Overview: While you are on your prep journey towards acing the CAT can seem daunting at first glance. However, with a meticulously planned strategy, cracking the CAT in 10 months is not just possible—it's entirely achievable. This guide is designed to equip you with a holistic 10 Month Strategy to Crack CAT Exam, breaking down your journey into manageable milestones.

Table of Content: How to begin for 10 Month Strategy to Crack CAT Exam CAT 2024 Preparation Tips Section Wise Tips to Prepare 10 Month Strategy to Crack CAT Exam Month-wise 10 Month Strategy to Crack CAT Exam

Download Free Study Material for CAT Exam 2024 by SuperGrads

Things to Learn for 10 Months Strategy to Crack CAT Exam

• Familiarize yourself with the syllabus and review the topics covered in Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. 
• CAT throws surprise questions almost yearly, but the basics remain the same yearly: reading comprehension covers approximately. 
• The quant section contains algebra, arithmetic, and geometry questions. So, it is imperative to prioritize these topics to crack the CAT 2024 exam.

CAT 2024 Preparation Strategy: Overview

• Focus on your strong and weak points: Once you have reviewed the entire CAT 2024 syllabus, divide topics into your strong and weak areas to dedicate preparation time accordingly. 
• Prioritize the most critical topics: CAT throws surprise questions almost every year, but the basics remain the same yearly. RC covers approx. 70% of the VARC section, while DILR has questions fairly distributed between data interpretation and logical reasoning. 
• The Quantitative Ability section contains algebra, arithmetic, and geometry questions. So, it is imperative to prioritize these topics to crack the CAT 2024 exam. 
• The most crucial step for CAT 2024 preparation is attempting and analyzing mock tests. After completing the syllabus, you must take mock tests within a specified two-hour time limit to improve your test-taking ability.
• The CAT Exam 2024 syllabus has seen various changes in the exam pattern due to the pandemic. Thus, the initial step toward cracking CAT 2024 is understanding the exam pattern and syllabus.
• CAT 2024 is expected to follow the same pattern as CAT 2023. The number of questions and the duration of the exam have remained consistent for the past two years. 
• So, analyzing the pattern and syllabus is imperative to attempt the paper accurately. 
• Given below is the exam pattern and CAT syllabus for guidance.

CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - Sections	Total No. of Questions	CAT Exam Pattern 2024 - MCQs	TITA Questions	CAT Exam Marks Pattern	Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	21	3	72	40 min
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)	20	14	6	60	40 min
Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	14	8	66	40 min
Total	66	49	17	198	120 (2 hours)

Check: Can I crack CAT exam in 6 months?  

CAT 2024 Preparation Strategy with Coaching Institutes  

Below are the benefits associated with CAT coaching if you are planning to attend a coaching institute for the CAT entrance exam 2024: 

1. Competitive environment to stay focused
2. Sufficient study material 
3. Mock Test series 
4. Shortcut methods of solving complex questions 
5. According to CAT Toppers, passing the CAT involves both. Self-study can make a difference, whereas coaching institutes provide a solid foundation, quick idea clarification, and straightforward instruction.  

CAT 2024 Preparation Strategy without Coaching Institutes  

If you intend to study independently and without coaching for CAT 2024, then you can follow the ten-month strategy to Crack the CAT Exam outlined below:  

1. Some CAT experts and previous-year toppers agree that mentoring or joining CAT coaching can help. However, you will need more than simply enrolling in a coaching program to guarantee you will pass the entrance exam with flying colours. 
2. According to CAT toppers, enrolling in a CAT coaching program is optional for considering admission to top B-Schools.  
3. According to some experts, around 500 hours (about three weeks) of dedicated preparation for the CAT 2024 exam will be necessary to achieve peak potential and gain admission to the best B-Schools in India. 

Check: How do you prepare for the CAT exam at home?  

10 Months Strategy to Crack CAT Exam: Section-Wise Tips

CAT Exam Preparation 2024 for Quantitative Aptitude  

• Referring to high school mathematics textbooks can be highly beneficial for clearing basic concepts to begin your 10-month strategy to crack CAT exam.
• Use quality study materials and books recommended by CAT toppers and instructors for QA preparation include like "Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT" by Arun Sharma and "How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT" by Sarvesh K. Verma.
• You must thoroughly study critical mathematical ideas, theorems, and formulas to succeed in the CAT 2024.  
• While you prepare for the CAT, practice your mental math skills to get a high CAT Score.  
• During CAT preparation, you should learn tables up to 40, squares up to 30, cubes up to 20, and percentage equivalents of fractions up to 25. These are all methods that save time.  
• With a shorter time, you must respond to more CAT Quant Questions. It is better to react to three straightforward inquiries than one difficult one.  

CAT Exam Preparation 2024 for DILR Section  

• While preparing the 10-month strategy to crack the CAT exam, repeatedly practice Vedic math. It will help you resolve issues properly and quickly.  
• Never assume, never guess, and always read the question thoroughly before responding. Avoid words like none, some, all, unless, and so forth.  
• Essential subjects in DILR include seating arrangements, blood relationships, propositions, syllogisms, data arrangements, puzzles, statements, and assumptions. 
• You must follow CAT exam preparation tips for these chapters to achieve a high score.  
• A syllogism has a high point value; thus, you should pay attention and use Venn diagrams to answer crucial questions.  

Read more: How do you prepare for logical reasoning for CAT?  

CAT Exam Preparation 2024 for VARC Section  

• The earlier you begin to prepare with the 10-month strategy to crack the CAT exam, the smoother it becomes. Reading comprehension is essential since it focuses on creating and maintaining a reading habit. 
• Practice the CAT Mock Exam frequently to enhance grammar and VA. Consistent practice will also improve accuracy when preparing for the CAT.  
• Make a point of picking up new words daily to expand your vocabulary. To further your CAT 2024 preparation, you must pick the appropriate VARC books.  
• To gauge how well you are reading, keep track of how long it takes to finish a passage. 
• Choose a passage from a magazine, book, newspaper, or novel, and note how you falter while studying for the 10 month strategy to crack CAT exam.  

Month-wise 10 Month Strategy to Crack CAT Exam

Breaking down the 10-month strategy to crack CAT exam will allow you to focus on the syllabus and help cover the CAT syllabus systematically. Observing and marking your progress throughout the months leading to CAT will also be a milestone. 

CAT Preparation from February to May  

• The first leg of the journey is identifying the syllabus and marking the most important topics frequently asked in the exam. 
• In QA, you must clear your fundamental algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and trigonometry concepts. You can start by studying from the NCERT Books of class 10. Practice is vital to reinforcing and revising the formulas. 
• For VARC, the focus in the initial months should be on getting into the habit of reading. Start by reading newspaper articles, editorials, novels, and magazines. It will help polish your comprehension skills, improve reading speed, and expand your vocabulary. 
• DILR is a section that proves to be a challenge for many. Understand the basics of percentages, ratios, tables, squares, cubes, and reciprocals. Start practising by solving puzzles in magazines, newspapers, etc. Also, attempt the questions from the previous year and mock them. 

CAT Preparation in June and July 

• For those who just started their 10-month strategy to crack CAT exam and are looking to strengthen it, June and July will review each section's basic concepts and identify weak areas. 
• You will attempt and analyze one full-length mock, which will help you improve the areas that require improvement. 
• Overall, you should divide the days into section-based revisions and preparation. Ensure that you dedicate individual time to each section every week. 

CAT Preparation in August and September  

• The objective in these two months is to become completely familiar with the CAT's areas, topics, concepts, and types of questions. This can be achieved through a simple method called CAT Funda, i.e., Concepts, Applications, and tests. 
• Concept: To excel, learn key concepts and formulas for each topic. This will help you better understand the subject matter and perform well in your studies or work.  
• Application: Solve exercises to apply the concepts learned during the preparation 
• Tests: Take topic-wise tests to assess your speed and strategy. Also, begin attempting mocks more regularly. 

CAT Preparation in October 

• Work on your strategy: This is the time to identify and experiment with your exam strategy and its effectiveness 
• Revise your concepts: For a second revision, take topic-wise tests and section-wise tests 
• Continue taking CAT mocks: Use them to hone your strategy and revise the concepts according to CAT 

CAT Preparation in November 

• The last few days before CAT should be used for the final assessment of the exam preparation. 
• Here, one must take up selective revision, take additional sectional tests, write original CAT papers, and finalize the exam strategy. 
• Analyze each practice test, identify weak areas, eliminate them, and enhance the mental ability to crack the exam.  

 CAT Preparation Books 2024 for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension  

• How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma  
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT and Other MBA Entrance Examinations by Nishit K Sinha  
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Guide for CAT and Other MBA Entrance Examinations by S. Jha  

CAT Preparation Books 2024 for Quantitative Aptitude  

• CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri  
• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha  
• Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha  

Check: CAT Verbal Ability Question  

Conclusion: Remember, cracking the CAT is not solely about hard work; it's about working smart, staying disciplined, and maintaining a positive attitude throughout your preparation journey. Utilize the 10 months wisely, follow this structured preparation strategy, and you'll be well on your way to achieving your MBA dreams.