How to prepare for CAT along with your graduation?

Self-discipline is one of the biggest contributing factors in success. Students often complain that they lack the motivation to study even after having a schedule to follow. The problem here is that the schedule that you guys make is not in accordance with your daily routine or to be more specific, with your reality.

You can’t build an empire in a day

You need to keep this in your mind while making your daily schedule or study time-table. Start with small steps and then when you start feeling comfortable with that routine then you may level up, which means increase your studying hours a little.

One more thing that you need to keep in mind that it’s clearly not just about sitting in one place for hours trying to study but also focusing on the topic you are studying. And this focus is very difficult if you keep switching between mobile apps, every half hour or so. So it would be better if you can switch off your phone or at least keep it away from your study table whenever you’re studying.

Important topics for Preparation Section-Wise

VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
1. Reading comprehension passages
2. Para Jumble
3. Para Summary
4. Odd Sentences
5. Fill in the blanks
6. Word Usage (Vocabulary)
7. Sentence completion and correction

QA (Quantitative Ability)
1. Time, Speed and Distance
2. Algebra
3. Probability
4. Geometry and Mensuration
5. Permutation and Combination
6. Number System
7. Basic Arithmetic
8. Trigonometry, Logarithms, and Sets
9. Profit, loss, and discount
10. Time and work
11. Interests (Compound and Simple Interests)

LRDI (Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation)
1. Puzzles
2. Clock and calendar
3. Data Sufficiency
4. Graphs
5. Tables
6. Blood relations
7. Venn Diagrams and Syllogism
8. Data and seating arrangements
9. Assumption and Binary logic

Study Material or Books to use for Preparation

For the VARC section:
1. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
2. How to prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
3. The study material of best coaching institutes like Career launcher, TIME and BYJUS.
4. Video lectures of different coaching institutes are also beneficial.

For the Quantitative Ability section:
1. Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K Verma
2. How to prepare for Quantitative for the CAT by Arun Sharma
3. Quants study material from best coaching institutes like TIME, CL, IMS, etc.

For the LRDI section:
1. How to prepare for Data interpretation for the CAT by Arun Sharma
2. How to prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Arun Sharma
3. Logical Reasoning and Data interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha

Some Important Tips for CAT

1. You can take guidance from your seniors or mentors who have previously given CAT or are in top management institutes like IIMs, FMS, etc.
2. You can use their advice to make your own strategy for preparation, instead of following blindly their strategies.
3. Start giving mock tests as early as you can. It’ll give you an idea not only about the exam pattern but teach you so many other things like time management, your strongest and weakest areas in different sections, etc.
4. It is very important to keep track of time while doing self-study.
5. You can take a 5-10 minute break after every half or one or two hours according to your concentration level. If you get bored of one topic (Section) then you may switch to another after the break. This method will not only improve your efficiency but also help you to improve your concentration.
6. Make notes in separate notebooks, if you are watching any video lecture or even studying using books.
7. You must have a separate diary or notebook for writing down the formula of Quants section, which would be very beneficial while doing questions and revision as well.
8. For VARC, you need to practice various comprehensions and read novels and editorial in newspapers, which will help you to build your vocab and reading speed.
9. ‘Practice makes a man perfect’
This isn’t just a quote, if you really start practicing this in your life, it can do wonders.
10. You just need to be consistent and keep practicing.

All the best!