I have taken the CAT twice, in 2000 and 2001. According to me CAT is the most unpredictable entrance exam in the world.
To give an example, CAT 2000 was one of the toughest CATs ever with the Problem Solving section tailor made for engineers with a lot of conceptual Algebra and scarce Arithmetic. CAT 2001, on the other hand was one of the simplest CATs ever; the Data Interpretation section was as easy as it could get and the Problem Solving section very lengthy with a lot of Arithmetic.
There is no fixed strategy to tame the “CAT” as such, but one should keep in mind a few things while preparing.
Take many simulated CATs i.e. full-length CAT for 2 hours preferably NOT AT HOME but in the intimidating environs of a classroom.
After every practice test, analyse the test thoroughly; this is the most boring part of CAT preparation and often the most neglected part. This serves two purposes, firstly it pinpoints the individual’s strengths and weaknesses and secondly it helps to formulate a strategy. A strategy could be attempting the Verbal Ability section first if one is good at it and leaving Maths for the end and giving it more time if one is weak at it.
Prepare for the CAT in groups. The important thing here is to stay motivated during preparation and the one way to do that is to continually compare one’s performance with others’.
The choice of coaching classes is a difficult one. If one is taking a correspondence course, then IMS, Career Forum, Career Launcher all are decent; I found the study material of all of them nearly the same. But, if one wants to take up a classroom course, then I would recommend Career Forum; it is professional, convenient with its batch timings and provides good shortcut methods in Maths, which, in the end, may prove to be the difference.
While preparing for CAT, it is handy to do a bit of Vedic Mathematics; it helps in doing calculations much faster because the trick here is not to get an accurate answer, but an approximate answer and that is where Vedic Mathematics helps tremendously.
For Reading Comprehension, improvements do not happen overnight. It needs the maximum patience and hard work to crack this section. It is important to read newspapers and magazines continuously and consistently and also one should develop the habit of reading a wide range of articles - fashion, sports, literature, politics, psychology etc. An effective way to do this is to read the editorial page of some of the leading dailies.
All the Best!