CAT 2021: Important topics and best books to prepare

Check out important tips and books to refer to while preparing for CAT 2021 and acing it with the 99+ percentile.

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Team Careers360 | November 1, 2021 | 05:02 PM IST

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad will conduct CAT 2021 in computer-based mode on November 28, 2021. To ace the exam with 99+ percentile, candidates must understand the CAT syllabus and major topics from which questions can be asked in CAT 2021. The CAT preparation must then proceed by covering them accordingly like to begin from easy topics to difficult ones, etc.

To focus on the important topics, candidates must opt for the CAT best books which are suggested by the experts and previous year CAT toppers. The best books for CAT 2021 preparation will fetch relevant information and give insights to the questions asked in CAT etc. Candidates who wish to appear for CAT 2021 must be careful to choose the authentic books for the three sections, namely, Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC).

CAT Test Pattern 2021: Major Highlights

Particulars

Details

Exam Duration

2 hours i.e. 120 minutes

Total no. of questions

76 MCQs

Mode of CAT 2021

CBT i.e. computer-based

Sections



Quantitative ability

Data interpretation & logical reasoning

Verbal ability and reading comprehension

Marking scheme



  • +3 marks for every correct answer

  • For an incorrect answer, one mark will be deducted

Sectional time-limit

40 minutes


Important CAT 2021 Topics

In order to crack the CAT 2021, candidates will have to understand which are the important topics of three sections from which questions are usually asked in the CAT entrance test. Refer to the table that compiles major topics of CAT test 2021:

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

  • Time and Work

  • Interests (SI, CI)

  • Time, Speed, and Distance

  • Probability

  • Geometry & Mensuration

  • Number System, Basic Arithmetic

  • Algebra

  • Permutation & Combination

  • Profit, loss, and Discounts

  • Trigonometry, Logarithms, and Sets


  • Blood Relations

  • Puzzles

  • Data Sufficiency

  • Graphs Related

  • Seating Arrangement, and Data Arrangement

  • Tables and Caselets

  • Clocks & Calendars

  • Assumption and Binary Logic

  • Syllogisms and Venn Diagrams



  • Para-Summary

  • Para-Jumbles

  • Odd Sentences

  • Reading Comprehension Passages

  • Sentence Completion and Correction

  • Word Usage (Vocabulary)

  • Fill in the Blanks




Best books for CAT Preparation 2021

One of the strategies to obtain the highest marks is to refer to the authentic books for CAT 2021. Before choosing and buying the study materials for CAT 2021, candidates must ensure their authenticity and usefulness.

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

  • How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT- Arun Sharma

  • Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT-K. Sinha

  • Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT 2019-Sarvesh K Verma

  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations -Abhijit Guha

  • How to Prepare for the CAT Common Admissions Test- Muhamed Muneer

  • Quantitative Aptitude for CAT and Other MBA Entrance Exams by Trishna Knowledge Systems

  • The Complete CAT Digest-Arun Sharma



  • How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT-Arun Sharma

  • Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT-K. Sinha Nishit

  • How to prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT -Arun Sharma

  • How to prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for CAT- Arun Sharma

  • The Pearson Guide to Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation-Nishit Sinha

  • The Great Book of Puzzles & Teasers - George J Summers

  • Word Power made easy- Norman Lewis

  • Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT- Ajay Singh

  • How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT- Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay

  • Pocket Guide to Vocabulary -Barron

  • The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning-Nishit Sinha


Quick CAT Preparation Tips 2021

  • Decide in advance the number of hours to devote for CAT 2021 preparation

  • Do not start a new topic

  • Revise from already prepared notes for CAT exam

  • Maintain speed and accuracy through revision

  • Increase CAT mock tests attempts

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