How to Crack CAT 2023 in 2 Months: Useful Section-wise Tips for Aspirants

How to Crack CAT 2023 in 2 Months: Preparing for CAT 2023 in just 2 months can be quite challenging, especially considering the exam's level of difficulty and competitiveness. However, it's not impossible if you are dedicated, focused, and have a strategic approach. If you have a strong foundation in the relevant subjects and skills assessed in the CAT exam, a 2-month strategy could be more feasible. Be prepared to dedicate a significant amount of time each day to studying, practicing, and taking mock tests. A 2-month preparation strategy for CAT can work for individuals who are starting from a decent skill level, can commit a significant amount of time, and are adaptable to the pressure of an intensive study schedule. 

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the toughest entrance exams conducted in India. CAT aspirants are highly motivated and spare no expense that their CAT preparation strategy is on point to ensure their success. Hence, candidates must ensure that they have a solid plan for preparation. The CAT 2023 exam has been conducted on November 26, 2023.

Experts consider that the ideal time required to prepare for CAT is 6 months and one should always ensure that they have sufficient time for preparation. However, for those who start preparation late, there is still hope for success. In this article, we share some tips to plan your 2-month CAT preparation. However, first things first, here is a 2-month preparation strategy for CAT.

Also Read: How to Crack CAT 2023 in First Attempt?

Should I Follow a 2-Month Preparation Strategy for CAT?

No, absolutely not, it is a bad idea!! If you have 6 months (or more) to prepare for CAT, then use all of that time to work steadily towards improving your CAT preparation. That being said, there are still chances that some candidates may simply not have enough time to start CAT preparation that early. Through hard work and determined study, they can also ensure a good score in CAT.

Before moving on to the CAT 2023 2-month preparation tips, candidates also have the option to look for alternatives such as appearing for any other MBA entrance exam. Candidates can check the schedule of MBA entrance exams in India and find an exam that allows them sufficient preparation time. A good alternate choice would be CMAT. It is conducted in January, which would significantly extend the preparation time and it is also quite widely accepted by colleges in India.

However, this would also mean that a candidate will have to give up their claim for the IIMs. For those who want to apply for IIMs, this will be the time to gear up and start preparing.

How to Crack CAT 2023 in 2 Months

Anyone who wants to prepare in 2 months must be prepared for a rigorous and dedicated study plan as well as an attitude toward success. Here, hard work will count just as much as smart work. First of all, candidates will have to ensure that they stay updated with all of the latest information about CAT. When you don't have a lot of time to prepare, you have to play to your strengths and ensure that you follow a smart strategy not only when preparing but also when attempting the exam.

• Understand the CAT exam pattern 2023, including the number of sections, types of questions, and time limits, and take time to understand the CAT exam pattern and go through the syllabus to find out the topics that you have foundational knowledge in.
• Accumulate high-quality study materials such as CAT preparation books, online resources, and video lectures that cover the CAT syllabus comprehensively. Seek for CAT 2023 coaching centres that provide crash courses and find a mentor to assist you with your preparation.
• Solve CAT 2023 Mock Tests regularly. 4 to 5 mock tests per week would help you get good practice and understand the type of questions asked in the CAT 2023 exam. After each mock exam, go through your errors and comprehend the fundamental ideas.
• Thoroughly analyze your performance after each mock test and identify the areas of your weakness and work on improving them. You should also practise answering questions quickly by identifying the ones you spend too much time on. 
• Consider time management from the beginning because it is limited. To increase your speed and accuracy during practice sessions, set a timer and complete questions as if you are taking the real exam.
• For the quantitative and reasoning sections, focus on building a strong foundation in concepts rather than just memorizing shortcuts. Conceptual clarity will help you tackle a variety of questions.
• Read articles from newspapers, magazines, and the internet to expand your vocabulary in preparation for the VARC part. Your reading comprehension abilities will get better if you read consistently.
• Accuracy should come first, even when speed is crucial. Read the questions and answer options carefully to avoid making thoughtless mistakes.
• Make revision and evaluation of important concepts, formulae, and techniques a top priority in the last few weeks. Try to limit your revisions to the subjects you know or are strong at. At this point, avoid studying new topics.

Also Read: Important Topics for CAT 2023

How to Crack CAT 2023 in 2 Months: Section-wise Preparation Tips

When preparing to study for CAT, you should be aware of the most asked questions in CAT 202. Ideally, you should aim to cover the complete syllabus but it can get near impossible to do so in just 2 months. In such a situation, following a targeted study plan is the right way forward. Given below are some important topics in each section of CAT.

• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: Seating Arrangements, Syllogisms, Blood Relations, Venn Diagrams, Puzzles

• Quantitative Ability: Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Permutation and Combination, Logarithms, Set Theory

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: Para Jumble, Fill in the Blanks, Verbal Reasoning, Sentence Correction, Vocabulary

Also Read: Step by Step Guide to Crack CAT Without Coaching

Now, let's explore the important tips for each section in CAT.

Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

1. Keep calm and read on: 
Regularly read newspapers, magazines, and online articles to improve your vocabulary. Practice reading diverse topics and work on understanding the main idea, tone, and structure of passages. Practice summarizing passages in your own words.

Reading must have turned into a habit till now. Right? If yes, good going! If not, then I think this is your cue to start!

Benefits of reading include:

• Improved vocabulary

• Increased ability to understand

• Helps comprehend a lot faster

2. Focus on vocabulary:
The very basic pillar of the VA section is vocabulary and owing to the difficulty level of the exam, we know that the words will not be the ones we use in our regular conversations. So prep up for the same using the following methods:

• Take a quick read through books like Word Power, Barron’s, etc.

• Try to remember every new word you learn by writing it down somewhere.

• Not only learn words to increase your vocab but also try using them in sentences.

Try using Flash Cards to make learning vocab a fun and knowledgeable process.

3. Para Jumbles and Odd Sentence Out:
Practice solving para jumbles by identifying the logical flow of sentences. Work on identifying the sentence that doesn't fit logically in a given context.

4. Critical Reasoning:
Practice critical reasoning questions to improve your ability to analyze arguments, identify assumptions, and draw conclusions.

5. Don’t forget grammar:
Remember, there is no escaping from bad grammar and losing marks is complimentary. So for all the grammar victims out there, start from the very basics and read Wren & Martin. In case you have doubts, take help from your seniors and mentors for better understanding.

4. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
Whether it be the unseen paragraphs, editing sentences, jumbled up sentences fill in the blanks, or omitted sentences, practice will help you gain power over every aspect!

Also, don’t forget to take mock tests which will not only help you gain experience but will also help you analyse your overall performance.

Section II: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

1. Familiarise yourself with caselets:

We advise you to have a look at the mock tests and familiarise yourself with the topics and types of questions to expect in this section.

Also, remember:

• Data Interpretation questions will be in the form of line and bar graphs, pie charts etc.
• Logical Reasoning questions will be based on arrangements, blood relations, family tree, Venn diagrams, etc.

2. Are you ready for tough calculations?

DI questions are usually calculation-intensive and what decides if you are in the game or not is the speed of these calculations. It is important that you time yourself to evaluate the performance.

3. Again PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

Apart from excelling in the previous year’s papers and mock papers, try solving riddles and puzzles to sharpen your logical reasoning skills. Also play mental games and games like crossword puzzles, Sudoku, blood relations, and family tree riddles, etc. This will help make learning a fun process!

Section III: Quantitative Ability

1. Familiarise yourself with topics and areas:

A very useful strategy to help you crack this section is starting by learning the basic concepts and understanding them with the help of examples. Start with easy questions and then move on to the difficult questions. Once you are familiar with the topics that hold the maximum weightage in this section, focus on the same.

2. Figure out the important topics:

Since the syllabus for the exam is not definite, one cannot study for each topic that has appeared in the previous year's papers. But what you can do is, figure out the important topics based on the number of times it has appeared over the years and how much weightage each hold. Make sure you do not skip any important topic and try to cover as much as possible.

In case, you find yourself stuck on one of the topics and are not able to perform well, despite repeated efforts, it is advisable to skip that topic and further spend time strengthening your strong areas.

Note: Try not to skip important topics like Number systems, Arithmetic, Modern Math, or Geometry.

3. And finally PRACTICE!

Now you know what we are talking about. Practice is key! Hold on to it as it will open many doors. Solve previous year’s papers and mock tests and see your weaker sections turn into your strengths.

Stay focused on your preparation and ensure that you are investing sufficient time every day in CAT preparation. This should be the time for you to sit down and start studying. Each day and every hour spent in preparation will take you closer to your goal of cracking the CAT.

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