Cracking the CAT exam is no easy feat, but with the right strategies and preparation, it is definitely achievable. The CAT (Common Admission Test) exam is a computer-based test that is conducted every year by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission into their management programs. The exam consists of three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). In this article, we will discuss some tips and strategies that can help you crack the CAT exam.
7 Types of Artificial Intelligence
- Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: The first step towards cracking the CAT exam is to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus. The exam consists of three sections, and each section has a time limit of 60 minutes. The total duration of the exam is 180 minutes. The syllabus for each section is as follows:
- VARC: This section tests your language and comprehension skills. The questions are based on topics like reading comprehension, para-jumbles, para-summary, sentence correction, and vocabulary.
- DILR: This section tests your analytical and logical reasoning skills. The questions are based on topics like tables, graphs, charts, puzzles, and data sufficiency.
- QA: This section tests your mathematical and problem-solving skills. The questions are based on topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and mensuration.
- Prepare a Study Plan: Once you have familiarized yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus, the next step is to prepare a study plan. This will help you to organize your study time and ensure that you cover all the topics thoroughly. Divide your study plan into smaller goals and set a deadline for each goal. Make sure to allocate equal time to each section of the exam.
- Practice Mock Tests: One of the best ways to prepare for the CAT exam is to practice mock tests. Mock tests will give you a good idea of the exam pattern and help you to assess your strengths and weaknesses. Analyze your performance in each mock test and identify the areas where you need to improve.
- Focus on the Basics: Before you start solving complex problems, make sure that you have a clear understanding of the basics. Focus on building a strong foundation in each section of the exam. Once you have a good grasp of the basics, you can move on to more complex problems.
- Time Management: Time management is crucial in the CAT exam. Since each section has a time limit of 60 minutes, you need to ensure that you manage your time effectively. Divide your time equally among the questions in each section. Do not spend too much time on a single question, as this can affect your performance in other questions.
- Improve Your Reading Speed: Since the VARC section is based on reading comprehension, it is important to improve your reading speed. Start by reading newspapers, magazines, and novels regularly. This will help you to develop a good reading speed and improve your comprehension skills.
- Stay Positive: Lastly, it is important to stay positive and confident throughout your preparation. Do not get discouraged by setbacks or low scores in mock tests. Keep working hard and stay focused on your goal.
In conclusion, cracking the CAT exam requires consistent effort and hard work. Follow these tips and strategies, and you will be on your way to achieving your dream of getting into a top management institute. Good luck!
syllabus of cat exam.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based standardized test conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to various management programs offered by these institutes and other top B-schools in India.
The CAT exam consists of three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
The duration of the CAT exam is 2 hours and 40 minutes, with 40 minutes allotted for each section. The exam has both multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and non-MCQs (also known as TITA questions or Type-In-The-Answer questions) that require the candidate to type in the answer using the keyboard.
Here is the syllabus for each section:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Reading comprehension passages
- Critical reasoning and analysis
- Sentence correction
- Para-jumbles
- Para-summary
- Fill in the blanks
- Vocabulary-based questions
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Data interpretation based on text, tables, and graphs
- Logical reasoning and analysis
- Seating arrangements
- Blood relations
- Direction sense
- Clocks and calendars
- Venn diagrams
- Puzzles
- Matching-based questions
- Sets-based questions
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Arithmetic, number system, and geometry
- Algebra and trigonometry
- Data sufficiency
- Permutation and combination
- Probability
- Percentage
- Profit and loss
- Time, speed, and distance
- Work and time
It is important to note that the difficulty level of the CAT exam varies from year to year. Candidates are advised to prepare thoroughly and practice regularly to score well in the exam.