When it comes to preparing for the CAT 2024 exam, selecting the right books is crucial for ensuring thorough and effective study. With three sections—Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)—it’s essential to choose the best resources for each. Here's a subject-wise breakdown of the best books that will help you excel in all three sections.
1. Books for Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Quantitative Aptitude is often considered one of the most challenging sections of CAT. To master this section, focusing on books that cover all topics comprehensively and provide varying difficulty levels is essential.
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill) One of the most popular books, Arun Sharma’s guide is known for its systematic approach and offers questions divided into three difficulty levels—basic, intermediate, and advanced.
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by R.S. Aggarwal A classic for all aptitude exams, this book covers the basics well and is excellent for beginners. However, for advanced CAT-level questions, pairing this with another resource like Arun Sharma is recommended.
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K. Verma Known for its depth and difficulty level, Sarvesh K. Verma’s book is perfect for aspirants looking to tackle complex questions and sharpen their problem-solving speed.
2. Books for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
VARC requires both a strong vocabulary and the ability to comprehend and analyze reading passages quickly. The right resources can make a significant difference in improving your reading speed and understanding.
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay This book offers a structured approach to improving reading comprehension, verbal logic, and other critical areas in VARC. It contains a mix of theory, practice questions, and CAT-level reading comprehension passages.
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis A must-have for building vocabulary, this book makes learning new words engaging and easy. It also enhances your understanding of word roots, which helps in decoding meanings of unfamiliar words quickly during the exam.
- High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin For aspirants looking to improve their grammar basics, Wren & Martin is a timeless resource. It covers all fundamental grammatical concepts that will aid in sentence correction and other verbal reasoning questions.
3. Books for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
The DILR section in CAT is known for its unpredictability, and aspirants often find it difficult. Choosing the right books can help you master the art of solving complex puzzles and data sets efficiently.
- How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill) Arun Sharma’s DILR book is regarded as one of the best resources for building a foundation in both data interpretation and logical reasoning. It contains graded exercises and a wide variety of question types that reflect CAT-level difficulty.
- Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha This book offers a mix of DI and LR questions that challenge aspirants at different difficulty levels. Nishit Sinha’s explanations are known for being detailed and easy to understand, making this a good option for those starting their preparation.
- A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal Though not CAT-specific, this book by R.S. Aggarwal is a classic when it comes to practicing logical reasoning puzzles. It offers a broad range of question types, and though it may not be as advanced as Arun Sharma’s book, it’s a good supplement for basic to intermediate-level practice.
Conclusion
Choosing the right resources is key to excelling in the CAT exam. For Quantitative Aptitude, Arun Sharma and Sarvesh K. Verma are must-haves; for VARC, Norman Lewis and Arun Sharma’s book can elevate your preparation; and for DILR, Arun Sharma and Nishit Sinha’s books provide comprehensive coverage. Stick to these recommended books, focus on regular practice, and you’ll be on the right track to acing CAT 2024.
