CAT Books 2024-25: Check section-wise best books for CAT preparation
CAT Books 2025
To prepare for CAT 2025, it is essential to refer to preparation books that suggest questions and answers to different levels of difficulties with detailed explanations of topics. Notably, CAT 2025 is set to be conducted on the 24th of November 2025; therefore, one must emphasize the need to start preparing for this examination by utilizing some highly recommended CAT books.
Best Books for CAT Preparation 2025
In CAT preparation, it is required to use books that contain all the necessary information about the topics in the syllabus and theoretical and practical knowledge. Before writing the exam, it is essential to return to highly recommended CAT preparation books. Select the best books by assessing the books in the market, comparing their contents, and consulting with others in society or professional advisors. Some of the prominent authors that one can find in the market include Arun Sharma, Nishit Sinha, and RS Aggarwal, who are some of the authors of books used commonly for CAT preparation. Shiksha has made a list of books for CAT preparation divided into various sections a candidate must go through to prepare for CAT 2025.
Best books for CAT Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
CAT Book Name and Author | USP |
NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10) | NCERT Mathematics books are perfect for students of non-science backgrounds to brush up on fundamental concepts and theorems and solve low-level Quant problems later. |
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma | This book by Arun Sharma is trendy among aspirants as it teaches basics and is easy to understand. Each topic covered in this book has three difficulty levels and five test papers, which help aspirants answer all types of questions - from low to high. |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha | This book by Abhijit Guha is a comprehensive resource for Quant preparation for not only CAT but also other MBA entrance exams and competitive exams. |
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma | This book by Sarvesh Sharma is highly recommended for students from non-Maths backgrounds or those who find QA difficult. Its USP is an easy flow of language and over 4000 questions with answers. |
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha | Nishit Sinha is an IIM Lucknow alumnus and CAT expert. This book, written by him, is the best source for understanding advanced concepts and applications. Plus, it has over 4000 solved questions and five online mock tests |
Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal | The oldest reference book for QA since 1989, this RS Aggarwal-authored book covers all the topics and has over 5500 questions with answers for practice. |
Best books for CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
CAT Book Name and Author | USP |
A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Agarwal | This book by RS Aggarwal is highly recommended for beginners who need to start with the most basic LR concepts. |
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma | This book covers all the topics of Logical Reasoning. Each topic is explained by problems with different difficulty levels for candidates to practice and assess their preparation level. |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma | This book covers all the topics of data interpretation and data sufficiency, along with sample questions, CAT questions from previous years, and model test papers. |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha | This book has five section tests, 500+ solved DILR questions, self-assessment tests, and model questions for SNAP, XAT, and IIFT. |
Data Interpretation by Nishit Sinha | This practice book is useful for the CAT and other MBA entrance exams like XAT, GMAT, NMAT, CMAT, etc. |
CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri | This book covers all advanced levels of topics and solves problems. It also contains five mock tests and topic-wise solved papers from over 15 years. |
Best Books for CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Excelling in CAT’s Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) section requires strong skills in English grammar and comprehension. Regular reading can significantly enhance comprehension skills, but achieving a high VARC score also demands familiarity with grammar, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning techniques. Below is a list of some of the top-recommended books for CAT VARC preparation:
Book Title | USP |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay | A comprehensive guide for VARC with concepts, explanations, tips, exercises, and practice questions. The book is structured into four sections: Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability, Verbal Reasoning, and sample papers. |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Nishit Sinha | Includes up-to-date topics and practice exercises, with five mock tests, over 2,000 solved questions, and seven years’ worth of CAT question papers. |
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis | Ideal for enhancing vocabulary, this user-friendly book covers word pronunciation, contextual explanations, and usage. |
High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin | A well-known grammar reference that builds a strong foundation in English grammar and usage, helpful even at the school level. |
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis / Simon & Schuster | Excellent for vocabulary building, with simple exercises and self-tests to improve word power and pronunciation. |
Recommended Reading for CAT RC Preparation
For success in the CAT Reading Comprehension (RC) section, it is essential to read broadly across various genres. Dedicating two hours each day to reading a mix of fiction and non-fiction can help prepare you for RC passages on diverse topics. This will also aid in vocabulary development and comprehension skills. Here’s a list of recommended books across various genres:
Book Title | Author | Genre |
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People | Stephen Covey | Management |
A Brief History of Time | Stephen Hawking | Science |
Cosmos | Carl Sagan | Science |
War & Peace | Leo Tolstoy | Fiction |
Ulysses | James Joyce | Fiction |
An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata - Jaya | Devdutt Patnaik | Mythology & Management |
India in Slow Motion | Mark Tully | Politics |
Capitalism & Freedom | Milton Friedman | Economics |
Maximum City | Suketu Mehta | City Life - Mumbai |
Shantaram | David Gregory Roberts | Autobiography - City Life |
The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho | Fiction |
Long Walk to Freedom | Nelson Mandela | Autobiography - Politics |
Wings of Fire | APJ Abdul Kalam | Autobiography |
The God of Small Things | Arundhati Roy | Fiction |
The Hard Thing about Hard Things | Ben Horowitz | Biography |
First Among Equals | Jeffrey Archer | Political Fiction |
CAT 2024-25 Sectional Breakdown
As you prepare for CAT 2024-25, understanding the exam structure and focusing on essential topics within each section can optimize your study efforts. Here’s a breakdown of the CAT 2024-25 question pattern:
Section | 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 |
Tips to Score 99 Percentile in CAT 2024-25
To score above the 99 percentile in CAT, regular practice with mock tests is crucial. Mock tests not only reinforce conceptual understanding but also help you analyze and refine your approach. Here’s a suggested strategy:
- Concept Mastery: Start with understanding core concepts. Once mastered, strengthen your skills with topic-specific CAT mock tests to align your learning with the exam format.
- Practice Rigorously: Use full-length and sectional CAT mock tests to simulate real test conditions. After each mock, review your performance to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
- Focus on Attempts and Accuracy: Aim for accuracy in your attempts. Analysis reveals that correctly attempting 10 questions per section (30 out of 66 total questions) can yield a 99+ percentile.
Attempt Strategy | Accuracy Level | Total Score (Estimated) |
100% Attempt with 60% Accuracy | Moderate | Above 90 |
50% Attempt with 100% Accuracy | High | Above 90 |
80% Accuracy with 70% Attempt Rate | Optimal | Above 98 |
Increasing Attempts in CAT
Efficient time management and smart question selection are vital for maximizing attempts. Aim to avoid excessive time on any one question or section, particularly in VARC and DILR. Start with the sections or questions you find most approachable, and strategically skip more challenging sets. Remember, you don’t have to solve every question to secure a high percentile; focus on the ones you can answer accurately.
Enhancing Accuracy in CAT
- Option Elimination: Speed up your problem-solving by eliminating the least likely answer choices first, narrowing down options to find the best answer quickly.
- Solidify Fundamental Concepts: Ensuring clarity on key concepts will help you tackle questions confidently and correctly.
- Practice with a Timer: Timing each question during practice helps improve your speed and reveals your average time per question.
- Post-Mock Analysis: After each mock, review solutions to identify alternative methods that are quicker and more efficient.
- Round-Wise Approach: Arrange questions by difficulty and attempt the easier ones first. After each mock test, adjust your question order to find the best sequence for you.
By focusing on these strategies, candidates can maximize their potential to score above the 99 percentile in CAT 2024-25. Practice extensively with mock tests, track your timing, and refine your strategy to approach the exam with confidence.
