Section-Wise Strategy for CAT: How to Master Quant, Verbal, and DILR
Are you stressed about your CAT preparation and are looking for a structured approach to accelerate your preparation? CAT (The Common Eligibility Test), is no doubt, one of the most competitive exams, being the only tool to your desired management program, as it is accepted by almost every prestigious management institution in India. Hence, it becomes really important to make yourself familiar with the syllabus of the exam for effective preparation. It is conducted annually and consists of 66 questions from three sections. The CAT exam consists of three sections, which include VARC, that is Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, DILR, which is Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and QA, Quantitative Aptitude. The exam typically lasts for 120 minutes.
The exam tests your problem-solving skills, time management and decision making skills, in order to make decisions of prioritizing the questions based on your strengths and weaknesses. To ease your preparation, here’s a comprehensive overview explaining to you the importance of each section, exam patterns, study plans, mock tests, time management, and tips to overcome all the challenges during the preparation.
Importance of Each Section
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): The VARC section assesses your proficiency in the English language, which majorly focuses on reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning. Typically, it includes Reading comprehension and verbal ability.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): The DILR section tests your ability in interpreting data and solving problems logically. It involves analyzing various types of data representations, such as tables, graphs, and charts, and applying logical reasoning to arrive at conclusions.
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA): The QA section assesses your mathematical skills and the ability to solve quantitative problems. It covers a wide range of topics, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern mathematics, testing candidate’s numerical aptitude and problem-solving abilities.
Section-Wise Exam Pattern
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):
- Number of Questions: 24
- Total marks: 72
- Question Types:
| |
Highlighted topics |
| Reading Comprehension (RC) |
RC Passages on Literature, Current Affairs, Social, Economic, and Business issues followed by questions based on Inferences, Statements, Arguments, Main idea in the RC Passage; Author’s assumption; Synonyms-antonyms; Meaning of the phrase; Vocabulary usage |
| Verbal Ability |
Para Summary; Jumbled paragraphs; Out of Context Sentence; Error Correction in Sentences; Sequence of sentences; Fill in the blanks; Completion of Last Sentence of Paragraph; Analogies; Critical Reasoning; Sentence Completion |
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):
- Number of Questions: 20
- Total marks: 60
- Question Types:
| |
Highlighted Topics |
| Data Interpretation |
Bar charts - Simple, Stacked, Composite Bar charts; Pie charts; Caselets; Data Analysis; Data comparison from Table; Graphs; Line Graphs; Data Sufficiency. Comparison of Data of various years, ages, classes, Groups; Decoding and finding out the data of missing period, taking clues, interpreting the missing links; Analysis of data and coming to conclusion, making future projections |
| Logical Reasoning |
Direction sense, Team formation, Seating Arrangement, Blood Relation, Clocks, Calendars, Binary logic, Logical Sequence, Assumption, Premise, Conclusion, Linear and matrix arrangement, Input-Output, Series, Syllogism, Cubes, Rows, Set Theory, Venn Diagrams. Seating arrangement, Ranks, different type of team formation, puzzles on words, letters, statements, arguments |
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA):
- Number of Questions: 22
- Total Marks: 66
- Question Types:
| |
Highlighted Topics |
| Arithmetic |
Averages; Ratio & Proportion; Speed, Time and Distance; Time and Work; LCM and HCF; Percentages, Profit and Loss; Interest (Simple and Compound); Number System |
| Algebra |
Linear & Quadratic Equations; Inequalities; Functions; Progressions; Algebraic Expressions to Polynomials; Complex numbers; Sequences and series; Permutations and combinations |
| Geometry and Mensuration |
Triangles, Lines and Angles (Supplementary, Complementary, Obtuse, Acute, and Right), Quadrilaterals, Circles; Theorems (Pythagoras, Midpoint, Apollonius, Basic Proportionality, Internal and External Angular Bisector), Coordinate Geometry, Quadrant System, Areas of Hexagonal Polygon, Triangle, and Rectangle. Square, Rhombus, Trapezoid, Volume, Total Surface Area, and Lateral Surface Area of Different Solids like Cubes, Cuboids, Cylinders, Pyramids, Cones, Spheres, Hemispheres, and Frustum |
| Trigonometry and Modern Math |
Trigonometric ratios, identities, and heights and distances, Sine, Cosine, Sequence and Series, Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Probability, Permutation & Combination |
Study Plan
The initial step in your preparation is making a perfect study plan, that is possible once you go through the syllabus, identifying the strengths and weaker topics. Allot time to each section mentioned in the syllabus, without ignoring any topic. You can adjust more time for the topics you believe in practicing more to become more confident in. Always make a schedule, which will be practically possible to stick to. Here’s a sample plan you can adjust according to your strengths and weaknesses.
Set a Timeline
The earlier you start your preparations, the more organized your preparations would turn out. You would be able to provide an equal time for all the three sections, and can practice more number of mock tests. Here’s the basic study plan:
- In the initial months(1-3), try focusing on building your fundamentals.
- (4-6): Once you complete doing this, you can then regularly practice the concepts and reinforce them.
- (7-9): When you finish completing all your concepts, start giving mock tests.
- (10-12): Do not forget the extremely important point, that is the Revision. Revisit all the studied concepts and gain speed and accuracy in questions.
Daily Study Plan
Ideally 4-6 hours given on each day for the exam preparation is typically considered a good amount of time. You can divide the timings according to your strengths and weaknesses related to each section:
- 2 hours for Quantitative Analysis (QA)
- 2 hours for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- 2 hours for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Mock Tests and Performance Analysis
As it is said “Practice makes a man perfect”, goes perfect with the CAT preparation. Try practicing one mock test every week. The more mock tests you practice, the more you feel confident about your preparation. Not limited to this, doing so offers great benefits. These include:
- Helps in reviewing your mistakes and topics of difficulty.
- Can make you familiar with the exam environment before the actual one. You can gain perfection in time management with the number of mock tests practiced.
- Helps you in boosting your confidence.
- Provides you with an analysis of your preparation. You can shift your study focus to the weaker topics accordingly.
Additional Tips
- Staying consistent throughout your preparation is extremely crucial. You should stick to the schedule you formed at the start.
- Try managing a perfect balance between each section. Don’t neglect one section to gain strength in the other. Try staying in touch with each section by practicing each day.
- Gaining speed and accuracy is important for time management in the exam hall. Hence practice solving more questions under time pressure.
- Do not forget to take short breaks in between your busy studying schedule, eat healthy, and stay physically active to boost your exam preparation.
Also Read : CAT Score vs Percentile 2024
Overcoming Common Challenges in Each Section
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA):
If you’re facing problems with the time management in this section then, practice timed quizzes and developing shortcuts.
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
If the challenge faced in this section is low reading speed and comprehension, then regularly practicing reading in diverse materials and summarizing them is the key.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
If you are facing challenges regarding complex data sets, you can start with simpler data interpretations and gradually move to complex sets. Try practicing different formats.
Conclusion
You would have understood the importance of each section, the need of familiarizing yourself with the exam pattern, following a structured study plan, practicing an infinite number of mock tests, and managing time effectively. All these factors together enhance your chances of success in the exam. Always focus on continuous improvement and staying consistent, being honest to the exam preparations would help you land your dream management Institution.
FAQs
1. What are the benefits of attempting mock tests for CAT preparation?
The more mock tests you practice, the more you feel confident about your preparation. It helps in reviewing your mistakes and topics of difficulty. It can make you familiar with the exam environment before the actual one. You can gain perfection in time management with the number of mock tests practiced.
2. What is the time duration for each section in the CAT exam?
The time duration for each section individually is 40 minutes. The total exam duration is 120 minutes.
3. What is the negative marking in the CAT exam?
The CAT exam has a negative marking scheme. For every incorrect answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question are deducted.
4. Are there descriptive answer questions asked in the exam?
No, descriptive answer writing questions aren’t asked in the exam. The CAT exam includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) as well as non-MCQ or type-in-the-answer questions.
5. What are the number of questions asked from each section?
The number of questions asked from each section is as follows:
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA): Number of Questions - 22
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): Number of Questions - 24
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): Number of Questions - 20
For More Information Visit PlanEdu
