The countdown for CAT 2017 has begun. The performance on the D-Day will decide whether an aspirant will or will not make it to any of the top B-schools. With the clock ticking by, CAT aspirants are getting extremely nervous and anxious. Nevertheless, instead of panicking, candidates must remain cool-headed and relaxed so that they can put their best foot forward in the exam.
Shiksha spoke to a few CAT toppers of previous years, and they shared some last minutes tips that can be of extreme help to candidates appearing for CAT 2017 exam this year. Here’s what they said:
Prateek Bajpai, 100 percentile
Explore colleges based on CAT
- Always set a time limit for each section in the exam paper
- Revise the QA formulas
- In case there is a topic that you might have missed, leave it. Do not start anything new now
- Do not panic in case there is a change in the test pattern. Remember that this change is for everyone, not just you
- It is extremely important to deliver a balanced performance across all 3 sections
- Lastly, keep calm – this will help you in performing to your full potential
Sanuj Mittal, 100 percentile
- Revise all the concepts and formulas
- Keep practicing mocks even before one day before the exam
- If you are getting stuck on one question, do not waste your time on it. Leave that question and move ahead. At the end of the exam, if you are still left with time, re-attempt that particular question
- One must not have a pre-defined mind-set on the exam day
- Go to the exam centre with a calm mind
Abhay Agarwal, 99.99 percentile
- Do not get demoralised if you scored less in the mock tests
- Remember the mistakes you made in your mock tests, and make sure you do not repeat them in the exam
- Go through all the questions and look out for easy questions first. Once you are sure you have attempted all the easy ones, only then move on to the difficult questions
- Stay confident
Nishant Shah, 99.85 percentile
- Brush up your concepts
- CAT as an exam is not difficult – all that you need to pay attention to is time management
- Always remember that you have done well this far, and have given your best. There is no reason why you wouldn’t do well on the exam day
- Stay calm, confident and positive
Achintya Bhattacharyya, 99.63 percentile
- One should try attempting all the questions, but more than this, one should focus on speed and accuracy
- Quickly glance through the entire paper once. Attempt the easy questions in the first 40 minutes, and then try your hand at the difficult questions
- Do not get stuck in a problem for more than 2 and a half minutes
- Stay relaxed, even if you find other panicked
- Do not exhaust yourself just before the exam
Abhishek Sambangi, 99.32 percentile
- To start off with, first attempt all the questions that are least time consuming. When attempting these questions, focus on accuracy
- If required, do not forget to use the calculator
- Have a proper sleep a night before the exam day
- Go with a cool mind on the D-Day
All the best to all the candidates appearing for CAT 2017!
Also read:
| CAT 99.87 percentiler’s step-by-step guide to crack the exam |
|
|
CAT scores are used for admission to 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and various other top B-Schools. Are you eligible for the IIMs? To know more, click on the image beside. |
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jul '26 | XAT 2027 registration dates |
Sep '26 | XAT 2027 mock test |
Aug '26 | SNAP 2026 Registration Process |
28 Nov '26 | SNAP 2026 admit card session 1... |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Registration Window |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Scheduling Window |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
1 Apr '26 - 25 May '26 | MAT May 2026 Registration PBT |
1 Apr '26 - 8 Jun '26 | MAT May 2026 Registration CBT |
Jul '26 | IBSAT 2026 Registration |
Dec '26 | IBSAT 2026 Exam Date |
Oct '26 | CMAT 2027 registration and app... |
Jan '27 | CMAT 2027 exam |
2 May '26 - 4 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 (1st Attempt)... |
9 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 (2nd Attempt) |
9 May '26 | TANCET exam date for MBA & MCA |
28 May '26 | Release of TANCET provisional ... |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, students can get admission in Shri Vaishnav Institute of Management & Science MBA without CAT. That is because the institute accepts CMAT scores instead. Admissions to the programme are through CMAT + counselling basis. CAT is not required.
U
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
No, CAT exam is not strictly required to take admission in MBA at Babu Banarsi Das Institute of Technology. Candidates may submit scores from CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, or GMAT for MBA admissions.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, according to the GITAM School of Management MBA cutoff 2025 via the CAT entrance examination, you could get into this institute if you belong to the General AI category.
The aforementioned category had an estimated qualifying percentile of 70 in 2025. Admission for this category candidates may
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
The Global Institute of Business Studies delivers consistent training for aspiring business professionals to prepare them for interviews and the workplace via a number of organized programs and other forms of practical experience.
A CPMP (Finishing School) prepares students with the following:
- Resum
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, admissions in MBA at AIM-Assam are possible without CAT. The institute accepts other exams like CMAT/MAT/XAT and ATMA. Students can appear for entrance and fill the application form on official website. The university selects students on the basis of merit. Selected students have to appear for
B
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Business schools with campus in Bangalore GIBS Bangalore accepts a wide range of entrance exams for its AICTE-approved PGDM programme (MBA equivalent), prioritizing accessibility for diverse candidates over elite CAT toppers alone. This flexible policy suits your MAT 522 score, enabling shortlisting
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
KMAT, and Karnataka PGCET are the accepted entrance examinations at Jyoti Nivas College. Students who wish to get admissions must clear all the entrance examinations for admissions.
L
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The Global Institute of Business Studies has set a moderate cut-off for its CAT exam, far lower than those of the premier IIMs.
Expected CAT Cutoffs
- Minimum Requirement - Approximately 60 Percentile
- Safe Range - Approximately 60 to 65 Percentiles
- Good Chance of Admission - Approximately 65 to 70 or grea
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
GIBS Business School situated in Bangalore acknowledges CAT, MAT, and XAT as authorized admission tests for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Approved Admission Exams
- CAT (Common Admission Test)
- MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
- XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
Additionally to these Three Tests, GI
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
Jaipuria Institute of Management can get admission in PGDM programme without CAT scores. CAT is one of the accepting exams for admission. However, aspirants with MAT, XAT or CMAT scores can also get admission in PGDM provided they also meet the eligibility criteria.
N
Guide-Level 15


