How to Prepare for CAT Exam at Home? Preparation for the CAT exam at home is possible if candidates make certain changes in their routine, such as going through the syllabus, focusing on time management, and more.
How to Prepare for CAT Exam at Home? CAT exam 2023 preparation can be done in the comfort of home only if candidates are serious about the exam. Each year candidates who decide to appear for the exam wonder how to prepare for CAT 2023 exam at home.
Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive exam, only candidates who clearly understand the exam can score high marks. With the percentile touching 100, the competition is cut-throat.
| CAT Exam Pattern 2023 | CAT Syllabus 2023 |
How to Prepare for CAT Exam at Home?
While some opt for coaching, some choose to build their base and work on their own. Both ways have proven successful over the years. Therefore, let us see how to prepare for the CAT exam at home.
1. Get Acquainted with the Exam
The primary way to get familiar with any exam is to know the exact details of the exam. IIMs conduct CAT rotationally. Each year one specific IIM conducts the exam.
The exam is divided into three sections. The CAT scores are accepted by leading B-Schools and IIMs.
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Authority | Indian Institute of Management (Rotational) |
| Duration of the Exam | 120 Minutes |
| Sections | Verbal & Reading Comprehension |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | |
| Difficulty Level | High |
| Registration Fee | 2000 (INR) |
| Scores Accepted By | Indian Business Schools |
| CAT Admit Card 2023 | CAT Exam Centres 2023 |
2. Focus on Time Management
Time is a very big factor when it comes to the CAT exam. Sixty-six questions need to be answered in 120 minutes. Therefore, the speed game must be accurate. Besides, candidates preparing at home must have a definite timetable, including studying, revision, mock tests, practice papers, and breaks. Healthy and balance time management is required while preparing from home for CAT.
Furthermore, sticking to the timetable is very necessary. Candidates must not lose focus while preparing for the exam.
| How to Prepare for CAT without Coaching? | How to Crack CAT Exam? |
3. Check the Syllabus
Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude are the main topic of the CAT 2023 syllabus. The syllabus constitutes sub-topics. Candidates must be aware of the detailed syllabus before jumping into the preparation. The DILR and QA syllabus is broadly discussed in the links below.
However, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) are as follows:
- Para Jumbles
- Summary, Sentence Completion
- Odd Sentence Out
- Antonyms & Synonyms
- Error Detection
- Reading Comprehension
- Verbal Ability
| CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Syllabus | CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus |
4. Detect Strength and Weaknesses
It is one of the challenging tasks, detecting strengths and weaknesses. There will be topics which are easy and some that are difficult. Therefore, candidates must try to cover the areas they are struggling with more time. Hence, candidates must cover the strong areas and dedicate the rest of the time to focusing on the weaknesses.
5. Take Guidance from Previous Year’s CAT Question Papers
The CAT previous year question papers aid in a positive way. After following the question papers, candidates can better prepare themselves for the CAT 2023 exam. The question papers will display the sectional division of marks, repeated questions, and the areas of high weightage.
Further, candidates can start answering the questions from the previous year's papers to monitor their progress. Additionally, it will also enhance their time management skills.
| Section | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
| 2022 | |||
| CAT question paper (Slot 1,2,3) | Download | ||
| 2021 | |||
| Quantitative Aptitude | Download | Download | Download |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | Download | Download | Download |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | Download | Download | Download |
| 2020 | |||
| Quantitative Aptitude | Download | Download | Download |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | Download | Download | Download |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | Download | Download | Download |
| 2019 | |||
| Quantitative Aptitude | Download | Download | - |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | Download | Download | - |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | Download | Download | - |
6. Prepare for Mock Tests
Another source of preparation for the CAT exam at home is applying for mock tests. There are plenty of options for online mock tests. Candidates must appear for the test to know their knowledge. Moreover, the CAT mock tests will enhance their skills and prepare them for the exam.
7. Look up to the Internet
Another best option of how to prepare for CAT exam at home is looking upto the internet. To tackle such a vast and tricky syllabus, a candidate must resort to every form and kind of preparation possible. Only leaning towards the books and mock tests will not be enough. Therefore, looking up the internet is advised. Various youtube videos are available that describe topics.
Additionally, candidates can take notes from the online videos and study them.
8. Form Study Group
One of the tried and tested ways to how to prepare for CAT exam at home is to opt for group study. Candidates who are appearing for the CAT 2023 exam at home can gather and try to discuss all the topics. It will boost their confidence, and the dubious topics will be cleared.
Furthermore, it will also act as a mock preparation for the GD round. Some candidates find a few topics tough, while others are easy. With enough practice and hard work, candidates can achieve their ambition.
| CAT Geometry Questions | CAT VARC Questions |
Best Books for CAT Exam at Home
Candidates preparing for the exam at home must make CAT books with their best friends. Therefore, the best books for the CAT exam 2023 while preparing at home are listed below.
| Name of the Book | Name of the Author |
| VARC | |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S.Aggarwal |
| How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehensions for CAT | Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay/Arihant and Sharma and Upadhyay |
| 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback | Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis/ Simon & Schuster |
| PSC for VA for CAT | Nishit Sinha |
| High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin |
| QA | |
| NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 6 to 10) | NCERT |
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT | Sarvesh Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | Abhijit Guha |
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Nishit Sinha |
| Quantitative Aptitude | R.S.Aggarwal |
| DILR | |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha |
| Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency for CAT | Ananta Ashish |
| How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
| CAT Exam Day Guidelines 2023 | Things and Documents to Carry at CAT Exam 2023 |
