The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a computer-based aptitude test conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to their management programs and several other business schools in India. The exam is performed once a year, typically in November or December.

The CAT exam is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The exam lasts 180 minutes (3 hours), and each section is allotted 60 minutes.

The VARC section comprises 34 questions on reading comprehension, para jumbles, sentence completion, and other verbal reasoning questions. The DILR section has 32 questions on data interpretation, logical reasoning, and puzzles. The QA section has 34 questions on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number system topics.

The CAT exam is a high-level aptitude test that tests a candidate's analytical and problem-solving skills. The questions are designed to be challenging, and the exam has a negative marking scheme. Each correct answer is awarded three marks, and each wrong answer results in a deduction of one mark.

The CAT exam is highly competitive, and only a small percentage of candidates manage to secure admission to the top management schools in India. Therefore, candidates need to prepare well in advance and practice regularly to perform well in the exam.

Here are some tips to help you crack CAT:

Understanding the exam format: 

The CAT exam format consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section has a time limit of 60 minutes, and the exam duration is 180 minutes. The total number of questions is 100, with each section having around 30 to 34 questions.

It's essential to familiarise yourself with the different question types in each section, such as reading comprehension, sentence completion, para jumbles, and data interpretation. This will help you understand the kinds of questions you can expect in each section and help you prepare accordingly.

Additionally, understanding the marking scheme is essential. The CAT exam has a negative marking scheme, where each correct answer is awarded three marks, and each wrong answer results in a deduction of one mark. Unanswered questions do not carry any negative marks. Therefore, it's essential to avoid guessing and answering only the questions you are sure of.

You should also know the sectional and overall cutoffs for different management schools. Sectional cutoffs refer to the minimum score required in each section to be eligible for admission, while the overall cutoff is the minimum score needed for the comprehensive exam. Different management schools have different cutoffs; you should know them while preparing for the exam. This will help you plan your preparation and aim for a score that meets the cutoffs of your desired management schools.

Create a Study Plan: 

Create a study plan that outlines the number of hours you will dedicate to each section, the number of mock tests you will take, and when you will take them. You must allocate time to each section and focus on your weak areas.

Creating a study plan is essential to preparing for the CAT exam. Here are some tips for creating a study plan:

• Assess your strengths and weaknesses: Before creating your study plan, assess your strengths and weaknesses in each section of the CAT exam. This will help you allocate more time to your weak areas and focus your efforts accordingly.
• Set realistic goals: Setting goals is crucial while creating a study plan. Break down your goals into smaller targets you can accomplish in a specific time frame.
• Allocate time to each section: Allocate sufficient time to each section, depending on your strengths and weaknesses. Ideally, you should dedicate around 40% of your time to the Quantitative Ability section, 35% to the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section, and 25% to the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section.
• Take mock tests: Taking mock tests is essential to assess your progress and identify your weak areas. Plan to take at least one mock test every week and gradually increase the frequency as the exam approaches.
• Review your progress regularly: Review your progress periodically and adjust your study plan accordingly. Identify the areas where you are making progress and where you need to put in more effort.
• Take breaks: Taking breaks is crucial to avoid burnout and staying motivated. Plan for short breaks during your study sessions and take longer breaks after every few weeks of intense study.

Practice Regularly: 

Practice is the key to cracking CAT. Solve as many mock tests and sample papers as you can. Analyse your mistakes, identify your weak areas, and work on them. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be with the exam.

Practising regularly is crucial to improving your performance and ultimately cracking the CAT exam. Here are some tips to help you practice effectively:

• Solve mock tests: Mock tests are a great way to simulate the exam and assess your performance. You should solve at least one mock test weekly and analyse your performance to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
• Solve previous year's question papers: Solving last year's question papers is an effective way to understand the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level. It will also help you identify important topics and gauge your level of preparedness.
• Identify your weak areas: Analyze your mock test and sample paper performances to identify your weak areas. This will help you focus your efforts on improving those areas.
• Work on time management: Time management is crucial to cracking the CAT exam. Practice solving questions within the given time limit to improve speed and accuracy.
• Focus on accuracy: While practising, focusing on accuracy rather than speed is essential. The more accurate you are, the more likely you are to score higher.
• Seek feedback: Seek feedback from mentors, teachers, or peers to improve your performance. They can provide you with valuable insights and help you identify areas where you need to improve.

Build Your Quantitative and Logical Reasoning Skills: 

The DILR and QA sections require quantitative, solid, and logical reasoning skills. Practice regularly and build your skills in these areas. Understand the underlying concepts and formulas and practice solving problems.

The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA) sections are two of the most critical sections in the CAT exam. These sections require a strong foundation in quantitative and logical reasoning skills. Here are some tips to help you build your skills in these areas:

• Understand the underlying concepts and formulas: It's essential to understand the underlying concepts and formulas in the QA and DILR sections. Ensure you are well-versed with the basic concepts and formulae and practice applying them to solve problems.
• Regular practice is essential to improving your quantitative and logical reasoning skills. Solve as many problems as possible from various sources, including textbooks, sample papers, and mock tests.
• Solve various problems: The CAT exam contains questions of different types and difficulty levels. Practice solving various issues to become familiar with the questions you can expect in the exam.
• Focus on accuracy: Focus on accuracy rather than speed while practising. Ensure you thoroughly understand the problem and the solution before moving on to the next question.
• Learn shortcuts and tricks: Some various shortcuts and tricks can help you solve problems faster. Learn and practice these shortcuts to improve your speed.
• Seek guidance: Seek guidance from mentors, teachers, or peers if you face difficulties understanding a concept or solving a problem. They can provide you with valuable insights and help you improve your skills.