If you want to clear your CAT examination 2021 in the first go, you need to have a long-time subject-wise CAT study plan. The CAT exam is divided into 3 subjects: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. Firstly, you need to keep your strengths and weaknesses in mind and spend some extra time preparing for CAT topics you find difficult. It is recommended to start with the toughest subjects or concepts.

Usually, you need a minimum of 6-9 months to prepare for your CAT 2021 examination. The CAT 2021 exam will be held on 28th November 2021, so now is the ideal time to start preparing if you have not.

Your CAT 2021 exam preparation should be done in three different phases. In the first phase, you need to cover all the CAT 2021 syllabus. Then you need to start solving all the mock tests. The third and last phase is revising and polishing all the portions you have learned.

Table of Contents

• Step-wise CAT 2021 preparation plan
• Section-wise CAT 2021 exam preparation plan
• How to prepare for VARC for CAT 2021?
• How should you prepare for DILR for CAT 2021?
• How to prepare for QA for CAT 2021?
• Take CAT mock test
• Frequently asked questions

Step-wise CAT 2021 preparation plan

Step 1: Go through the CAT syllabus 2021 and understand the exam pattern and CAT 2021 marking scheme.

Step 2: You need to get the best CAT study material and online resources for all the CAT subjects.

Step 3: Join the best online study groups available on different platforms like Facebook, Quora, LinkedIn, and more.

Step 4: Create a monthly, weekly, and daily CAT timetable for studying for the exam and adhere to it.

Section-wise CAT 2021 exam preparation plan

How to prepare for VARC for CAT 2021?

The CAT VARC is divided into verbal ability, reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary. At the same time, you are preparing for CAT 2021 VARC section, so you need to have a different approach for all four parts.

The best CAT VARC preparation tips by toppers is that, when preparing for reading comprehension, you need to develop and cultivate good reading habits. You need to practice sample question papers to improve your vocabulary like previous years’ CAT question papers. You need to handle grammar and vocabulary all at the same time.

How should you prepare for DILR for CAT 2021?

While preparing for CAT DILR 2021, you need to have clarity of the basic DILR syllabus. All the questions are data and logic-based, so you need sharp observation skills and eyes for details.

Since there are no formulas and theorems to memorize, all the questions are situation-based, and you need to practice the sample questions. Some of the major topics for DILR are tables, pie charts, bar charts, mixed charts, and line charts.

How to prepare for QA for CAT 2021?

Quantitative Aptitude is the third and the last section of the CAT exam. CAT quantitative aptitude is the toughest and challenging section of all. The CAT QA 2021 preparation tip is that, you need to focus mainly on topics like Algebra, trigonometry, menstruation, and geometry. You need to know all the concepts, formulas, and theorems by heart. Moreover, if you want to score well in this section, you need to know mental maths.

Take CAT mock test

The best CAT preparation tips for beginners is to solve a mock test. IIMCAT releases the official CAT mock test a month before the exam, which helps people to prepare themselves for the exam. Solving the CAT mock test papers will help you prepare for the exam easily.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I prepare for CAT without going for coaching classes?

Yes, you can prepare for CAT without coaching. However, you need to show 100% dedication.

2. What is the ideal preparation time for CAT examination 2021?

The ideal preparation time for CAT is one year. However, many candidates have cleared the exam by just preparing for 4-6 months. Thus, how many months of CAT preparation time required depends on your strengths and weaknesses.

3. How many mock tests to practice if I want to score 100%?

It is recommended to solve at least 25-30 CAT mock tests to score good marks. However, if you want to get 100%, you need to solve at least 40 CAT practice papers.

4. What are the key topics in the DILR section?

The DILR includes Puzzles, Family Tree, Blood Relations, Number Series, Data Arrangement, Direction, Line Graphs, Data Sufficiency, Venn Diagram, Seating Arrangement.

5. What are the key topics in the CAT VARC section?

The VARC section includes Grammar, Verbal Reasoning, Foreign Words, Para jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Analogies, Reading Comprehension, Antonym, Synonyms, Syllogism etc.