How to Prepare for CAT 2024 Without Coaching: Expert Tips and Strategies

How to Prepare for CAT Without Coaching? - Top MBA colleges in India like IIMs, FMS, SPJIMR, MDI etc., are the first preference of MBA aspirants appearing for CAT exam. But only a few get to secure a spot at IIMs or any other top B-school. Those who wish to pursue MBA from these top B-schools must appear for CAT 2024 exam. Cracking the CAT exam does not only require a CAT coaching but the right strategy, hard work, and consistent practice. Candidates can top the CAT exam with a high score without taking any coaching classes.

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In this article, you will know how to crack CAT without coaching, how to prepare for the CAT at home, the best tips for CAT preparation, best books and downloads that will help in preparing for IIM MBA entrance exam.

Check out section-wise CAT exam MCQs

Most of the candidates join coaching classes with high hopes, and so they are ready to pay a huge amount as a fee. Joining coaching, though it can be helpful, does not guarantee that you will clear the CAT exam 2024 and achieve the target score. Many CAT toppers in the past cleared the entrance exam without taking the help of coaching. All you need is just follow this article which provides you with all that it takes to crack CAT 2024 and score high.

How to Start Preparing for CAT by Self-Study?

Many CAT toppers and experts suggest that taking mentorship and coaching for the CAT exam is beneficial to a great extent. But it is not always mandatory. According to one of the CAT toppers Vishesh Garg, taking coaching for CAT exam is not the most essential part through which a candidate can secure good marks. Nowadays what coaching institutes do not want candidates to know is the fact that they can achieve success in CAT exam 2024 even without their help.

Also read- Online CAT Coaching

Candidates, especially first-time CAT takers blindly follow the coaching institutes and pay huge hard-earned money. However, some candidates are unable to join any coaching classes. The reason could be the high fees, and willingness to score well with self-study.

Ashish Sen who secured the 99.99 percentile in CAT exam, says that self-study definitely brings in the difference while you prepare by yourself for the CAT exam.

Keeping in mind the footprints of CAT toppers, Shivam Chandak and Aditya Devalla secured 99.98 and 99.97 percent respectively in the toughest exams. Shivam Chandak prepared for CAT 2019 without joining any coaching and took the help of the internet only to attempt practice papers and CAT mock tests. Whereas, CAT topper Abhilasha Balakrishnan told Careers360 that he did not join any coaching. According to him, self-study is sufficient when one has a clear-cut picture of the schedule.

Browse Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score: Location-Wise

Take CAT Mock Test

Before beginning your CAT preparation, the first step would be to take a CAT mock test to judge where you actually stand. CAT topper Adit Sanjanawala started his preparation for CAT by taking a mock test to find out his base level. According to him, by taking mock tests a candidate will be able to understand his/her strengths and weaknesses. Similarly, topper Ravi Pranshu appeared in around 40 mock tests of CAT exam to understand his mistakes and areas where he needed to focus.

• Through CAT mock tests, candidates will get an idea about the difficulty level of the CAT paper, and how they can navigate between the three different sections.
• Along with that, candidates will be familiarized with the amount of effort they need to put into each section to score well.
• Remember that in CAT candidates will have to answer the Non-MCQs where they will have to read the passage and select the best sequence.
• CAT mock tests also provide the option to review the questions. Mock tests of CAT will be like real examinations, whereby each section will have sectional timings.

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Know the CAT Exam Pattern

Candidates are required to answer the questions within the sectional time allotted. Topper Rahul Manglik focused on understanding and finishing the CAT syllabus to ensure accuracy and then focused on increasing his problem-solving accuracy.

• Once done with analyzing what you need to know on how to prepare for CAT 2024 without coaching through a mock test, you need to check the exam pattern as well as the CAT syllabus.
• As per the generic CAT exam pattern, the CAT question paper is expected to have 66 questions in total and the exam will be conducted in online mode.
• A total of three sections of Quantitative Ability, Verbal ability and reading comprehension, Data interpretation & logical reasoning form the CAT question paper.
• Prepare a sectional strategy on how and when to start the preparation of CAT for each section.

Quick Link- CAT Exam Pattern

Time Management

Shivam Kumar CAT topper said, “Candidates should spend a lot of their time analyzing the shortcut methods.” Make time management your priority. It is not just preparing Verbal Ability or Reasoning or Quantitative Ability but preparing for all sections together with proper time management.

• Attempting all questions accurately within the time allotment of 40 minutes to each section is comparatively difficult if you do not have the tricks of solving questions easily.
• Prepare short notes of formulas and techniques to save time while solving any calculation-intensive CAT question.
• Set a timer to record the time taken for each question.

Create Study Groups

• Be socially active and try to find people who are like-minded and equally motivated to crack CAT 2024 as you are without the help of coaching articles.
• A good company can make or break the results. Hence, it is advisable that candidates must try to actively seek out people who are or have already appeared in CAT exams.
• By taking part in groups of like minds, new topics and discussions will be helpful during exam time.
• It is not always necessary that all candidates are involved in how to start preparing for CAT by self-study. Those who have joined coaching classes can help others.
• Queries and basic issues can be answered and resolved with the help of other team members. Study group members may motivate each other and breed a healthy environment rather than pulling each other’s legs

Get the Right Study Material

The market is flooded with ample CAT preparation study material. Those who are preparing without coaching must:

• Keep an eye on which are the best CAT books, question banks, preparation notes, CAT sample papers, etc. by top authors.
• Search for books that are rich in content rather than heavy as per the quantity. While preparing for CAT 2024 exam always go for quality rather than quantity books.
• Try to find the best books for CAT preparation and start your CAT preparation after checking the exam pattern and CAT syllabus.

Use the Technology

Just because you are not going to any CAT coaching classes does not limit your access to the Internet. Browse throughout and make use of Google services. Try to figure out which are the best educational sites that can assist and upgrade your CAT preparation efforts. Several YouTubers are available this time, who explain each topic of the CAT syllabus in lucid language. Ronit Banerjea said that he used the internet and prepared through various preparation sites. Clear your concepts by learning new methods of solving CAT important questions from the internet.

Be Motivated & Have Faith In Yourself

Although not directly, this factor is of utmost importance as it acts as a guiding force in any area. Make yourself motivated by adding a positive sticky note in front of your desk. Check the same on a daily basis and make yourself positive. Notes could be “I can clear CAT with good marks”, “I will get a call from IIM” or anything that inspires you. According to topper Ankit Desai, who scored 99.9 percentile in the CAT exam said that the major factor in clearing CAT exam is constant self-motivation.