CAT 2020: Important Preparation Topics From QA, VARC and LRDI Sections

CAT 2020: Important topics for preparation - “Time waits for no one” is a Japanese proverb that throws light on how important time is. Talking of time in context to CAT 2020, time management is considered to be the most important factor for candidates who wish to gain success in the CAT entrance exam. One of the most groundbreaking things about CAT is that it does not have any defined syllabus. Hence candidates are required to prepare from a wide diameter of topics. Candidates more or less rely on previous year question sets of CAT. Thus, to solve this dilemma, Careers360 in this article brings to you CAT 2020 important topics for preparation. To score well in CAT 2020 it is important for all candidates to know the important topics for preparation. Along with CAT 2020 Important topics for preparation, this article also contains some effective preparation tips. Common Admission Test is tough, and henceforth CAT aspirants must follow the set time table without fail.
Latest - Candidates can download CAT 2020 admit card from October 28. Get details related to CAT Mock Test 2020.

CAT Exam Pattern 2020

Before heading straight onto the important topics, let us first have a look onto the exam pattern of CAT 2020. With D-Day around the corner, candidates must brush up the basics and re-check the CAT 2020 exam pattern. Total of three sections is there in the question paper. Due to COVID 19 pandemic, there have been some changes in the CAT exam pattern which are given below-

Exam Pattern of CAT 2020:

CAT 2020: Important Topics For Preparation

It is imperative for CAT 2020 candidates to brush up their skills by starting with the basic level topics which they are already familiar with. Everyone wants to know the important topics from which questions are expected in the exam. Here, in this article, Careers360 has compiled all the important topics for preparation from all three sections of the CAT 2020 entrance exam which need more focus. Let us have a look at the important topics for preparation on the basis of sections one by one.

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Quantitative aptitude as told by CAT toppers is considered to be one of the most crucial yet challenging sections in the CAT exam. The section of QA contains 34 questions which are to be solved within 60 minutes and consist of both multiple and TITA questions according to the exam pattern of CAT 2020. Candidates who are not confident in this section must after analyzing the exam pattern and focus on areas which they think is challenging and needs more coverage. Mathematical questions of QA section are based on common logic theories and therefore candidates are advised to practice more of the basic mathematics to gain clarity of this section. If possible, candidates must solve sample papers of CAT to help understand the basics.

CAT topper Lakshya Kumar said, “My approach was to practice a lot of basic arithmetic questions (profit and loss, Percentage, etc), Number system and geometry as these have been the key areas of focus for the CAT exam. This combined with quick calculation speed (developed over 6 months) helped me ace the exam. The advice from my seniors to mark important questions and concepts so that a quick revision is possible did help me a lot during the final leg. I did coaching books of quant twice. My focus during mock and actual CAT was on the fact that I shouldn’t miss out any easy or medium question and hence I deliberately left the difficult question for the last”.

Some of the topics that the aspirants must focus under this section, and from which most questions asked are:

CAT 2020: Important Topics for Preparation (QA)

Preparation tips for Quantitative Ability Section-

Weightage of each topic must be checked by candidates in order to decide how much time they wish to devote to that particular topic. It is recommended that candidates should focus more on the basic topics number system and geometry as they hold a good amount of weightage in the IIM entrance exam. Not only in CAT, but other top b-school entrance exams also cover most of these topics from the QA section. When candidates are done with the basic concepts, they should pick up past year question papers and practice them.

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

As per the exam pattern, this section of DILR contains 32 questions in total. According to CAT topper Rahul Gupta, Data interpretation and logical reasoning questions are tricky and time-consuming as well. Hence, to excel in this section, candidates must know shortcut methods of solving questions. DILR section aims to test a candidate's decision-making ability as well as speed using limited input in restricted time of 60 minutes. Logical reasoning section aims to test the understanding of candidates with respect to the hidden hints in the question. Candidates must indulge in brainstorming sessions, such as solving Sudoku, riddles on blood relations, crossword puzzles, family tree etc.,

CAT topper Rohit Banerjea said, “For DILR, I proceeded set-by-set, studying each of them and understanding which topic the set belonged to. If it fell in my wheelhouse of comfort, I'd attempt it immediately before proceeding to the next. If not, I'd skip it for later. I also made the decision to skip the novel set in the section because of the variables involved, which proved to be the right decision.”

Some of the topics that the given below must be checked by candidates:

CAT 2020: Important Topics for Preparation (DILR)

Preparation tips for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

For this section, practice as many questions as you can. One can never predict the question of DILR as they vary widely. However, the base set up of questions remains the same. Practice from past year question papers of CAT. Attempt as many CAT 2020 mock tests. The more candidates practise the questions from DI & LR the better will be the outcome. The DI questions in the paper are calculation-intensive and require good speed calculations. For this on-screen calculator, the option is available in CAT.

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How to prepare for CAT DI & LR

Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

According to CAT topper Ankit Desai, Candidates must solve as many RCs possible in the first 40 mins. After that for the next 10 mins solve Verbal Ability. Since, the difficulty is never known for VARC Section before solving the paper, devote sufficient time to both RCs and VA while preparing. Niranjan, one of the CAT toppers said, “To build confidence in VA, I bought a couple of books online from Amazon. I referred to Arun Sharma’s book on VARC which is detailed and includes lots of questions, which is enough for practice. This helped me get a good hold on VARC.”

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How to prepare for CAT VARC (Verbal and Reading Comprehension)

CAT 2020: Important Topics for Preparation (VARC)

Preparation tips for Verbal and Reading Comprehension

Experts suggest that to excel in this section of VARC candidates should focus more on grammar and try to learn new words on a daily basis along with synonyms and antonyms. Adopting this practice will help candidates to score well in this section. Candidates must ensure that they practice this section form at least 3 hours on daily basis. Reading as much as possible is an addon of this VARC section.

Quick Links-

CAT 2020: When and how to start preparation

Best Books for CAT Preparation

How to prepare for CAT 2020