How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 3 Months - Key Preparation Tips by Toppers and Expert
Common Admission Test 2024 ( CAT )
CAT 2024 is just over three months away. The last three months of CAT preparation are crucial. Aspirants must know the tricks to prepare for CAT exam in three months only! Get 90-day CAT plan here. By Deekshant Sehrawat
Three months before CAT exam is perhaps the most decisive phase of your preparation. That is the duration when you will need to not only speed up your preparation but ensure that your accuracy level continues to increase. All the hard work of previous months will be put to use in the last three months of CAT 2024 preparation. The most important thing to keep in mind is that just like any game, sport or race, the result gets decided in the final stages and a lot can change during the last quarter of CAT preparation 2024. When three months are left for the exam, you should start assessing your CAT exam preparation level to make the strategy until the exam day, i.e what should be the focus area and point of action?
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.CAT 2024 is scheduled on November 24, 2024 so now is the time for a focussed study plan viz. you topics coverage, practice tests and revision. Whether you are ahead or behind in your exam preparation, making the best use of these three months will finally decide how well you perform in the CAT 2024 exam.
Q: When should I start preparing for CAT exam?
Q: Is the CAT syllabus difficult?
Yes, the difficulty level of CAT syllabus is very high as compared to other MBA entrance exams. However, if you prepare well and follow the CAT exam pattern well, you will be able to score well. Besides having an understanding of the CAT syllabus 2025, candidates also need to be well aware of the CAT exam pattern before they start preparing for the exam. The CAT exam pattern was revised in 2021 and the number of questions were reduced from 76 to 66. The structure of CAT 2023 and CAT 2024 was the same. The syllabus is still tougher than other exams.
The most important things to keep in mind are:
- CAT exam mode is online
- Each question carries three marks
- There is negative marking of minus one mark for wrong attempts
The section-wise distribution of questions and difficulty levels as per the latest CAT exam pattern are listed below:
- Quantitative Ability (QA) - 24 questions, difficulty level - moderate to high
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) - 20 questions, difficulty level - moderate
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) - 22 questions, difficulty level - moderate. to high
Q: Is CAT exam tough for an average student?
CAT is a speed based test which is designed to assess a candidate's analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advance level problems.
However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam.
How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in Three Month
With this perspective firmly planted in your mind, you should try and make a consistent daily/weekly effort across various CAT sections as per the following indicative plan. It is important to realize and accept that there is no single plan that will work equally well for every individual. Hence, it is crucial that your CAT 2024 preparation plan adapts to your individual needs. The following is just a roadmap, with an inbuilt flexibility at each step to allow you to adapt it to your own specific needs. Know here how to prepare for CAT exam in three months.
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With an average of three hours of effort per day, apart from your college classes/job/CAT coaching classes, etc. you will have have around 350 hours of CAT preparation in the last three months. How you invest these 350 hours will have a decisive impact on your chances of success.
CAT Preparation in 3 Months: CAT Mock Tests
Out of these 350 hours, roughly 100 hours should be spent in practicing CAT mock tests. While 15 mocks (1 per week) will mean only 45 hours, at least an equal amount of time has to be invested in analyzing these full-length mock tests and then working upon the areas that need improvement.
Q: Are six months enough to prepare for CAT?
Q: How would I know my CAT exam centre?
Candidates will know their allotted CAT exam centre only from the admit card. There is no way to know the test centre before the release of the CAT admit card. The examination authority allots a test centre to aspirants in the city of their first preference as mentioned in the city. So, candidates can atleast be assured that they will get a test centre in the city they had chosen as first preference in the CAT application form. However, the venue will be mentioned only on the candidate’s admit card. So as soon as the CAT admit card is released, candidates must check the test city and test centre details. In order to avoid any confusion, they must visit the centre at least once before the exam day.
Q: How to improve reading speed for CAT preparation?
The Common Admission Test (CAT) exam is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis every year. The CAT exam is an online computer-based test that is used as a primary criterion for admission into various management programs offered by the IIMs as well as other top business schools in India.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) exam syllabus is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section consists of 26 questions, and candidates have 60 minutes to complete it.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section consists of 24 questions, and candidates have 60 minutes to complete it.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA): This section consists of 26 questions, and candidates have 60 minutes to complete it.
The total duration of the exam is 180 minutes (3 hours). Each correct answer carries 3 marks, and there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each incorrect answer. However, there is no negative marking for unattempted questions. (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Here is a brief overview of the syllabus and some tips on how to prepare for each section:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): This section tests your reading comprehension and language skills. The syllabus includes reading comprehension passages, grammar, para jumbles, para completion, sentence correction, and vocabulary. To prepare for VARC, read a lot of books, newspapers, and magazines to improve your reading speed and comprehension skills. Practice grammar and vocabulary exercises regularly to improve your language skills. Also, practice solving previous year CAT papers and mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): This section tests your ability to interpret data and make logical deductions. The syllabus includes bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, tables, Venn diagrams, blood relations, seating arrangements, and puzzles. To prepare for DILR, practice solving a variety of puzzles and logical reasoning questions. Develop a systematic approach to solving questions and focus on improving your speed and accuracy. Practice solving previous year CAT papers and mock tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA): This section tests your mathematical skills. The syllabus includes number systems, geometry, algebra, trigonometry, arithmetic, and modern mathematics. To prepare for QA, start with the basics and gradually move to advanced topics. Practice solving a variety of mathematical problems regularly to improve your speed and accuracy. Memorize important formulas and theorems. Also, practice solving previous year CAT papers and mock tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Each correct answer carries 3 marks.
Each incorrect answer carries a penalty of -1 mark.
There is no negative marking for questions that are left unanswered.
The CAT exam is used as a primary criteria for admission into various management programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as well as other top business schools in India. The selection process for CAT typically includes the following stages:
CAT Exam: Candidates who clear the CAT cutoff are shortlisted for the next stage.
Written Ability Test (WAT)/Group Discussion (GD)/Personal Interview (PI): Shortlisted candidates are required to appear for a WAT/GD/PI round, which is conducted by the respective IIMs or business schools.
Final Selection: Candidates are selected based on their CAT score, performance in the WAT/GD/PI round, academic background, work experience, and other relevant factors. The final selection is based on a composite score that considers all these factors.
The weightage given to CAT score and other selection criteria vary from institute to institute. It is important to check the admission criteria of the respective institutes you are applying to.
Overall, the CAT exam is a highly competitive exam, and candidates are advised to prepare well and perform to the best of their abilities.
If you want to prepare you can download LK ACADEMY learning app for daily free mock test, Current Affairs video lectures, study notes and many more all on your convenient time. The coaching provides comprehensive way to cover the syllabus and make you prepare for preliminary, Mains and interview round.
Good luck!
Q: What are the best ways to prepare for the DILR section?
The best way to prepare for DILR section is through practice. Before starting the preparation, aspirants should be accustomed to the question types by going through previous years’ question papers and solving those. Since there is not much conceptual understanding required in this section, practice is the key to excel in this area.
Some of the most popular books on DILR section that you can refer are How to Prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Pearson, to name a few.
Q: What are the key tips for CAT VARC preparation?
CAT VARC section is dominated by Reading Comprehension and Parajumbles, thus you need to focus on reading speed and comprehension. To prepare for this section, candidates need to start early on and start reading books and novels to improve English. The CAT RC passages are long, dense and inference based so you need to be very clear about reading and understanding the passage. You can’t speed read or leave out any sentence.
Practice a lot of sample CAT RC questions throughout your preparation phase. Also practice previous years CAT question papers so that you have a good enough experience of the types of Reading Comprehension passages that are asked in CAT.
Moreover, take guidance from mentor and practice time bound English exercises. Refer to dictionary for word meanings and foreign words.
This leaves you with around 250 hours out of which you will invest a certain amount of time on every section of CAT (QA, VARC, DILR). The first thing to do would be to divide this time in such a manner that you allot maximum time to the sections you are weak at and minimum time on sections which are your strength. Why? Simply because it will ensure a better return on invested time. Putting in more where the scope of improvement is more is analogous to investing more in a stock that is likely to appreciate more. The fundamentals of investment remain fairly similar to that in any other asset class.
Download:
- CAT 2023 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2022 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2021 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2020 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2019 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2018 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2017 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
Also Read:
How Many Hours to Study for CAT Preparation 2024?
If you feel this time frame is too less overall, you will need to put in more hours daily. So, four-hours daily for instance, would mean your total investment will move up to roughly 450 hours, and subtracting the 100 hours for CAT mock tests and their analyses, it would leave you with 350 hours for practice at the section/topic-wise levels. In such a case you could look at investing somewhere between 100 to 140 hours for each section of CAT exam, depending upon how strong/weak you are in them currently.
However, to ensure balance, even your strongest section should not get less than 70 hours (roughly 30 per cent) out of the 250 hours we talked about. The weakest one should not get more than 100 hours (roughly 40 per cent). This ensures that your investment is sufficiently diversified and hence, relatively balanced and safe.
Within each section of the CAT, more time should go into a studying and practicing topics that you are weak in and less into topics that you are already strong in. Why? Simply because you should be practicing all questions starting from the simplest ones to tougher ones in a topic that you are weak in; whereas a topic in which you are relatively stronger, you need to practice only tougher questions. For any given level of ability and preparation, how well you adapt the CAT preparation plan and invest your time according to your own specific needs will get you far better CAT 2024 result.
Moreover, you cannot be less prepared in any of the topics, because you don't know the defiinite topic wise weightage of CAT 2024. It may happen that there are more questions from the topic you thought was unimportant.
CAT Preparation in 3 Monhs- Practice Sessions
Last three months of CAT exam preparation should be all about capitalizing on what you learnt in the earlier months. In other words, it is time to practice sample papers and mock tests. During the last three months of CAT preparation 2024, make sure you solve at least 25-30 full length mock tests. This will not only prepare you for the actual exam but will also instill confidence in you. Shiksha has compiled some CAT questions for candidates to practice. Check them below.
- CAT preparartion: QA solved questions
- CAT preparation: DI solved questions
- CAT preparation: DI solved questions part 2
- CAT preparation: LR solved questions
- CAT preparation: LR solved questions part 2
- CAT preparation: VA solved questions
- Must know formulae for CAT
CAT Mock Test By Shiksha
Check out these free CAT mock tests by Shiksha. Take these mock tests to see how well you have gained control on CAT questions and topics.
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
CAT Preparation Tips by Toppers
Check the tbale below for interviews of previous years' CAT toppers for preparation and exam day tips.
| CAT Toppers |
CAT Topper Interviews |
|---|---|
| Kartik Bhageria CAT 2023, 99.99 percentile |
"I began my CAT preparation around July 2023. Being an engineering student, I did not spend a lot of time learning new concepts in the Quant and DILR sections. I spent most of my time giving mocks to practice and try to increase my attempted questions with better accuracy in each attempt." Read Kartik's full interview |
| Riddhi Dugar CAT 2023, 99.91 percentile |
"My overall strategy was to finish the entire syllabus a few months before the CAT. From July, I focused entirely on taking mock tests and sectional tests to maximise my score and have a strategy for D-Day. I completed around 70 mocks from July until the CAT exam day." Read Riddhi's full interview |
| Rounak Tikmani CAT 2023, 99.90 percentile |
I started my preparation properly in May 2023. My preparation strategy was simple build your foundations by having conceptual clarity in the basics of each section. Then It was just mocks every day. I gave around 110 mocks and made sure I spent enough time analyzing them properly. Taking a mock is not as important as analyzing the mocks and improving on your mistakes. Read Rounak's full interview |
| Nisakar Kumar CAT 2023, 99.83 percentile |
"Quant emerged as my strength, whereas DILR presented a challenge. To address my weakness in DILR, I invested considerable time in understanding the question types and engaged in extensive practice until they became more intuitive. Simultaneously, I dedicated time to revising and practising Quant to maintain a solid grasp. I considered myself decent in VARC." Read Nisakar's full interview |
| Risshi Agrawal CAT 2022, 99.99 percentile |
"Mocks play a crucial role while preparing for CAT. It helps you determine the strategy which suits you the best." Read Risshi’s full interview |
| Parul Arora CAT 2022, 99.93 percentile |
"I started preparing for CAT in April. My preparation strategy for CAT was to clear my basic concepts in all topics and then maximum practice." Read Parul’s full interview |
| Aditya Singh CAT 2022, 99.90 percentile |
"For my first attempt I attended offline coaching classes, post which I only took the online test series. This year I took the test series from two of the most renowned coaching institutes. Coaching really helps a lot." Read Aditya’s full interview |
| Atish Naskar CAT 2022, 99.81 percentile |
"I started my CAT preparation back in January 2022. I set a daily target for all 3 sections that included daily 3-4 RCs daily 3-4 LRDI sets 20-30 QA questions or some QA concept understanding. The last 2-3 Months gave mocks and analyzed them properly." Read Atish’s full interview |
| Tushar Sarkar CAT 2022, 99.80 percentile |
"My serious preparation started in the month of June 2022. My overall strategy had three parts: Diagnosing my problems, guiding policy for improving and actions." Read Tushar’s full interview |
| Chirag Gupta CAT 2021, 100 percentile |
"I started preparing in March 2021. I focused mainly on giving mock tests and analysing them. I used to work on my weaknesses by watching various CAT preparation YouTube videos on various topics." Read Chirag's full interview |
| Bir Anmol Singh |
"I started preparing in April 2021. I solved Arun Sharma sir's CAT books for VARC, LR, DI and Quant. I attempted as many past year CAT questions papers (timed attempt) that I could attempt, on weekends. I used to analyse my shortcomings to improve further." Read Bir Anmol's full interview |
| Sagar Sengar CAT 2021, 99.48 percentile |
"I started preparing around the end of June this year and went into the full-throttle mode by end of August. My overall strategy was to first complete the theory end to end and then practice different kinds of problems across all the sections." Read Sagar's full interview |
| Ved Vineet CAT 2021, 99.40 percentile |
"It is not at all important to join a coaching institute for CAT preparation. You just need to prepare in a disciplined manner." Read Ved's full interview |
| Sareen Shah |
"Don't delay your prep. Start as early as possible. Solve as many questions as you can. Understand RCs and DILR sets properly. Quality over Quantity should be your aim." Read Sareen's full interview |
| Kshitiz Singhal CAT 2020, 99.99 percentile |
"My suggestion for the aspirants is to work on your fundamentals, speed and accuracy. " Read Kshitiz’s full interview |
| Ekansh Agarwal CAT 2020, 99.98 percentile |
"I would say that mock tests are the most important part of CAT preparation. Attempt as many mock tests as possible." Read Ekansh’s full interview |
| Naval Mittal CAT 2020, 99.97 percentile |
"Solve as many types of questions you can from each section. Secondly, focus on your accuracy." Read Naval’s full interview |
| Swarnadeep Ghosh CAT 2020, 99.92 percentile |
"Attempt all kinds of mock tests, difficult and easy. Maximize your strengths and do not stress about the weaker areas." Read Swarnadeep’s full interview |
| Sabyasachi Mishra CAT 2020, 99.90 percentile |
"Focus more on concepts more than the mock tests. I would say that mocks do not matter much. What you learn from the mock tests is what matters." Read Sabyasachi’s full interview |
Read more CAT preparation articles:
- Best books for CAT recommended by experts
- CAT 2024: How to prepare without quitting your job
- Quantitative Aptitude preparation plan for CAT 2024
- CAT preparation: Your love for reading can get you the desired result
- CAT Preparation 2024: Best strategy to crack CAT
- CAT Preparation plan for verbal ability
- CAT Preparation plan for data interpretation & logical reasoning
- CAT 2024: Simple tips to optimize exam preparation
| Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice | Free DILR Questions with Answers for Practice | Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice |
About the Author
Deekshant Sehrawat is a man of many facets. An IIT Delhi, IIM Calcutta alumnus Deekshant, is the founder of a popular MBA coaching institute. Deekshant is also a lyricist and has co-written a number of songs with Dr. Palash Sen, lead singer of hindi rock band Euphoria.
Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 14 hours ago
The admission threshold at top IIMs based on CAT scores stands higher than 50 percent hence students with this percentile will have access to other acclaimed B-schools. These colleges form a list of institutions that could accept your application for admission:
- University Business School (UBS), Chand
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes, students can get admission at Centre for Liberal and Advanced Studies MBA without CAT. The institute accepts admisison based on entrance exams. The institute accepts other national exams such as MAT, XAT, CMAT, and others. Candidates can appear on any of the exams accepted the institute. It is
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered Yesterday
It is mandatory to clear CAT examination to seek admission at IIM Ahmedabad. The Institute considers CAT percentile for the admission to MBA, along with the understanding of the CAT percentile for IIM Ahmedabad that reached up to 99.6 in the past years which shows how challenging it is for a candida
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, the CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. Until 2019, CAT was conducted in two shifts and the exam duration used to be 180 minutes. However, in 2020, the number of shifts were increased to three and exam duration was reduced to 120 minutes in order to follow the social distancing gui
C
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, candidates can get into the Vidyasagar University MBA course with the CAT percentile. As per the admission guidelines of the university, candidates are shortlisted for the MBA course based on multiple national-level exams such as MAT/XAT/ ATMA/ CMAT. Candidates must make sure to apply for the e
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
No, CAT is not compulsory for admission to AIMS Mumbai. Aspirants with a valid score in any of the accepted entrance exam such as XAT, CMAT, ATMA, MAH CET, etc. can get admission provided they also fulfil the eligibility requirements. Candidates need to provide the entrance exam score in the applica
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Mewar University MBA course admission is entrance-based. Candidates must participate in national-level exams such as CUET-PG, MAT, CMAT, CUET, and MUEE. Therefore, candidates can get admission to the MBA course without a CAT score since candidates can opt for any on of the entrance exams mentioned a
T
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
During CDAC C-CAT counselling process, the candidates will be allotted as per their obtained rank, preferences, category and seat availability. It is important for the candidates to select the correct order of preferences for allotment. The authorities will prepare the allotment list carefully after
S
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
No. The authorities will not allow fresh choice filling for the second round of CDAC C-CAT counselling. Candidates will have to make their selection during the first round of CDAC C-CAT counselling. No changes can be done once the choices are submitted. Fresh choice filling can be done only during t
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
During the CDAC C-CAT counselling process, the candidates will have to select their choice of courses before the final date. It is to be noted that the selection of courses has to be done in the order of preference. This is important as the order of preference will be considered for allotment of sea
J
Beginner-Level 4
Aspirants should start preparing for CAT exam at least nine months in before the test date. CAT preparation requires long-term planning thus one must start early. The best time to start CAT preparation is in March. Starting early will also help you assess that whether you need to join a coaching institute or not.
Divide your preparation into two phases -
The CAT syllabus includes the following topics:
You can read the following CAT books for exam preparation: