Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
With one month to go for the CAT 2025, it is time now change the preparation strategy and get in speed mode. From now on focus on regular mock test practice and revision. Shared below are some key tips for CAT preparation in one month.
CAT 2025 exam is one month away. So, you need to have a clear direction of what to do and what no to do till November 30, 2025. By now, all of you would have completed the CAT syllabus and also attempted a good number of CAT mock tests. Now, is the time to speed up practice and increase revision. This one month is also critical from self assessment point of view. You must analyse every performance of CAT mock test and tie up the loose ends.
CAT is a speed test and has sectional time-limit, so it is extremely important that in this last one month, candidates further strengthen their strong areas. At the same time dedicate a few hours on topics which are still the pain points. It is also the time to lay emphasis on the physical aspect of CAT exam preparation. The CAT last month preparation should be extremely focused and exam centric. Focus on the CAT pattern and types of questions. Let's take a look at last month preparation for CAT 2025.
Each candidate is different and so is their approach towards exam preparation. Here are a few basic tips you can try to improve your CAT 2025 exam preparation in the last month.
Daily CAT mock tests: Attempt as many mock tests as you can in this last month of CAT 2025 preparation and assess your performance with each attempt. But don't over do it. Once you start getting consistent results, reduce the number and frequency of mock tests. Focus on filling the gaps. Also, don't only go after numbers. Attempt a variety of mock tests and of various difficulty levels, so that you are well prepared for any type of question in the exam. Since, a mock test is a replica of the actual exam, you will get a good practice of handling the pressure of the two-hour long exam. You will also be able to learn time management as CAT has sectional time limit.
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| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solution |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
CAT exam is a two hour test without any break. CAT is not only a test of the knowledge acquired but also one's mental and physical stamina. The sequence of CAT exam is VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude, which means the most calculation intensive section of the exam will appear at last. Thus, you need to be mentally alert from beginning to the end. There is no scope for anxiety.
Those, who are attempting CAT 2025 for the second time, may be aware of the pressure the mind and body goes through during the exam, but for the first timers, it will be a new experience. In order to not run out of steam at any point of time during the CAT 2025 exam, candidates must practice full length CAT mock tests and sectional mock tests in this last one month.
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Do not study for longer hours in this phase of CAT preparation 2025. You might feel, you are not studying for enough hours but remember- quality matters not quantity. Take adequate breaks, indulge in your favourite sport, go for a walk, watch movies and read books to refresh your mind. Avoid burnout.
CAT 2025 will be held in three slots - from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, this year. The CAT admit card will be issued well in advance you will know your shift. Attempt at least three to four CAT mock tests in the time duration same as your exam slot. Follow the same routine for two to three days as you intent to follow on the exam day. This will help you in getting your mind and body aligned to the CAT exam day events thereby performing up to your full potential.
Check the table below to play your CAT mock test practice strategy during last month preparation for CAT 2025:
| Percentile score in CAT mocks |
Strategy |
|---|---|
| Consistent score below 90 percentile |
At least 3-5 mock tests, work on basics, revision and build exam day strategy |
| Consistent score between 90-95 percentile |
At least 5-8 mock tests, analyse performance, revise concepts, build exam day strategy |
| Consistent score above 95 percentile |
At least 10 mock tests, revise concepts and build exam day strategy |
21 Jan '26 - 25 Jan '26
6 Oct '25 - 26 Jan '26
26 Jan '26
25 Nov '25 - 29 Jan '26
29 Jan '26
25 Jan '26
8 Feb '26
Keep aside 15 days for revision of section-wise topics of CAT exam. Do not ignore any topic on the basis of previous years' question papers as CAT is known for springing surprises. Also, topic-wise weightage of questions is not consistent. You may encounter more than expected number of questions on a topic that you skipped. Do not take such chance. As part of you CAT last month preparation, work on the basicx understanding of the concepts if not more.
MBA expert, Ravi Handa suggests the following plan for last month preparation of CAT 2025:
Here are some quick tips for CAT last month preparation. Have clarity of what to do and what not to do.
Try these last month CAT preparation tips and see the difference. All the best!
In CAT exam, each candidate gets 120 minutes to solve the paper. There are three sections in CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. For each section 40 minutes are allotted as sectional time limit. For PwD candidates, the sectional time limit is 53.20 minutes per section. Candidates have to complete each section within the given time limit. Since the CAT is an online mode exam, the test screen will move from first section to the next section automatically as soon as the time limit gets over. Thus candidates have to be mindful of the on-screen timer and pre-decide the number of questions to solve in each section. The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT has 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section has 22 questions and Quantitative Aptitude section has 22 questions. It is not mandatory to solve all the questions in CAT so candidates can devise a strategy to use 40 minutes per section as per their strength and weakness.
There is no difference between slot 1, 2 and 3 of CAT exam paper in terms of structure and patten. The sectional break up, marking scheme and time limit are the same in all slots. However, due to unique sets of questions in each slot leads to difference in difficulty levels. There is usually a slight difference in the CAT question papers of different slots. Sometimes, topic wise weightage of the questions also vary. To negate advantage or disadantage to candidates due to difference in difficulty level of slots, CAT scores are normalised for result preparation.
In CAT 2025, the following changes were seen:
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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
No, CAT scores are not important for enrollment into Masters of Business Administration course at Chitkara University. Because CAT is not the only scores which are considered by the university, it also accepts the scores of MAT/ XAT/ NMAT/ CMAT.
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Minimum qualifying cut off for IIM Ahmedabad is 95 percentile whereas for IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, it is 85. However final cut offs for these three top IIMs are between 99 to 100 percentile.
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 4 days ago
GIBS is pretty flexible when it comes to entrance exams. They accept almost all the common management tests — CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, State CET, and even GMAT. In my batch itself, we had students who came through different exams, not just CAT.
Honestly, that's one thing I liked about GIBS — they d
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, you can join Adarsh Institute of Management and Information Technology without appearing for CAT. This is because, the institute also accepts other tests. The accepted exams include CAT/ XAT/ MAT/ CMAT/ KMAT/ PGCET/ GMAT. Hence, if you have appeared for any of these, you can still apply.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, Myra School of Business does offer CAT scores based Scholarships upto INR 1.5 lakh. In recognition of outstanding performance in CAT, MSB awards special scholarships as follows:
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
LISAA School of Design, Bangalore BDes admission is done based on performance in the in-house entrance test. LISAA CAT is conducted at the LISAA centres. Candidates need to connect with the admission team to set up a time slot. Besides, it is important that the eligibility criteria is fulfilled.
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, you can absolutely get admission into the MBA programme without clearing CAT or MAT, because the university follows a flexible admission pathway that allows students to apply through its own entrance exam called CUCET. This exam acts as the primary route for MBA admissions, and it is designed t
s
Beginner-Level 3
Answered a week ago
No, CAT is not mandatory for School of Business and Management, Christ University MBA admissions. Students can alternatively submit scores of other national-level management exams. These include MAT/ XAT/ CMAT/ ATMA and GMAT/ GRE are also accepted.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
You can download your CDAC C-CAT 2026 response sheet by logging in to the official C-DAC Candidate Portal using your form number and password.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks 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
CAT has 68 questions. Each question carries three marks. There is negative marking of minus one for incorrect attempts. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Total marks in 204.