CAT Preparation for Beginners 2025: Check Out Best Tips and Books

Overview: CAT exam 2024 is scheduled to take place on 24 November 24. This is the perfect time to formulate a comprehensive strategy for CAT preparation for beginners. Read on to find out how to score high in your first attempt!

• The Common Aptitude Test, or CAT exam 2024, is the prestigious MBA entrance exam held every November to get admission into the top B schools of India.
• The last date to fill the CAT application form is 20 September 2024. 
• You can download the CAT admit card from the official website from 5 November 2024 to 24 November 2024.

If you are an MBA aspirant and are going to appear in CAT 2024, then these CAT preparation tips for beginners will help you a lot. Read on to know more!

Download FREE Study Material for CAT Exam 2024 by SuperGrads

Also Read | CAT 2024 Registration Begins: Apply Before 13 September 2024

Important Tips For CAT Preparation for Beginners

How to prepare for CAT for beginners? CAT exam preparation demands a lot of hard work and focus. It tests the candidate's skills and ability in three different areas: verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC), data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).

To complete all three sections with accuracy, here are the tips you can follow for CAT preparation for beginners: 

TIP 1: Familiarise yourself with the CAT Basics

Before directly attempting the CAT exam questions, familiarise yourself with the CAT exam pattern and syllabus. This will help you understand which topics will be covered.

TIP 2: Understand the Importance of Time

Each section of the CAT exam has a time limit of 40 minutes. To achieve a good CAT score, you need to maintain good accuracy and speed. Therefore, it is important to practice CAT mock tests to manage your time effectively.

Download Free QA Section Daily Study Plan by Supergrads

TIP 3: Collect Essential Study Resources

As a beginner, it is good to prepare for the CAT exam with good study material such as books, online courses, and practice papers. Recommended books include "How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT" by Arun Sharma and "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis.

TIP 4: Strengthen Your Fundamental Concepts

Another effective tip for CAT preparation for beginners is to strengthen your fundamental concepts in mathematics, grammar, and logical reasoning. Ensure a solid understanding before moving on to advanced topics.

TIP 5: Practice, Practice and Practice

Take regular practice tests and full-length mock exams to familiarise yourself with the exam pattern and improve your time management skills. It is the best tip for CAT exam preparation for beginners.

TIP 6: Solve Previous Year CAT Papers

Solving the previous year’s papers for the CAT exam will help you analyse your weak sections. It will also give you an idea of how you will likely perform in the real CAT exam. 

Also Read | CAT Exam Marking Scheme 2024

CAT Preparation For Beginners: VARC Section 

The VARC section of the CAT MBA exam tests your communication skills, English language proficiency, reading comprehension, and grammar. To do well and score good marks in this section, here are the tips for CAT preparation for beginners: 

Skill Area	Action to be taken
Visualisation and Comprehension	Improve by reading regularly.
Attention and Focus	Pay close attention to online classes and listen to teachers for building a strong foundation.
Vocabulary and Idioms	Expand vocabulary and learn idioms to better prepare for the exam.
Awareness of Social Issues	Stay informed by reading articles from reputable sources.
Grammar Skills	Use a grammar manual and practice exercises to enhance grammar skills.
Critical Reasoning	Practice critical reasoning questions, focus on facts, inferences, assumptions, and conclusions.
Reading Comprehension	Use the elimination technique to improve accuracy while solving reading comprehension passages.

Also Read |  How to Start Preparation for CAT Exam 2024

CAT Preparation for Beginners: DILR section 

When preparing for the MBA CAT exam, focusing on DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) is crucial. This subject assesses analytical skills using puzzles, graphs, images, and real business case-based charts.

Here are some helpful tips to start preparing for the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section:

Key Points to Note	Action to be Taken
Starting Strategy	Begin with easy questions to save time and improve accuracy.
Speed and Accuracy	Set time limits for practice sets and gradually reduce the time to increase speed and accuracy.
Understanding Questions	Focus on understanding the provided information without assuming anything not given.
Use of Previous Papers	Use previous year's papers to get familiar with question types and section expectations.
Logical Reasoning Practice	Practice arrangement questions, bar graphs, charts (line, pie, radar), and table-based data interpretation sets.

Also Read | CAT Preparation in 3 Months: Achieving CAT 2024 Goals

CAT Preparation for Beginners: QA Section 

Preparing for the Quantitative Ability section of the CAT exam is crucial for MBA aspirants as it evaluates their mathematical skills. This section covers diverse topics such as Algebra, Arithmetic, and Geometry.

Key Points to Note	Action to be Taken
Memorising Key Formulas	Revisit fundamental concepts and memorise important formulas in geometry, measurement, and profit & loss.
Understanding Question Types	Recognise questions that combine multiple concepts and solve them quickly by connecting the ideas.
Practice	Use textbooks covering your math syllabus to practice questions, reinforcing concepts and improving speed/accuracy.
Mock Exams	Take mock exams to assess the difficulty level of the Math section and evaluate your current and target levels.

Also Read | How to Prepare for CAT in One Year?

Download Free QA Sample Questions for CAT Exam

Best Books And Study For CAT Preparation 

The best books and study materials for CAT preparation for each section are:

#1 Quantitative Ability (QA)

• "Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT" by Arun Sharma
• "Quantum CAT" by Sarvesh K Verma
• "NCERT Mathematics books (Class 6-10)" for students from a non-science background
• "Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations" by Abhijit Guha for comprehensive preparation

#2 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

• "Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT" by Nishit Sinha
• "How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT" by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
• "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis for improving grammar and vocabulary
• "High School English Grammar and Composition" by Wren and Martin for building a strong foundation in English

#3 Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• "How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT" by Arun Sharma
• "Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT" by Nishit Sinha
• "Data Interpretation for the CAT" by Trishna Knowledge Systems

CAT Preparation for Beginner: How To Manage Time Accurately?

Effective time management is crucial for performing well in the CAT exam 2024. Here are some tips and strategies to help you manage your time efficiently:

Manage Sectional Timing

When preparing for the CAT exam, divide the total exam duration into dedicated time slots for each section and adhere strictly to these time limits. Practice with a stopwatch and set timing for each section.

Prioritise Questions

The next CAT preparation tip for beginners is to prioritise questions that you find easy. First, Start with questions that you find easy. This will help you secure marks quickly and boost your confidence.

Also Read | CAT Exam Duration 2024

Download Free VARC Daily Study Plan by Supergrads

Conclusion

CAT preparation for beginners may seem daunting at first, but with the right approach, success is achievable. It's essential to build a strong foundation in key areas such as algebra, including linear equations, polynomials, and logarithms. 

Regular practice and following CAT preparation strategies for beginners will greatly enhance your problem-solving abilities. By employing these strategies, you will be well-equipped to face the CAT exam and make progress towards achieving your MBA aspirations.