How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in Three Months? CAT Preparation Plan & Tips for VARC, DILR, QA

If you are planning to do MBA from one of the top IIMs, you need to appear in CAT exam with good preparation. With more than two lakh candidates taking CAT every year, the exam offers tough competition. However, 3-4 months of smart preparation can enable you to crack CAT with good score. According to Arun Sharma, Founder of Mindworkzz and Mentor & Coach for CAT preparation, “Students should not treat CAT preparation in the same way as preparation for any academic course. CAT preparation has to be a Problem-Solving approach which means that students have to see CAT exam as a problem they are trying to solve. They should have a clear idea of what their CAT percentile and score goals are.”

Accordingly, the preparation for CAT 2024, the best and largest MBA entrance exam requires a well-planned approach with time management during next 3-4 months. Read below how to prepare for CAT 2024, what changes you need to bring about in your preparation strategy and how to enjoy the preparation journey.  

Table of Contents

1. How to Begin CAT 2024 Preparation? Check Pattern, Syllabus First
2. How to prepare VARC for CAT? 3 Months Preparation Plan
3. How to Prepare DILR for CAT? 3 Months Preparation Plan
4. How to Prepare Quant for CAT 2024? 3 Months Preparation Plan
5. Begin Your CAT 2024 Preparation Journey with CAT Books
6. Make Best Use of CAT Mock Tests: The core of CAT Preparation 
7. CAT Previous Year Question Papers: Your CAT Question Bank 
8. Join Online/Offline CAT Coaching, If Needed
9. Three Step CAT Preparation Plan

1. How to Begin CAT 2024 Preparation? Check Pattern, Syllabus First
When you first know about CAT, you are not even aware what are its constituents, how to prepare, what to study, is there any well defined syllabus, where to begin and number of FAQs – all that hovers your mind. 

CAT toppers and experts describe CAT preparation strategy in two words – ‘Smart Preparation’ which is relevant for the candidates who need to prepare for CAT in 4-5 months and target a good score in the exam. The CAT exam is designed to measure your aptitude and assess your analytical and communication skills in the areas of English language and usage, Analysis of a situation with data, Approach to arrive at the decision by using reasoning and the basic mathematical skills. So, let us first know what to prepare for CAT. There are total three sections in the CAT which carry different weight in the CAT question paper. Read details below:  

Sections in CAT Exam 2024 with Number of Questions	Overview of CAT Prep Topics	Overall Weightage in CAT exam
Section-1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) – 24 Qs	RC Based Questions, Parajumbles, Para summary, Out of Context Sentence	36%
Section-2: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) – 20 Qs	Data Analysis Charts, Tables, Graphs, Direction sense, seating arrangements	32%
Section-3: Quantitative Ability (QA) – 22 Qs	Individual Questions based on Arithmetic, Algebra, Modern Math, Geometry, Mensuration, Number system, Trigonometry	34%

CAT coach and expert Arun Sharma is of the view that you can prepare well for CAT in a few months provided you are devoted to CAT preparation and have a dedicated preparation schedule. Sharing key tips and Strategy for CAT preparation, he said, “As CAT is a score based exam, you need to start with the score target, rather than doing generic preparation for CAT when you have only 120 -150 days left.” 

The sectional preparation plan for CAT 2024 is as below:

2. How to prepare VARC for CAT? 3 Months Preparation Plan & Tips 
VARC Preparation tips for CAT 2024 share simple approach to prepare and solve the questions. The first thing is to work on building your skills to be able to understand complex passages, complex articles on complex topics. You also have to learn how to catch hold of the idea even if RC passage or paragraph is slightly above the level. VARC sectional structure and Preparation tips for CAT are:

• Total no of questions in this section: 24
• Marks for getting a question right: +3
• Total Marks Available in this section: 72
• Your Target Marks for getting 99%tile: 45-50 
• No of questions attempts: 18-20 (Allow for 10-15% errors)
• Required Accuracy Level: 85-90%
• Time taken per RC Passage: 5-6 minutes
• Time taken per VA question: 2-3 minutes
• Topics required to cover to get 99%ile: RC, Jumbled paragraphs, Out of Context sentence, Last sentence for para completion, para summary 
• To cover complete CAT VARC syllabus and practice on questions, Read - How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay 

Sharing CAT preparation tips for VARC, Arun Sharma said, “Remember one good thing about CAT prep in Verbal that you're going to be challenged with only 800-word RC passages. Your ability to understand the meaning of a large sentence is key. Paragraphs are nothing but sentences, and RC is simply a few paras”

3. How to Prepare DILR for CAT? 3 Months Preparation Plan & Tips 
CAT preparation tips on How to prepare Data Interpretation for CAT, How to prepare Logical Reasoning for CAT in a time frame are shared below. The DILR preparation for CAT is built on problem solving skills as there is no theory in this section nor there are any chapters. The more you practice the more skilled you will become. 

• Total no of questions in this section: 20
• Marks for getting a question right: +3
• Total Marks Available in this section: 60
• Your Target Marks for getting 99%tile: 30+
• No of questions attempts: 13-14 (Allow for 10-15% mistakes)
• Required Accuracy Level: 85-90%
• Time taken per problem set: 12-14 Minutes
• Topics required to cover to get 99% marks: DI Table sets, Pie Chart Problem sets, Data calculation sets, Graph related problems, Blood relations, Team formation, seating arrangements etc.
• Where to Practice on DILR Problem Sets: Read how to approach and solve DILR problems from DILR Preparation Books by Arun Sharma: How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT and How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT 

Sharing the DILR preparation strategy, Arun Sharma said, “Start cutting down time once you start reaching a 12 to 15 minute timeline, and become a 10 minute solver on the problem set. Keep raising efficiencies after that just like a sportsman.”

4. How to Prepare Quant for CAT 2024? 3 Months Preparation Plan & Tips
To prepare for QA section in CAT 2024, Preparation tips and strategy depends upon your Target and your Understanding of key topics from this section. Since Arithmetic based questions are more in this section, you should focus more on accuracy on these topics right from the beginning and gradually increase the speed. 

• Total no of questions in this section: 22
• Marks for getting a question right: +3
• Total Marks Available in this section: 66
• Your Target Marks for getting 99%tile: 40+
• No of questions attempts: 18-19 (Allow for 10-15% errors)
• Required Accuracy Level: 85-90%
• Time taken per question: 2 Minutes
• Topics required to cover to get 99% marks: Arithmetic, (Choose from 8-10 Questions), Algebra (5-8 questions), Geometry (3-5 Questions)
• To cover CAT Quant Syllabus with replica CAT questions, Read thoroughly CAT Quat Preparation Book by Arun Sharma: How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude

Sharing the CAT preparation tips for Quant, Arun Sharma said, “Remember that people make the mistake of trying to improve speed in the beginning itself but you should learn how to walk first before you learn to run. So, learn and practice first and then improve speed.”

5. Begin Your CAT 2024 Preparation Journey with CAT Books
CAT preparation books are the base that help in building concepts, clear doubts, offer practice questions, mocks and previous question papers also with answers and detailed solutions. A major chunk of CAT aspirants use Arun Sharma CAT preparation books to prepare for CAT at home. 

Latest editions of following CAT books are available and will help you in preparation for CAT 2024

Author	Book Title	Price
Arun Sharma	How to Prepare for QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE for CAT  11th Edition Paperback (19 June 2024)	Rs 625.00 (At Amazon) M.R.P.: Rs 1,050.00 Save: Rs 425.00 (40%) Buy Now
Arun Sharma, Meenakshi Upadhyay	How to Prepare for VERBAL ABILITY & READING COMPREHENSION for CAT 11th Edition | VARC Paperback (21 May 2024)	Rs 740.00 (At Amazon) M.R.P.: ₹1,020.00 Save: ₹280.00 (27%) Buy Now
Arun Sharma	How to Prepare For DATA INTERPRETATION For CAT  8th Edition Paperback (17 May 2023)	Rs 589.00 MRP: Rs 845.00 Save: Rs 256.00 (30%) Buy Now
Arun Sharma	How to Prepare For LOGICAL REASONING For CAT 7th Edition Paperback (21 June 2023)	Rs 599.00 M.R.P.: ₹845.00 Save: ₹246.00 (29%) Buy Now
Arun Sharma, Meenakshi Upadhyay	Chapter Wise Solved Previous Years’ Papers for CAT 2nd Edition Paperback (9 September 2022)	Rs 559.00 M.R.P.: ₹750.00 Save: ₹191.00 (25%) Buy Now

The key features of these CAT books are that the books are basically built to replicate CAT without actually using CAT questions and can be used as a companion during CAT preparation Journey

6. Make Best Use of CAT Mock Tests: The core of CAT Preparation 
Mock Tests infuse confidence and strengthen your skills. You should take Mocks with a target score to assess your preparation level. In fact, Mock test is the most important component as this actually makes you qualify the CAT test taking

• How to use Mock Test: Along with Mock test also include one actual previous CAT Paper to assess your performance in Mock as well as in Actual CAT exam
• Mock Tests help in Diagnosis of Weakness: CAT Mocks are not only for practice but  they are also diagnostic in nature to assess your CAT preparation.
• More Mocks More Practice: When you attempt more mocks, they serve as great practice of more questions on every topic. For example, if you attempt 40 mocks, you have around 800 new questions. 
• Analyse Each Mock: Mock is of no use unless analyzed for mistakes. It will help you improve your score by eliminating the errors. 

7. CAT Previous Year Question Papers: Your CAT Question Bank 
CAT previous year question papers are most important guide to check and go through actual type of CAT questions and exam composition. These previous CAT question papers are available for limited years. You should prepare with these previous CAT papers and use them as CAT question banks and the diagnostic tests during CAT preparation journey 

• CAT Previous Year Question Papers 1999 to 2008- Available: Use these 10 Previous year papers as your CAT question banks on Quant, DILR, VARC 
• CAT Previous Year Question Papers 2017 to 2023 Available: From 2017 to 2019, CAT was held in two slots and from 2020 to 2023 CAT was held in 3 slots. In total there are 18 previous CAT papers which are available with official answer key. You should use these papers as your CAT replica tests

How to use CAT Previous Papers: Previous CAT papers are of great help and serve as guide for you as now you know the exact type of CAT questions, their difficulty level, the time that you need to solve required number of questions and where you are making mistakes.  

8. Join Online/Offline CAT Coaching, If Needed
CAT Preparation through Coaching is offered by all the CAT coaching institutes including CL, IMS, Arun Sharma Mindworkzz, TIME among others. CAT coaching helps you speed up your preparation journey in a shorter time with doubt clearing sessions and is available online as well as offline. The coaching courses are built to help the CAT aspirants become independent in preparing and solving CAT questions. For example, Mindworkzz CAT coaching is available as Comprehensive class room programme as well as online distance learning programme. 

9. Three Step CAT Preparation Plan
The step by step preparation plan for CAT 2024 in 4 months; how to prepare for CAT 2023 in 3 Months is shared below
Step-1: Set your CAT Score Target in the first week of Preparation as you need certain marks to score for your required percentile, for example

Target Percentile for CAT 2024	Target Score in CAT 2024
99%ile	90-100
85%ile	70-75

Step-2: Decide on Section wise CAT Preparation Strategy
The next step is to devise time bound sectional strategy How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 4 Months, How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 3 Months, How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 2 months as per your time availability 

Step-3: Make Choice to Prepare for CAT 2024 at Home or With Coaching
Most working professionals and many freshers prefer CAT preparation at home. You can prepare for CAT 2024 without coaching by devising own CAT preparation strategy with CAT preparation books, other study material, CAT previous question papers, CAT Mocks among others. Else, you can prepare for CAT with online or class room coaching. The CAT coaching fee is shared above. 

It may be your first attempt to CAT. No doubt there is always a second chance but why to lose the first one. Every mistake will teach you for better. Recurring mistakes must be avoided. Understand the concepts, practice them as many times as possible. The more you practice to solve the questions based on the understood concepts, more confident and accurate will be your approach. Your success is based on your devotion, hard work and optimum utilization of guidance you received from your mentor. 

This year CAT exam date is November 24, 2024 and the exam will be conducted by IIM Calcutta. So, still there is time to prepare but you need to begin your preparation with right study material, building your basics and practicing on more and more mocks and Quizzes without any further delay. 

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more guidance and preparation tips for CAT 2024