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How To Prepare for CAT Exam in 2 Months?
Nawal
Updated on 24th September, 2024 , 4 min read
As we close in October 2024 for the CAT exam, it is quite normal to get a mix of emotions, such as joy and anxiety. But this is not something to fret about. Although the time is short, obtaining a good degree of preparation is possible, provided one is realistic and exercises some level of planning. This blog post will give a step-by-step and visual guide to a two-month preparation plan starting today for every section, namely VARC, DILR, and QA. On top of that, we will talk about other important aspects, such as the necessity of taking mock exams or working on the last few years’ papers to be less worried about the exam date.
A Glance at CAT 2024
Agenda aside for the moment, it is important to highlight some crucial points. The CAT exam will be conducted on November 24th. The admit card may come out around November 5th, thus providing you with adequate time to arrange your travel or any other logistics. Remember these timelines while formulating your study schedule.
Where Do You Stand Right Now?
The first stage in your two-month preparation plan is to evaluate your current status. To do this, ask yourself the questions below.
- Have you gotten far on any topics yet? If the answer is affirmative, how certain are you of those topics
- How well can you handle individual sections of VARC, DILR, and QA
- Have you ever attempted a mock examination yet? If yes, how well did you fare?
How do you start preparing for the CAT in two months?
Here is a general methodology:
You have around 70 days, which is almost 10 weeks of time. Try to study for around 6-8 hours per day or as your timetable allows. However, this should also include the practice sections, as there will be no need to recall concepts without practising them, and revision alone is not enough. Managing your preparation by section demands a unique strategy. So, let’s all discuss it in parts:
2-Month VARC Preparation Strategy
Step 1: Concentrate on Reading Comprehension (RC) Section
- Allocate about 60% of your VARC preparation time for this section on reading comprehension.
- Implementable strategy of every possible source, newspapers, magazines, and the internet; try to read on different subjects daily: economics, sociology, science, etc.
- Exercise yourself and read the articles within 10 minutes. After that, practice questions to improve reading comprehension speed.
Step 2: Enhancing Vocabulary Skills
- This is what you can do- Solve para jumbles, odd-sentence-out, and para-summary tests. Ensure to comprehend the logic behind arranging sentences in a particular order.
- Daily practice- Dedicate half an hour daily to work on grammatical structures and new terms. It is useful to go through word lists, although this should not be the main activity.
Mock Test Strategy for VARC
Aim to take a sectional mock test every 5-6 days. Review your mistakes immediately afterward and see which type of questions (RC or verbal) need more work.
2-Month Plan for DILR
Step 1: Lay the right foundation
- Time allocation - The first 2-3 weeks must focus on solving a few basic DI and LR sets. The aim is to solve at least 2 sets of each type daily.
- Actionable Tip—DILR is less about quantifying how many sets one can do and more about patterns and logic. It helps to begin by solving enough easy sets to become accustomed to it.
Step 2: Experiment
- Mix it Up- After reaching a certain level of comfort, move on to more advanced diagnosis sets with some of the DIs being integrated ones.
Mock Test Strategy for DILR-
You should start taking full-length mock tests to simulate exam-like conditions.
Review every mock test thoroughly to understand where you went wrong.
2-Month Plan for QA
Step 1: Go through the Detailed Process
- Time suggestion- Dedicate the first two to three weeks to refreshing fundamental concepts that entail arithmetic, algebra, and geometry because they are the most commonly assessed areas.
- Actionable Tip: In view of the different topics, please identify and solve 15 to 20 questions from either the lower or higher level of the topic. At first, do not worry about the speed; be more concerned about the accuracy.
Step 2: Master Shortcuts and Speed
After you have a relaxed grasp of the concepts, begin timing yourself. Study and practise different techniques of shorthand versions of the long methods, e.g., percentages, ratios, profit and loss, etc.
Mock Test Strategy for QA
Take a full-length sectional mock every 4-5 days. The post-test analysis is key to figuring out the types of questions you’re wasting too much time on.
Take Practice Tests in the Following Two Months
Taking practice tests is regarded as one of the most crucial elements of CAT preparation. It’s about time you started them if you have not commenced.
Actionable tips
- Kick-off by taking one mock test each week; then, in the last month, you can increase this to two tests per week.
- Following every test, analyse the missed questions and the reasons for missing them. Were you out of time? Did you understand the question wrongly? This step is vital in enhancing your scores.
Try Solving Previous Year’s Question Papers
Solving past CAT papers is an excellent way to understand the exam’s difficulty level and types of questions. You’ll get a better feel for the actual exam format, and it’s a great tool for identifying trends.
Actionable tips
- Start solving one paper every week in the last month.
- Analyse the paper to see which sections consistently pose a challenge and revise those topics accordingly.
Other Preparation Points
- Stay Consistent- With only two months left, consistency is key. Follow your schedule rigorously, but allow yourself short breaks to avoid burnout.
- Prepare Together - If you know people who are also writing the CAT exam or have friends, try to do some papers together or discuss any areas of difficulty. You can exchange techniques and teach each other.
Conclusion
There is no denying that preparing for the CAT in two months is not easy. However, it can be accomplished, provided the right approach is taken and a lot of effort is put into it. Divide your preparation into segments, practice intelligently, and do not ignore those mock tests. Keep your eyes on the target, and don’t get overtaken by fear. All the best!
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