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. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
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.