CDAC C-CAT Best Books
CDAC C-CAT Best Books
Picking the right books for CDAC C-CAT helps, but buying more books does not always raise your score.
The official C-DAC admission booklet suggests only a few books for each section. If you are starting from scratch, one good book for each subject and regular MCQ practice is enough. This guide lists the best books for each section of the exam.
Section A — English, Aptitude & Reasoning
English
- High School English Grammar & Composition — Wren & Martin
This is still the book most often suggested for grammar and sentence correction. Focus on:
- Articles
- Prepositions
- Tenses
- Error spotting
- Vocabulary
Quantitative Aptitude
Beginner
- Quantitative Aptitude — R.S. Aggarwal
This book covers nearly every topic asked in C-CAT:
- Percentages
- Profit & Loss
- Time & Work
- Ratio
- Number System
- Probability
- Permutation & Combination
Additional Practice
- Quantitative Aptitude — M. Tyra
This is good for short cuts and speed.
Logical Reasoning
You do not need a separate book for reasoning if you study R.S. Aggarwal well.
For more practice:
- Barron’s GRE (Reasoning section)
Computer Fundamentals
- Foundations of Computing — Pradeep Sinha & Priti Sinha
Key topics include:
- Number systems
- Boolean algebra
- Basic programming ideas
- Computer organization
- Memory
- Input/Output devices
Section B — Programming & Computer Science
This section often shapes your rank.
C Programming
1. The C Programming Language
Brian Kernighan & Dennis Ritchie
A classic C book.
Best for:
- Pointers
- Arrays
- Memory
- Functions
- Structures
2. Let Us C
Yashavant Kanetkar
Great for new learners.
Use this first if you are new to C, then move to K&R.
Data Structures
Data Structures Through C in Depth
S. K. Srivastava
Focus on:
- Linked Lists
- Trees
- Graphs
- Queues
- Stacks
- Searching
- Sorting
Object-Oriented Programming
Test Your C++ Skills
Yashavant Kanetkar
Covers:
- Classes
- Objects
- Constructors
- Inheritance
- Polymorphism
- Virtual Functions
Operating Systems
Operating System Concepts
Silberschatz, Galvin & Gagne
Focus on:
- Processes
- Threads
- Scheduling
- Deadlocks
- Memory Management
- Virtual Memory
- File Systems
Computer Networks
Data Communications and Networking
Behrouz Forouzan
Read mainly:
- OSI Model
- TCP/IP
- Routing
- Switching
- Ethernet
- DNS
- HTTP
- TCP vs UDP
Big Data & AI
The syllabus only needs basic knowledge.
Good books:
- Fundamentals of Data Engineering — Joe Reis & Matt Housley
- Artificial Intelligence For Dummies — John Paul Mueller
Do not spend too much time here unless you want PG-DBDA or AI-focused courses.
Section C — Electronics
Only needed if you take Section C.
Computer Architecture
Computer Organization and Architecture
William Stallings
Key topics:
- CPU
- Memory hierarchy
- Cache
- Pipelines
- Instruction cycles
Digital Electronics
Choose either:
- Digital Design — Morris Mano
- Digital Design: Principles & Practices — John Wakerly
Also useful:
- Modern Digital Electronics — R. P. Jain
Microprocessors
Choose one:
- Microprocessor Architecture, Programming & Applications with 8085 — Ramesh Gaonkar
- The Intel Microprocessors — Barry Brey
Focus on:
- 8085 instructions
- Addressing modes
- Interrupts
- Memory interfacing
Do You Need All These Books?
No.
For most students preparing for PG-DAC, PG-DESD, or PG-DBDA, this set is enough:
- R.S. Aggarwal
- Wren & Martin
- Let Us C
- K&R C Programming
- Data Structures Through C
- Operating System Concepts
- Data Communications & Networking
If you are short on time, spend more time on MCQs and past papers than reading every chapter from start to finish.
Key Takeaways
- Follow the official C-DAC books when you can.
- One book for each subject is enough.
- Focus on C Programming and Data Structures.
- Practice MCQs each day.
- Past papers and mock tests matter more than collecting more books.