Best Books for CAT Preparation 2023: Your Gateway to a Smooth MBA Journey
As the proverb goes, “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail”. When it comes to conquering the challenging CAT exam, preparation is key. One essential element of a successful CAT preparation strategy is choosing the right books. In this article, we will explore the importance of selecting the best books for CAT preparation and how they can significantly enhance your chances of success. Whether you’re a seasoned CAT aspirant or just starting out, these books will provide you with the knowledge and techniques necessary to excel in the exam. So, let’s delve into the world of CAT preparation books and unlock the path to your dream score.
Preparing for the CAT exam is a challenging task and requires thorough knowledge of all the sections of the CAT exam: Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI). Each section carries equal weightage, which means that no section is less significant than the other. Therefore, it is essential to focus on each section equally.
If you are planning to take the CAT exam 2023, then you must start your preparations early and choose the right CAT study material. In this article, we’ll discuss the best books for CAT preparation 2023.
Access the syllabus of CAT 2023, the latest CAT pattern, and CAT study material with recommendations for CAT Preparation – HERE
Here is a List of the Top Best Recommended Books for CAT 2023 Preparation: Section-wise Best Books for CAT
Best Books For CAT Preparation – Quantitative Ability
|
|
Book name |
Author |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
NCERT Mathematics books (Class 6-10) |
NCERT |
●NCERT Mathematics books are relevant for students of non-Science background ●They help in grasping basic concepts and theorems to solve advanced-level Math. |
|
2 |
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT |
Arun Sharma |
CAT aspirants swear by Arun Sharma’s books. ● The book covers all the quant topics for CAT 2021 ● It provides elaborative examples. ● It comes in three difficulty levels. |
|
3 |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
Abhijit Guha |
● Abhijit Guha’s book is a comprehensive resource for Quant preparation ●It also helps in preparing for other MBA entrance tests. |
|
4 |
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT |
Sarvesh Verma |
Sarvesh Sharma’s book is quite helpful for students from non-math backgrounds or those who find QA difficult. ● The book covers topic-wise division and practice tests. ● It provides more than one solution for the questions. |
|
5 |
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT |
Nishit Sinha |
An IIM Lucknow alumnus and CAT expert, Nishit Sinha, has written a book that is one of the best sources to understand advanced concepts and applications. ●The book contains practice tests with different difficulty levels. ● It provides questions with solutions. ● It comes in five modules. |
|
6 |
Quantitative Aptitude |
R S Aggarwal |
Aspirants have followed R S Aggarwal’s book on QA since 1989. ● It covers all the quant topics for CAT prep. ● It also provides over 5500 questions with answers for practice. |
Also Read: Preparation For CAT 2023: 50+ Quant Formula From CAT Expect
Best Books For CAT Preparation – Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
|
|
Book name |
Author |
Description |
|
1 |
A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning |
R S Aggarwal |
R S Aggarwal’s book is a boon for beginners who need to start with the basic LR concepts. |
|
2 |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT |
Nishit Sinha |
● The book has five sectional tests. ● It covers topics other than competitive exams as well. ●It provides 500+ solved DILR questions and self-assessment tests and model questions for SNAP, XAT, and IIFT. |
|
3 |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
● The book takes students through the latest CAT syllabus ●It provides Quick and accurate problem-solving methods. ● It includes new chapters. It covers mock tests and sample papers for better understanding. ● It covers topics for other competitive exams as well. |
|
4 |
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
● The book covers both topics of Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency. ● It also exercises in boosting logical skills. ● It provides sample questions, previous years’ CAT questions, and model test papers. |
|
5 |
CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning |
Gautam Puri |
●The book provides advanced-level topics and solved problems. It also contains five mock tests and topic-wise solved CAT papers of the past fifteen years. |
Also Read: From the Expert’s Desk: CAT Study Tips from 99%iler Lakshya Kumar
Best Books For CAT Preparation – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
|
|
Book name |
Author |
Description |
|
1 |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT |
Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay |
● The book covers chapters lucidly. ● It provides mock tests. ● It comes with analyses of past years’ papers. ● It has topic-wise segregation. |
|
2 |
Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT |
Ajay Singh |
● The book has over 200 passages for better preparation. ● It contains Test papers of other B-School exams. ● It covers the topics extensively as per the CAT syllabus. |
|
3 |
Word Power Made Easy |
Norman Lewis |
● The book improves users’ Vocabulary ● It provides the origins of words by explaining roots, prefixes, and suffixes ● It covers correct usage of words ● It contains review exercises at the end of chapters ● It has oriented sections |
|
4 |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension For The CAT |
Nishit Sinha |
● This book contains the latest topics and exercises of VARC. ● It provides five mock tests, over 2000 solved questions, and seven years solved CAT question papers. |
|
5 |
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary |
Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis/ Simon & Schuster |
●The book provides material for developing Vocabulary and usage ● It helps in improving pronunciation with simple exercises and self-tests. |
The books mentioned so far would suffice in preparation for the QA and DI/LR sections. However, the RC section contains passages that cover a wide range of topics. Tackling RC questions call for a dedicated reading of newspapers, magazines, journals, and books. Reading varied daily newspaper columns, including the editorials, pays off in comprehending the passage in a limited time.
Here is a list of books to strengthen your reading comprehension skills:
Name of the Book |
Author |
Genre |
|
Animal Farm |
George Orwell |
Fiction |
|
1984 |
George Orwell |
Fiction |
|
Cosmos |
Carl Sagan |
Science |
|
War & Peace |
Leo Tolstoy |
Fiction |
|
Ulysses |
James Joyce |
Fiction |
|
An Illustrated Retelling of Mahabharta – Jaya |
Devdutt Patnaik |
Mythology & Management |
|
India in Slow Motions |
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 |
|
To Kill A Mockingbird |
Harper Lee |
Fiction |
|
Wings of Fire |
APJ Abdul Kalam |
Autobiography |
|
Shantaram |
David Gregory Roberts |
Autobiography – City Life |
|
The God of Small Things |
Arundhati Roy |
Fiction |
|
A Brief History Of Time |
Stephen Hawking |
Cosmology |
|
The Hard Thing About Hard Thing |
Ben Horowitz |
Biography |
|
Three Men in a Boat |
Jerome K Jerome |
Fiction |
Having a good prep strategy is the first step in the right direction & getting your study material right will just help you have a clear version of what you need to work with.
Here’s a table listing some recommended books for CAT Exam preparation, specifically for grammar and vocabulary:
|
Book Title |
Author |
Genre |
|
Word Power Made Easy |
Norman Lewis |
Vocabulary |
|
High School English Grammar |
Wren and Martin |
Grammar |
|
Objective General English |
S.P. Bakshi |
English |
|
How to Read Better and Faster |
Norman Lewis |
Reading |
|
Barron’s Essential Words for the GRE |
Philip Geer |
Vocabulary |
|
The Elements of Style |
William Strunk Jr. |
Writing Style |
|
English Grammar in Use |
Raymond Murphy |
Grammar |
|
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay |
Verbal Ability |
|
A Mirror Of Common Errors |
Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh |
Grammar |
|
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary |
Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis |
Vocabulary |
These books cover various aspects of grammar, vocabulary, reading, and verbal ability to assist you in your CAT Exam preparation. Find the all these books listed here on Amazon – click here to buy!
If you’re someone who is preparing for CAT 2023 without any coaching, we highly recommend watching the video below. It will provide you with a better understanding of how to choose the right books for your CAT preparation journey. Take a look and get ready to excel in your CAT exam!
Frequently Asked Questions about CAT Exam – Best Books for Preparation
1. What are the best books for CAT preparation?
There are several good books available in the market for CAT exam preparation. Some of the highly recommended books for CAT are Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K Verma, How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma, and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Nishit Sinha.
2. Which book is best for CAT Quantitative Preparation?
Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K Verma are considered to be two of the best books for CAT Quantitative Preparation. Both books cover all the topics included in the CAT Syllabus, along with numerous practice exercises.
3. Which books are recommended for the CAT VARC section?
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Nishit Sinha and How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma are two of the best books for the CAT VARC section. These books provide a detailed explanation of the concepts, numerous practice exercises, and strategies to tackle the CAT Exam.
4. Which books are suggested to improve grammar and vocabulary in the CAT Exam?
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis and High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin are two of the highly recommended books to improve grammar and vocabulary for the CAT Exam. These books help in building a strong foundation and improving language skills.
5. What are the latest CAT exam pattern and syllabus?
The CAT Exam Pattern comprises three sections – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. The exam duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes. For the latest CAT Syllabus, candidates can refer to the official website – iimcat.ac.in.
6. How to choose the best book for CAT preparation?
Before choosing a book for CAT preparation, candidates must ensure that it covers the entire CAT syllabus and provides sufficient practice exercises. Candidates can also refer to the reviews and ratings of the book provided by other candidates and experts. It is recommended to select a book written by a reputed author.
7. Which book provides the best preparation strategy for the CAT Exam?
The book “How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT” by Arun Sharma provides an excellent preparation strategy and tips for the CAT Exam. It includes smart techniques and shortcuts that can help candidates answer questions quickly and accurately.
8. What is the best book on data interpretation for the CAT exams?
There are several books for data interpretation (DI) preparation for the CAT exams. One highly recommended book is “How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT” by Arun Sharma. This book provides comprehensive coverage of various topics and concepts related to DI, along with ample practice exercises and previous years’ CAT questions. It offers a structured approach to understanding and solving different types of DI sets commonly seen in the CAT exam. Other notable books for DI preparation include “Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT” by Nishit Sinha and “Data Interpretation for the CAT” by Trishna Knowledge Systems. It’s important to choose a book that suits your learning style and preferences and supplement your preparation with ample practice using mock tests and previous years’ CAT papers.
9.Which books cover para jumbles at best for CAT Exam?
There are a few recommended books that cover Para jumbles effectively when preparing for the CAT. One of the best book is “How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT” by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay. This book provides comprehensive coverage of various Verbal Ability topics, including Para jumbles, with detailed explanations and practice exercises. Another recommended book is “Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT” by Nishit Sinha, which offers specific strategies and practice sets for Para jumbles. Additionally, “CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension” by Gautam Puri is another book that covers Parajumbles along with other Verbal Ability topics in a structured manner. These books can be valuable resources to enhance your understanding and proficiency in solving Parajumble questions for the CAT Exam.
10. Create a strong booklist for cat preparation that help achieve 100 percentile?
Here’s a strong booklist for CAT preparation that can help you achieve a 100 percentile:
Section |
Book Title |
Author |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT” |
Arun Sharma |
|
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
R.S. Aggarwal |
|
|
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT” |
Sarvesh K. Verma |
|
|
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT |
Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay |
|
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT |
Nishit Sinha |
|
|
Word Power Made Easy |
Norman Lewis |
|
|
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
|
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT |
Nishit Sinha |
|
|
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT |
Arun Sharma |
|
|
Mock Tests |
CAT Mock Tests Series |
Various Publishers |
|
Arihant CAT Solved Papers |
Various Publishers |
|
|
CAT Previous Years’ Solved Papers |
Various Publishers |
This booklist covers the major sections of the CAT exam, including Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. It also includes books for practising with mock tests and previous years’ solved papers. Remember to choose books that align with your learning style and preferences and complement your preparation with consistent practice and revision.
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