Common Admission Test
Common Admission Test

CAT Books 2023: Best Subject-wise Books, Study Materials, Preparation Tips

Aspirants must get an in-depth understanding of the best book for beginners, along with all the best online resources for CAT preparation 2023. The preparation for the CAT 2023 exam must be aligned with the syllabus.
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The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly sought-after entrance examination conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis for admissions to PGDM/MBA programs. For candidates aspiring to appear in the CAT 2023 exam, a well-strategized study plan and the right self-study books are of utmost importance.

CAT 2023 is scheduled for November 26, 2023, which leaves aspirants with a few months to prepare. Therefore, it is crucial for them to know the essential CAT books for Mathematics, English, and Logical Reasoning. With numerous books available in the market, candidates may feel confused about what to choose. Seeking guidance from experts, teachers, and experienced candidates can help in making the right selection of CAT books. Having access to the best preparation materials is vital for cracking one of India's toughest competitive exams.

This article aims to provide aspirants with a comprehensive understanding of the best CAT books for beginners, as well as valuable online resources to support their preparation.

CAT Books for Beginners 2023

To start the CAT preparation, the aspirants primarily need to understand the compressive CAT syllabus. As there is no prescribed syllabus for CAT, candidates need a holistic and robust understanding of the fundamentals of all three sections covered in the CAT exam pattern. 

Candidates are eligible to apply for CAT 2023 for the first time need to start the preparation with the best CAT book for beginners in 2023. Below we have the provided subject-wise best CAT preparation books for beginners:

CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Books for Beginners 2023:

Book Name: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay

The VARC section in CAT is considered as the most scorable section. CAT mentors suggest VARC for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay as the foremost book to refer for candidates beginning their preparation. The book primarily focuses on developing CAT Verbal Ability and comprehension reading ability, by explaining the concepts at a fundamental level. Along with this, the book includes expert tips and solution strategies with sample papers and previous year's question papers. Additionally, the book also contains questions from XAT, IIFT, CMAT, IRMA, etc.

CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Books for Beginners 2023

Book Name: Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha

DILR is considered as the toughest section of the CAT exam. This book on  Data Interpretation is considered the best book for beginners because it contains all the past as well as expected questions from the DI section in the subsequent year. Furthermore, it also contains speed tricks with problems which could be used to solve complex problems in a time efficient manner. Additionally, the DILR book also contains more than 40 test papers with solutions.

CAT Quantitative Analysis Books for Beginners in 2023:

Book Name: Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma

Often regarded as the best book for beginners in Quantitative Aptitude, as it covers all topics and includes solved examples and exercises. The book is designed to explain the fundamental ideas before presenting problems of 3 levels of difficulty to test the holistic understanding of the candidates. This book also includes the most recent CAT exam patterns and other examinations like the XAT, IIFT, SNAP, etc. Furthermore, this book also helps in improving calculation skills with expert tricks which could help time management and increase accuracy when answering challenging questions.

CAT Books for Self-Study 2023

MBA programs are one of the most sought-after management programs for working professionals.  But since the majority of individuals are engaged in their daily work life, self-study is the only way to crack one of the toughest examinations in the country.  

Therefore, below we have provided the list of best CAT Books for Self-Study in  2023

Best CAT 2023 Self-Study Book for  VARC:

Best Books for CAT Preparation: VARC Section

Book Name

Author

Salient Feature

Word Power Made Easy

Norman Lewis

Improve your vocabulary 

Boost understanding of Reading comprehension passages.

Help in understanding the word structures

Helps in breaking down a complex word to explain the meaning of the word.

Helps in understanding the statement and context better.

How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT

Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay


Contains inbuilt mock tests, previous years’ question papers and analysis of the same.

Defined segregation between topics related to the VA and RC section of CAT. 

Lucid and fluid writing style providing maximum readability and understanding to CAT first-timers.

Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT

Ajay Singh

Contains over 200 practice passages for gaining expertise in the RC section

Various sample exam papers for CAT and other management entrance exams. 

The passages and the questions with the latest syllabus of CAT 

Other Resources to Refer for CAT VARC:

Book

Author

PSC for VA for CAT

Nishit Sinha

High School English Grammar

Wren and Martin

Past Years' CAT Questions

GK Publications

A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning

R.S. Aggarwal

9th and 10th Grammar Books

 

Best CAT 2023 Self-Study Book for  DILR:

Best Books for CAT Preparation: DILR Section

Book Name

Author

Salient Feature

How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT

Arun Sharma

Can be used to practice for other examinations including MBA examination, bank examination and civil examination.

Well-brainstormed solving methods which include mock tests and sample papers.

Several new chapters aligned to the latest examination guidelines of the DILR section 

exercises to practically understand the basic concepts related to DILR.

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT

Nishit Sinha

Divided into Basics, moderate and advanced Level

Topics are subdivided into fundamental and advanced types.

Self-explanatory examples

Simplified language and elaborate explanation reasoning 

Past year CAT papers

 

Help in understanding Level of difficulty for CAT DI/LR 

Solve the questions on your own

Use social groups like Facebook, Quora and Reddit for Discussion 

Fast and Easy Way to prepare for CAT 2023

Other Resources to Refer for CAT DILR 2023:

Book Name

Author

A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning

R.S. Aggarwal

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

Gautam Puri

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT

Pearson

Best CAT 2023 Self-Study Book for  QA:

Best Books for CAT Preparation: QA Section

Book Name

Author

Salient Feature

How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT

Arun Sharma

As per the latest syllabus of CAT 2022.

Self Explanatory examples are easy to understand. 

Questions are divided into three levels of difficulty i.e. Basic, Intermediate and Advanced.

Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT

Nishit Sinha

Practice handouts in various mathematical topics.

Shortcut strategies and alternate-solving methods are present at the end of every question. 

Categorization of questions into 5 main modules based on the level of difficulty

Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT

Sarvesh Verma

Segregation based on various topics based on level of difficulty.

Simple and easy to solve problems up to level 2.

Helps in identifying and solving simple questions in CAT to score better.

Simple and easy to solve problems up to Difficulty level 2 

More than one answer method for the question is provided

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which publications are the best for CAT preparation?

For CAT preparation, there are numerous books accessible in both online and offline markets. The Best Books for CAT Preparation are listed here.

  • Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha
  • How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
  • How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma
  • High School English & Grammar by Wren & Martin
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
  • Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal

How do I begin preparing for CAT 2023?

Examine the exam pattern first to become familiar with the subjects covered by the CAT Exam. You can choose the top CAT Books with its help. After that, always start from the fundamentals because conceptual clarity is crucial for succeeding on the CAT Exam.

Which CAT books are the best for beginners?

As a beginning, you can use Wren & Martin for Verbal Ability and NCERT Maths (Class 9–10) for Quantitative Ability. Move on to the advanced level CAT Exam Books once they have completed the fundamental concepts and formulas.

What strategies work best with the CAT Books?

The strategies listed below can be used by candidates to prepare for the CAT Exam.

  • Examine the CAT exam pattern
  • Check the CAT Books for chapter-by-chapter activities before choosing the books based on the themes they cover.
  • practise consistently
  • Revise
  • Answer your questions

Is the CAT Syllabus the same each year?

Only a few minor changes in the weightage of the topics make the CAT Syllabus different from year to year. The three areas of the CAT Syllabus 2023 are Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension.

When should I begin preparing for the CAT 2023?

Depending on your prior tries and level of expertise, you should plan to spend between four and six months preparing for CAT 2023. Start early with your preparations if this is your first time. You should begin preparing for the CAT 2023 in April or May 2023 since it will take place in the final week of November 2023. If you have previously studied for the CAT and other MBA tests, 2-3 months will be sufficient, allowing you to start preparing for the CAT 2023 in July or August

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