Tips & Strategies To ACE CAT EXAM - Study24x7

Updated on 06 November 2020

By MBA PREPARATION

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Updated on 06 November 2020

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Common Admission Test or CAT is the most popular MBA entrance exam in India, taken by more than two lakh aspirants every year. It is a competitive exam which is conducted by one of the IIMS on a rotational basis. To have a proper CAT preparation, it is always necessary to have a good strategy. In this article, we will discuss some tips & strategies for CAT exam.

As the nation is under lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, aspirants should not loose their momentum and utilise their time and decisive a strategy.

CAT is an online-entrance test. Candidates should attempt 100 questions in 180 minutes. Registration for CAT exam begins in August-September and the exam is held in November-December.

CAT exam primarily consists of four segments: Verbal, Quantitative, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. These segments are accordingly grouped into sections. CAT has three sections:

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VRC)

So let's deep dive into some of the tips and strategies for CAT entrance and ace it, but before it you must know the exam pattern.

know the Exam Pattern

Total Questions: 100
Number of sections: 3
Questions with negative marking (MCQs): 75
Questions without negative marking (Non-MCQs): 25
Score awarded for each correct answer: 3 marks
Negative marking (Applicable for wrong answers in MCQ): -1 mark

Pattern according to divided sections :

VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) : 1st section

Total questions: 34
MCQs: 24 to 27
Non-MCQs: 7 to 10
RC passages: 5
RC Based questions (All MCQs): 24
VA questions (Mix of MCQs & non-MCQs): 10
LOD: Moderate to Very difficult

DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) : 2nd section

Total questions: 32
MCQs: 28
Non-MCQs: 8
Share of DI questions: 16
Share of LR questions: 16
LoD: Moderate to difficult

Quantitative Aptitude : 3rd section

Total questions: 34
MCQs: 23 to 27
Non-MCQs: 7 to 11
LoD: Moderate to difficult

CAT EXAM STRATEGIES:

There is no specific strategy, however if you are beginning your preparation you should devote around 7-8 hours per week and then increase the study hours accordingly.

1.Objectify the CAT Syllabus

CAT consists of tons of topics so it is always advised to have a clear understanding of the concepts. Do not look at the CAT Syllabus as a whole, instead divide it into smaller topics . Always make a list of topics and keep it near your study desk so that it is always visible. Firstly, go through topics that are familiar to you and then move ahead with a new one. It will boost your confidence and you will get a strong hold on concepts.

2. Shortcut Techniques and Strategies

As discussed above, efficient time management is the key . Candidates has to solve a question in less than 1 minute, knowing few shortcut techniques can help a candidate score complex problems within a time frame. This is one of the most effective CAT exam tips.

3. Have Good Study Plan

Have a simple, clear preparation plan for the CAT. Go through the entire syllabus and figure out which topics need more attention and then put in work. Time management is the most crucial part to ace an exam. Managing time means to attempt questions with speed, accuracy and handling pressure.

4. Mock Tests And papers

The best way to evaluate yourself is by giving mock tests and previous papers, not only it will give you an idea about how the questions come but also helps in managing time so you can focus on important questions and there should be less scope for mistakes.

5. SWOT Analysis

Candidates should perform SWOT analysis to find out the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Candidate should continuously work on the weakness and building strengths.

Conclusion:

At last but not the least, candidate should keep themselves calm and relax for the paper and do their best to get into the college of their dreams. This was the complete tips & strategies for CAT that one needs to know. BEST OF LUCK!

MBA/Management