CAT 2024 Preparation: Strategy, Books, Study Material, Toppers Tips, Last 30 Days Plan

Unless you are aware what are the key components and sections in CAT exam pattern, what are the topics on which questions are asked in CAT exam, it is like beating about the bush as you will not be able to know how to start the CAT preparation 2024. So, before moving on your CAT preparation path, it is very important to understand the CAT exam pattern as below:

Your CAT VARC preparation should be done with a clear understanding on How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2024, what CAT Study Material for Exam Preparation is required, how to do CAT Sectional Preparation, what are the tips on how to Prepare for CAT Exam, what are CAT Exam Preparation Tips & Tricks Related Resources, which are Best Online Videos for CAT Preparations, How to Prepare for CAT by Self-Study, how to do CAT Exam Preparation with Last Years Exam Papers and Mocks among others. Now check below how to start and complete your CAT preparation 2024 

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) is the first section in CAT exam and has 36% weightage in the exam. You need to prepare on following key topics which have high percentage of  questions appearing in VARC section in CAT exam as shared below:

Common Admission Test (CAT) is the largest MBA entrance exam for admission in 21 IIMs and majority of other top B-schools. CAT is a computer based test of two hours duration and is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension; Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning; Quantitative Ability. Below is the CAT preparation plan for CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

2.1 VARC Topics & Questions Appeared in CAT

2.2 CAT Syllabus for VARC

Once you know about the VARC CAT Pattern 2024, your next step for preparation is to scan the CAT Syllabus. Please note that CAT exam VARC syllabus is not pre-defined by IIMs and is based on latest topics that appeared in past CAT exams. (Table 8.1, Column 1,2 and 4)

2.4 VARC Sample Questions with Answers

2.4.1 Sample Questions on Verbal Ability

Q.1: There is a sentence that is missing in the paragraph below. Look at the paragraph and decide where (option 1, 2, 3, or 4) the following sentence would best fit.
Sentence: The discovery helps to explain archeological similarities between the Paleolithic peoples of China, Japan, and the Americas.

Paragraph: The researchers also uncovered an unexpected genetic link between Native Americans and Japanese people. ___(1)___. During the deglaciation period, another group branched out from northern coastal China and travelled to Japan.___(2)___. "We were surprised to find that this ancestral source also contributed to the Japanese gene pool, especially the indigenous Ainus," says Li. ___(3)___. They shared similarities in how they crafted stemmed projectile points for arrowheads and spears.___(4)___. "This suggests that the Pleistocene connection among the Americas, China, and Japan was not confined to culture but also to genetics," says senior author Qing-Peng Kong, an evolutionary geneticist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Ans Options

1. Option 1

2. Option 3

3. Option 2

4. Option 4

Correct Answer: 3

2.4.2 Sample RC Passage followed by Questions & Answers

The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose thebest answer for each question.

Many human phenomena and characteristics – such as behaviours, beliefs, economies, genes, incomes, life expectancies, and other things – are influenced both by geographic factors and by non-geographic factors. Geographic factors mean physical and biological factors tied to geographic location, including climate, the distributions of wild plant and animal species, soils, and topography. Non-geographic factors include those factors subsumed under the term culture, other factors subsumed under the term history, and decisions by individual people. . . .

The differences between the current economies of North and South Korea . . . cannot be attributed to the modest environmental differences between [them] . . . They are instead due entirely to the different [government] policies . . . At the opposite extreme, the Inuit and other traditional peoples living north of the Arctic Circle developed warm fur clothes but no agriculture, while equatorial lowland peoples around the world never developed warm fur clothes but often did develop agriculture. The explanation is straightforwardly geographic, rather than a cultural or historical quirk unrelated to geography. . . . Aboriginal Australia remained the sole continent occupied only by hunter/gatherers and with no indigenous farming or herding . . . [Here the] explanation is biogeographic: the Australian continent has no domestic able native animal species and few domestic able native plant species. Instead, the crops and domestic animals that now make Australia a food and wool exporter are all non-native (mainly Eurasian) species such as sheep, wheat, and grapes, brought to Australia by overseas colonists.

Today, no scholar would be silly enough to deny that culture, history, and individual choices play a big role in many human phenomena. Scholars don’t react to cultural, historical, and individual-agent explanations by denouncing “cultural determinism,” “historical determinism, “or “individual determinism,” and then thinking no further. But many scholars do react to any explanation invoking some geographic role, by denouncing “geographic determinism”.

Several reasons may underlie this widespread but nonsensical view. One reason is that some geographic explanations advanced a century ago were racist, thereby causing all geographic explanations to become tainted by racist associations in the minds of many scholars other than geographers. But many genetic, historical, psychological, and anthropological explanations advanced a century ago were also racist, yet the validity of newer non-racist genetic etc. explanations is widely accepted today.

Another reason for reflex rejection of geographic explanations is that historians have a tradition, in their discipline, of stressing the role of contingency (a favorite word among historians) based on individual decisions and chance. Often that view is warranted . . . But often, too, that view is unwarranted. The development of warm fur clothes among the Inuitliving north of the Arctic Circle was not because one influential Inuit leader persuaded other Inuit in 1783 to adopt warm fur clothes, for no good environmental reason.

A third reason is that geographic explanations usually depend on detailed technical facts of geography and other fields of scholarship . . . Most historians and economists don’t acquire that detailed knowledge as part of the professional training.

Q.1: The author criticises scholars who are not geographers for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

Ans. Options

1. The importance they place on the role of individual decisions when studying human phenomena.

2. Their labelling of geographic explanations as deterministic.

3. Their outdated interpretations of past cultural and historical phenomena.

4. Their rejection of the role of biogeographic factors in social and cultural phenomena.

Correct Answer: 3

Q.2: All of the following are advanced by the author as reasons why non-geographers disregard geographic influences on human phenomena EXCEPT their:

Ans Options

1. Dismissal of explanations that involve geographical causes for human behaviour.

2. Lingering impressions of past geographic analyses that were politically offensive.

3. Disciplinary training which typically does not include technical knowledge of geography.

4. Belief in the central role of humans, unrelated to physical surroundings, in influencing phenomena.

Correct Answer: 1

Q.3: The examples of the Inuit and Aboriginal Australians are offered in the passage to show:

Ans Options

1. Human resourcefulness across cultures in adapting to their surroundings.

2. That despite geographical isolation, traditional societies were self-sufficient and adaptive.

3. How environmental factors lead to comparatively divergent paths in livelihoods and development.

4. How physical circumstances can dictate human behaviour and cultures.

Correct Answer: 4

Q.4: All of the following can be inferred from the passage EXCEPT:

Ans Options

1. Agricultural practices changed drastically in the Australian continent after it was colonised.

2. While most human phenomena result from culture and individual choice, some havebio-geographic origins.

3. Several academic studies of human phenomena in the past involved racist interpretations.

4. Individual dictat and contingency were not the causal factors for the use of fur clothing in some very cold climates.

Correct Answer: 2 

2.5 Best VARC Preparation Books for CAT

VARC Preparation books and CAT preparation material online or offline play a major role in helping you in CAT preparation and score high in the CAT exam. A few of the best VARC books for CAT recommended by toppers to prepare for CAT are:

• Latest RC Passages and practice questions provided by Study centres like TIME, CL among others
• Editorial and short articles published in English news papers
• ‘High School English Grammar & Composition’ – by Wren & Martin
• Regularly solve the Verbal Ability questions from your study material especially on Para summary, Jumbled Paragraphs
• There is also number of CAT preparation books PDF free download available online for CAT 2024 aspirants
• Use the study material of best online coaching for CAT 2024

2.6 CAT VARC Preparation Tips by Experts

You need to prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension section in CAT with an attentive and focused strategy. Arun Sharma, the well known CAT mentor and founder of CAT Coaching Institute Mindworkzz, has recommended to work on building your skills to be able to understand complex passages, complex articles on complex topics and must learn how to catch hold of the idea in VARC even if it's slightly above the level.

VARC for CAT Exam: 4 Steps to Crack

One thing should however be remembered that Reading comprehension exercises are only expanded form of the Unseen Passages that you used to solve in your matriculation standard. Sharing the reading comprehension for CAT tips on how to prepare for Reading Comprehension questions, Experts and toppers suggest the four steps to crack the Reading Comprehension Test for CAT:

• Understand the English vocabulary,
• Continue with Consistent flow of thoughts in RC Passages,
• Read between the lines to crack the meaning
• Arrive at the correct and decisive answer option for the questions based on Reading Comprehension passages for CAT

3.4 DILR Sample Questions with Answers

Check below the DILR sample questions with answers

3.4.1 DI Sample Questions with Answers  

Five restaurants, coded R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 gave integer ratings to five gig workers –Ullas, Vasu, Waman, Xavier and Yusuf, on a scale of 1 to 5.

The means of the ratings given by R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 were 3.4, 2.2, 3.8, 2.8 and 3.4respectively.

The summary statistics of these ratings for the five workers is given below.

* Range of ratings is defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum ratingsawarded to a worker.

The following is partial information about ratings of 1 and 5 awarded by the restaurants tothe workers.

(a) R1 awarded a rating of 5 to Waman, as did R2 to Xavier, R3 to Waman and Xavier, andR5 to Vasu.

(b) R1 awarded a rating of 1 to Ullas, as did R2 to Waman and Yusuf, and R3 to Yusuf.

Q.1: How many individual ratings cannot be determined from the above information?

Case Sensitivity: No

Answer Type: Equal

Q.2: To how many workers did R2 give a rating of 4?

Case Sensitivity: No

Answer Type: Equal

Q.3: What rating did R1 give to Xavier?

Case Sensitivity: No

Answer Type: Equal

Q.4: What is the median of the ratings given by R3 to the five workers?

Case Sensitivity: No

Answer Type: Equal

Q.5: Which among the following restaurants gave its median rating to exactly one of the workers?

Ans Options

1. R3

2. R5

3. R2

4. R4

Answer Grid:

3.4.2 LR Sample Questions with Questions and Answers  
The schematic diagram below shows 12 rectangular houses in a housing complex. House numbers are mentioned in the rectangles representing the houses. The houses are located in six columns – Column-A through Column-F, and two rows – Row-1 and Row-2.The houses are divided into two blocks - Block XX and Block YY. The diagram also shows two roads, one passing in front of the houses in Row-2 and another between the two blocks.

Some of the houses are occupied. The remaining ones are vacant and are the only ones available for sale.

The road adjacency value of a house is the number of its sides adjacent to a road. For example, the road adjacency values of C2, F2, and B1 are 2, 1, and 0, respectively. The neighbour count of a house is the number of sides of that house adjacent to occupied houses in the same block. For example, E1 and C1 can have the maximum possible neighbour counts of 3 and 2, respectively.

The base price of a vacant house is Rs. 10 lakhs if the house does not have a parking space, and Rs. 12 lakhs if it does. The quoted price (in lakhs of Rs.) of a vacant house is calculated as (base price) + 5 × (road adjacency value) + 3 × (neighbour count). 

The following information is also known.

1. The maximum quoted price of a house in Block XX is Rs. 24 lakhs. The minimum quoted price of a house in block YY is Rs. 15 lakhs, and one such house is in Column-E.

2. Row-1 has two occupied houses, one in each block.

3. Both houses in Column-E are vacant. Each of Column-D and Column-F has at least one occupied house.

4. There is only one house with parking space in Block YY.

Q.1: How many houses are vacant in Block XX?

Answer Type: Equal

Possible Answer: --

Q.2: Which of the following houses is definitely occupied?

Ans Options

1. D2

2. A1

3. F2

4. B1

Q.3: Which of the following options best describes the number of vacant houses in Row-2?

Ans Options

1. Exactly 3

2. Either 3 or 4

3. Exactly 2

4. Either 2 or 3

Q.4: What is the maximum possible quoted price (in lakhs of Rs.) for a vacant house inColumn-E?

Case Sensitivity: No

Answer Type: Equal

Possible Answer: --

Q.5: Which house in Block YY has parking space?

Ans Options

1. E2

2. E1

3. F2

4. F1

Answer Grid

3.5 Best DILR Preparation Books for CAT

The best books for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT are:

• How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma (Published by McGraw Hill)
• How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT’ - by Arun Sharma (Published by McGraw Hill)
• ‘Logical Reasoning and data Interpretation for the CAT’ - by Nishit K Sinha (Published by Pearson)
• CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri
• Preparation Material, practice questions of Best Coaching Institutes like TIME, CL, IMS could be very helpful to prepare Data Interpretation for CAT

Also Read Best CAT Preparation Books

3.6 Expert Tips for DILR Preparation

While the Quant and Verbal sections can be prepared by learning the formulae, concepts, grammar and vocabulary rules, DILR preparation for CAT requires different preparation strategy. Accordingly following are the most important CAT 2023 DILR preparation Tips and tricks by experts reflecting key points on how to prepare for DILR for CAT Exam:

• The LR preparation for CAT is built on problem solving skills as there is no theory in this section nor there are any chapters. The more you practice on variety of LR questions the more skilled you will become.
• Preparation for Logical Reasoning questions in CAT is based on your ability to arrive at good decisions by following a systematic thought process.
• The questions are based on natural human instincts leading to arrive at right answer option by following the flow chart of Logical Reasoning.
• Go from LOD=1 to LOD=3. The problem with DI questions is that they all need data comparison, data analysis and if you are correct in your analysis, you will hit the entire set of questions correct otherwise, you may lose your marks for entire set of 4 questions. If one goes wrong, all may go wrong.
• Once the practice of variety of DI questions is done, you will develop the methodology and will come to know beforehand whether you will be able to solve a particular DI question, when it appears in the examination or should leave that and move ahead. 
• Keep on attempting and searching for the Quality Questions which are NON-REPETITIVE in nature
• Solve 4–5 sets Everyday (i.e. 20 questions) from the DI Book or Coaching study material.
• Questions at Foundation, Moderate and Advanced levels with solutions and explanations in the books on DI and LR are available. After attempting the exercises, analyse your mistakes and make sure you do not repeat them. 
• The good part is - types of questions asked in CAT are finite. A question is difficult only if you are seeing it for the first time. If you find a question difficult even if you are seeing it for the second time, ask yourself - Are you honest enough with your preparation?

Your CAT DILR preparation should be done with a clear understanding on How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2024, what CAT Study Material for Exam Preparation is required, how to do CAT Sectional Preparation, what are the tips on how to Prepare for CAT Exam, what are CAT Exam Preparation Tips & Tricks Related Resources, which are Best Online Videos for CAT Preparations, How to Prepare for CAT by Self-Study, how to do CAT Exam Preparation with Last Years Exam Papers and Mocks among others. Now check below how to start and complete your CAT preparation 2024

Common Admission Test (CAT) is the largest MBA entrance exam for admission in 21 IIMs and majority of other top B-schools. CAT is a computer based test of two hours duration and is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension; Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning; Quantitative Ability. Below is the CAT preparation plan for CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

3.1 DILR Topics & Questions Appeared in CAT

The structure and content of Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning section in CAT exam is shared below. DILR problems and type of questions in CAT have twisted pattern. Following details on DILR section in CAT will help you to take the right path on your CAT preparation journey:

3.2 Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning Syllabus for CAT

Once you know about the DILR question Pattern in CAT exam, your next step for preparation is to scan the CAT Syllabus for DILR section. Please note that CAT exam syllabus is not pre-defined by IIMs and is based on latest topics that appeared in past CAT exams.

3.3 CAT Preparation with Toppers: Tips by Toppers for DILR Preparation

Your CAT Quant preparation should be done with a clear understanding on How to Prepare for CAT Exam 2024, what CAT Study Material for Exam Preparation is required, how to do CAT Sectional Preparation, what are the tips on how to Prepare for CAT Exam, what are CAT Exam Preparation Tips & Tricks Related Resources, which are Best Online Videos for CAT Preparations, How to Prepare for CAT by Self-Study, how to do CAT Exam Preparation with Last Years Exam Papers and Mocks among others. Now check below how to start and complete your CAT preparation 2024

Common Admission Test (CAT) is the largest MBA entrance exam for admission in 21 IIMs and majority of other top B-schools. CAT is a computer based test of two hours duration and is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension; Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning; Quantitative Ability. Below is the CAT preparation plan for CAT Quantitative Ability

4.1 QA Topics & Questions Appeared in CAT 2023

The structure and content of Quantitative Ability section in CAT exam is shared below. Following details on QA section in CAT will help you to take the right path on your CAT preparation journey

4.2 Quantitative Ability Syllabus for CAT

Once you know about the QA question Pattern in CAT exam, your next step for preparation is to scan the CAT Syllabus for Quantitative Ability section. Please note that CAT exam QA syllabus is not pre-defined by IIMs and is based on latest topics that appeared in past CAT exams.

4.3 CAT Preparation with Toppers: Tips by Toppers for Quantitative Ability Preparation

4.4 Best Quantitative Ability Preparation Books for CAT

The best books for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT preparation are:

Study Material for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT from TIME, CL, IMS could be very helpful in QA preparation. The reason is that the study material of top coaching centres is updated as per the latest and expected changes in CAT exam pattern and also consists of Tips & Tricks by CAT experts.

Also Read Best CAT Preparation Books 

4.5 CAT Quant Sample Questions and Answers

Sample QA based questions, previous question papers, QA Mock tests are the best tool to prepare for Quantitative Ability for CAT. Improving on QA Questions and Answers is important because if you do well in the Quantitative Ability section, you will score well in the exam. Below are shared some of the sample Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry QA questions followed by answers based on latest CAT exam question papers.

Q 1: Are positive real numbers such that log_x (x² + 12) = 4 and 3 log_y x = 1, then x + y equals

Ans Options

1. 10

2. 10

3. 11

4. 68

Q 2: If x and y are real numbers such that x² + (x - 2y - 1)² = -4y(x + y), then the value x - 2y is

Ans Options

1. -1

2. 1

3. 0

4. 2

Answer Grid

With CAT 2024 approaching on November 24, it is important that you have a clear plan with focus on revision, practice, and time management in the final weeks. Following CAT Preparation Time Table is a must. Here are the key last minute CAT preparation tips by CAT Toppers.  

• Revise Key Concepts: Use the last few weeks to revise key topics across Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) sections. It is important to brush up on formulas, shortcuts, and strategies to handle tricky questions.  
• Take Full-Length Mock Tests: Regular mock tests is key to CAT preparation in last few days. Take at least 2-3 mocks per week to build determination and tweak your strategy if required. Check Free CAT Mock Tests Online on MBAUniverse.com that are 100% based on past CAT papers. 
• Analyze Mock Attempts Thoroughly: After each mock, equal time to analyze your strengths, weaknesses, and accuracy levels in the attempt. 
• Learn Time Management: While taking CAT Mocks, focus on answering questions with speed and accuracy by setting your own time limits for each section. Learn to skip questions. There is no ego battle with CAT paper! 
• Stay Positive and Avoid Burnout: A calm and positive mind will improve your performance. So take breaks, eat healthy, and get enough sleep to stay fresh and positive.

To summarize, in the final few weeks of your CAT preparation, consistency, mock test practice, and a positive mindset are key to success. 

There are many CAT coaching institutes in India and many individual CAT trainers also exist. Following are some of the top CAT coaching institutes:

6.1 What are the Benefits of Preparation with CAT Coaching?

If you are able to choose the best CAT coaching as per your requirements, it can turn out to be the appropriate preparation experience. Some of the benefits of the good CAT coaching are:

• Faculty Interaction: Faculty can interact well during the session and clear your doubts
• Peer Learning: Facility of good peer learning is available in CAT coaching. Many of your doubts can be cleared with peer learning only
• Syllabus Coverage: Complete CAT Syllabus is covered with number of CAT replica tests to enable you to analyse your weakness
• CAT Mock Series: You can get the opportunity to take different difficulty level Mock tests for CAT exam – sectional and full length.

Also Read CAT Preparation Books

 If you are searching for best CAT preparation books, check the list of Arun Sharma CAT preparation books with latest edition and prices below. 

The best CAT Books by Arun Sharma 2024 are:

For complete details, read this article on Arun Sharma CAT Preparation Books. 

Unless you know which are your weak areas that need your more attention and which are your strong areas where you need to prepare for CAT exam, it is difficult to complete your CAT preparation 2024 and devise your preparation strategy. 

• Take Full-Length Mock Tests: Regular mock tests is key to CAT preparation in last few days. Take at least 2-3 mocks per week to build determination and tweak your strategy if required. 
• Analyze Mock Attempts Thoroughly: After each mock, equal time to analyze your strengths, weaknesses, and accuracy levels in the attempt. 

You can buy online Mock CAT Tests from various coaching companies like TIME and IMS. But if you are looking for free high quality CAT Mock Tests, check 20+  free CAT Mock Tests available on MBAUniverse.com. They are 100% based on last 10 Years’ Actual CAT Papers. 

Preparation FAQs are answered by CAT experts and toppers on this page as above. However, the most important FAQs to prepare for CAT are answered below:

Q: How many Mocks before CAT exam are sufficient to take?
A: Around 40 Mock tests before CAT exam are considered good. To prepare for CAT, it is not only sufficient to take Mocks but more important is to analyse your mistakes in them and improve for future.

Q: I wish to self prepare for CAT. How do I start preparation without coaching?
A: First know the CAT exam pattern & syllabus and gather the best preparation books, CAT study material and start your preparation by section without leaving anything to chance.

Q: What is the role of RC in CAT? How can I improve on it?
A: Most CAT aspirants find themselves weak in RC preparation but with consistent reading and practice, they can score high percentile in CAT. As suggested above, you should follow the RC preparation tips for CAT.

Q: Is there sufficient time now to start CAT preparation?   
A: Yes, it is good time to start your CAT preparation. Since CAT is likely to be held on November 24, 2024, there is still good preparation time which if fruitfully used, can turn the table in your favour.