How to Start CAT Preparation from Scratch: Starting your CAT exam preparation from scratch can be a bit challenging. This year, the CAT 2024 exam will be held in November 2024. With over 2 lakh candidates every year, the competition is undoubtedly quite high but that's what makes it worth giving your best for. It certainly requires dedication, perseverance, and a lot of effort to improve your fundamentals.  

But before you begin, ask yourself if the CAT exam is your gateway to get enrolled in one of the top MBA colleges in India. If yes, an optimistic attitude, good strategy, and adjusting your game plan based on your progress can go a long way toward scoring high on the exam. Read on to explore the answer to 'How to start CAT preparation 2024 from scratch?'

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Understanding the CAT Exam Pattern 2024

The CAT exam for the year 2024 would follow a similar exam pattern to previous years. Here's an overview of what you can expect from the CAT Exam in 2024:

How to Start Preparing for CAT VARC from Scratch

Preparing for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the Common Admission Test (CAT) from scratch can be a challenging task but rewarding too. Your reading, comprehension, and language skills are assessed in this section. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to start your CAT VARC preparation from scratch:

Understand the CAT VARC Syllabus

The CAT VARC section includes a wide range of topics such as English Usage or Grammar Vocabulary Based (Synonyms/ Antonyms), Fill in the blanks, Sentence Correction, Cloze Passage, Jumbled Paragraph, Meaning-Usage Match and so on. Without having a basic idea of the same, starting with your preparation would not be that effective.

Assess Your Current Skills

Once you have gathered some sort of familiarity with the CAT VARC syllabus, earmark some time to simply identify your current strengths and weaknesses. For instance, if you think you are good at RCs, practice more of them but don't ignore the rest of the topics. 

Reading Habit Formation

The best trick to ace the CAT VARC section is to form a reading habit which can be done by reading newspapers and editorials on a daily basis. Reading on a daily basis will increase your power of visualization. Also, remember, it only takes 21 days to build a habit. So, get on with it right NOW!

Vocabulary Building

Yes, reading newspapers will help build your vocabulary but it will take time. So, the quickest way to go about it is by picking up vocabulary books like 'The Vocabulary Builder Workbook'  by Chris Lele, 'Word Power Made Easy' by Norman Lewis, and likewise. Use flashcards or vocabulary apps to learn new words daily and revise them on a regular basis. Also, try to grasp the usage of words in different contexts.

Practice Reading Comprehension on a Regular Basis

Solving RC passages regularly will help you focus on understanding the main idea of the passage, identifying supporting details, and comprehending the author's tone and purpose. Candidates must practice RC passages from a wide range of topics to improve their comprehension skills. It is also advisable that the candidates spend a considerable amount of time reading excerpts from the editorial section of newspapers like The Tribune, The Hindu, Indian Express, etc.

Improve Your Grammar

In order to improve your grammar, brush up on basic grammar rules and concepts. You may also get a new Grammar Manual to learn new grammar rules. The topics that must be practised more include parts of speech, tenses, para jumbles, para summary, odd sentence out, and inferences, punctuation. 

Practice Various Grammar Questions Regularly

Don't forget to solve the questions in the 'Exercises' segment of the Grammar Manuals to revise the important concepts and familiarize yourself with different question types commonly asked in the VARC section. Practice a variety of question types regularly to improve your accuracy and speed.

Also Read: How to Prepare for CAT VARC

How to Start Preparing for CAT Quant from Scratch

Preparing for the Quantitative Aptitude section of the CAT exam from scratch can be challenging, but with a structured plan and dedication, you can achieve anything. Here are the steps on how to start preparing for CAT Quant from scratch:

Start with the Basics

Quant can undoubtedly be called the 'toughest section in CAT' for many aspirants. However, those with a strong foundation do have an edge. Those who are beginners must ensure to have their basics sorted before moving on to the CAT Quant syllabus. 

Identifying the Most Important CAT Quant Topics

Previous year CAT papers tell us that Arithmetic, Algebra, Modern Maths, Number System, Geometry and Mensuration form the base of the CAT 2024 QA syllabus. Make sure your concepts are clear when it comes to these topics. 

Create a Study Schedule

Almost no one can crack Quant without having a well-thought-out schedule. Chalk it out based on how much time you have on hand and divide it into the topics that you need to cover. 

Practice Regularly

Practice, practice and practice! Every CAT topper would tell you the same thing — the only way to ace this section is by thorough and regular practice. This can be done using CAT previous year question papers, CAT sample papers, and CAT mock tests. 

Learn Crucial Formulae and Shortcuts

CAT Quant prep would definitely require you to learn a long list of formulae. However, learning just around 50+ more important formulas would do wonders. Since there will be sectional time limits for each section in the CAT exam, learn shortcut methods to save time while answering questions.

Work on Time Management

This section is solving as many questions as possible within the given amount of time. Hence, speed becomes a critical factor for Quant preparation. So, make sure to focus on it while taking timed mock tests. 

Also Read: How to Prepare for CAT Quantitative Ability (QA) 2024

How to Start Preparing for CAT DILR from Scratch

Preparing for the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of the CAT exam from scratch can be a challenging but achievable task if you plan everything perfectly. Here are the steps to help you get started:

Learn Basic DILR Concepts

Begin your preparation by understanding the basic concepts and principles of data interpretation and logical reasoning. Give more importance to topics such as ratios, averages, percentages, data analysis techniques, logical deductions, and arrangement puzzles.

Learn Mental Calculation

Since quick calculations are crucial for solving DILR questions within the time allotted of  40 minutes, it is important for candidates to improve their mental calculation skills. Practicing techniques like approximation, estimation, and shortcut methods help to speed up calculations.

Solve Practice Questions Daily

Make use of books, online resources, and practice papers to gain insight into the variety of questions asked in the CAT exam, and start solving practice questions from DILR topics regularly. Start solving easier questions first and gradually move on to solving more complex questions as you gain confidence. 

Practise Different Types of Data Sets, Logical Reasoning Puzzles and Caselets

Make it a habit to practise various types of data sets such as tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, and Venn diagrams and logical reasoning puzzles such as seating arrangements, blood relations, direction sense, and coding-decoding problems to understand how to understand the data presented. Grid puzzles, Einstein puzzles, etc. are some of the puzzles with set templates. They will help you find that constraint to answer two questions and look for a good starting point.This will enhance your problem-solving skills and logical reasoning abilities. Practice more and more questions to improve your speed and accuracy. Also, formulate an effective strategy for analyzing and interpreting the information presented in caselets efficiently. 

Utilization of Time

For CAT DILR, you need to be smart and see how you can make the most out of the given time. But, don't forget to pick the right questions. If you do both of these, you have almost won the game.

Question Selection

Identify which sets to solve and which not to solve. The sets in CAT DILR are easy, moderate or difficult and therefore, selecting the right sets is crucial.

Find Out Template Questions

This section requires you to get used to the different question templates that IIMs usually stick with. The usual Bar graphs and pie charts will get you acquainted with the section and give you a perspective on the ways you need to look at data sets.

Take As Many Mock Tests As Possible

The tricks to solve DILR questions come with experience and that can be achieved only through mock tests. You get to know what NOT to do in the exam. 

Also Read: How to Prepare for CAT DILR 2024

Finally, it may seem like a difficult task to begin preparing for your CAT exam from scratch but with the right attitude, resources, and dedication, you can become an excellent candidate.  Stay on track, practice regularly, seek guidance if necessary, and keep the end goal in mind. The CAT exam is not only a test of knowledge, it's an assessment of your determination, strength, and ability to solve problems. Let's get going today and believe in ourselves, and who knows you may be on your way to an amazing management career soon. Good Luck!

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