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Best Books For CAT 2024 Preparation, DILR, Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability

Exam

Avantika Bhardwaj

Updated on 16th September, 2024 , 4 min read

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

Nishit K. Sinha

Step-by-step explanations; practice exercises

Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT

Sarvesh Verma

Advanced problem-solving techniques; topic-wise coverage

CAT Mathematics

Abhijit Guha

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:

  • Quantitative Aptitude (QA): Tests mathematical skills, problem-solving ability, and numerical reasoning.
  • 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.

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