How to Improve Speed for CAT Exam 2024

The CAT test is quite overwhelming; balancing its speed with accuracy during the examination is quite challenging for many. Here are some point of How to Improve Speed for CAT Exam 2024.One of the most important ingredients of cracking CAT is answering questions quickly while simultaneously upholding a good level of precision. With nearly 2.5 lakh aspirants competing for top B-schools, speed improvement is an absolute must to gain an edge. The article below elaborates on numerous tips, strategies, and practices to increase one’s speed for CAT 2024.

Getting Acquainted with the CAT Exam Pattern

It is vital to know how the CAT exam pattern is structured before going into the techniques of improving one’s speed. The CAT test comes divided into three sections:

• Quantitative Ability (QA)
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Every section is timed (generally 40 minutes per section), though the number of questions varies for each test. Since CAT is a time-bound exam, working on your speed across all sections is an integral part.

1.Base Creation

The first step to take is to establish strong bases in all the three sections.

Quantitative Aptitude: The section is largely formula-based and demands a good concept clarity of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems. Knowledge of the basics will let you solve questions faster without falling into unnecessary confusion.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension: For the section, working on vocabulary and grammar aspects combined with enhancing the reading speed is what’s required to handle this section without getting lethargic. The aim should be to increase the speed of comprehension of passages, answering questions while retaining accuracy.

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning: One of the most confusing and time-taking sections. Start with basic chart interpretations, patterns, and reason puzzles and then gradually go ahead and interpret intricate sets that build the base for quicker problem-solving.

 

2.Practice Mental Math for Quantitative Aptitude

That benefit of doing quick calculations without a calculator in the QA section is immense. Calculation speed saves valuable seconds in a question. You can do that by training your mind with the following: Learn up to 20 multiplication tables, up to 30 squares, and up to 15 cubes. Practise Vedic Mathematics techniques like multiplying big numbers in mind and reducing fractions in short periods of time and squaring numbers.

Arithmetic operations, and many more, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, will be exercised in real practice.

Try to solve the problems without a calculator and try to reduce your response time with every practice.

 

3.Familiarise yourself with Shortcut Techniques

Shortcut techniques can save much precious time spent on QA and DILR questions. Some of the popular shortcut techniques that are used are:

The elimination technique in MCQs: Sometimes the choices are simply too weak and could be eliminated in a few thought processes or approximations, saving time for long calculations.

Approximation and Rounding: In some cases, you could round up or down the numbers to do quick calculations without losing its correctness.

Common Formulas and Their Variants: Remember frequently used formulas such as geometry, algebra, and percentage. Learn how to reformulate them depending on the nature of the problem.

Shortcut techniques exercised daily will come as a second nature when you encounter them in the exam.

 

4.Take Mock Tests Periodically

Mock tests are the best way to experience the test environment. Here’s how to use mock tests to boost your speed:

Timed Practice: Whichever mock test you take, strictly adhere to the time limit. That will help you cope with pressure while taking the actual CAT test.

Review and Analyze: After every test, take thorough review as to how you performed. Find out which questions are taking too much time and work on their reduction in the next attempt.

Practice Sectional Tests: Use sectional mock tests for improving speed in specific sections. Find out which section is slowing you down; work on the improved speed in that particular area.

Use Previous Year Papers: You will get an idea of what kinds of questions may be asked and how much time would be needed to answer each. Try to attempt them in a simulated test environment to increase your speed.

 

5.Incurring the Reading Speed and Comprehension: 

For VARC, reading speed and comprehension are essential skills. Here are a few tips in both aspects:

Practice Speed Reading: Take time to increase your reading speed without sacrificing comprehension. Improve the speed with proper apps or website tools.

Read a Mix of Articles: CAT articles are usually taken from a variety of disciplines, which includes economics, philosophy, science, and sociology. Ensure that you have a variety of articles, essays, and journals of different genres that will be ready for any type of RC question.

Follow each of the passages by summarising the essence of the passage in a few lines. This would help you better understand the passage and make you answer questions faster.

 

6.Speed Accuracy Comes First

In CAT, speed without accuracy would be meaningless because wrong answers invite negative marking. Here’s how you can make both work:

Solve Strategically: Don’t get hung up on speed. You’ll speed up as you get used to the questions

Don’t Over-Think: Don’t change a correct answer unless you really, really know it’s wrong. Trust your instinct. Next question.

Skip the Difficult Questions: If it’s taking you longer than a few seconds, skip it. Do the other questions right instead of getting caught up on the tough ones.

 

7.Time Management Skills

Manage your time well in all the sections. Here are some tips to manage time better:

Set time boundaries for each question. Fix a target time limit for solving each question. For example, do not spend more than 2 minutes on Quant questions and 3-4 minutes on DILR sets.

Question ordering: First, attempt questions that you deem easy and leave the tough ones for later. This is to ensure that you do not miss easy marks while dealing with difficult questions.

Timing practice sessions: Timed practice sessions will greatly help in habituating the pressure of time to answer questions. While practising, strictly time yourself for each section.

 

8.Keep your cool and Concentrate

One reason candidates waste their time in CAT is anxiety. If you have apprehension, then you’ll take much more time to grasp and answer questions. Here are a few techniques to remain calm and focused:

Deep Breathing Exercises: Do deep breathing exercises before as well as during your preparation. It might relieve anxiety and keep you focused.

Meditation: Regular sessions of meditation may help you boost concentration and keep you composed during the exam.

Maintain Positivity: Never lose hope during your preparation. Don’t be over excited if a mock test does not go well, analyse your mistake and move ahead

 

9.Good Prep. Material

The prep. Material you use can make all the difference in how fast you score. So do use CAT prepration books by good authors/coaching institutes. Some of the most popular books used are given below

• How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
• How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Nishit Sinha
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis to improve vocabulary.

Availing online platforms such as Unacademy, BYJU’s, or TIME.

 

10.Keeping Healthy Body and Brains

Healthy management is the key during your CAT prep. Ensure regular work-out, proper rest, and healthy food. Proper sleep at times just makes the mind activity sharp, while physical exercise tends to improve cognitive skills by increasing speed and concentration.

Conclusion

CAT 2024 speed improvement would be possible with the regular practice of smart strategy and appropriate mindset. Get into practice mental maths, shortcut techniques, and keep taking mock tests-all of these will be seen to come of age in speed. Add to this calmness under pressure and a positive approach to preparation. With this balance between speed and accuracy, you would be well-equipped to ace the CAT exam and get a seat at one of India’s premier B-schools.