Almost all candidates know that preparing for the Common Admission Test, commonly known as CAT, requires a long and tiring process because this test is difficult in nature and very competitive. However, with a little strategy, tips, and tricks, cracking this exam is entirely possible. Three major fields are covered by the CAT: VARC, DILR, and QA. Preparing for any section requires a good strategy. Plan your preparation well so as to ace each section. Here are some crucial tips and tricks for navigating your CAT preparation 2024 journey.
- Plan Your Preparation CAT 2024 Early
One of the most critical things about CAT preparation 2024 is that you should begin as early as possible. The earlier you begin, the more time you will be left to strengthen your fundamentals, practice mock tests, and adjust your preparation strategy. Therefore, structured planning forms the basis of proper CAT preparation 2024.
Divide your preparation into phases : Break the months before the exam into smaller milestones. For example, in the first few months you should work out all your basics. You start intensifying your practice in the second half and in the last months, you focus on mock tests and revision of your notes.
Daily and weekly targets: Take up daily and weekly targets with the output that each and every subsection is covered. It gives you the discipline to stay focused
- Be Well Aware of CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Spend time knowing the exam pattern first. It is divided into three sections, and for each section there are time limits
- Sectional Progress
Take up sectional goals to check how much you can do in a given amount of time. As mentioned above, you can have daily and weekly targets. With this, you can be assured about your ability to manage time well:
VARC: This will test your reading ability, grammar, and ability to make inferences from the text.
DILR: This will test your logical thinking and the ability to draw complicated data.
QA: This will test your mathematical skills and incorporates all things such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern mathematics. Know the syllabus very well to prioritize the topics based on weightage in the exam.
- Core Issue Solved: First Strictly before considering advanced level questions, ensure that the basics are taken care of. You will end up failing to solve the more complicated problems which are usually commonly asked in CAT if the basics are not strong.
Quantitative Ability Master the basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems. Use study material such as Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma, and practice basic problems every day. Once your fundamentals are strong, you can start practicing advanced questions.
Verbal Ability: To do well in this section reading is a must. Develop the habit of reading newspapers, magazines, and novels regularly. Start with perfecting your vocabulary and grammar then develop a comprehension skill such that one understands sentence structures and paragraph logic to solve parajumble questions.
DILR: This section tests your logical thinking and your ability to analyze data sets. Start with less complex logical puzzles and DI sets. Progress towards tougher sets as you feel more confident.
- Practice
Practice is the only way to perfect CAT. The more problems you solve, the better you get at understanding the questions.
Solve the CAT previous year paper: You will get an idea of what kind of questions have been asked in the previous years and also get to know the type of difficulty of the questions.
Mock tests: Active participation in mock tests can go a long way in securing success for CAT. Besides simulating the actual examination environment, mocks help a candidate understand his level of preparation. Results must be viewed as an area of improvement.
Section-to-Section Practice: Practice every section in isolation. Spend a little more time on the sections in which you are weak, and keep uniform time across all three areas.
- All in Time Management : Time management can build and break your performance in the CAT exam. Since there is a time limit for each section, the ability to answer questions in a short period of time and correctly, is of utmost importance.
Solve the easier questions first: Do not get stuck on questions that you are unable to answer in the paper. Answer the easier questions first and get some marks early on and then go back to try the harder questions if you have time.
Learn how to leave: This is what one would need to learn the most in CAT, when to let a question go. If it appears too difficult or too time-consuming, don’t waste your precious minutes there. Move on to the next question and come back to that in case you have time left.
Practice under timed conditions: During the preparation for CAT, keep a stopwatch or a timer while doing questions or mock tests for yourself. It will help you cope with the pressure of time you would face while you are writing your exams.
- Develop a Good Reading Habit
Reading skills form an important part of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section. You must ensure that you read, at least, regularly.
Read on different subjects: Newspapers, magazines, novels, online articles, and blogs should be there on your reading list. Reading on some subjects like economics, philosophy, science, and literature will help in understanding different writing styles better.
Concentrate on the reading speed and retention: Attempt to increase your reading speed with retention. This will help you better manage your time in the RC section.
- Accuracy and Speed
CAT is not more than solving the maximum number of questions, and the accuracy is also high. For every wrong answer, there is negative marking, so try to answer with precision.
Balance speed and accuracy: Don’t compromise with accuracy while practicing at the speed. Answer questions as fast as you can but make sure your answers are correct.
Don’t guess: In case you are not able to figure out the answer, it would be better not to attempt the question as negative marking might just undo all your efforts.
- Mental and Physical Well-being
Mental preparations for CAT preparation 2024 is a dull affair, however, in order to prepare well, mental well-being and physical fitness go hand-in-hand with studies.
Maintain a routine but don’t exhaust yourself: Read regularly, but take short breaks to get refreshed. Bombarding your mind with so much information can cause burnout.
Exercise and relax: Continue exercising regularly as this helps reduce stress. Meditation and deep breathing also help in concentration.
- Revision
It is very important to retain concepts and formulas for the long haul through revision. It would be fruitful to make a note to revise topics regularly, especially the tricky ones.
Short note: Note down all the important formulas, tips, and tricks for each subsection. This can be referred to during revision.
Weekly Revision Planner: You should at least make one day a week purely for revision. The concepts would be fresh in your head that way.
Conclusion
It takes as much labor as smart planning and disciplined preparation to crack CAT. Working on building strong fundamentals, practicing it regularly, more effective time management, and staying fit both physically and mentally will enhance the likelihood of cracking CAT preparation 2024 greatly. Follow these tips and tricks, and you’ll be all set to make a good percentile score and get into the B-school of your dream.