The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive entrance exam in India for admission into top-tier business schools like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is known for its challenging nature and assesses candidates on parameters like quantitative aptitude, data interpretation, verbal ability, and logical reasoning. CAT provides a pathway for management professionals to gain admission into top institutions and advance their careers in business management.
If you wish to pursue an MBA in India, you have to write the CAT exam. It is the most popular management entrance exam in India with over 3.3 Lakh registrations last year. Out of these, over 2.8L people actually appeared for the exam.
Also read: CAT Exam Analysis 2024, Slot & Section-wise Paper Analysis
CAT Exam - Understanding the Battlefield
Exam Pattern - The CAT exam consists of three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
While VARC and QA are familiar regions, DILR is something completely out of the box and a challenge for almost anyone that gives the exam.
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 Questions | 40 Minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 Questions | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 Questions | 40 Minutes |
Question Type - Each part of CAT includes both multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs, sometimes referred to as "Type In The Answer" or TITA questions. For multiple-choice questions (MCQs), candidates must click the proper answer option; for non-MCQs, they must use the on-screen keyboard to write the numerical response.
Marking Scheme - For every correct answer, students are awarded 3 points while for every negative answer, the penalty is -1 points. This penalty exists only in case of MCQ, Type in the Answer carry no negative marking.
Overall, the CAT is a tough exam, based on the kind of doors that it opens for you, it certainly is worth it to study for the exam and give it your all.
Tips To Crack CAT in first attempt
In case this is your first attempt at CAT, you might be having a lot of second thoughts. There is just one answer to it - Don't!
It is useless. While the CAT is a tough exam, there is no rocket science involved. There are much tougher exams out there that offer half the opportunities with double the competition.
Your only focus should be on your preparation plan, there is no room for self doubt. Given below, are general tips for the exam followed by section specific tips - follow them to ensure a high score!
Strategize and Make a Schedule: Create a study schedule and follow it. Making a strategy and then not following through on it is counterproductive and senseless. The number of hours you are ready to study each day and the deadlines you have set for finishing topics should be noted in the timetable. To ace the CAT requires a carefully thought-out programme that needs to be followed to the letter.
Clear the Basics: Do not make the mistake of thinking that covering the basics is not necessary. Spend enough time to clear all concepts as they become important as you move along.
Be Consistent - The schedule that you create should be consistent in nature. You need to give 2 hours everyday and not 7 hours on weekends. Set targets and achieve them and solve questions daily.
Take Enough Mocks - The secret to passing the CAT is to take practice exams. The likelihood of achieving a higher score increases with the number of exams attempted. Make sure you complete at least 80–100 sectionals and over 30 full-length mock exams. Sectional tests aid in maintaining conceptual focus and ensure that all edge cases are answered correctly. Full-length exams typically include questions from prior years, which will help you familiarise yourself with the types of questions you might encounter on the CAT exam. It verifies that you are capable of focusing and performing physically enough to take the entire exam.
Take good quality mocks to practice, one such example is Cracku's CAT mock tests called Dashcats. According to CAT 2023 toppers Cracku's dashcats are closest to actual CAT exam, both in terms of difficulty as well as in terms of quality of questions. Don't wait to complete the syllabus start attempting mocks as soon as possible.
Online CAT Coaching: A good online CAT coaching will definitely be helpful, if you are planning to give CAT first time. But, it has become increasingly difficult to decide which platform to choose among the sea of online CAT coaching classes. Affordability is also a big factor while deciding. This is where Cracku come in the picture, It provides 18000+ CAT practice questions along with 1000+ videos to build strong concepts. All the content is prepared by IIM-A alumni Sayali mam and 4-time CAT 100 percentiler Maruti Sir. Various scholarships are also available for the CAT aspirants. You will get all this at very low price. So, click on the button, enroll and start preparing right now.
Section Wise Tips To Crack CAT
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Read, Read and Read! There is no other answer to this. Read as much as you can and everything you can get your hands on. Read newspapers like The Hindu, reading articles on websites like Aeon Essays. If you are a premium student of cracku, make efficient use of 500+ Rcs from study room. If you are not a premium student of cracku, even then make sure you solve at least 2-3 RCs every single day consistently till CAT. For VA part make sure you practice enough questions from cracku's study room.
Check, CAT VARC Sectional Tests
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
This section evaluates logical and analytical abilities. Make an effort to understand basic ideas and make sense of what you've learned. Best source to prepare for DILR is CAT previous Papers, Try to solve every single DILR set from the last 5 years CAT papers, this will increase your confidence in this section. Line, pie, bar, and mixed charts are frequently used in DILR questions. Make sure you are increasing the level of difficulty consistently to gauge the progress. Practising these topics' questions on a regular basis aids in building a solid conceptual understanding. No matter who you are, consistent practice is what makes the difference in DILR.
Check, CAT DILR Sectional Tests
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Practice and a firm understanding of theorems, concepts, and formulas are crucial for this section. You have an advantage even though it could appear difficult if you have a solid basis in fundamental ideas. Arithmetic, Mensuration, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Algebra are the main topics covered in this part. Being able to compute mentally is useful. Mainly focus on Arithmetic and Algebra topics as they typically comprise around 60% of the quant section. However, do not neglect other areas. Keep giving Sectional tests to make a strategy for this section. Most common strategy in this section is to go through this section and attempt easier questions (typically 5-6 questions) in first go and then go for other doable questions in rest of the time. Typically 12-13 questions in this section will fetch you a decent percentile. So plan accordingly.
Check, CAT Quant Sectional Tests
