CAT Exam Preparation: Best Strategies for CAT Preparation

Learning the exam format and curriculum is the first step to passing CAT 2022. 

If you're serious about passing the CAT MBA, you should start small and work your way up, considering the CAT exam preparations for 2022.

As the examination is very competitive, the candidates should prepare for the CAT exam at least three to four months before the exam. 

Suppose you are committed to passing the CAT in 2022. In that case, the simplest and most effective way to do so is to comprehend and put into practice the crucial CAT preparation tips for 2022 and adjust your study schedule in accordance with them. 

Continue reading to learn how to successfully pass the CAT 2022 and gain direct admission to an MBA through IIMs and other top business schools in India. 

But first, let's look at the CAT key details, exam pattern and syllabus. 

CAT Exam Key Details 2022

Particulars	Key Details (Tentative)
Duration	2 hours (120 minutes)
Section-wise duration	40 minutes per section (VARC, DILR, and QA) 53 minutes 20 seconds per section for PwD candidates
Total number of questions	76 questions (54 MCQs and 22 non-MCQs)
Exam mode	Computer-based
Marking scheme	+3 per correct answer  -1 per incorrect answer

CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2022

Exam Sections	No. of questions	Time duration	Topics
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	40 minutes	Inferences, RC passages, Para jumbles, Summary, etc.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	22	40 minutes	Charts, graphs, arrangements, syllogism, etc.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	20	40 minutes	Arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, probability, etc.

2022 CAT Study Tips: Pick Your Strategy

When deciding whether to self-study for the Masters of Business Administration exam or sign up for an online coaching programme, CAT aspirants should keep their needs and goals in mind. 

To perform well on the CAT exam and be admitted to an IIM, one must be diligent, committed, and disciplined. Candidates must strengthen their basics, practise frequently, study the right material, and routinely administer mock exams. 

Although CAT exam preparation is not easy, it is possible if you develop your skills, whether via self-study or help.

• Coaching In CAT Preparations For 2022

You must plan the CAT preparation strategy for at least nine to ten months. 

Coaching classes can help speed up the process and get candidates to their target skill level, even if they only have a little time.

• The most crucial subjects, potential paper patterns, and effective strategies for each candidate to get the highest percentile are also outlined by coaching institutes based on a review of prior papers. Additionally, candidates will access the top coaching resources, including CAT exam preparation books, teachers, videos, and mock exams.
• Studying at a coaching institute can boost a candidate's confidence, assist them in refining their current talents, and help them establish any remaining ones. Additionally, candidates will receive advice on approaching the CAT exam and how many questions to tackle.
• In conclusion, a coaching centre can make it simple for applicants to learn and become ready correctly. The candidate can concentrate on studying without worrying about the best resources or exam-related updates. 

• Best Way To Prepare For CAT: Self Study

It's liberating to study and prepare for the CAT exam independently. Candidates can select the plans and deadlines that best suit their requirements. 

When studying alone, the CAT preparation is self-paced and tailored to each student's needs.

• The preparation process frequently makes use of a variety of online tools and study materials.
• Candidates can customise their preparation schedule depending on their skills and limitations and choose the best timetable.
• The candidate can comprehend and recognise the areas that need more attention while highlighting their strengths when working independently. 
• The candidate is not obligated to attend any set classes. Nevertheless, it is advised that the candidate remains reliable. Depending on the current situation, timing is frequently changeable. 

Therefore, if a candidate opts to self-study, they can practise alone without feeling pressured to do well in front of others. 

Without coaching lessons, the candidate must independently conduct all the analyses and evaluations and plan implementation. Therefore, candidates might choose a curriculum that combines self-study and coaching to save time.

MBA Eligibility and CAT Preparation Tips For Verbal Ability

Verbal Ability preparation should entail consistent practice. Before the exam, you should be well-versed in contextual grammar and word usage fundamentals.

• Practice the questions from the Para Summary and Para Jumble sections, which are likely to make up a sizable portion of the VA test. 
• Be aware that some of the Verbal Ability section's questions will not be in MCQ style and won't carry a penalty for incorrect answers.
• Spend time completing crossword puzzles. You will acquire practice deciphering scrambled sentences and paragraphs from solving puzzles. 
• Three to four questions with brief paragraphs of 60 to 70 words could be present in the exam. It may consist of 4 different summary alternatives from which you can select the best option.

CAT Preparation Tips For Reading Comprehension

The majority of the VARC component of the CAT consists of reading comprehension passages, making them crucial for CAT preparation. 

They are typically followed by inquiries that test your capacity for critical thought. The following advice will help you perform better on the reading comprehension questions.

• Regardless of your level of MBA CAT exam preparation, effective time management will be a key component of your success. Understanding the summary alone won't be helpful. When skimming and scanning a passage, you should concentrate on the keywords to eliminate unnecessary words, phrases, and sections.
• Improve your reading speed. You can read the RC sections and answer the questions more quickly with a decent reading speed. Reading out loud or moving your lips while reading slows you down. You can also use a pen to keep your hands, eyes, and brain in sync while reading the piece.
• Practice reading comprehension online by answering questions. This will get you used to reading a passage and answering the online questions.
• Daily newspaper reading should be encouraged. Never become complacent; keep reading the newspaper even if it has been a month.
• Set aside time each week to take sectional mock tests so you can evaluate your performance. Practising with sectional mocks while resolving CAT-level questions is a smart idea to speed up your preparation.
• Spend time completing crossword puzzles. You will learn to decipher scrambled sentences and paragraphs from practising crosswords. 

MBA CAT Exam Preparation Tips For Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning 

Attempting this section can be tricky without prior preparation. 

Here are the tips to prepare and improve your DILR performance for the CAT preparation online: 

• Improve your calculation speed as this section consists of questions about data arranged in charts, graphs, diagrams, calendars, and logical games. Ensure you work more on mental calculations, don't rely heavily on calculators, and memorise roots, cubes, and squares formulas. 
• Select the right questions that help you score high. This is where attempting mock tests play a huge role. When giving mock CAT tests, analyse the type of questions you're comfortable with and which you can solve faster. Answer these questions first, which will help you save time and score high. 
• Improve arrangements and puzzle-solving abilities. It's important to practise identifying linkages, finding logic, and developing a strong base in solving puzzles to decipher these types of questions quickly. 

CAT Exam Preparation Tips For Quantitative Ability

Quantitative Ability (QA) can be intimidating, especially for aspirants without a mathematics or engineering background. 

Here are the essential tips to confidently tackle the QA section during MBA CAT exam preparation. 

• Strengthen mental calculations. Relying on calculators for simple calculations is a waste of time. Instead, you can perform them mentally; practising mental math skills is critical. 
• Memorise formulas: Not being able to recall the right formulas during exams is a nightmare. Make sure to memorise all the quant-related formulas to the tip of your tongue so they're easy to recall and help you solve questions much faster. 
• Enhance your problem-solving speed: Speed is a crucial factor in the CAT exam, and hence it's important to solve problem questions and the quantitative section regularly with a stopwatch to analyse the time it takes to complete the section. 

How long does it take to prepare for CAT?

The amount of time required for CAT preparation for an MBA depends on the aspirants' efficiency, comprehension, and conceptual clarity. 

However, it is one of the most popular queries for any CAT aspirant, as everyone desires a high CAT percentile to be admitted to the best universities. 

Because the CAT is regarded as the most difficult exam in India, you should be aware of how much time is required to prepare for it so that you can plan accordingly.

CAT preparation online varies from person to person. For example, some people have excellent intellectual abilities but poor verbal skills, and vice versa. On the other hand, some people excel at both. Therefore, ensure you enhance your overall skills and study from the best books for CAT exam preparation.

Thus, they need less time to prepare for the CAT. As a result, you must be aware of the time required for CAT preparation and analyse how long it takes you to prepare for CAT.

Wrapping Up

When you finish your degree, a placement catalyst like Sunstone MBA can help you open up a world of prospects. 

Sunstone ensures that you are regarded as nothing less than an asset when you leave college. We will make every effort to keep you in the management industry's good graces.