The six-month preparation plan for CAT 2022 must include a monthly plan, a weekly plan and daily plan. Do keep in mind your strength and weaknesses while making the six-month CAT preparation plan.
CAT exam 2022 will be held most likely on November 27. Given that the exam is taken by over two lakh people annually, you must start your CAT preparation at least six months in advance. First of all, decide whether you want to join a coaching institute for exam preparation or study by yourself. Secondly, make a six-month strategy for CAT.
Now, time management is easier in CAT because it doesn't have 100 questions. The CAT question paper contains 66 questions in total to be solved in 120 minutes (40 minutes sectional time limit). Since there is no compulsion of solving all the questions, candidates can prepara and plan according to their strong areas viz. CAT syllabus and topic-wise weightage.
The six-month strategy for CAT exam must include a monthly plan, a weekly plan and daily plan. Do keep in mind your strength and weaknesses vs the CAT syllabus while making the plan. The CAT 2022 exam syllabus includes – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). You may find one section more difficult than the other. So you need to start with your weak areas. In this article, we will share some strategy and tips on how to prepare for CAT in 6 months. Read more: What is the Best Time to Start CAT Preparation?
CAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
Before making a study plan, understand the CAT syllabus, pattern and marking scheme. The best source to understand these are the CAT question papers. Earlier, the exam conducting body would not release CAT question paper, however these are available for CAT 2021, CAT 2020, CAT 2019, CAT 2018 and CAT 2017 now (click here to download CAT question papers). The actual question paper tells you five things:
CAT Exam Highlights | |
---|---|
Types of questions | Moderate to difficult |
Section wise number of questions | VARC - 24 DILR - 20 QA - 22 |
Topic-wise weightage of questions | Arithmetic, Alegra and Geometry dominate QA RC dominates VARC DI dominates DILR |
Types of questions | MCQs and non-MCQs |
Marking scheme (CAT includes negative marking) | 3 for correct attempt, -1 for incorrect attempt |
Once you are familiar with the CAT exam pattern and syllabus, make the monthly CAT preparation plan.
Download CAT syllabus PDF for topic-wise preparation of the exam |
How to Prepare for CAT in 6 Months: Plan for June-July
Complete syllabus, understand concepts and fundamentals: If you are a fresher start with solving Maths of Class 9 and 10. It will help you build the base for QA. Dedicate June and July in completing the syllabus, understanding the topics and concepts, decoding formulae, memorizing theorems, etc. Take help from CAT books and study material. You can also download online courses and mobile phone apps to understand concepts and solving questions. Once your fundamentals are clear, start solving questions to understand application of those concepts.
Also Read:
- CAT Preparation Plan for Verbal Ability
- CAT Preparation Plan for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
- CAT Preparation Plan for Quantitative Aptitude
Best Books for CAT Preparation
Selection of the righ study material is very crucial for CAT preparation. Check the table below for the list of best books for CAT.
CAT Books |
Name of the Author |
---|---|
CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
Gautam Puri |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT |
Nishit K. Sinha |
Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency |
Ananta Ashisha |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT |
Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay/Arihant |
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback |
Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis/ Simon & Schuster |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT |
Sharma and Upadhyay |
PSC for VA for CAT |
Nishit Sinha |
High School English Grammar & Composition |
Wren & Martin |
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 |
Also Read:
- Best books for CAT Prepararion
- CAT 2022: Coaching vs Self-Study
- How to Prepare for CAT 2022: Expert Tips
- How to Prepare for CAT 2022: Topper Tips
- Simple Tips to Optimize CAT 2022 Preparation
- How to Prepare for CAT Without Quitting Your Job
How to Prepare for CAT in 6 Months: Plan for August-October
Mock tests and sample papers: Get on to solving CAT previous year question papers, sample papers and mock test series once you have completed the syllabus. In these three months, rigorously practice mock tests and question papers. But do keep in mind that quantity must not compromise quality, i.e. make sure you not only solve a certain number of sample papers but also a variety of sample papers. You have to be well prepared for surprise question in the actual CAT exam.
Practicing mock tests will also help you in discovering shortcuts and tricks to solve questions in least time. In this period, you should ideally solve two mock test series and seven topic wise tests per week.
While practicing CAT sample papers, what is important, is to keep a check on your performance. Analyse each mock test viz. your accuracy, time taken and assess areas of improvement. Take help from mentors, friends and online study groups to clear your doubt about any question in any mock test. Do not move on to a new test until your doubt has not been cleared.
Also, don’t get demoralized if you score low in mock tests initially. This happens to everyone. The key is to move from point A to point B. Continue the hard work, your performance will improve.
Download Free DILR Question Bank for PracticeClick to Download |
Download:
- CAT 2021 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2020 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2019 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2018 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
- CAT 2017 Question Paper: Download Free PDF
Take CAT Mock Test by Shiksha
Try this CAT Mock Test, Powered by IMS, to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.
Free CAT Mock Test 1Try second CAT Mock Test, Powered by IMS, to assess your preparation level and time-management skill.
Free CAT Mock Test 2How to Prepare for CAT in 6 months: Plan for November
Speed up practice and revision: Solve high difficulty-lelve mock tests in the final leg of exam preparation. You’ll see your performance improve with each passing day. The last few days are crucial for the hard work of past months to bear fruits. In the last 15 days, dedicate time to revision of concepts and topics. Memorise all the theorems and formulae again.
All the best!
CAT Topper Interviews
Click on the links below to know how CAT toppers prepared for the exam and note down exam day tips they offer.

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Comments
Indian institute of Management in short Iims are the most renowned colleges for MBA after clearing CAT. Among all the Iims ABC are the best A-Ahmedabad, B- Bangalore, C- Calcutta.
J
What is the CAT 2022 cut off for PGDM program in Madras School of Economics?
Cut off will be around 160 out of 300.
V
Can you give CAT 2023 syllabus pattern and guides for reference?
Each of the three sections of the CAT exam has a different weightage. CAT syllabus is based on the exam pattern introduced by IIM Ahmedabad. Prioritise your sections based on your strengths and weaknesses. VARC includes reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, and grammar. Quant section includes ...Each of the three sections of the CAT exam has a different weightage. CAT syllabus is based on the exam pattern introduced by IIM Ahmedabad. Prioritise your sections based on your strengths and weaknesses. VARC includes reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, and grammar. Quant section includes class 9 - 10 level Maths topics such as Number System Geometry, Mensuration Algebra and Arithmetic. DILR section contains Sets based on Number series, Graphs, Data Sufficiency, and common reasoning concepts. The following topics should be considered as they are frequently asked in the CAT exam:
Syllabus
Topics
Weightage
Verbal Ability
Questions like Para jumbles, Summary Based, Sentence exclusion. Questions - 8 to 10
Reading Comprehension
RC passages
Almost 16 questions in the VARC section are based on RCs. Quantitative Ability
Number System, Algebra Geometry, Arithmetic, Mensuration. Arithmetic and Algebra dominate the section, with nearly 8 questions from each area. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
Seating Arrangement, DI-based reasoning, Grid-Based DI, Graphs. Tables, Data Caselets
An almost equal number of Sets are from DI and LR. Detailed Section-wise Syllabus
A detailed view of the CAT 2023 syllabus is illustrated below:
VARC Section
VARC is the first section to be solved in the exam. It has two subparts: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Take a look at the key topics of this section:
VARC Syllabus
Fill in the blanks
Para Completion and inference
Verbal Logic
Verbal Reasoning
Subject-verb agreement
Para Jumbles
Sentence completion
Foreign language words used in English
Different usage of the same word
Grammar
Reading Comprehension
Idioms
Syllogisms
Analogies
Antonyms
Jumbled paragraphs
Sentence correction
One word substitution
Parts of speech
Preposition
Types of Clauses
Phrases Modifiers
Errors in tenses
Articles usage
DILR Section
The second section is DILR and is to be attempted after the VARC section. It is further subdivided into two parts: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Below are some of the important topics of DILR:
DILR Syllabus
Blood Relations
Clocks and Calendars
Syllogism
Series
Statements
Venn Diagram
Proposition
Data Arrangement
Data Structures
Direction Sense
Family Tree
Tables
Coding-Decoding
Binary Logic
Pie Charts
Assumptions
Seating Arrangement.
S
I am 28, I gave MBA entrance this year but was unable to score good marks. Should I worry about age if I decide to try next year?
If you genuinely want to get into some reputed B school, then you should definitely give it a Shot without worrying at what your age is. Moreover, you can try other MBA entrance exams this year, including CMAT Tissnet's Last date has been extended. You can go for these Exams too & target dece...If you genuinely want to get into some reputed B school, then you should definitely give it a Shot without worrying at what your age is. Moreover, you can try other MBA entrance exams this year, including CMAT Tissnet's Last date has been extended. You can go for these Exams too & target decent colleges like BIMTECH, NIBM, etc.
K
Which colleges accept low CAT score?
Few colleges that accept low CAT score are:Jagannath international management school (JIMS)Delhi school of business (DSB)Doon bechne school DehradunNew Delhi institute of management (NDIM)Indian business school HyderabadIILM greater NoidaAsian business school NoidaIILM Gurgaon and DelhiI hope thi...Few colleges that accept low CAT score are:
Jagannath international management school (JIMS)
Delhi school of business (DSB)
Doon bechne school Dehradun
New Delhi institute of management (NDIM)
Indian business school Hyderabad
IILM greater Noida
Asian business school Noida
IILM Gurgaon and Delhi
I hope this helps!
Cheers.
Every year Hiraba B.Ed College admissions are conducted for the students on the basis of cut off declared by Hiraba B.Ed College. At Shiksha. Com you can find Hiraba B.Ed College 2023 cut offs, for all 1 courses offered by the college. Cut off data available on Shiksha will help you to apply for ...Every year Hiraba B.Ed College admissions are conducted for the students on the basis of cut off declared by Hiraba B.Ed College. At Shiksha. Com you can find Hiraba B.Ed College 2023 cut offs, for all 1 courses offered by the college. Cut off data available on Shiksha will help you to apply for B.Ed courses in Hiraba B.Ed College, Ahmedabad.
V
Which are the good MBA colleges in Delhi NCR with 73 CAT percentile?
Their are many MBA colleges in Delhi, the best being
IIT Delhi
Amity University
Faculty of management studies.
K
Can I get shortlisted within 20 IIM or IIT's with 91.2 percentile in CAT?
I
I had scored 84 percentile in CAT 2022 and I think I will be scoring really less in XAT. Can I expect call from XISS for GDPI?
Dear, do not panic because there is always a way to reach your aim. The cutoff of the CAT was 98 - 100 percentile for the top college. You can expect the college like IIM Visakhapatnam, IIM Shillong.
D
Does the minimum fees given on the website for IIMs get reduced with the CAT score or is the fees given is for management seats?
I
I have scored 84 percentile in CAT exam 2023 and I think I will be getting really less marks in CAT. Can I expect a call from XISS?
If your score is high in XAT then you can expect call from XISS.
1574 Institutes accepting CAT
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- 2 years
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- Total Fees: ₹ 23.20 Lakh
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- 2 years
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- Total Fees: ₹ 10.40 Lakh
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V
Which are the MBA colleges for me? I have 74 %ile in CAT.
Reply to Vridhi Dhamija