How to Prepare for CAT in 10 months: 10 Months Study Plan & Tips

Overview: What is the best 10 months strategy to Crack CAT Exam? Preparing for the MBA entrance exam demands suitable study material, proper mentorship and practical tips and tricks. Read on to learn the right strategy to crack the CAT exam first!

Download Free Study Material for CAT Exam 2024 by SuperGrads

• The CAT exam is a national-level MBA entrance exam conducted by one of the IIMs in November annually.
• The Common Admission Test is considered the most challenging entrance exam and is accepted by 1200+ B-Schools in India.
• It asks 66 Questions from three different sections, including VARC, DILR, and QA, and analyzes the candidate's skills.

It is a little challenging How to Prepare for CAT in 10 months without the right preparation; therefore, we have provided the 10-month strategy to crack the CAT exam here. Scroll down to know more!

How to Prepare for CAT in 10 months: Strategy to Crack CAT Exam 2024

Breaking down the 10-month strategy to crack CAT exam will allow you to focus on the syllabus and help cover the CAT syllabus systematically. Observing and marking your progress throughout the months leading to CAT will also be a milestone. 

CAT Preparation from February to May  

Sections	Preparation Focus	Study Materials/Activities
Overall Preparation	Identify the syllabus and mark important topics frequently asked in the exam.	-
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	Clear fundamental concepts of algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and trigonometry.	Start with NCERT Books of Class 10; practice and revise formulas regularly.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	Develop a habit of reading. Focus on comprehension skills, reading speed, and vocabulary expansion.	Read newspaper articles, editorials, novels, and magazines.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	Understand the basics of percentages, ratios, tables, squares, cubes, and reciprocals.	Solve puzzles from magazines and newspapers; attempt previous year questions and mock tests.

Download Free VARC Sample Questions for CAT Exam

CAT Preparation in June and July 

Focus Area	Preparation Strategy	Activities
Basic Concepts Review	Review each section's basic concepts and identify weak areas.	Go over key concepts in Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).
Mock Test	Attempt and analyze one full-length mock test.	Identify areas requiring improvement based on the mock test performance.
Time Management	Divide days into section-based revisions and preparation.	Allocate individual time for QA, VARC, and DILR every week to ensure balanced preparation.

Check: How much time is required to crack CAT exam

CAT Preparation in August and September  

Focus Area	Preparation Strategy	Activities
Familiarization with CAT	Become familiar with CAT areas, topics, concepts, and types of questions.	Use the CAT Funda method (Concepts, Applications, and Tests).
Concept	Learn key concepts and formulas for each topic.	Study and revise important concepts and formulas for QA, VARC, and DILR.
Application	Solve exercises to apply the learned concepts.	Practice exercises and problems regularly to reinforce understanding.
Tests	Take topic-wise tests to assess speed and strategy.	Start attempting topic-wise tests and increase the frequency of mock tests.

Check: CAT Preparation in 3 Months

Download Free DILR Study Plan by Supergrads

CAT Preparation in October 

Focus Area	Preparation Strategy	Activities
Strategy Development	Identify and experiment with your exam strategy.	Analyze mock test results to fine-tune your approach.
Concept Revision	Revise your concepts for a second time.	Take topic-wise and section-wise tests to reinforce learning.
Mock Tests	Continue taking CAT mocks regularly.	Use mock tests to sharpen your strategy and revise key concepts.

Check: Is CAT exam tough to crack

CAT Preparation in November 

Focus Area	Preparation Strategy	Activities
Final Assessment	Use the last few days for the final assessment of your preparation.	Review your overall progress and readiness for the exam.
Selective Revision	Focus on selective revision of key topics.	Prioritize revising important sections and concepts.
Sectional Tests	Take additional sectional tests for targeted practice.	Attempt more section-wise tests for a focused review.
Original CAT Papers	Write original CAT papers to simulate the actual exam experience.	Practice with previous CAT papers to familiarize yourself.
Strategy Finalization	Finalize your exam strategy based on your mock and test performance.	Refine and commit to a strategy for the exam day.
Weakness Elimination	Analyze practice tests to identify and fix weak areas.	Work on eliminating weak areas and boosting mental agility.

Check: CAT Preparation in 4 Months

Know the Admission Process of Top B-Schools

CAT Preparation Books 2024 for VARC and QA 

 Here is the list of the best books for verbal ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative aptitude: 

Category	Book Title	Author
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT	Arun Sharma
	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT and Other MBA Entrance Examinations	Nishit K. Sinha
	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Guide for CAT and Other MBA Entrance Examinations	S. Jha
Quantitative Aptitude	CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning	Gautam Puri
	Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT	Nishit K. Sinha
	Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency	Ananta Ashisha

Read More | Can I crack CAT exam in 6 months?  

How to Prepare for CAT in 10 months with Right Coaching Institutes  

Below are the benefits associated with CAT coaching if you are planning to attend a coaching institute for the CAT entrance exam 2024: 

• Competitive environment to stay focused
• Sufficient study material 
• Mock Test series 
• Shortcut methods of solving complex questions 
• According to CAT Toppers, passing the CAT involves both. Self-study can make a difference, whereas coaching institutes provide a solid foundation, quick idea clarification, and straightforward instruction.  

Also Know: How to Prepare for CAT Exam in 5 months

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How to Prepare for CAT in 10 months without Coaching Institutes  

If you intend to study independently and without coaching for CAT 2024, then you can follow the ten-month strategy to Crack the CAT Exam outlined below:  

1. Some CAT experts and previous-year toppers agree that mentoring or joining CAT coaching can help. However, you will need more than simply enrolling in a coaching program to guarantee you will pass the entrance exam with flying colours. 
2. According to CAT toppers, enrolling in a CAT  coaching program is optional when considering admission to top B-Schools.  
3. According to some experts, around 500 hours (about three weeks) of dedicated preparation for the CAT 2024 exam will be necessary to achieve peak potential and gain admission to the best B-Schools in India. 

Check | How do you prepare for the CAT exam at home?  

10 Months Strategy to Crack CAT Exam: Section-Wise Tips

CAT Exam Preparation 2024 for Quantitative Aptitude  

• Referring to high school mathematics textbooks can be highly beneficial for clearing basic concepts to begin your 10-month strategy to crack the CAT exam.
• Use quality study materials and books recommended by CAT toppers and instructors for QA preparation, such as "Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT" by Arun Sharma and "How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT" by Sarvesh K. Verma.
• You must thoroughly study critical mathematical ideas, theorems, and formulas to succeed in the CAT 2024.  
• While you prepare for the CAT, practice your mental math skills to get a high CAT Score.  
• During CAT preparation, you should learn tables up to 40, squares up to 30, cubes up to 20, and percentage equivalents of fractions up to 25. These are all methods that save time.  
• With a shorter time, you must respond to more CAT Quant Questions. It is better to react to three straightforward inquiries than one difficult one.  

Know more: How to Prepare for CAT Exam in 4 months

Download Free DILR Sample Questions for CAT Exam

CAT Exam Preparation 2024 for DILR Section  

• While preparing the 10-month strategy to crack the CAT exam, repeatedly practice Vedic math. It will help you resolve issues properly and quickly.  
• Never assume, never guess, and always read the question thoroughly before responding. Avoid words like none, some, all, unless, and so forth.  
• Essential subjects in DILR include seating arrangements, blood relationships, propositions, syllogisms, data arrangements, puzzles, statements, and assumptions. 
• You must follow CAT exam preparation tips for these chapters to achieve a high score.  
• A syllogism has a high point value; thus, you should pay attention and use Venn diagrams to answer crucial questions.  

Read More | How do you prepare for logical reasoning for CAT?  

CAT Exam Preparation 2024 for VARC Section  

• The earlier you begin to prepare with the 10-month strategy to crack the CAT exam, the smoother it becomes. Reading comprehension is essential since it focuses on creating and maintaining a reading habit. 
• Practice the CAT Mock Exam frequently to enhance grammar and VA. Consistent practice will also improve accuracy when preparing for the CAT.  
• Make a point of picking up new words daily to expand your vocabulary. To further your CAT 2024 preparation, you must pick the appropriate VARC books.  
• To gauge how well you are reading, keep track of how long it takes to finish a passage. 
• Choose a passage from a magazine, book, newspaper, or novel, and note how you falter while studying for the 10-month strategy to crack the CAT exam.  

Check | CAT Verbal Ability Question  

Conclusion

Remember, cracking the CAT is not solely about hard work; it's about working smart, staying disciplined, and maintaining a positive attitude throughout your preparation journey. To maximize your efforts, consider "How to Prepare for CAT in 10 Months," utilizing this structured preparation strategy to ensure that you make the most of this critical timeframe, setting you on the path to achieving your MBA dreams.

Check: CAT Exam Analysis