Strategies for CAT 2019 Preparation with a Non-Maths Background

Preparing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) while working and coming from a non-maths background can be quite a challenge. However, with a well-structured and comprehensive approach, it is entirely achievable. This article offers a detailed guide on how to prepare effectively starting from now, just six months before the exam.

Suggested Timeline for CAT Preparation

To begin, it is recommended to start preparing for the CAT by June for the 2019 exam. This early start will give you ample time to cover all the necessary topics and sections thoroughly, increasing your chances of success. With this timeline, you will have about six months to gather your concepts, practice thoroughly, and fine-tune your skills.

Section Wise Strategy

VARC (Verbal and Reading Comprehension) Section

The first step in mastering the VARC section is to develop your reading habits. Practicing reading for at least one hour every day is crucial. This not only strengthens your verbal skills but also helps you to think critically about a wide variety of issues, which is essential for tackling complex VARC questions.

In addition to daily reading, it is recommended to start watching concept videos to understand key strategies and improve your comprehension skills. Complete Reading Comprehension Sets (RCS) and practice reading every day to enhance your overall performance in this section. This will help you to avoid directly approaching passages, as many questions require inferential skills rather than direct information extraction.

Specific skills like sentence elimination and paragraph jumbles further test your ability to spot coherent ideas. For questions requiring paragraph summary, you need to possess excellent comprehension skills. Solving puzzles and crosswords in newspapers can serve as a good supplement to boost your verbal and reasoning abilities.

DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) Section

The DILR section requires consistent practice and understanding of fundamental concepts. Start by dedicating time to cover specific topics, such as sets, which have appeared in previous CAT exams. Solve two sets daily and allocate one to two hours per day to cover DI or LR concepts. Regular practice is the key to achieving success in this section.

QA (Quantitative Aptitude) Section

For the QA section, the first step is to revise the basic quant concepts, as many aspirants skip these basics but might need them later for problem-solving. This ensures that you do not forget the concepts as you advance. Solving two to four examples and watching concept videos when learning new topics can help build a strong foundation and ease transition to advanced topics.

Preparing with Resources

To prepare for the CAT exam, utilize a variety of resources, including coaching classes, YouTube channels, live sessions, and books. Below are some highly recommended books for each section:

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Norman Lewis’ Word Power Made Easy ‘GMAT Official Guide’ and ‘Manhattan Verbal’, recommended by CAT 2020 toppers How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay published by Arihant 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis published by Simon Schuster How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Sharma and Upadhyay PSC for VA for CAT by Nishit Sinha

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

How to prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT and How to prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Arun Sharma published by Tata McGraw Hill The Great Book of Puzzles and Teasers by George J Summers CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashish

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Arun Sharma’s How to prepare for Quantitative Ability for CAT published by Tata McGraw Hill Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha published by Tata McGraw-Hill Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Nishit Sinha published by Pearson

By following these strategies and utilizing the recommended resources, even students coming from a non-maths background can successfully prepare for the CAT in 2019. Remember, consistency, practice, and the right resources are key to success.