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:
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Best Books for CAT Preparation: VARC Section
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Book Name
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Author
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Salient Feature
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Word Power Made Easy
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Norman Lewis
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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.
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How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT
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Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
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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.
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Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT
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Ajay Singh
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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
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Other Resources to Refer for CAT VARC:
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Book
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Author
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PSC for VA for CAT
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Nishit Sinha
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High School English Grammar
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Wren and Martin
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Past Years' CAT Questions
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GK Publications
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A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
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R.S. Aggarwal
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9th and 10th Grammar Books
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Best CAT 2023 Self-Study Book for DILR:
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Best Books for CAT Preparation: DILR Section
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Book Name
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Author
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Salient Feature
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How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT
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Arun Sharma
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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.
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Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT
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Nishit Sinha
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Divided into Basics, moderate and advanced Level
Topics are subdivided into fundamental and advanced types.
Self-explanatory examples
Simplified language and elaborate explanation reasoning
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Past year CAT papers
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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
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Other Resources to Refer for CAT DILR 2023:
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Book Name
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Author
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A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning
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R.S. Aggarwal
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Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
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Gautam Puri
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Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT
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Pearson
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Best CAT 2023 Self-Study Book for QA:
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Best Books for CAT Preparation: QA Section
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Book Name
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Author
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Salient Feature
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How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT
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Arun Sharma
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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.
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Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT
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Nishit Sinha
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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
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Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT
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Sarvesh Verma
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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
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