How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 4 Months - Expert Tips and Guide (2024)

How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 4 months? - Candidates who want to pursue a management program from IIM or from any other premier B-school of India must necessarily appear for CAT 2024 and crack it with a good percentile. Apart from other MBA entrance tests, the CAT exam is the toughest one to crack. But as they say, one can climb Everest with preparation, commitment, approach, and targeting. The same applies to CAT 2024 preparation. Read the full article to learn “how to prepare for CAT in 4 months.”

Four months seems like a short span to complete the CAT 2024 self-preparation. However, with the right exam strategy and practice, one can score a high percentile in CAT 2024. If one has already started their CAT preparation for 2024 it means their basics are clear and now they need to focus on speed, accuracy, shortcuts, tips, and tricks.

However, for those who are going to start their preparation from now on, then this article is a must-read. In this article of Careers360, one will get to know “How to prepare for CAT 2024 in 4 months”, and how one can draw their study plan so that they crack the exam without any difficulty and make their way to the premier B-School of India. Check out the 4 months CAT preparation plan below.

How to Prepare for CAT 2024 in 4 months?

Before making any study plan or preparation strategy for the CAT exam, one should get familiar with the CAT exam pattern and its detailed syllabus. As per the past year's trend, the exam pattern for CAT 2024 consists of three sections, namely, Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). There are 20 questions for the QA and 24 questions in the VARC section and DILR consists of a total of 20 questions with a total of 66 questions.

While taking CAT 2024, candidates can not switch between the sections due to the sectional time limit. Candidates get 40 minutes for each section. The total time duration is 2 hours for CAT 2024, which means candidates have to manage their time accordingly so that they can avoid the hassle and anxiety.

CAT Preparation Schedule 4 Months

If one has only four months to prepare for CAT 2024, then they should divide their preparation plan stage-wise. It makes their preparation easy and they can handle the CAT preparation pressure with ease. Here are some tips for 4 months CAT preparation.

Spot yourself where you are standing

Before starting the CAT 2024 preparation, candidates need to check where they stand currently such as whether their basics are clear or not, did they know the basic formulas to solve Quantitative Aptitude questions, etc. After knowing this, candidates can get an idea of their strong and weak areas. If one is unable to assess their level of preparation, then moving forward can be a herculean task.

After making a diagnosis report, candidates can categorise in which sections they have a good accuracy rate and which are the ones where they need to work hard. It will hardly take 2 to 3 days to spot where one is standing.

Understanding concepts and knowing their application

Once candidates have gone through the exam pattern and syllabus of CAT 2024, they need to start working on the fundamentals of every topic during the four months of CAT preparation. Through this candidates can get conceptual clarity and strengthen their basics. While preparing for the Verbal Ability section, one should do their reading on a regular basis to get a hold of it.

Apart from the VARC section, the other section demands a good amount of time to practice the concepts. When one is well versed in the basics, they should start their preparation chapter and section-wise and at a swift pace.

Make a different strategy for the Quantitative Aptitude section

The Quantitative aptitude section actually carries the major chunk of CAT preparation. Apart from other sections, Quant has a very vast syllabus from algebra to percentages, basically, the Quant section tests the fundamentals of a candidate. It needs a proper strategy to prepare for each topic in a systematic way. Through this process, candidates can understand the basics and can set a benchmark for CAT preparation. One can make the Quant section easy for them, they only need to include Learning and practice while preparing for CAT in 4 months.

DILR Section Demystified: CAT Strategy for 4 Months

There is no fixed syllabus for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning syllabus, which makes it a bit difficult as compared to other sections. Among the three sections, the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section is the most crucial and challenging in the CAT 2024. If one is good at solving puzzles then they can tackle the Logical Reasoning section very easily. Those who are not familiar with DILR questions have to solve previous year's CAT papers and solve questions from standard templates, Einstein puzzles, the grid puzzle, etc.

Focus on Self-Study

Self-study is very important when it comes to taking any exam. The best part of self-study is one can get to know where he or she stands and anticipate accordingly. Sometimes, self-study might be frustrating but this is the only way to achieve any goal. One can include the following factors while doing self-study.

• Read the textbook

• Read the class notes

• Make colourful and proper notes

• Look up other online resources

• Teach someone what you have learned

Mock test, its analysis, and revision - An elixir

CAT preparation is considered incomplete if one has not attempted the mocks. CAT mock tests, test series, or CAT sample papers are basically designed to make aspirants understand the structure and level of the CAT entrance test. The result of the CAT mock test will indicate the candidate's strengths and weaknesses. Taking mocks at the beginning of preparation, candidates have ample time to improve their weak areas, and simultaneously they can strengthen their strong portions.

Adapt yourself to the needs of the CAT in 4 months

Candidates should set a target to solve at least six past-year papers in a week. After solving every paper, candidates should spend time analysing it. See where you scored well as well as where you could be good and what are the main reasons for not doing better. This step should be performed in the second last month of preparation. The main benefit of solving past years' papers is, that candidates can get to know whether they are making progress or not.

Hit the bull’s eye and get the victory

In the last 10 to 15 days of CAT preparation, do not explore any new topics. Only practice what you know and extract the maximum benefit. Just polish your strength and do a revision of all sticky notes that you have made during exam preparation.

How to Prepare for CAT in 4 months? - Toppers Views and Tips

According to CAT topper, Satya Sripada (99.51 percentile), focuses on basics. Revise what you have studied in the day before going to sleep and have a revision day once a week where you go through all the notes again. Note down important questions or tricks in a different notebook. Give mocks regularly and analyse them properly. Revisit the same mock a second time after a couple of weeks. You need to go through the syllabus and past papers and build your own strategy to counter the exam.

Best books for CAT preparation in 4 months

Preparing for the CAT exam in 4 months requires using a range of effective study resources. Focus on books that cover quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, and logical reasoning comprehensively. Look for materials that include detailed explanations of concepts, plenty of practice questions, and strategies for solving problems efficiently. Additionally, using resources that offer a variety of mock tests and previous years' papers is crucial for getting familiar with the exam pattern and improving time management. By using these kinds of study materials, you can create a solid preparation plan for the CAT exam preparation in 4 months. Some of the most essential CAT preparation books are given below:

CAT preparation in 4 months: quantitative aptitude books

For CAT preparation in four months, concentrate on mastering core quantitative aptitude concepts. Regular practice is essential, starting with basic problems and gradually increasing difficulty to enhance your problem-solving skills effectively.

CAT preparation in 4 months: verbal ability and reading comprehension books

For CAT preparation in four months, prioritize improving verbal ability and reading comprehension skills. Focus on practicing a variety of passages and questions to enhance comprehension, vocabulary, and speed. Regularly review and analyze different types of texts to strengthen your understanding and interpretation abilities effectively.

CAT preparation in 4 months: data interpretation and logical reasoning books

For CAT preparation in four months, concentrate on enhancing your skills in data interpretation and logical reasoning. Use practice books that offer a range of exercises and strategies to improve your ability to analyze data and solve logical puzzles. Regular practice and systematic review of different types of problems will help you build confidence and proficiency in these areas essential for the CAT exam.