CAT 2014 Study Material

The 2014CAT exam date is not officially announced yet. It is believed that the exam will be conducted anytime between October (2^nd week) and November (1^st week). Over the last few years, the CAT exam course has changed, and thus students are confused about how to prepare for the exams. 

The questions are very tricky and lengthy with complex combination of 3 to 4 concepts in a single problem. For preparation, one needs to refer the right CAT 2014 study material. 

Reference materials and books help the students appearing for this exam to understand the basic concepts, strategies, tips and tricks. Moreover, they get enough problems solving practice with varying difficulty levels.

If concepts are explained in a simple and efficient manner, then the reference material is said to be a trustworthy guide. 

CAT exam covers two sections:

Quantitative aptitude and data interpretation

Verbal ability and logical reasoning

CAT syllabus

Quantitative/Math Ability - Indices and surds, LCM and HCF, Geometry, Set Theory, Number system, Algebra, Percentages, Probability, Functions, Time & work, Trigonometry

Data Interpretation - Venn diagram, line graphs, charts (pie, bar and column), Area graph, Interpretation & analysis of data-based text

Verbal/Non-Verbal Ability - Reading, Verbal reasoning, Comprehension, Sentence correction, Antonyms & synonyms

Logical Reasoning - Blood relations, Seating arrangements, Number & letter series, Logical sequence, Syllogism, Cubes, Binary Logic, Linear & Matrix arrangement, Venn diagrams, Calendars, Clocks

Recommended reference books for CAT Exams

Quantitative Aptitude

Simple & easy to understand - Arun Sharma’s ‘How to prepare for quantitative aptitude for CAT’ - 5^th edition (2012) Price - Rs. 625/

For advanced study - Nishit Sinha’s “Pearson Guide to quantitative aptitude & data interpretation for CAT. 2012 edition costs Rs.650/

For more practice - Sarvesh Verma’s ‘Quantum CAT’ 2013 edition for Rs.650/

Logical Reasoning/Data Interpretation

Good reference book for LR - Arun Sharma’s ‘How to prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT’ 2012 edition. Price - Rs.550/

Excellent study material for DI - Arun Sharma’s ‘How to prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT’ 2012 edition. Price - Rs.450/

Admired practice work - Nishit Sinha’s ‘Pearson Guide to verbal ability & Logical Reasoning for CAT’. 2012 edition. Price - Rs.599/

Verbal Aptitude/Logical Reasoning

Meenakshi Upadhyay and Arun Sharma’s  4^th edition, ‘How to prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT’. Cost - Rs.575/

Nishit Sinha’s ‘Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning for CAT’. 2012 edition. Price - Rs.599/

Other helpful books

Wren and Martin - High school grammar & composition

Norman Lewis - Word Power made easy

Robert Johnson - Fundamental of reasoning

The CAT 2014 aspirants must also regularly read daily newspaper and good weekly business magazines. They come up with updates and they also publish opinions from the experts in the field. 

Interpreting the Difficult Questions

CAT exams are conducted online, and the questions asked are not framed in a simple manner. One needs to be quick at interpreting the questions and answering them as soon as they can. The candidates appearing for exams cannot afford to waste too much time on each question, as they might not be able to complete the exam in the specified time.  

All these will ensure that you not only prepare well for the test, but also clear the exam with flying colors.