CAT Test Taking Strategy 2024: Read 5 Proven Tips from CAT Toppers Studying at IIMs – MBAUniverse.com Exclusive

Before we do into details of CAT Exam Test Taking Strategy, here is a quick recap of CAT Exam, Pattern and Sectional Rules. CAT 2024 Exam will be held on November 24, 2024 across 170 cities in India. CAT is structured into three sections — Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA) — with a limited fixed time limit of 40 minutes per section. CAT test takers cannot switch between the sections, and cannot extend or reduce time available for each section. However, within each section, you can choose which questions to attempt or skip.

CAT 2024 Exam Pattern (Expected)

Section No.	Section Name	Duration	MCQs	TITA	Total
I	VARC	40 min	20	4	24
II	DI and LR	40 min	12	8	20
III	QA	40 min	15	7	22
Total		120 min	49	17	66

To score 95% in CAT 2023, you needed following number of attempts at about 75% accuracy: 

• •VARC: An attempt of 16 to 18 questions 
• •DILR: An attempt of 9 to 11 questions 
• •QA: An attempt of 9 to 11 questions

So, by getting 28-30 questions right from 66 questions, you can get high 95%. 

With this brief introduction, let’s get into the details of CAT Exam Test Taking Strategy.

1. Pre-Exam Self-Management 
Preparing for CAT is as much about managing one’s mental state as it is about concepts and question solving. By maintaining a calm mind, you can avoid stress and un necessary mistakes. 

CAT topper Bhanu Pratap, who scored 99.67 percentile and joined IIM Calcutta, shared a mantra that helped him remain calm: “I reminded myself not to take pressure, as I had solved many mocks before and just needed to follow the process in the exam.” 

Here are some tips: 

• Establish a Routine: In the days leading up to the exam, follow a fixed study schedule with adequate breaks.
• Take Mocks at your Slot Time: Since you know your CAT Exam Slot now, take Mock Tests exactly at that time. It will help you adjust and be ready for the D-Day. 
• Take a break before D-day: Ensuring a good night's sleep before the exam are crucial to maintaining alertness.

IT Professional Shreyasee Sarkar who cracked CAT 2022 with 99.68%ile and got into IIM Calcutta told MBAUniverse.com that she “stopped my preparation completely a week before CAT because I wanted to be calm and not stressed as I was overstressed in CAT 2021. Even in the exam hall, I slept for 30 minutes before the exam so that my mind is calm and I don’t panic.”

2. CAT Test Taking Strategy for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Section
VARC requires a good balance between comprehension and speed. You need to decide quickly which Reading Comprehension (RC) passages to attempt and which Verbal Ability (VA) questions to go far. Here are some specific tips:

• Prioritize RC Sets: CAT 2022 topper Prateek Rai (99.80 percentile) recommends quickly scanning all four RC passages, selecting three to attempt, and using the remaining time for VA questions. “I scanned all four RCs very quickly and decided on which three RCs to solve,” he shared.
• Identify Easier VA Questions First: Shashank Kartik, who scored CAT 99.90 percentile, suggested tackling the less time-consuming questions first and returning to longer RCs if time permits.
• Maintain Consistency in Strategy: For CAT 2022 topper Kunal, maintaining a consistent strategy worked well. He shared, “I followed my mock test strategy: three RCs first, then VA. Sticking to this plan prevented last-minute confusion.”

3. CAT Test Taking Strategy for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Section
In DILR, selecting the right sets and managing time within sets is essential for maximizing scores.

• Scan and Select Sets: Prateek Rai used a targeted approach for DILR as well, scanning sets first and then focusing on the two easiest ones. He explained, “I planned to solve two sets first, and if time remained, I would tackle a third.”
• Set a Modest Target: Shreyasee Sarkar, who achieved 99.68 percentile, shared, “I aimed to solve two out of four problems, as DILR was my weakest section. Setting a realistic goal prevented me from getting overwhelmed.”
• Focus on Accuracy Over Quantity: By focusing on accuracy rather than attempting every question, aspirants can reduce errors and save time on more manageable problems.

4. CAT Test Taking Strategy for Quantitative Ability (QA)
QA demands a blend of speed and accuracy, especially with the increasing difficulty of questions in recent CAT exams.

• Solve-As-You-Go Approach: Prateek Rai tackled questions serially, only skipping ones that seemed too time-consuming. He explained, “If a question required more time, I would leave it and revisit it at the end if possible.”
• Use the ABC Technique: Kunal, a 99+ percentile scorer, used the “ABC technique” to handle questions by difficulty — “easy questions first, medium next, and difficult ones last,” he said. This strategy allowed him to cover more questions without getting stuck.
• Optimize Time on Solvable Questions: Amit Shailesh, a CAT 2022 top scorer, managed QA in two passes. “In the first run, I attempted as many questions as possible, then returned to ones requiring a bit more time,” he noted. This approach ensured he didn’t miss out on solvable questions.

5. Time Management Is Key
Efficient time management is critical for achieving high scores in CAT. Top scorers recommend a blend of strategy, pacing, and stress management.

• Stick to Your Timing Strategy: Kirti Goyal, who scored 99.1 percentile and joined IIM Kozhikode, advised sticking to pre-set timings. “I ensured I didn’t waste time on a single question and attempted the easier ones first,” she shared.
• Breathe and Reset: Kunal shared that taking deep breaths helped him remain calm and focus on each section independently. “Staying calm throughout the test is vital. A bad section can’t affect the others,” he advised.
• Prioritize Rest and Calm: Shreyasee Sarkar focused on resting before the exam, which kept her stress-free. “I stopped studying a week before CAT to stay calm. In the exam hall, I even took a quick nap before the test began,” she shared.

Hope you found these CAT Exam Test Taking Tips useful! 
In conclusion, success in CAT 2024 will not depend only on preparation but on your CAT 2024 Test Taking Strategy. By learning these CAT 2024 test taking tips from the strategies shared by CAT toppers, such as Prateek Rai, Bhanu Pratap, Kunal, and others, you can finetune your Exam Day approach to maximize results and minimize stress! 

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