Confused about how to navigate through CAT 2022 preparation? Find out when is the best time for CAT preparation along with its exam pattern, syllabus and preparation tips.
The best CAT preparation time varies from person to person. One candidate might crack the exam with a preparation time of a year, while one may prepare for 4-6 months and still crack the exam with a very good percentile. So the answer to the common concern of how much time is required to prepare for CAT would be that it depends on the candidates’ abilities, consistency and preparation strategies.
The CAT 2022 exam is scheduled to be conducted on November 27, 2022. Well, it’s never too late to start your CAT preparation and revision.
Table of Contents
- CAT 2022 Preparation Timetable
- When is the Best Time for CAT 2022 Preparation?
- Understanding CAT 2022
- CAT 2022 Preparation Tips
CAT 2022 Preparation Timetable
The time required to prepare for CAT 2022 must be split into the different sections of the CAT exam pattern. The amount of CAT preparation time a candidate must devote to each section will vary depending on the candidates' previous knowledge of each section.
A candidate might be very good with the basics of the Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Quantitative Ability sections but need to learn more about Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), hence must prepare a timetable which helps them concentrate more on the latter Likewise, candidates first need to be aware of the topics they lack and concentrate on improving them.
When is the Best Time for CAT 2022 Preparation?
Ideally, candidates are advised to wrap up their preparation of the CAT syllabus by the month of August and start their revision sessions and mock test sessions in September. The ideal month-wise time table for CAT preparation is as follows.
| Months | Target |
| March - August | Master the basics and complete the preparation of all the CAT syllabus topics |
| July - September | Start taking weekend mock tests from July and increase the frequency of mock tests by the end of August to practice question selection and prioritisation and increase calculation speed and accuracy. |
| mid-September - mid-October | Take full-length mock tests and time the section-wise time limit. |
| October - November (exam) | Revision and mock tests. |
However, even candidates starting their preparations late can crack the exam if they strategise well and make effective short-term preparation plans.
Understanding CAT 2022
Before making the CAT 2022 preparation timetable, candidates need to thoroughly understand the CAT 2022 exam pattern, syllabus topics and weightage.
CAT 2022 Exam Pattern
Knowing the exam pattern and section-wise pattern of CAT 2022 will aid the candidates’ preparation as they’ll be able to analyse their strengths and weaknesses in the sections and plan the time required to prepare for CAT sections accordingly. The CAT 2022 exam pattern is expected to be as follows.
| Name of the Section | No. of Questions | Time Allotted |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 66 | 120 minutes |
CAT 2022 Marking Scheme
The marking scheme of the CAT 2022 examination is tabulated below. The CAT 2022 exam will have multiple choice questions (MCQs) and descriptive questions under each section.
| Marking Scheme | MCQs | Descriptive |
| Correct Answers | +3 Marks | +3 Marks |
| Incorrect Answers | -1 Mark | No negative marking |
| Unanswered Questions | 0 | 0 |
CAT 2022 Syllabus
Thorough knowledge of the syllabus topics to prepare for each section will enhance the CAT preparation time of the candidates. The important syllabus topics of each section are tabulated below.
| Sections | CAT Syllabus Topics |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Verbal Ability
|
| Quantitative Ability |
|
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Data Interpretation
|
Read More: CAT 2022 Previous Year Question Papers
CAT 2022 Preparation Tips
Few tips to follow to make your CAT preparation time worthwhile irrespective of your preparation period are as follows.
- Master the basics. No shortcut will work in this aspect. Thorough knowledge of the section basics is mandatory to crack the exam.
- Taking mock tests of samples and previous years' question papers is integral to the preparation strategy. The candidates must take mock tests regularly to help them analyse the topics they’re good and weak at and change their preparation plan accordingly.
- Being consistent in the CAT preparation time is the key for the plan to work. Consistent practice will help the candidates increase their calculation speed and approximation skills.
- Proper time management of the CAT preparation time is crucial to avoid unnecessary pressure in the last few days before the exam. The candidates must split their CAT preparation time among the sections depending on their strengths and weaknesses of the syllabus topics.
We hope you now have an idea of how to navigate through CAT 2022 preparation. All the best, aspirants!
Read More: CAT 2022 Mock Tests
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