How To Prepare For CAT Exam 2024? Complete CAT Exam Preparation Strategy by Experts

Overview: How to prepare for CAT exam? With over 3.2 lakh candidates competing in the CAT exam 2023, students appearing for 2024 are expected to be even higher. If you are one of those appearing for the CAT exam on November 24, you must have an intelligent CAT exam preparation plan!

The Common Admission Test is such a competitive MBA entrance exam that demands dedication, best study plan and preparation stratergy.

In this blog, you will see a comprehensive CAT exam 2024 preparation strategy for each section curated by our seasoned Supergrads trainers.

Download FREE Study Material for CAT Exam 2024 by SuperGrads

Read More | CAT Exam Preparation 2023 Analysis

Let's Start With- How to Prepare for CAT Exam?

Let's simplify and streamline the approach for your CAT 2024 exam preparation:

• Begin your CAT exam preparation for 2024 by taking a mock test. This initial step helps you identify your starting point and set your goals. A pre-preparation mock test also highlights the areas you need to improve.
• After understanding your current standing and target, clarify all fundamental concepts and their applications.
• Take mock tests regularly to familiarize yourself with the CAT's question types, key concepts, and strategies for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Logical Reasoning (LR), and Quantitative Ability (QA) sections.
• Based on your strengths, develop a strategy for efficiently covering the entire syllabus and begin taking sectional tests to deepen your understanding of each subject.
• Finally, revision is critical. Once you've covered the CAT 2024 syllabus, dedicate time to revise thoroughly to reinforce your knowledge and improve your confidence before the exam.

Download Free QA Section Daily Study Plan by Supergrads

CAT Exam Preparation in 5 Months

How to Prepare for CAT Exam from July?

Experts from Supergrads have curated a 5-month study plan for CAT exam 2024 preparation. Click through the given button to get the detailed PDF of a full-length strategy on how to prepare for CAT exam in 5 months.

Download 5-Month Study Plan for CAT Exam Preparation

Learn More | Benefits of CAT Exam Preparation for MBA

CAT Exam Preparation - 3 Fold Strategy

How To Prepare for CAT Exam 2024 - General Strategy

To begin the preparation for the CAT exam 2024, you must first familiarize yourself with the CAT exam pattern, including the number of questions, marking scheme, and sectional time limit for all the sections.

Sections for CAT Preparation Strategy	Total No. of Questions	MCQs	Non-MCQs	Marks	Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	21	3	72	40 min
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)	20	14	6	60	40 min
Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	14	8	66	40 min
Total	66	49	17	198	120 (2 hours)

Check the weightage and marking scheme to help you prioritize the CAT exam 2024 preparation.

How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2024: Books to Consider

Here is the list of CAT preparation books for all 3 sections:

Sections	CAT Preparation Books
CAT Exam Prep Book	Supergrads CAT Study Material
CAT Preparation Books for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning	How to Prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for CAT Preparation by Arun Sharma
	Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for the CAT Preparation by Nishit K. Sinha
	Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for CAT Preparation by Meenakshi Upadhyay
CAT Preparation Books for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT preparation by Arun Sharma
	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT Preparation and Other MBA Entrance Examinations by Nishit K Sinha
	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Guide for CAT Preparation and Other MBA Entrance Examinations by S. Jha
CAT Preparation Books for Quantitative Aptitude	CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri
	Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT Preparation by Nishit K. Sinha
	Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha

Read More | Subject wise CAT Exam 2024 Syllabus

Download Free QA Preparation Tips by Supergrads

How to Prepare for the CAT Exam for Quantitative Aptitude- Topic-Wise

Geometry

• Clear the Basic Concepts: Focus on understanding fundamental geometric concepts such as lines, angles, triangles, circles, and polygons. Strengthening your conceptual understanding will make solving complex geometry problems easier.
• Practice by Visualising the Geometric Figures: Develop the ability to visualize geometric figures and their properties. Practice sketching diagrams and visualizing transformations to gain insight into geometric relationships.
• Solve a Variety of Problems: Solve a diverse range of CAT Maths questions, including geometry problems. Try to include basic problems and advanced concepts like similarity, congruence, and coordinate geometry. Practice applying different geometric theorems and formulas to solve problems efficiently.
• Review Solutions: After solving geometry problems, review the solutions carefully to understand the underlying concepts and problem-solving techniques. Analyze any mistakes and learn from them to improve your approach to similar issues in the future.

Also Check | CAT Exam Maths Syllabus

Arithmetic

• Build the Fundamentals: Make sure to have a very good command over topics like Ratio and Proportion, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, and Time and distance. Be completely clear on fundamental concepts. 
• Memorize Important Formulas: Memorize key arithmetic formulas for percentages, ratios, proportions, and averages. Familiarize yourself with common arithmetic shortcuts and tricks to solve problems efficiently.
• Practice Word Problems: Arithmetic problems in CAT exam preparation often involve real-life scenarios presented as word problems. Practice translating word problems into mathematical equations and solving them systematically.
• Work on Speed and Accuracy: Improve your Quantitative Ability by focusing on your speed and accuracy in solving arithmetic problems. Practice solving timed arithmetic drills and track your progress over time. Develop strategies to identify relevant information and eliminate unnecessary steps quickly.

Download Free QA Sample Questions for CAT Exam

Algebra

• Master Algebraic Concepts: Develop a strong understanding of algebraic concepts such as equations, inequalities, functions, and sequences. Practice simplifying algebraic expressions and solving equations using different methods.
• Practice Equation Solving: Solve a variety of algebraic equations, including linear equations, quadratic equations, and simultaneous equations. Practice QA questions by applying algebraic techniques such as factoring, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula.
• Solve Application Problems: Algebra topics in CAT exam preparation often involve real-world applications such as time-speed-distance, Time & Work, and mixtures. Practice solving application problems by setting up equations based on given information and solving them systematically.
• Review Algebraic Identities and Formulas: Familiarize yourself with common algebraic identities, formulas, and properties. Memorize important identities such as the quadratic formula, binomial theorem, and properties of exponents to simplify algebraic expressions and solve problems efficiently.

Learn More | How to fill CAT Application form 2024

How to prepare for CAT Exam for DILR Section? 

The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of the CAT preparation strategy is crucial. It comprises four sets of five questions each.

To ace this section and significantly boost your overall score, getting just ten questions correct has the potential to fetch a 99.5 percentile in the exam. Here are some tips from top scorers to excel in the DILR section:

• Right Selection of Sets: Begin by quickly skimming through all the sets to assess their difficulty levels and ascertain which ones you are most comfortable with. Prioritize sets that seem manageable and have clear data representations. Aim to select sets where you can solve most questions accurately within the allotted time.
• Improving Concepts: Work on strengthening your concepts in various topics such as Linear and Circular Arrangements, Selections, Distributions, Quant-based Reasoning, Games and Tournaments, Cubes, Pie Charts, Combination Graphs, Bar Charts, Spider Graphs, Line Charts, and Blood Relations. Understanding each topic's underlying principles and patterns will help you tackle diverse sets effectively.
• Practice Regularly: Practice daily by solving a variety of sets from different sources, including previous years' CAT papers. Pay attention to the different types of questions and approaches required for each topic. This will enhance your speed, accuracy, and problem-solving skills.
• Time Management: Efficient time management is crucial in the DILR section, as each set demands careful analysis and calculation. Allocate a specific amount of time to each set based on its complexity, ensuring you do not spend too much time on any single set. Practice timed mock tests to improve your pacing and decision-making under pressure.
• Analyze Solutions: After solving sets, analyze the solutions to understand the reasoning behind each answer. 
• Develop Logical Reasoning Skills: Regularly practice solving puzzles, seating arrangements, and logical deductions to sharpen your logical reasoning abilities. Develop a systematic approach to dissect and solve complex problems.
• Mock Tests are Must: Take as many sectional tests as possible to simulate the exam pattern. Analyze your performance in mock tests to identify areas for improvement.

Read More | Detailed Syllabus of LRDI for CAT Preparation

Download Free VARC Daily Study Plan by Supergrads

How to prepare for CAT Exam for VARC Section?

• Reading is a Must: Cultivate a regular reading habit, and that too with a diverse range of materials, including newspapers, magazines, novels, and online articles. Choose the best books, like "Word Power Made Easy" and "Six Weeks to Words of Power," for vocabulary improvement.
  Additionally, reading articles from reputable publications such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Economist Magazine will expose you to high-quality writing and complex ideas.
• Practice Active Reading. Active reading involves engaging with the text by asking questions, summarizing key points, and making connections. Actively interact with the passages provided in the VARC section, annotating the text, highlighting important information, and jotting down key ideas to aid comprehension and retention.
• Focus on Understanding, Not Memorization: Rather than memorizing vocabulary lists or rote-learning grammar rules, stress the importance on understanding context. Learn words in context, identify their sentence usage, and understand their nuances. Similarly, grasp grammar rules through application rather than memorization, focus on how sentences are constructed and understand their meaning.
• Solve Practice Questions Regularly: Regular practice is key to excel in the VARC section. Solve a variety of practice questions, including sentence correction, para jumbles, and reading comprehension passages. Gradually increase the difficulty level of questions to challenge yourself.
• Analyze Mistakes: Review incorrect answers carefully, identify the reasons for their mistakes, and understand the underlying concepts. By analyzing mistakes, you can pinpoint areas for improvement and refine strategies for tackling similar questions in the future.
• Time Management: Efficient time management is essential for success in the VARC section. Allocate a specific amount of time to each passage or question and stick to it. Practice timed mock tests to improve speed and accuracy and develop a sense of pacing during the actual exam. Prioritize easier questions and passages to maximize score potential within the given time limit.

Read More | How to Improve Reading Comprehension for CAT Exam Preparation?

Mocks and Previous Year's Papers for CAT Exam Preparation

• Take full-length mock tests under timed conditions to simulate the CAT exam 2024 preparation and the environment.
• Analyze your performance in each mock test to identify areas of weakness and areas where you need improvement.
• Focus on improving speed and accuracy in problem-solving.
• Solve a variety of sets from different sources, including previous years' CAT papers available with SuperCAT 2024 at SuperGrads.

Checkout | CAT Exam Cutoff 

Download Free VARC Preparation Tips by Supergrads

CAT Preparation Strategy at Home?

• Initial Assessment & Planning: Begin with a mock CAT to gauge your current level, then devise a structured daily study plan, splitting time among QA, DILR, and VARC.
• Resources & Environment: Invest in reputable CAT exam preparation materials, both books and online platforms, while ensuring a quiet, distraction-free study space at home.
• Practice & Mock Tests: Emphasize regular problem-solving, enrich reading habits for VARC, and take periodic full-length mock tests, analyzing results to refine strategies.
• Engage & Stay Updated: Join online CAT forums for discussions, share strategies, and regularly check the official CAT website for any exam pattern or syllabus changes.
• Well-being & Revision: Prioritize mental and physical health with stress-relief activities and ensure periodic revision of topics, especially in the weeks before the exam.

Read More |Tips to prepare for CAT Exam at Home

Conclusion

Preparing for the CAT exam is challenging and competitive, requiring hard work and dedication to succeed. It is important to have a comprehensive study plan that covers all the topics and allows enough time for practice and revision.

Additionally, it is important to take CAT mock tests regularly to identify areas for improvement and build confidence. Proper planning and dedication can help you ace the CAT exam and make your dream of getting into a top business school a reality.

If you want to take the CAT exam 2024 preparation online, enrol in CAT Coaching with SuperGrads.