Preparing for CAT 2014: Which Books Should My Cousin Use for Success?

Good morning, my cousin wants to prepare for CAT-2014. He is currently studying B.Tech (ECE) in his 3rd year. I would like to know which books would be helpful for his CAT preparation. Please provide your valuable suggestions for his preparation.

My cousin wants to prepare for CAT-2014. Currently, he is studying B.Tech (ECE) in his 3rd year. I would like to know which books would be helpful for his CAT preparation. Please provide your valuable suggestions for his preparation.

Focus Areas for CAT Preparation

CAT is all about having a strong foundation. You can't answer all questions, not just because of time constraints but also due to negative marking for incorrect answers. Therefore, he needs to focus on the following topics:

- Profit & Loss
- Time & Distance
- Time & Work
- Number Series
- Probability
- LCM & HCF
- Divisibility
- Proportionality
- Basic Numeric Calculations

Although these topics may seem basic and familiar from school, CAT problems can be challenging. They are similar to the Group D questions in our old Maths exams. While they are often perceived as difficult, they are manageable if you grasp the question and have a strong foundation.

Fast calculations are essential. While engineers are accustomed to using calculators, quick mental calculations are crucial for reaching solutions swiftly and accurately.

Study Resources and Practice

I attended a coaching institute and found that most of the content was derived from standard school textbooks. In CAT, the focus is more on solving questions than on the content itself. Practice solving past CAT papers and utilize mock paper booklets, preferably with solutions, to enhance your problem-solving skills.

I hope this information proves helpful.

Regards

Few Tips: Hope It's Useful

1.  **Wrap Up the Basics:** By now, one must have completed his/her basic preparation. If not, it must be done at the earliest. "If you are still not clear with your basics, work on it as soon as possible. One does not have to study in depth all the topics, but should at least know the fundamentals of the important topics."

2.  **Don't Leave Any Area:** Your brother still has ample time to go through the basic concepts of the important topics. It is quite possible that the areas which apparently look tough can have the easiest questions. "The so-called difficult question is only a combination of simpler questions. The trick is to break the problem into simpler parts and then solve. To begin with, you should get over your fear that there is any such thing called 'difficult question' in CAT."

3.  **Take Regular Mock Tests:** One should not wait further to start taking mock tests even if one is still preparing the basics. Taking mock tests will not only give you the right exposure to the question types and various difficulty levels, but you can also decide for yourself which strategy suits you the best. This will help you see what sections you need to work on more.

4. 離 **Experiment with Strategy:** This is the right time for you to experiment with your test-taking strategy. Though in the new pattern of CAT, you don't have much to worry about time management or which section to attempt first, but still, the more you practice, the more you will be able to judge how to go about the test on the D-Day.

5.  **Analyze Performances in Mock Tests:** While taking mock tests is only half the job done, the rest could only be completed once you analyze them thoroughly. "Analyzing your performance in these tests is just as important. Get yourself a solved copy of the question paper and do a self-analysis."

6. ⏰ **Time Management:** You should have a wise time management strategy for your preparation. If you are working or studying, be sure not to hamper your preparation. Make a timetable for yourself and include basic preparation, mock test, analysis, and practice in it.

Mycatstudy portal is useful. Let your brother go through and do a little research on this.