Section-wise Time Management Tips for CAT 2024
Section-wise Time Management Tips for CAT 2024 are essential for aspirants who wish to ace the CAT exam. A subject-wise preparation plan must be in place for candidates to do well in the exam. Let's find out about the section-wise tips for time management in CAT 2024.
Section-wise Time Management Tips for CAT 2024 are one of the most useful tools that aspirants can use during their CAT preparation. There are many good CAT time management methods that aspirants may follow to achieve the best results. The CAT 2024 exam will be conducted by IIM Calcutta on November 24, 2024. Since the CAT exam has a limited time duration, candidates should improve and focus on time management to achieve the highest score possible.
In this article, we have mentioned all the necessary tips and information regarding CAT time management to help aspirants ace the CAT 2024 exam!
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CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
CAT exam 2024 will be conducted in online mode. The exam will be divided into three sections, consisting of multiple-choice questions. Candidates will be given 40 minutes to solve each section (53 Minutes and 20 seconds for PwD candidates), and they can not switch between sections during the exam. The table provided below contains the CAT exam pattern 2024 exam.
Section | No of Questions | Time Allotted |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 Minutes |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 Minutes |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 Minutes |
Total | 66 | 120 Minutes |
Time Management Tips for CAT 2024
The duration of the CAT 2024 exam is 120 minutes, divided into 40 minutes per section. Candidates need to manage the time section-wise since they will not be provided any extra time to solve each section of the exam. Candidates should try to solve the maximum number of CAT previous year's question papers and mock test papers to improve their time management skills for the actual exam. Below are some invaluable tips on sectional time management for CAT 2024.
Time Management Tips for CAT VARC 2024
Some of the time management tips for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of CAT 2024 are provided below.
First, review each of the VARC section's questions.
Next, decide how to approach the questions.
Solve LRCs before moving on to SRCs.
In the end, attempt the VA questions.
Set a time restriction for answering each question in the CAT exam.
Stay away from spending too much time on a single question.
Finish a six-question RC passage in 10–12 minutes.
In 5-6 minutes, answer RC passages with three questions. Spend 12–15 minutes answering questions from the VA.
Solve reading comprehension questions first. Solve difficult questions that require time.
Candidates can choose the approach that suits them the best.
Read the RC first. If there is any difficulty while solving the RC, skip that and come back to it after attempting the rest of the questions.
Reading the RC after finishing the questions is a good strategy.
Midway through reading RC, you may start answering questions.
Divide the total time for solving the questions in the VARC section wisely. Allocate 8-10 minutes for RCs with six questions and 5-6 minutes for RCs with three questions.
Also Read: How to Approach CAT 2024 Question Paper?
Time Management Tips for CAT QA 2024
Some of the time management skills for the Quantitative Ability (QA) section of CAT 2024 are provided below.
For the QA Section, try to attempt each question in three rounds.
(a) Understand and solve the questions you find to be very simple.
(b) Select the questions you feel you can attempt.
(c) Select questions that will take some time and demand you to think about them further.
Try to utilize shortcuts and formulas while solving questions in the QA section.
In the first 30 to 35 minutes, try to answer at least 15 to 16 questions.
Continue marking questions that you are nearly certain of but that will take some time to answer. During the second phase, try answering these questions.
Since only 40 minutes will be provided to solve questions in the QA section, spend a maximum of 1.5 minutes on each problem.
If any candidate is unable to understand the problem, he should skip to the next section.
Your accuracy will only increase and your marking will significantly change as a result of this process.
Also Read: CAT 2024 Preparation Tips for Non-Engineering Students
Time Management Tips for CAT DILR 2024
The time management tips for the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of CAT 2024 are listed below.
Solve the Non-MCQ questions first. There will not be any negative marking for Non-MCQ questions of CAT 2024.
Try to complete the seating arrangement questions in less than 15 minutes.
Allocate 15-20 minutes for the Logical Reasoning questions. LR questions are less time-consuming as compared to the DI section.
If you are unsure of any questions, don't answer them. Negative marking may take place if you attempt questions about which you are unsure simply to finish as many answers as you can, which will lower your overall score.
Be quick and shrewd enough to gauge the complexity of the questions you're given so that you may devote the appropriate amount of time to them—or simply skip them—as necessary.
Also Read: How Much Time is Required to Prepare for CAT?
CAT 2024 Time Management Tips for Exam Day
The CAT time management tips 2024 exam day have been provided below.
Candidates should solve the easy questions first, which are easily understandable, can be solved quickly, and require less time. They can later go for the time-consuming questions.
A clock will be provided on the screen. Keep an eye on the clock to know the time left to answer the section.
Around 20 TITA questions are asked in the CAT exam every year. There is no negative marking for these questions. Go for the TITA questions first since they are time-consuming. Devote 10-15 minutes to solve these questions.
Apply the reverse strategy for those questions that are difficult and non-understandable.
Set an average time per question. This will help get an idea about the maximum time that can be given to each question in the CAT 2021 exam.
Spend at least 5 minutes revising each question already answered. This exercise will help in checking if all the questions have been answered and no questions have been skipped.
Also Read:Exam Day Tips for CAT 2024
Tips to Organize Your Time When You Take the CAT Exam
It's important that you maintain your composure and don't let the stress consume you. You should plan your exam as follows:
The three sections should be completed within an hour. You cannot pick and choose which sections to attempt at what time. Typically, the three subgroups are VARC, DILR, and QA.
Take two to five minutes each time you begin a section to review the questions and decide which ones you want to attempt first. They might depend on your ability or level of interest, the difficulty of the questions, or both.
For RC or DILR sets, it is always a good idea to read over the questions first to get an idea of what the entry or set contains.
If while solving you realize a particular question is taking longer than 6-7 minutes, it is wiser to move on to the next question and come back to it if time permits.
It's possible that none of the questions in the DILR section can be answered. Whether or not you can answer both questions in a set, skip the other questions, and move on to the next.
Always save some time for checking your answers.
Time Management Tips for CAT 2024 Preparation
It is also necessary to have good time management skills during the CAT 2024 preparation. We have provided some time management tips for CAT 2024 preparation.
Divide the time for CAT preparation as per one's strengths and weaknesses. Those who are from engineering backgrounds should spend more time on verbal ability and reading comprehension section preparation in comparison to the rest of the sections.
Spend two days per week solving the CAT sample papers 2024.
Take out some time for revision after completing each topic provided in the CAT syllabus 2024. Also, solve practice questions for each topic to strengthen the concept.
Start preparing for the CAT 2024 exam at least 5-6 months before the exam. Besides this, allocate the last month for revision.
Spend 1 hour reading each day. Learn at least 10 new words daily and try to use them in sentences.
Have a proper timetable for CAT preparation. It should be prepared in such a way that enough time is allotted for preparing for all sections of the CAT exam.
Also Read: Important Topics for CAT 2024
CAT Best Coaching Institutes
Candidates must learn section-wise time management tips for CAT 2024 at the following coaching institutes.
Time Management Tips While Planning for the CAT 2024 Exam
On the very first day of the CAT 2024 preparation, take a mock exam to assess where you stand. Learn to distinguish between the areas where you made progress effectively and those where there is still room for growth. Give yourself a month to study the course curriculum and get all of your questions answered. It's crucial to go through every foundational concept in the Quantitative Aptitude and DILR portions. Make sure you spend close to 2-3 hours studying for the CAT 2024 exam if you are working full-time. Take a sectional test after the end of each week once your syllabus has been reviewed to obtain a good picture of the kind of questions being asked. Spend a minimum of an hour per day reading the newspaper and magazines to prepare for the general knowledge questions.
CAT 2024 Sectional Time Management on the Exam Day
When starting to answer questions from any area, one should first review the section and try to identify which question the applicant will tackle first. According to their areas of strength, their level of interest, or the difficulty of the subject, candidates can also carefully select these questions. Always read the entire question before answering such questions from the section RC or DILR. Through this, aspirants gain an understanding of what the set or paragraph contains. It is wiser to move on to the next question if a particular question is taking longer than your estimated time. For corrections or rechecks, try to allot two to three minutes.
Advantages of Time Management for CAT 2024
Time management can help the candidates divide their time equally among all questions. They can calculate the maximum time they can allocate per question which will help them complete the exam within the allotted time. Time management will also help the candidates leave some time for revision after answering all the questions. Those who want to know more tips for time management in CAT can ask questions on the Collegedekho QnA zone.
Things to Keep in Mind for Time Management During CAT 2024
Candidates must keep the following things in mind on the day of the CAT 2024 exam:
Make proper strategies.
Prior to taking the test, be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Try your best to answer the questions you know you can easily answer.
Improve your grammar. In this regard, making time to focus on writing skills and solving more and more grammar exercises is a wise decision.
DILR needs a lot of calculations, thus regular practice is essential.
Regular practice is necessary to improve reasoning skills.
To improve your vocabulary, go through a list of terms that are used frequently.
Learn the formulas by heart.
Memorize how to solve QA and LR problems.
Answer as many questions as you can on each subject.
Try not to attempt all 100 questions.
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FAQs
What is the total duration of the CAT 2024 exam?
The total duration of the CAT 2024 exam is 2 hours or 120 minutes. The exam is divided into three sections and the maximum duration for each section of the exam is 40 minutes. Candidates will be automatically shifted to the next section once the time limit for one section is completed.
What are some important time management tips for CAT?
The CAT exam evaluates the accuracy and speed of applicants. Time management is therefore crucial for passing the exam. For the CAT exam, time management training is just as crucial as studying the entire syllabus. Candidates must keep in mind that they shouldn't spend too much time on a single question; instead, they should start with the section they are most familiar with and allow time for revision. Giving mock tests is one of the best ways to help candidates develop time management skills while they are preparing for the CAT.
Is it important to attempt every question on the CAT question paper?
No, candidates appearing for the CAT exam must know that attempting every question on the CAT question paper is not an ideal examination strategy. In fact, one of the most important tips that experts and CAT toppers will give you is that leaving questions on the CAT question paper is essential to score a high percentile score. The total duration of the CAT exam is 2 hours or 120 minutes and each section of the CAT exam has an individual time limit. Once the time limit has expired for a particular section, candidates are automatically shifted to the next section. Thus, trying to attempt every question can be risky as candidates can lose time trying to solve one question and end up not being able to attempt other questions in a particular section.
How to manage time properly in the VARC section of CAT?
The VARC section of the CAT exam can be one of the lengthiest portions of the entire question paper. Candidates often end up spending more time on the Reading Comprehension section of CAT than any other section of the exam. One of the reasons for this is that candidates are not able to focus and understand the RC passages in their first attempt. Therefore, candidates must improve their reading skills to a point where they can understand the key points of the RC passages in one go and not re-read the passage multiple times.
How to improve time management in the DILR section of CAT?
One of the toughest sections of the CAT exam, the DILR section can be a tricky portion of the CAT exam especially if candidates have not prepared for it well. Both the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning portions of the exam require rigorous practice to master. If candidates are not familiar with a certain type of question in this section, they can end up wasting a lot of time. Thus, it is important that candidates attempt those questions which are sure of in the beginning and keep the tougher questions for later.
How can I improve time management in the QA section of CAT?
Similar to the DILR section in terms of difficulty, the QA section can be very easy to tackle if candidates have their concepts crystal clear. Since a majority of the questions in the QA section of the CAT exam are based on basic mathematical concepts, candidates will not have a hard time answering the questions quickly if they have their basic clear. However, in this section, candidates must filter out the questions which take less time to solve than others. Geometry, HCF & LCM, and Mensuration should be given priority over other topics as they are relatively easy to solve.