Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
CAT 2024 Preparation strategy: If you work hard and stay dedicated, you can ace the CAT exam and get closer to your dream of studying at an Indian Institute of Management. To do well in the CAT exam, know what’s in the syllabus, understand the exam pattern, and find the best study materials. Also, use mock tests and practice questions. They’ll help you get better at solving problems and make sure you’re all set for the CAT entrance test.
Major Topics Covered Under CAT Exam
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
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Verbal reasoning |
Subject-verb agreement |
Para jumbles |
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Sentence completion |
Foreign language words used in English |
Different usage of the same word |
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Grammar |
Reading comprehension |
Idioms |
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Syllogisms |
Analogies |
Antonyms |
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Jumbled paragraphs |
Sentence correction |
One-word substitution |
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Parts of speech |
Preposition |
Types of clauses |
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Phrases modifiers |
Errors in tenses |
Articles usage |
2. Quantitative Ability
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Algebra |
Modern Math |
Inequalities |
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Quadrilaterals |
Polygons |
Harmonic Progression |
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Factorials |
Shortcuts in Averages |
Properties Of Ratio, Proportion |
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Conditional Probability |
Infinite Geometric Progression |
Derangement |
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Remainder Concept |
Number System |
Permutation |
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Combination/ Probability |
Statistics |
Weighted Average |
3. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
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Blood Relations |
Clocks and Calendars |
Syllogism |
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Series |
Statements |
Venn Diagram |
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Proposition |
Data Arrangement |
Data Structures |
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Direction Sense |
Family Tree |
Tables |
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Coding-Decoding |
Binary Logic |
Pie Charts |
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Assumptions |
Seating Arrangement |
Data Sufficiency |
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Puzzles |
Sets & Caselets |
Bars & Line Graphs |
CAT Exam Important Dates
IIM Calcutta is expected to oversee the CAT exam in 2024. The notable CAT 2024 dates, including the CAT registration date 2024, the last date to apply, the CAT 2024 exam date, and the result date, are provided below:
| CAT 2024 Important Dates | |
| CAT 2024 Events | CAT 2024 Dates (Tentative) |
| CAT 2024 notification | 28 July 2024 |
| CAT 2024 Registration | 4 August 2024 |
| CAT 2024 Registration Last Date | 15 September 2024 |
| Release of CAT 2024 admit card | 6 November 2024 |
| CAT 2024 exam date | 24 November 2024 |
| CAT 2024 result date | 4 January 2025 |
What are the Common Mistakes to Avoid while Preparing for CAT Exam 2024
When prepping for the CAT exam in 2024, steer clear of these common slip-ups:
- Not Knowing the CAT Syllabus: Make sure you’re familiar with the CAT syllabus for thorough preparation.
- Forgetting Regular Revisions: Keep revisiting topics to solidify your understanding and memory of key concepts.
- Skipping Mock Tests: Don’t miss out on mock tests—they mimic the real exam and highlight areas needing improvement.
- Poor Time Management: Create a well-structured study plan to allocate enough time for each section and topic.
- Overemphasizing Weak Areas: Maintain balance across all sections. Don’t focus too much on weak spots and neglect stronger ones
How to Create a Preparation Schedule for CAT 2024
To build a well-rounded CAT 2024 prep schedule, follow these steps:
- Time Allocation: Split your prep time evenly among sections and topics based on strengths and weaknesses. Start about 12-15 months ahead.
- Know the Syllabus and Pattern: Understand the CAT exam structure to plan your prep effectively.
- Section-wise Focus: Divide time for VARC, LR, and QA, prioritizing key topics like RC and DILR.
- Address Strengths and Weaknesses: Dedicate time to both strong and weak areas, focusing on important topics.
- Daily Study Plan: Incorporate daily activities like newspaper reading, expert sessions, practice, and doubt-solving, for at least 30 minutes.
- Mock Tests and Sectionals: Do plenty of mock tests (around 25-30) and sectionals to enhance problem-solving skills.
- Review and Analyze: Regularly assess your mock test performance to identify areas needing improvement.
- Online Resources: Use online tools—videos, practice questions, and mock tests—to supplement your prep.
- Stay Consistent: Stick to your plan, maintain discipline, and stay committed to your prep routine.
How to Prioritize Topics for CAT 2024 Preparation
- Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Find out what you’re good at and what you need more practice in—like Reading, Data, Logic, and Math.
- Start with Your Strengths: Begin by studying what you’re best at to build confidence.
- Focus on Important Sections: Spend more time on sections that are more crucial or where you’re stronger. For instance, Reading is a big part of Verbal, so give it more attention. Do the same for Data, Logic, and Math.
- Adapt from Mock Tests: If you struggle unexpectedly in a section, change your plan to improve. Do mock tests use different strategies to see what works best for you?
Sections that Carry Higher Weightage in CAT 2024
In the CAT 2024 exam, certain sections or types of questions hold more importance. To know which ones, you can check the following details:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Section: In VARC, the most significant part is Reading Comprehension. This section consists of 16 questions, including 3 Para Jumbles and 2 Para Summary questions.
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Section: In QA, Arithmetic, and Algebra are the key topics, each contributing around 36% to the section’s weightage. Geometry and Mensuration, Modern Maths, and Number Systems are also crucial here.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Section: In DILR, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning carry equal weight. There are 2 sets for each. The question types cover True/False statements, explanations of phrases/words, author’s perspective, the main idea of RC passages, passage purposes, inference-based, data-driven, and vocabulary-based questions.
