The prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and other top MBA programs require the Common Admission Test (CAT). CAT 2024 will be upon us in only six months, and it is time to get down to work and develop a successful preparation strategy. To achieve your goals in CAT, you can use this month-to-month plan that involves focused learning, practising, and self-evaluation. 

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Must Read: How to Prepare for CAT 2024: Ultimate Tips for Exam Success

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Month 1: Foundation & Familiarization

Know the CAT: Get to know the format of the CAT exam, syllabus and marking scheme. Take a good look at previous years’ CAT papers to comprehend their question-type composition as well as their level of difficulty.

Self-Assessment: Evaluate yourself by trying out diagnostic mock tests (preferably free online CAT mock tests) on each section, i.e. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), Quantitative Aptitude (Quant).

Resource Roundup: Check out both paid and free resources like online courses, tutorials or practice questions for your knowledge enrichment. Look for platforms providing free online CAT preparation along with conventional methods you have already adopted.

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Month 2 & 3: Deep Dive & Concept Building

Section-wise Focus: Allocate adequate time for each section commencing with the most difficult ones. Work on building core concepts as well as mastering basic formulas such as those related to Quant. Make use of these online sources while considering taking up a course if necessary.

Develop a Reading Habit: In order to perform well in VARC, one should develop a reading habit. Read newspaper articles, novels, etc., so as to improve your comprehension of passage skills and vocabulary. Search for free online material meant for vocabulary-building exercises.

Practice Makes Perfect: Proceed with topic-wise questions practice sessions. Go through these books which are available either offline or online plus try out some free mocks to experience diverse types of questions.

Recommended Links:

CAT Exam Previous Year Question Papers | PYQs Book for 2024 Exam 

CAT Mock Test Series | Sample Papers for 2024 Exam

Month 4: Sharpen Your Skills

Consolidate Learning: Go back to basic concepts and review weak areas. Concentrate on topics that you were found wanting in previous mock tests.

VARC Focus: Start reading different styles of writing and practising logical fallacy identification. Work on summarizing passages and improving grammar. Find free online CAT preparation sources to help you with specific exercises.

DILR Endurance: Practice solving complex data sets as well as logical puzzles within a defined time frame. Study solutions to various types of questions in order to develop a problem-solving approach.

Month 5: Mock Test Mania

Mock Test Marathon: Do one full-length mock test each week under test conditions. Analyze your performance critically, identify mistakes made consistently, and then work on them. Utilize both free CAT mock tests and paid ones for more significant variation.

Stress Management: Use relaxation techniques beforehand exams to manage stress. Take short breaks during mocks so as not only to relax but also maintain focus.

Month 6: Peak Performance

Revise & Refine: Go over all the key concepts, formulas, shortcuts etc again focusing at those areas where you still struggle with understanding fully well what is involved in them.

Minimize New Learning: Avoid introducing new concepts at this stage but rather concentrate on perfecting your approach towards familiar question types.

Maintain Momentum: Maintain testing momentum but do it less frequently before D-day arrives. Analyze your performance carefully and address any remaining weaknesses.