Summary: This article provides guidance on how to prepare for and succeed in the CAT exam. It covers topics such as formulating a study plan, familiarising yourself with the exam structure, and utilising resources to maximise success.

CAT is considered one of the toughest in India and requires extensive preparation. But the good news is, with the right strategy and some hard work, you can get a great score. 

In this guide, we will share strategies and techniques to help you maximise your score on the CAT exam.

We'll cover topics such as how to create a study plan, how to prepare effectively, and how to manage your time during the exam. 

Armed with this knowledge, you can boost your confidence and get the best score possible.

Download FREE Study Material for CAT Exam 2024 by SuperGrads

How to get good score in CAT exam?

Here’s how you can score good marks in CAT. 

Understand the good score to be obtained in CAT exam

Since each business school has a distinct cutoff for shortlisting candidates for selection rounds, the definition of a good CAT score will vary from university to institute. 

Consider IIMs as an example; in contrast to other B-schools like IIFT, IITs, FMS Delhi, and SPJIMR, which accept CAT scores below 95 percentile, IIMs require a minimum 95 percentile for admission.

Check: Participating institutes of IIM

Good Attempts for each CAT Section

The number of questions and good attempts for each section is listed below: 

CAT Section	Total Number of Questions	Good Attempts
VARC	24	18
DILR	20	13
QA	22	16
	66	47

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Preparation

• Become familiar with the types of questions that are commonly asked in the Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension section of the CAT exam. Read through the topics and question types that have been seen in previous CAT exams.
• Develop a strong vocabulary. Read extensively to learn new words and their meanings. Also, try using online tools such as flashcards to help you remember new words.
• Practice reading comprehension passages on a regular basis. Make sure you understand the passage and are able to answer questions related to them.
• Practice solving sentence corrections and para jumbles questions. This will help you understand sentence structure and grammar rules better.
• Take mock tests. Make sure to read the questions carefully and answer them accurately.
• Don’t forget to practice time management. Make sure you’re able to answer all the questions within the allotted time.

Check: CAT Exam Syllabus 2024

Quantitative Ability Preparation

• Develop a Good Understanding of Basic Mathematics: To excel in the Quantitative Ability (QA) section of the CAT exam, you will need to have a good understanding of basic mathematics. You should be familiar with concepts related to Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Data Interpretation.
• Solve Previous Years’ Papers: Solving previous years’ CAT papers will help you understand the type of questions asked and the format of the exam. It will also help you get used to the time pressure and the overall difficulty level of the exam.
• Make a Study Plan: To be able to manage your time and cover important topics, make a study plan at the beginning of your preparation. Divide the topics into manageable sections and set a timeline for each section.
• Memorise Formulae: Memorizing the important formulae in the QA section will help you answer the questions quickly. Make sure to practice and revise the formulae every day.
• Practice: The more you practice, the better you will get at the QA section. Set aside some time every day to practice different types of questions. Also, make sure to analyse your mistakes and revise your incorrect answers.

Check: CAT Exam Preparation 2024

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

• Understand the Basics: Get a good understanding of basic concepts of data interpretation, including tables, bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and logical reasoning. Make sure you have a good understanding of the types of questions and the structure of the data.
• Practice: Once you have an understanding of the basics, start to practice with Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning questions. Take as many practice tests as you can and time yourself. This will help you to improve your speed and accuracy.
• Analyse: After taking the practice tests, try to analyse the questions that you got wrong or took a long time to answer. Figure out where you went wrong and what mistakes you made. This will help you to identify areas where you need to improve.
• Take Mock Tests: Taking mock tests is the best way to prepare for the CAT exam. Try to take as many CAT mock tests as you can and time yourself. This will help you to identify areas where you are weak and also help you to improve your speed and accuracy.
• Review: After taking the mock tests, review the questions that you got wrong or took a long time to answer. This will help you to identify areas where you need to improve and also help you to understand the concept better.

CAT Cut-off Trends in IIMs

Check the CAT Cut off trends in IIMs:

CAT Percentile	Marks in CAT 2020	Marks in CAT 2019	Marks in CAT 2018	Marks in CAT 2017	Marks in CAT 2016
99.9	131	196	192	208	191
99.5	115	170	170	183	168
99	102	157	155	173	153
95	77	120	125	139	123
90	63	90	110	121	108
85	55	87	90	103	93
80	49	75	80	98	84
70	36	57	62	83	68

The CAT exam is a difficult exam and requires a lot of hard work and dedication. But with the right approach and the tips mentioned above, you can definitely secure a good score in the exam. So, take your time, create a study plan, get the right resources, and practice regularly.

Check: CAT Exam Study Plan 2024

Conclusion

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting a good score in the CAT exam, certain strategies can help you maximise your chances. These include developing a strong understanding of the exam structure and syllabus, creating a comprehensive study plan, familiarising yourself with the exam pattern and practice questions, and taking plenty of mock tests.

Time management and a positive attitude are key to success in the CAT exam. With dedication and hard work, you can achieve a good score in the CAT exam.

Check: How to Improve Vocabulary for CAT Exam?