The best time for CAT 2024 preparation depends on a candidate's individual capability. CAT 2024 is likely to be conducted in November 2024, so students must prepare accordingly for the exam.
CAT Preparation Time: The answer to the common concern of how much time is required to prepare for CAT would be that it depends on the candidates’ abilities, consistency and preparation strategies.
The best time for CAT 2024 preparation varies from person to person. One candidate might crack the exam with a preparation time of a year, while one may prepare for 4-6 months and still crack the exam with a very good percentile.
Table of Content
- CAT 2024 Preparation Timetable
- When is the Best Time for CAT 2024 Preparation?
- Understanding CAT 2024
- CAT 2024 Preparation Tips
CAT 2024 Preparation Timetable
The time required to prepare for CAT 2024 must be split into different sections of the CAT exam pattern 2024.
The amount of CAT preparation time a candidate must devote to each section will vary depending on the candidate's previous knowledge of each section. The best time for CAT 2024 preparation is at least 6 months before the exam.
A candidate might be very good with the basics of the Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Quantitative Ability sections but need to learn more about Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
hence must prepare a timetable which helps them concentrate more on the latter.
Likewise, candidates must first be aware of the topics they lack and concentrate on improving them.
Also Check: CAT 2024 Preparation in 2 Months
When is the Best Time for CAT 2024 Preparation?
The best time for CAT 2024 preparation is to start early by March or April.
Candidates are advised to wrap up their preparation of the CAT syllabus by the month of August and start their revision sessions and mock test sessions in September. The ideal month-wise time table for CAT preparation is as follows.
| Months | Target |
| Mar - Aug | Master the basics and complete the preparation of all the CAT syllabus topics |
| Jul - Sep | Start taking weekend mock tests from July and increase the frequency of mock tests by the end of August to practice question selection and prioritisation and increase calculation speed and accuracy. |
| Mid-Sep to Mid-Oct | Take full-length mock tests and time the section-wise time limit. |
| Oct - Nov (exam) | Revision and mock tests. |
However, even candidates starting their preparations late can crack the exam if they strategise well and make effective short-term preparation plans.
Also Check: How to Prepare for CAT 2024 Exam in 3 Months?
Understanding CAT 2024
Before making CAT 2024 preparation timetable, candidates need to thoroughly understand the CAT 2024 exam pattern, syllabus topics and weightage.
CAT 2024 Exam Pattern
Knowing the exam pattern and section-wise pattern of CAT 2024 will aid the candidates’ preparation as they’ll be able to analyse their strengths and weaknesses in the sections and plan the time required to prepare for CAT sections accordingly.
The CAT 2024 exam pattern is expected to be as follows.
| Name of the Section | No. of Questions | Time Allotted |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 66 | 120 minutes |
Also Check: Things and Documents to Carry at CAT Exam 2024
CAT 2024 Marking Scheme
The marking scheme of the CAT 2024 examination is tabulated below. The CAT 2024 exam will have multiple choice questions (MCQs) and descriptive questions under each section.
| Marking Scheme | MCQs | Descriptive |
| Correct Answers | +3 Marks | +3 Marks |
| Incorrect Answers | -1 Mark | No negative marking |
| Unanswered Questions | 0 | 0 |
Also Check: How to Improve Vocabulary for CAT Exam?
CAT 2024 Syllabus
Thorough knowledge of the CAT syllabus topics to prepare for each section will enhance the CAT preparation time of the candidates. The important syllabus topics of each section are tabulated below.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Verbal Ability
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Critical Reasoning (and its numerous applications)
- Idioms
- Analogies
- Para Completion
- Face Interference Judgement
- Para Jumbles
- Sentence Completion and odd words, sentences out,
- Antonyms and Synonyms,
- Error Identification
- Reading Comprehension
- 400-500 worded passages based on various fields like Management, Business, Science and Tech, Economy, Abstract, Literature, Art and Culture
Also Check: How to Prepare for the Logical Reasoning in CAT 2024?
Quantitative Ability
- Calculus - Minima and Maxima functions
- Mensuration - Areas and Volumes - Rectangles, Squares, Triangles, Circles, Cubes, Cones, Spheres, Pipes, and Cistern
- Geometry and its Applications - Angles, Lines, Triangles, Circles
- Ratio and its applications
- Numbers and their applications Arithmetic - Number System, HCF, LCM, Ratio and Proportion, Simplification, Percentage, Average, Age Calculation, Time and Work, Distances
- Algebra - Hypothesis of Equations, Quadratic Equation, Permutation, and Combination, Sequence and Series
- Percentages - Percentages and their applications
- Trigonometry - Trigonometric Ratios, Heights, and Distances
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- Data Interpretation
- Bar Graphs
- Tables
- Missing Data Interpretation
- Caselets
- Pie Chart
- Line Chart
- Venn Diagrams
- Logical Reasoning
- Data Structures
- Blood Relations
- Arrangements
- Coding-Decoding
- Direction Sense
- Puzzles
- Series
- Clocks and Calendars
Also Check: How to Crack CAT Exam?
CAT 2024 Preparation Tips
Few tips to follow to make your CAT preparation time worthwhile irrespective of your preparation period are as follows.
- Master the basics. No shortcut will work in this aspect. Thorough knowledge of the section basics is mandatory to crack the exam.
- Taking mock tests of samples and previous years' question papers is integral to the preparation strategy.
- The candidates must take mock tests regularly to help them analyse the topics they’re good and weak at and change their preparation plan accordingly.
- Consistent practice will help the candidates increase their calculation speed and approximation skills.
- Proper time management of the CAT preparation time is crucial to avoid unnecessary pressure in the last few days before the exam.
- The candidates must split their CAT preparation time among the sections depending on their strengths and weaknesses of the syllabus topics.
- Candidates are advised to reach their exam centres on time and carry all the essential documents such as CAT 2024 admit card, photo ID, etc.
Also Check: How to Prepare for CAT without Coaching?
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