuses on building a reading habit.
  • Verbal Ability can be practiced through sample questions and can be prepared in less time. Grammar and Vocabulary can be managed alongside.
However, since the CAT VARC section mainly covers RC, parajumbles, odd sentence out, and paragraph completion, practicing exercises based on these topics is essential.

How to Prepare for CAT DILR?

To score well in the CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) section, it's important to have a clear understanding of basic concepts. Since the questions are based on data and logic, candidates need to develop sharp observation skills and attention to detail.
  • There are no formulas or theorems in DILR, so preparation mainly depends on practicing sample questions.
  • Key topics to study include Tables, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Bar Charts, and Mixed Charts.
It's also important to strengthen your mathematical calculation skills for this section. Use CAT study material that provides plenty of sample questions on these topics.

How to Prepare for CAT Quantitative Aptitude?

The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section is the last and most difficult part of the CAT exam. It includes math topics like Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Mensuration. To do well in this section, you need a good understanding of all concepts, formulas, and rules. A strong hold on Arithmetic and Algebra will help a lot. Mental math is also important, as it saves time, even though there's an on-screen calculator in the exam. Here are some tips for CAT Quantitative Aptitude preparation:
  • Get study materials with lots of sample questions on these topics.
  • Cover all topics fully, especially Arithmetic and Algebra, as most questions come from these areas.
  • Break your preparation into steps: first learn the concepts, then practice questions, and finally, take mock tests.
  • Start with easy topics to build confidence, then move on to harder ones.
  • Review important formulas and rules every day.
  • Practice section-based mock tests to learn how to manage the 40-minute time limit during the exam.
Achieve your target of entering top IIMs through CAT preparation offered by PW MBA Online Coaching experts. Join PW MBA Coaching Class to get live lectures, recorded video lessons, DPPs, doubt clarification sessions, and mock tests with in-depth performance analysis.

How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2024 FAQs

How should I start preparing for CAT 2024?

Start by understanding the CAT syllabus and exam pattern. Then, gather good study materials and create a study plan with monthly, weekly, and daily goals. Stick to this plan and practice regularly.

What are the key topics for CAT 2024?

The main sections are Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Focus on reading comprehension, parajumbles, tables, charts, geometry, algebra, and arithmetic.

How can I improve in CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension?

Start reading regularly to build a reading habit. Practice questions on parajumbles, odd sentence out, and paragraph completion. Also, review vocabulary and grammar alongside.

What is the best way to prepare for CAT DILR?

DILR is based on logic and data, so focus on practicing questions like tables, pie charts, and series. Strengthen your observation and problem-solving skills by working on sample questions regularly.

How do I prepare for CAT Quantitative Aptitude?

For QA, focus on understanding concepts, formulas, and rules in areas like algebra, geometry, and arithmetic. Practice mental calculations to save time and use study material with plenty of sample questions.
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