Best Books For CAT 2024 Preparation, DILR, Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability
Exam
List of Best CAT Exam Books: The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to some of the top business schools in India. Given the high level of competition and the exam’s challenging nature, a solid preparation strategy is necessary. One of the most important part of that strategy is the right set of books.
This article is about the best books for CAT, specifically for Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. And how to use these books effectively.
Below is the section wise composition of CAT question paper:
CAT 2024 Sections
Number of Questions
Allotted Time
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
24
40 minutes
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (LRDI)
20
40 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
22
40 minutes
Total
66
120 minutes
Best Books for CAT Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Quantitative Aptitude is often considered the most challenging section of CAT, primarily focusing on topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems. Here are some books that cover these topics in depth:
Books for Quantitative Aptitude
Author
Special Features
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT
Arun Sharma
Three levels of difficulty; graded exercises
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations
R.S. Aggarwal
Extensive practice questions; tricks and shortcuts
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT
Nishit K. Sinha
Conceptual clarity; mock tests and exercises
The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude for CAT
Comprehensive question bank with stepwise solutions
Complete Guide for Quantitative Aptitude
Arihant Experts
Exhaustive coverage with shortcuts and formulas
Best Books for CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) is one of the most unpredictable sections in CAT. It demands both speed and accuracy in solving complex problems involving charts, tables, puzzles, and logical sequences. Here are some of the best books for mastering this section:
Books for DILR
Author
Special Features
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for CAT
Arun Sharma
Comprehensive DILR strategies; graded questions
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT
Nishit K. Sinha
Analytical thinking and case studies
A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning
R.S. Aggarwal
Wide range of reasoning topics and questions
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for CAT
Gautam Puri
Practical examples and mock test questions
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation
K. Sinha & A. Yadav
Comprehensive practice for both DI and LR
CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
Deepak Agarwal
Topic-wise explanations with solved examples
Best Books for CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of CAT tests your command over the English language, critical thinking, and comprehension abilities. It includes reading passages, sentence correction, and paragraph completion questions. Here are the best books for preparing for this section:
Books for VARC
Author
Special Features
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT
Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay
Comprehensive coverage of VARC; reading comprehension tips
Word Power Made Easy
Norman Lewis
Vocabulary-building exercises
High School English Grammar & Composition
Wren & Martin
Fundamental grammar concepts
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT
Nishit K. Sinha
Detailed explanations and practice questions
Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT
Ajay Singh
Practice questions with explanations for all topics
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Gajendra Kumar
Detailed focus on comprehension strategies and VA topics
Recommended Readings for CAT Preparation
Only reading CAT books will not help. Start reading books and novels at least a year in advance to crack CAT Reading Comprehension. As you prepare for CAT 2024, allocate at least two hours each day to immerse yourself in different types of literature, specifically from genres suggested for CAT. This approach will not only enhance your readiness for diverse RC passages in the exam but will also expand your English vocabulary. Below are some recommended readings:
Name of the Book
Author
Dark Matter
Blake Crouch
Recursion
Blake Crouch
A Brief History of time
Stephen Hawking
Cosmos
Carl Sagan
War & Peace
Leo Tolstoy
Ulysses
James Joyce
India in Slow Motions
Mark Tully
Capitalism & Freedom
Milton Friedman
Maximum City
Suketu Mehta
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
Wings of Fire
APJ Abdul Kalam
Shantaram
David Gregory Roberts
The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy
A Brief History Of Time
Stephen Hawking
The Hard Thing about Hard Thing
Ben Horowitz
Wayward Pines Trilogy
Blake Crouch
CAT Exam Pattern
It’s important to understand the CAT exam pattern. The test is divided into three major sections:
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): Focuses on analytical and reasoning skills through charts, graphs, and puzzles.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): Tests English language skills, comprehension, and critical thinking through passages, sentence correction, and verbal logic.
Particular
Detail
Language
English
Exam mode
Online
CAT exam duration
2 hours
Total number of questions
66 questions
Section wise questions
VARC
24 questions
DILR
20 questions
QA
22 questions
Marking Scheme
+3 for each correct answer
-1 for each incorrect answer
No marks deducted for unanswered questions
No marks deducted for TITA questions
Understanding the structure will help you choose the right books for each section. CAT books are essential for understanding the topics included in the CAT syllabus conceptually, theoretically and practically. CAT books have chapter wise discussion, explanation and practice questions for the topics.
Additional CAT Preparation Resources
Apart from the books mentioned above, here are some additional resources you can use to prepare for CAT:
Mock Tests: Solving CAT mock tests regularly will help you get familiar with the exam pattern, time management, and question types.
Previous Year Papers: Solving past CAT question papers is crucial for understanding the difficulty level and the kind of questions asked.
Online Platforms: Several websites and apps offer free and paid CAT preparation resources, including video lectures, quizzes, and interactive tests.
Choosing the right books for CAT preparation will significantly impact your performance in the exam. By focusing on books that offer detailed explanations and many practice questions, you can ensure that you’re well-prepared for the exam. However, simply reading these books isn't enough. You need to practice regularly, take mock tests, and focus on improving your speed and accuracy.