CAT Books: Are you overwhelmed by the options of resources available in the market? There are numerous coaching institutes, online resources, and study materials available. Picking the right books can be a daunting task.
Having said that, the right CAT preparation books offer a structured study approach. Books cover the entire CAT syllabus, and especially good ones cover all the question types from each chapter. In order to serve the same purpose, we have curated a list of the best books for CAT preparation recommended by toppers and CAT experts. But, before you look at the list, it is important to get clarity on how books would help you, as an MBA or CAT aspirant, to ace and level up your preparation game.
Why do I need Books for CAT Preparation?
- Structured Learning: Good CAT preparation books offer a structured approach to studying. Most importantly, they break down the complex concepts into easily understandable chunks. Moreover, these books provide practice questions with their solutions.
- Reliable Information Source: Experts in the field who are familiar with the latest CAT exam trends and patterns write high-quality books. This helps ensure that you study the relevant material and practice questions similar to the actual CAT.
- Budget-Friendly: Compared to coaching classes, good CAT preparation books are a relatively affordable and budget-friendly option to prepare for the MBA entrance exams. This is a highly suitable option for budget-conscious students or the students self-preparing at home.
- Concept Building: CAT exam books go beyond just formulas and shortcuts. They delve into core concepts, helping students develop a strong foundation in quantitative ability, verbal reasoning, and DILR.
- Practice Makes an Aspirant Successful: Any successful CAT aspirant who has converted a top B-school call cannot recommend the value of practicing questions enough. The best CAT books are loaded with practice questions of easy, moderate, and high difficulty levels. This allows the students to test their understanding, identify strengths and weaknesses, and refine their test-taking abilities.
- Building Confidence: Successfully solving CAT-level practice questions from reliable sources boosts students' confidence and exam preparedness.
On the whole, MBA CAT books provide valuable guidance, structure, and practice opportunities, all of which are important for successfully cracking your MBA entrance exams.
Best Books for CAT Preparation
Preparing for CAT exam requires the right resources. Here's a curated list of the best books for CAT 2025 preparation for you.
Quantitative Aptitude
| Book Title | Author | Price (as of now) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT Previous Year Solved Papers | Cracku | INR 299 | Detailed Solutions of all the CAT previous papers |
| CAT Formula Book | Cracku | INR 99 | All Quants Important Formulae and Tricks |
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma | INR 769 | LOD 1, 2, & 3 Questions and easy to understand |
| Quantum CAT | Sarvesh Kumar | INR 690 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha | Nishit Sinha | INR 468 | In-depth explanation, authored by IIM Lucknow alumnus |
Additional Resources
- NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 6-10): Recommended for building basic foundational concepts if you are starting from scratch
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha: Comprehensive for various competitive exams.
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma: Extensive coverage for aspirants aiming for top IIM colleges.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
| Book Title | Author | Price (as of now) |
|---|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT (9th Edition) | Meenakshi Upadhyay & Arun Sharma | INR 849 |
| The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT (2020) | Nishit Sinha | INR 488 |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | INR 150 |
Additional Resources
- High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin: Helpful to cover grammar concepts and practice as well.
- Reading different genres: The habit of reading a wide range of genres will prove to be helpful on the D-day since reading comprehension passages can come from any topic.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
| Book Title | Author | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning | R.S. Agarwal | INR 270 |
| How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma | INR 601 |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation by Nishit Sinha | Nishit Sinha | INR 450 |
Practice solving previous years' CAT papers to get a deeper insight into the exam format, types of questions and level of difficulty.
General Awareness (For OMETs)
Current Affairs
- Daily newspaper reading: The Hindu, Economic Times, The Economist.
- Yearbooks: Manorama Yearbook, Current Affairs Yearly by Arihant
Static GK
- Books: Static General Knowledge by A.P. Bhardwaj, Advanced Objective General Knowledge by S. Chand.
General Awareness Tips
- Update yourself at least every week with the current affairs
- Use yearbooks for comprehensive coverage
- Broaden your knowledge base across various domains like sports, politics, and entertainment.
