Overview: With over 3.2 lakh candidates competing in the CAT exam 2023, figuring out how to prepare for CAT 2024 is essential for any aspirant facing this intense competition. All you need is the effective strategies on how to crack CAT exam and achieve your dream.

In India, all those aspiring to pursue MBA have a dream to get admission into IIM. CAT is the only gateway to get into IIM to pursue post graduate program in management. Hence, the competition rises, and it becomes crucial for you to have the best preparation strategy on how to crack CAT exam.

Achieving your dream of getting into an IIM is possible with dedication, consistency, and an intelligent preparation strategy. In this blog, we'll address the question many aspirants like you ask: "How to crack CAT exam?" We're here to guide you through every step of the way.

Download FREE Study Material to Crack CAT Exam 2024

Read More | CAT Preparation 2023 Analysis

Let's simplify and streamline the approach for your CAT exam preparation and cracking the puzzle to how to crack CAT exam:

• 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.

Understanding the CAT Exam

Before getting to know the tips on how to crack the CAT exam, it's crucial to understand the structure of the exam. The test is divided into 3 categories viz., Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) and Quantitative Ability (QA).

In CAT 2023, following were the number of questions asked form each section:

Sections for CAT Preparation	Total No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	72	40 min
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)	20	60	40 min
Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	66	40 min
Total	66	198	120 (2 hours)

Checkout | CAT 2023 Cutoff 

How to Crack CAT Exam? Let's See the Preparation Tips

You can download the following PDF, which contains the section-wise CAT exam study plan for CAT 2024 before we move ahead and see the preparation tips to ace the exam.

Download CAT 2024 Exam 6-Month Study Plan

Set Realistic Goals

• To have grasp on how to crack CAT exam is an ambitious goal, and it's crucial to set achievable targets from the beginning.
• Assess your skills and weaknesses in each section with mock tests and CAT previous year's question papers.
• Set achievable targets for improvement in each component based on your initial performance, with the goal of making gradual improvements over the course of your remaining time left for the preparation.

Creating a Structured Study Plan

• With limited time, a well-organized study strategy becomes the foundation of your CAT preparation.
• Divide your preparation into sections, each with its own timetable.
• Focus on developing a solid foundation in the fundamentals before progressing to more difficult subjects.

Excellent Study Materials and Resources

• The availability of best books for CAT and other resources can have a big impact on your preparation approach and to have the key on how to crack CAT exam.
• Invest in the best CAT preparation books, study guides, and online resources that cover the entire CAT syllabus.

Taking Mock Tests and Analyzing Performance

• The importance of practice and evaluation in CAT preparation cannot be understated.
• The most important step to know how to crack CAT exam is to take practice tests on a regular basis to replicate the actual exam setting and evaluate your performance.
• Based on the outcomes of mock tests, assess your expertise and weaknesses and identify areas for improvement.
• Mock tests can help you polish your approach and improve your time management skills. 

Developing Time Management Skills

• Time management is of the utmost importance in the CAT exam because you must answer several questions in a limited period of time.
• Practice answering questions with a timer, paying attention to accuracy and efficiency.
• As you gain confidence in your abilities, gradually increase the difficulty level of the questions. 

Read more | When to Start CAT Exam Preparation?

How to Crack CAT Exam?

Gather CAT Exam Preparation Material

As mentioned above also, important books are essential in your journey on how to crack CAT exam.

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

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Books

• 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

Also Learn | How to Prepare for DILR

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Books

• 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

Also Learn | How to Prepare for VARC

Quantitative Aptitude Books

• 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

Also Learn | How to Prepare for QA

Conclusion:

To crack the CAT exam is a journey that requires strategic planning, continuous effort. By understanding the exam structure, creating a study plan, focusing on fundamentals, practicing regularly, managing time effectively, and staying positive, you can unlock the key on how to crack CAT exam.