How to Prepare for CAT Exam at Home? Best Tips, Sectional Strategy, List of Books and Online Classes

The begineers often ask for how to prepare for CAT Exam at home? Or is it even posisble to prepare and attempt CAT from home? The CAT exam preparation can be easily done in the comfort of home only if you are serious about the exam. Each year candidates who decide to appear for the exam wonder how to study for CAT at home. The CAT exam is one of the toughest management exam. However, yes, it is possible to crack the exam with the comfort of home, but, only if you follow certain strategies and time table.

Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive exam, only the ones who clearly understand the exam can score high marks. With the percentile touching 100, the competition is cut-throat. The step by step guide to how to study for CAT exam at home has been shared below for your reference.

How to Prepare for CAT Exam at Home?

While some opt for coaching, some choose to build their base and work on their own. Both ways have proven successful over the years. Therefore, let us see how to prepare for the CAT exam at home.

1. Get Acquainted with the Exam 

The primary way to get familiar with any exam is to know the exact details of the exam. IIMs conduct CAT rotationally. Each year one specific IIM conducts the exam.  The exam is divided into three sections. The CAT scores are accepted by leading B-Schools and IIMs.

2. Focus on Time Management

Time is a very big factor when it comes to the CAT exam. Sixty-six questions need to be answered in 120 minutes. Therefore, the speed game must be accurate. Besides, the ones preparing at home must have a definite timetable, including studying, revision, mock tests, practice papers, and breaks. Healthy and balance time management is required while preparing from home for CAT. 

Furthermore, sticking to the timetable is very necessary. You must not lose focus while preparing for the exam.

Also Read: How to Crack CAT Exam?

3. Check the Syllabus

Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude are the main topic of the CAT 2025 syllabus. The syllabus constitutes sub-topics. You must be aware of the detailed syllabus before jumping into the preparation. The DILR and QA syllabus is broadly discussed in the links below. 

However, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) are as follows: 

• Para Jumbles
• Summary, Sentence Completion
• Odd Sentence Out
• Antonyms & Synonyms
• Error Detection
• Reading Comprehension
• Verbal Ability

4. Detect Strength and Weaknesses

It is one of the challenging tasks, detecting strengths and weaknesses. There will be topics which are easy and some that are difficult. Therefore, you must try to cover the areas you are struggling with more time. Hence, you must cover the strong areas and dedicate the rest of the time to focusing on the weaknesses. 

Also Read: How to Prepare for CAT without Coaching?

5. Take Guidance from Previous Year’s CAT Question Papers

The CAT previous year question papers aid in a positive way. After following the question papers, you can better prepare yourselves for the CAT 2025 exam. The question papers will display the sectional division of marks, repeated questions, and the areas of high weightage.

Further, you can start answering the questions from the previous year's papers to monitor your progress. Additionally, it will also enhance your time management skills.

6. Prepare for Mock Tests

Another source of preparation for the CAT exam at home is applying for mock tests. There are plenty of options for online mock tests. You must appear for the test to know yourknowledge. Moreover, the CAT mock tests will enhance your skills and prepare you for the exam. 

7. Look up to the Internet

Another best option of how to prepare for CAT exam at home is looking upto the internet. To tackle such a vast and tricky syllabus, you must resort to every form and kind of preparation possible. Only leaning towards the CAT books and mock tests will not be enough. Therefore, looking up the internet is advised. Various youtube videos are available that describe topics. 

Additionally, you can take notes from the online videos and study them.  

8. Form Study Group

One of the tried and tested ways to how to prepare for CAT exam at home is to opt for group study. You who are appearing for the CAT 2025 exam at home can gather and try to discuss all the topics. It will boost your confidence, and the dubious topics will be cleared. 

Furthermore, it will also act as a mock preparation for the GD round. Some of you find a few topics tough, while others are easy. With enough practice and hard work, you can achieve your ambition.

Best Books for CAT Exam at Home

The ones preparing for the CAT exam at home must make CAT books your best friends. Therefore, the best books for the CAT exam 2025 while preparing at home are listed below.

These tips and tricks, if followed carefully, will help you prepare for CAT exam at home without coaching.