CAT 2024 exam is scheduled for November 24, 2024, providing a pathway to admission in 21 IIMs and other MBA institutes across India. Expected to be administered by IIM Calcutta, one of the top IIMs, the registration for CAT 2024 is slated to begin in the first week of August 2024 and end by the third week of September 2024.
Considering the moderate to high difficulty level of the CAT exam, early preparation is crucial to ensure selection in the best B Schools. Thus, one needs to start one’s preparation as early as possible.
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
The organization responsible for administering the CAT exam designs its pattern each year to assess candidates' abilities in solving mathematics, verbal ability and data interpretation and reasoning questions quickly and accurately. According to the official CAT Exam Pattern, the test comprises three sections:
- VARC
- DILR
- QA
The exam pattern for CAT has changed several times over the years by the conducting IIMs. However, since 2021, the CAT pattern, with respect to the total marks, duration, and total questions, has remained the same.
CAT Exam Pattern 2023: Overview
- Total Questions in CAT Exam: 66
- Total Marks: 198
- Total CAT Exam Sections: 3
- CAT Exam Duration: 2 Hours
- Mode of Paper: Online Only
- Question Types: MCQs and Non-MCQs (TITA)
- CAT Exam Marking Scheme: +3 for Correct Answers, -1 for Incorrect Answers, 0 for Un-attempted Questions. In TITA questions, there is no negative marking.
Last year, the exam featured a total of 66 questions, with a total duration of 120 minutes and a sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section. Therefore, if you plan to take the upcoming exam, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the paper pattern of CAT 2023 as the CAT 2024 exam pattern is expected to be of the same pattern.|
4 Months to CAT
Preparing for the CAT exam with just a little more than four months requires a focused and structured approach. Here are some section-wise strategies to help you maximize your preparation and scores:
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Generally, 65-70% of the questions in the CAT VARC section are from Reading comprehension. To excel in the VARC section over the next few months, start by dedicating daily time to reading diverse materials, including newspapers, editorials, and novels, to improve comprehension skills and vocabulary. Focus on understanding different genres to enhance versatility as CAT can come up with passages on a variety of topics like anthropology, sociology, philosophy etc. Practice 2-3 RC passages daily, emphasizing on the main idea and inference based questions. Focus on getting conceptual clarity on para jumbles, para completion, and summary-based questions, analyzing mistakes and eliminating incorrect options to understand the correct logic.
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI)
LRDI section of CAT in the recent past has been more LR than DI. Dedicating time daily to solving at least 2-3 sets of LR and DI questions to build familiarity and improve speed and accuracy is essential in the upcoming months. Most students struggle not with conceptual clarity but with speed and since CAT is a test of your speed too, one needs to take time bound sectional tests. This will also ensure that you are familiarized with different types of questions, know your strengths and weaknesses and learn the art of solving the right questions in a time bound manner.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Arithmetic and algebra accounts for approximately 70-75 percent of the entire section. Now that you know this, focus on getting absolute clarity over these topics in the next four months solidifying your understanding of fundamental concepts in these areas.
Allocate at least 1-2 hours each day for question solving on the topics covered by you so that you know a variety of questions asked. Try practicing shortcut techniques for faster calculations so that you can attempt the maximum number of questions when you sit for CAT.
Preparation Strategy before the exam
Focus on intensive mock test practice to simulate exam conditions and gauge your readiness for the exam. Take full-length mock tests at least once a week, gradually increasing frequency as the exam date nears. However, taking tests without analyzing will not help increase the scores. Analyze each mock test meticulously to identify strengths and weaknesses across all sections and adjust your study plan based on these insights, dedicating additional time to challenging areas while maintaining consistency in revising concepts and practicing problem-solving techniques. Additionally, prioritize time management during mock tests to optimize performance under pressure.
Strategy During the exam
CAT can be full of surprises but remind yourself that you have worked hard and practiced enough. So keep your calm and go with the flow of the paper. Focus equally on all three areas so that you don’t lose your chances because of a low score in any section. The pressure of the exam will make you a little more nervous than you were in the mock tests but do not let that nervousness shake your confidence. Have your targets in mind and stick to the strategy you have made for the exam based on the mock tests.
It is generally said that CAT is one of the most difficult exams in India but a good strategy with conceptual clarity and confidence to score well will take you through. Have faith in yourself and your knowledge.
All the best!
| About the Author
Saral Nashier has 20+ years of mentoring students for exams such as CAT , XAT , SNAP etc. He has cracked CAT a whooping 22 times. He is a serial 99.9+ %iler. Saral is a 100%iler in QA & DILR (CAT). An alumnus of MDI Gurgaon, Saral has been associated with brands like BYJU'S, Career Launcher. Currently he is associated with Unacademy as a Top Educator. Saral has conducted various Workshops and Seminars on CAT exam.
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