CAT 2025: Last week preparation tips for CAT Quantitative Aptitude
Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
In the run up to CAT, every day is crucial. As the last week of CAT 2025 exam approaches, give your preparation the final push. Read below key tips to prepare Quantitative Aptitude in the last week of CAT exam 2025.
To excel in the CAT 2025, mastering every section of the paper is extremely important. And there can be nothing better than practicing for each and every section over and over again. Every candidate prepares each section of the CAT for months in advance, however, preparation doesn’t end till the last week of the exam, specially in Quantitative Aptitude section. As the CAT 2025 exam is less than a week away, aspirants need to chalk out a last mile CAT preparation plan. In the last week of CAT preparation, attempt the official mock test, go through some previous year CAT question papers and do revision daily. Don't miss checking on your short notes to memorise tricks that you would have discovered during preparation.
The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section of CAT is a high scoring section and candidates must aim for maximum marks. The section will appear at the last and all the questions will be calculation intensive. By the time you reach this section, you may feel drained out due to heavy VARC and DILR. The CAT QA section will have 22 questions, and most of them are calculation intensive. Wondering how to optimise performance in QA section of CAT 2025 exam? Shiksha tells you how to go about it.
Last Week Tips for CAT Quantitative Aptitude Preparation
Assess which short-cut method to use
In the last week before the CAT exam 2025, you should try and assess which short-cut method to use for answering the question in the least possible time. Talking about short-cut methods, there are five methods. Check below:
| CAT Short-Cut Method |
How it Helps? |
|---|---|
| Direct method |
Questions can be solved by applying formula, using the information provided. |
| Substitution method |
Ideal for solving problems related to Algebra. Swapping values with each other can help in getting the right answer. |
| Elimination method |
One of the most-effective methods. Options give a hint of the answer, eliminate the unlikely options to focus on the ones that remain – this comes with regular practice. |
| Observation method |
Observing a repeated pattern can help in formalising the answer. This works in LR. |
| Simultaneous method |
Two methods can be used simultaneously. The first half of the question can be solved using one method, and the second half using another method. |
Also read:
Focus on selection of CAT questions
More than using your knowledge, use intelligence while solving the QA section of CAT. In the last week of CAT 2025 preparation, focus on making a strategy of choosing the questions to answer. Attempting all CAT questions is neither mandatory nor advisable as there is negative marking for wrong attempts. If you gain three marks in one question, but lose one mark in the next one, it will hamper your total score. Attempt a question only when you are very sure of the answer, otherwise skip it and move on to the next one.
Aim for maximum accuracy
While preparing for the CAT Quantitative Aptitude section in the last week, start giving priority to accuracy. When choosing which question to attempt, do the same based on the accuracy level you can accomplish while solving the question. It is always wise to attempt 47-57 per cent of the total questions with 80 per cent accuracy rather than attempting 80 per cent of them with 40-50 per cent accuracy.
Refine your speed of calculation
With regular practice, candidates develop calculation tricks; now is the time to improve your speed of calculation. This will allow you to finish the CAT 2025 question paper on time. Also, you can allocate more time to the difficult questions. Practice a couple of sectional CAT mock tests. to ensure you have the experience of solving 15 to 18 questions in 40 minutes (including reading aquestions, rough work and finding solution).
Check out Free CAT mock tests by Shiksha
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solution |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Revise the main concepts of CAT Quants topics
Dedicate the last week of CAT to revising the concepts of Mathematics. CAT exam has sectional time limit of 40 minutes for each section, and some QA questions can be time taking. Having fresh memory of concepts and formulae will help you immensely in solving the question paper fast. If you are strong in mental calculation, you will be able to solve questions faster. Rough work may eat up time.
Read more:
Explore colleges based on CAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
Top Colleges Accepting CAT Score
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
29 Nov '25 - 11 Jan '26
13 Jan '26
13 Jan '26 - 17 Jan '26
17 Jan '26
22 Jan '26
15 Dec '25 - 23 Jan '26
20 Jan '26 - 25 Jan '26
25 Jan '26
23 Jan '26
On CAT exam day, candidates have to follow a number of guidelines like cooperating with the exam centre staff during identification process, etc.:
CAT exam day dos:
- Reach examination centre at the reporting time mentioned on your CAT admit card. 2.
- Carry two copies of the CAT admit card, one photo ID card, passport size photos
- PwD candidates should carry relevant certificates and documents.
- Carry a blue/black ball point pen for signing attendance sheet
- Cooperate with test centre staff and follow instructions
- 7. While entering answers, use only computer mouse.
- Do not touch keyboard as doing so will lead to screen locking.
CAT exam day don'ts:
- Do not carry items such as bags, purses, pencil box, beepers, wrist watch, calculators, mobile phones, electronic devices, scanners, cameras, wireless/Bluetooth transmission or any such communication devices.
- Don't wear closed shoes, jewellery made of metal, jackets, clothes with pockets, mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed inside it.
- Don't wear caps, hoodies or jackets/shirts with pockets
- Don't be late for exam. Entry gates will be closed 15 minutes before the commencement of exam.
- No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after that.
- Don't cheat or indulge in mal practice. You can be disqualified due to any such ACT.
- Don't create a ruckus inside the test lab
- Don't leave your seat until the exam duration gets over and the invigilator announces exit.
Every candidate must carry a blue/black ball point pen and a few copies of their passport size photo to the exam centre. They must not carry any stationary item other than the pen. Candidates who have diabetes can carry fruits as per medical prescription. No other item will be allowed inside the exam venue. Candidates must not carry bags or valuables as there will be no arrangement for depositing while candidates appear for the exam. Candidates must also not carry notebooks or rough paper to the CAT exam centre. Any candidate found with an unauthorised item will be disqualified.
Yes, CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three shifts. The exam was earlier conducted in 2 shifts, but since 2020, the CAT is conducted in three shifts - morning, afternoon and evening. In CAT 2025 too, there will be three slots which will be allotted to applicants in no particular order.
CAT exam slot timings will be -
- First shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM,
- Second shift: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and
- Third shift: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
A total of 2.58 Lacs candidates appeared for CAT 2025. Check below gender wise break up.
Category | Number of registrations | Number of test takers |
|---|---|---|
Female | 1.10 lakh | 0.97 lakh |
Male | 1.85 lakh | 1.61 lakh |
Transgender | 9 | 9 |
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
Read Full BioNews & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jan '26 | XAT 2026 result |
Jan '26 | XAT 2026 Cut Offs Release |
9 Jan '26 | SNAP 2025 result announcement |
20 Dec '25 | SNAP 2025 session 3 |
13 Jan '26 - 17 Jan '26 | NMAT 2025 Exam Date (Additiona... |
5 Jan '26 - 10 Jan '26 | NMAT 2025 Scheduling (Addition... |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
23 Feb '26 | MAT Feb 2026 PBT Registration ... |
26 Feb '26 | MAT Feb 2026 PBT admit card |
14 Feb '26 - 22 Feb '26 | IBSAT 2025 Selection Process |
30 Dec '25 | IBSAT 2025 Result |
25 Jan '26 | CMAT 2026 exam |
26 Nov '25 - 28 Nov '25 | CMAT 2026 form correction |
10 Jan '26 - 12 Feb '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 registration |
7 Apr '26 - 8 Apr '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam |
Jan '26 | Publication of TANCET notifica... |
Jan '26 | TANCET registration window |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 7 hours ago
Yes, JAGSoM accepts CAT scores as part of its multi-stage admission process. Candidates are shortlisted for selection rounds based on their entrance exam scores.
B
Contributor-Level 6
Answered Yesterday
Candidates seeking admission to GIBS Bangalore's PGDM and MBA programs can use the results of a variety of national and international management entrance tests including CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, and GMAT. All applicants will be reviewed based on their academic record, performance in group discussi
M
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 days ago
No, CAT scores are not important for admission to the MBA course at the School of Business, Sushant University. As per the info. taken from the website of the university, it conducts its own entrance exam for enrollment into the MBA course.
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
RGIPT allows admission without CAT/XAT/GMAT/CMAT/MAT/CUET-PG score under two circumstances. First, you should be a company-sponsored candidate. Second, if you belong to part time registration category. You will still have to fulfil the remaining eligibility criteria.
J
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Candidates with a valid score of CAT/ GMAT/ GRE score are exempted from the written test. These candidates still need to complete the form by paying the application fees. However, these aspirants may get called for the IIM Trichy - Chennai campus PGPBM interview round.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission to PGDM at IPE Hyderabad. Candidates with a good score in CAT can also get a scholarship. However, CAT is not mandatory. Aspirants with a score in MAT, XAT, ATMA, GMAT or CMAT exams can also get admission in the PGDM course.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 5 days ago
No, candidates who wish to apply for the Global MBA course at Lexicon MILE are required to clear the LAT conducted by Lexicon MILE. The CAT exam score at Lexicon MILE is only used for deciding the PGDM admissions along with several other entrance exams.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
CAT is one of the accepting exams for MBA admission at Karunya School of Management. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also apply through XAT, MAT or KMAT scores. Candidates must also complete graduation to apply for MBA at KSM Coimbatore.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 5 days ago
CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission to MBA programme at Amity University Bengaluru. However, it is not compulsory. Aspirants can also get admission in MBA via MAT, GRE or CMAT scores. Candidates with scores in these entrance exams can also get scholarship provided they meet the criteria.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 5 days ago
No, CAT exam is not mandatory for VIT-AP MBA admissions. Candidates who are interested in the MBA course offered by the institute can also apply through the scores in the XAT and MAT as well.
VIT-AP also accepts the scores obtained in the VITBEE for the MBA admissions. However, candidates with a high
S
Contributor-Level 10