CAT Preparation 2023: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) will start the Common Admission Test (CAT) registration process on August 23, 2023. The CAT 2023 exam will be conducted on November 26, 2023, and candidates need to start their preparation for the exam at the earliest. This article has provided CAT preparation tips and strategies that will help candidates score good marks in the exam.

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CAT is the largest MBA entrance exam that provides admission to 20 IIMs and other business schools. CAT preparation must begin with a proper understanding of subjects such as VARC, DILR, and QA. Candidates can find topic-wise preparation tips and strategies which will ensure that candidates get good marks and get admission into the college they want. Read on to know more.

CAT Overall Preparation Plan 2023

Aspirants who wish to score well in the exam must allocate 8-10 hours in a week. Candidates must distribute equal time to the three sections, i.e. VARC, DILR, and Quant, etc. The overall CAT preparation can be divided into four distinct phases. This includes:

• Learn the basics: Make the basics perfect for verbal ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning & Quantitative Aptitude.
• Identify the strengths & weaknesses: Candidates must go through the CAT syllabus and segregate the weaker sections. This will help in dividing topics into strengths and weaknesses.
• Focus on important topics: The CAT syllabus has not changed over the past few years. There is continuity in terms of topics being tested. In VARC, 70% is covered by RC as per the previous formats, and DI & LR will be distributed in DILR sections. The most frequently tested topic in QA is Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry.
• Attempt mock tests: While preparing for the entrance exam, candidates must attempt CAT mock tests. Mock test helps in being familiar with the exam pattern and will help solve problems and questions under pressure.
• Check exam pattern & syllabus: Aspirants must check the exam pattern and syllabus before beginning to prepare for the exam. By going through the CAT syllabus, candidates can make a note of the important topics. The exam pattern of CAT allows the candidate to know the marking scheme and section-wise weightage of the exam. The CAT exam pattern has observed some changes in the format and number of questions. So by knowing the exam pattern, marking scheme and section-wise weightage of the exam candidate will be able to prepare for the exam.
• Get the best CAT books: Candidates must choose the best CAT preparation books that will include all important topics. Candidates must choose separate books for different sections.

How To Take Free CAT Online Test Series?

Follow the steps mentioned below to take the free online test series on IIM CAT:

• 1st Step: Visit Embibe’s official website, i.e., embibe.com.
• 2nd Step: Use the mobile number/email to log in.
• 3rd Step: Click on the menu bar “Getting a Government Job” 
• 4th Step: Select the Goal “Management” from the Dropdown and click on “Next”.
• 5th Step: Search and Select “CAT” on the search bar and click on “Next”.
• 6th Step: Select the preferred language and click on “Done”.
• 7th Step: Click “Test” from the Header Section.
• 8th Step: Scroll down to the “Subjects” section.
• 9th Step: Click on any CAT subjects.
• 10th Step: Scroll down to click on the chapters from the selected subject to begin the test.

Section-wise CAT Preparation Plan

CAT conducts one single online test to examine a candidate’s verbal, logical, and mathematical abilities. The total duration of CAT is 120 minutes and each right answer carries 3 marks, whereas every wrong answer will result in a deduction of one mark. The online test consists of 3 sections as follows:

• a) Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
• b) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• c) Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

CAT 2023 Preparation Tips For Quantitative Aptitude Section

CAT Quantitative Aptitude section mainly includes topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Advance Mathematics & Geometry and thus this makes up 1/3rd of CAT question paper. The candidate must go through each topic for scoring well. The candidate must memorize basic theory and attempt various sample questions in order to solve QA sections. This type of question mainly requires heavy calculation.

The Quantitative Aptitude section can prove to be one of the most difficult sections in the paper. Candidates need to be well-versed in basic Mathematics and should have hands-on practice at calculation. Below are the CAT Preparation tips for the Quantitative Aptitude section:

• Devote maximum time solving the tough chapters.
• Learn the formulas for each topic by heart.
• Instead of just mugging up the tips and shortcuts to a particular sum, try to understand and practice it.
• Focus on the weak areas and try to mend it by making a note of it.
• Have a good knowledge of Trigonometry and Algebra.
• Give importance to topics that can help to score marks, like Mensuration, Geometry, Partnership, Profit and Loss, etc.

CAT Preparation Strategy For Data Interpretation Section

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning in the CAT exam covers about 1/6th of the exam paper. This section is moderate to difficult but time-consuming. The questions asked in this section are tricky but this does not require any formula. The questions in this section are logic-based and require some calculation and counting. To solve this type of question, mental calculation is the strength. This section of the CAT can be mastered with practice.

Data Interpretation or DI can be a tricky section of the paper as this part is known to check the problem-solving ability related to organised and unorganised data. Below are the CAT Preparation tips for the Data Interpretation section:

• Have the basics clear for elementary Mathematics. Candidates will need them for this section.
• As candidates go about it, make notes of important points and shortcuts.
• Practice Pie Charts, Graphs, and Line Graphs extensively as they are scoring in nature.
• Try to understand the various data given in detail. Cultivate the habit of going through them carefully.
• Solve practice papers in a time bound manner.

CAT Preparation Strategy for Logical Reasoning Section

This section tests the logical reasoning ability and can perhaps be the most scoring section of CAT. Below are the CAT Preparation tips for the Logical Reasoning section:

• Be aware of the basic theory behind each topic before starting.
• Start off with the easy topics and finish them as early as possible. Do the difficult topics later.
• Inculcate the habit of preparing notes, this will help candidates in last-minute revision.
• Go through the examples for every concept and solve as many practice questions as possible.
• Always follow a single book at one time, move on to other books of higher difficulty level only after feeling confident about the basics.

CAT Preparation Tips For Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

The Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension section is divided into three segments: vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. The questions asked in this section determine the skills of verbal ability and reading comprehension. This section mainly focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and general ability skills. Let’s have a look at the details below of the segments covered in VARC.

Vocabulary-based questions: This type of question includes synonyms, antonyms, analogies, spellings, old words, confusing words, and sentence completion. To crack this question, candidates require a combination of vocabulary knowledge and reading skills. Vocabulary-based questions mean what the contexts of the words fit in.

Grammar: Two appropriate approaches are followed to solve this type of grammar-based question. One is to go by rules and learn the different parts of speech and usages and the rules that apply; the other is to practice the kind of questions that will be asked in the exam. A proper approach to learning the kind of errors that leads to questions is based on error detection or sentence correction.

Reading Comprehension: This type of question can only be solved by cultivating reading habits in our daily routines. Begin the preparation by inculcating the reading habit by starting with simple fiction, newspapers, and blogs. Keep the reading speed of about 300 words per minute depending on the level of the text.

 Below are the CAT Preparation tips for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension:

• Refer to any of the high school English grammar books for a basic start to the preparation and brush up the rules of English grammar.
• Practice questions like spotting errors, cloze test, fill in the blanks, etc.
• Write essays to spot grammatical errors and to learn the different usage of the same words.
• Try conversing in the English Language to apply the knowledge of English grammar. 
• Stay up to date with new words. Read various kinds of books. 
• Also, use flashcards to improve vocabulary.
• Note down new words and phrases and learn their meaning and usage.

FAQs On CAT Preparation Tips 2023

Below are the most frequently asked questions about CAT preparation tips.

Related links:

CAT Syllabus	CAT Important Date
CAT Preparation	CAT Exam Pattern
CAT Notification	CAT Mock Test

Embibe hopes that this article on CAT 2023 Preparation helps you. If you have any confusion regarding it, feel free to contact us and we will get back to you at the earliest.

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