Tips for Effective CAT Exam Preparation

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The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam which is conducted once a year for admission to postgraduate management programmes. Each year, thousands of graduates from various fields appear for the examination. Once you clear the CAT exam, you’ll be eligible for admission into the top-notch business schools in India. If you’re a CAT aspirant aspiring to achieve a high score in the examination, then you need a solid study plan. However, many students may find it a bit challenging to know exactly how to prepare for the CAT exam.

In this article, we will guide you through an effective CAT exam preparation strategy and how much time is needed to prepare for the CAT, ensuring that you’re well-prepared to tackle the exam confidently.

About CAT Exam

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a competitive national-level entrance exam conducted annually by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to postgraduate management programmes. The CAT is a computer-based aptitude exam that will be held on November 24th, 2024. You need to stay updated and keep an eye on the official website in case of any changes.

CAT is one of the most important exams for candidates seeking admission to an MBA or any management program from the Top B Schools in India. The exam assesses candidates’ knowledge and ability to solve logical reasoning problems in the given time frame. Candidates who achieve high scores in exams get admission to top business colleges, impacting their careers in a significant way.

Sections: The CAT exam consists of three major sections-

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Quantitative Ability (QA)

Who is Eligible for the CAT Exam

If you are aspiring to study management programmes in your dream college, you should meet certain eligibility criteria. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST). You can also appear for the CAT exam if you are in your final year of earning a bachelor’s degree.

CAT Pattern 2024

Candidates who aspire to crack the CAT exam need to thoroughly understand the CAT exam pattern 2024, as it will give them a clear idea of how the exam will be conducted. The CAT exam 2024 will be conducted in three different shifts; morning, afternoon, and evening as per the norms.

CAT Full Form	Common Admission Test
Exam Mode	Computer Based Test
CAT Exam Date 2024	November 24, 2024
Duration	2 hours (120 minutes)
Sections	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI – LR) Quantitative Ability (QA)
Number of Questions	66 Questions
Language of the Question Paper	English
CAT Slot Timings	Morning: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Evening: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
CAT Exam Marking Scheme	+3 for right answers -1 for wrong answers 0 for unattempted questions
CAT Fees 2024	Rs. 2500/- (General Category) Rs. 1250/- (Reserved Category)

How to Prepare for CAT Exam: Tips for Effective CAT Exam Preparation

We all know that the CAT exam is a gateway to prestigious business colleges in India, known for their strong reputation in preparing influential future leaders. To score well in the CAT, candidates need to follow the below mentioned instructions on how to prepare for the CAT exam all by themselves at home:

Understand the Exam pattern

It is very important for the candidates to understand the exam pattern and nature of the exam. That is why, the very first step for the CAT exam preparation is to familiarise yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus.

Create a Study Plan

You need to develop a strong study plan that covers the syllabus and divides it into time frames based on your strengths and weaknesses.

Search for Books and Other Study Material

Find reliable online and offline resources like books, courses, and apps to help you prepare well for the CAT exam.

Clearing All Doubts

Don’t bottle up the doubts you have, try to solve as many questions as you can. This will help you identify the area of improvement and enhance your conceptual understanding.

Prioritise Previous Year Question Papers

Review and practice last year’s question papers by creating exam like conditions. This way, you will understand the difficulty and the level of the examination. Once you’ve solved a question paper, analyse your performance comprehensively and see if there’s room for improvement.

Develop Time Management Skills

Try to solve questions within the given time constraints. It will help you develop your time management skills.

Practice Regularly

Practice on a regular basis and Seek guidance from your elders and seniors if needed. Solving previous year question papers will help you overcome your mistakes and help you become more accurate.

Focus on Conceptual Clarity

Before attempting advanced-level questions, ensure your basics are crystal clear. Strong fundamentals in quant, logical reasoning, and language help you solve complex problems faster.

Take Mock Tests Frequently

Attempt full-length mock tests at frequent intervals to evaluate your progress, improve accuracy, and adapt to real-time pressure.

Analyse Mistakes Deeply

Don’t just check right or wrong. Understand why you got a question wrong and how to avoid similar mistakes in the future.

Build Reading Habit

Regularly read newspapers, editorials, business articles, and magazines to enhance verbal ability and reading comprehension skills.

CAT Exam Preparation Tips for Students: Solving Previous Year Question Papers

There are tons of resources available for CAT exam preparation. From textbooks to online courses, there’s a ton for you to choose from. For students, solving the previous year’s question papers can easily provide them with additional benefits as it can help them understand the exam pattern, format, and time while also helping them to identify the areas of improvement they need for CAT exam preparation.

KRMU’s Management Course

KRMU offers industry-focused MBA programmes that do not rely solely on entrance scores but instead emphasise skills, aptitude, and real-world exposure. With a curriculum aligned to current business needs, hands-on training, case-study learning, and mentorship from experienced faculty, students get the same competitive learning environment offered by top B-schools.

KRMU’s strong placement ecosystem, featuring recruiters like Deloitte, EY, Accenture, HCL, TCS, Decathlon, and Times Group, ensures that students can still build high-paying business and management careers—without needing CAT as a gateway. The university nurtures leadership, communication, analytical thinking, and entrepreneurial skills, helping students grow into confident professionals ready for the corporate world.

In short, KRMU becomes the ideal alternative for students wanting quality management education, top-tier corporate exposure, and strong placement opportunities.

Conclusion

Summing up, aspiring candidates can crack the CAT exam with self-study at home without going to coaching. You need to set a good study routine with the right CAT preparation strategy. It is very important for students to thoroughly understand the CAT exam 2024 pattern. And don’t worry if you can’t crack the examination because there are many great universities like K.R. Mangalam University that offer management programmes for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. If you are determined and have a strong CAT preparation strategy, you can score well.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time is needed to prepare for CAT?

It entirely depends on one’s capabilities. In order to prepare for the CAT exam, candidates need to be focused for at least 6 to 7 months, if they are starting from scratch. They must invest 2 hours per day for a better score.

Can I apply for CAT exam after 12th?

No, you can’t apply for the CAT exam after 12th. Candidates must graduate from any recognised university to appear for CAT exam or at least be in their final year of graduation.

When will CAT exam 2024 be held?

The CAT exam will be held on November 24, 2024.

Is a CAT very tough?

Yes, it can be challenging and a bit tough for an average student as the exam has moderate to high difficulty.

Can I crack CAT exam by self-study?

Absolutely, you can crack the CAT exam all by your hard work and self-study. For that, you must schedule the right study plan and use the right resources.