Amaan Hussain, who secured 99.47 percentile in CAT 2025, shares how consistency, mock analysis, and a Quants-focused preparation helped him ace the exam. Read on to know Amaan's CAT preparation journey and advice for future aspirants aiming for IIM ABC and FMS.
CAT 2025 Topper Interview: Amaan Reveals How He Turned 95.94% to 99.47%
CAT 2025 Topper Interview: IIM Kozhikode released CAT 2025 results. Amaan Hussain, who secured 99.47 percentile in CAT 2025, got his name included in the CAT toppers list. He secured 99.38 in VARC, 98.04 in DILR, and 96.71 in Quants. With his CAT 2025 score, he plans to convert calls from IIM ABC, and FMS Delhi.
Shiksha got in touch with Amaan to know about his CAT preparation journey. He emphasised the importance of consistency over hard work or smart work. Scroll down to know what helped Amaan secure 99.47 percentile in CAT 2025, including CAT preparation advice for future aspirants, and CAT section-wise preparation strategy.
- CAT 2025 Topper Interview: Candidate Profile
- CAT 2025 Topper Interview with Amaan Hussain
- CAT Topper Interviews 2025
CAT 2025 Topper Interview: Candidate Profile
The table below mentions CAT 2025 score highlights of Amaan Hussain:
| Name of CAT Topper |
Amaan Hussain |
|---|---|
| College |
|
| Overall |
99.47 |
| VARC |
99.38 |
| DILR |
98.04 |
| QA |
96.71 |
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
Difficulty level in CAT exam is not specific to any of the three slots. The difficulty level across slots may vary every year. Know how the CAT scores are normalised: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.
CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Response sheet hosts CAT exam questions and answers.
CAT 2025 Topper Interview with Amaan Hussain
Shiksha: Congratulations for CAT percentile score! Are you satisfied with your score? What were your expectations?
Amaan: Yes, I am happy with my CAT score. I worked really hard for the CAT exam and was expecting somewhere around 99.2 percentile but scoring 99.47 just added to my already existing happiness.
Shiksha: Was this your first attempt at the CAT exam?
Amaan: No it was my second attempt at CAT exam. I was really disheartened by CAT 2024 when I scored 95.94 percentile. But I picked myself up. With the support of my mother and a friend, I nailed CAT 2025.
Shiksha: When did you start preparing for the CAT exam? What was your overall prep strategy?
Amaan: I prepared for CAT for 1.5 years. My strategy was clear as I was weak in quants (71 percentile in CAT 2024) I dedicated 80 per cent of my preparation time to Quants. I was naturally good at VARC. As for DILR I practiced consistently. I believe consistency is the only thing that will get you far in life, not even hard work or smart work.
Also Read:
Shiksha: What was your CAT section-wise preparation strategy?
Amaan: My section-wise preparation strategy for CAT was as follows:
- VARC: For the section, I only prepared using the sectionals of IMS and CL. Sectional mocks helped me with speed and making up my mindset.
- DILR: I practised hundreds of sets from sectionals and YouTube. One must never look at the solution before solving the set themselves, no matter how much time it takes. It will help sharpen your skills, specifically for DILR section.
- Quants: Only thing which could help in this section is practise. I only did Arithmetic and Algebra as it carries the maximum weightage. This strategy worked for me, it may or may not work for you. One must make their own prep strategy while taking mocks.
Irrespective of the section, one must prepare using CAT mock tests followed by their analysis.
Also Read:
Shiksha: Any specific books that helped in your CAT preparation?
Amaan: I did not use any books. My CAT preparation strategy revolved around video lectures available on YouTube.
Also Read: Best Books to Prepare for CAT
Shiksha: Did you join any coaching institute?
Amaan: I took mocks from a coaching institute. I did self study using free video lectures from YouTube.
Shiksha: How many mock tests did you attempt, and how important is a mock test series?
Amaan: I attempted 35 - 40 mocks. As mentioned earlier, practising mocks followed by its analysis is 75 per cent of the preparation.
Shiksha: What was your exam day strategy?
Amaan: For the exam day, I was clear that I would attempt all questions in VARC, and at least 2 sets in DILR. For quants, my strategy was to attempt all questions which I am able to solve. Everyone has a different strategy for exam day. My strongest section was VARC so I capitalised on it and so should you.
Also Read: CAT Exam Day Tips
Shiksha: Any tips for future CAT aspirants?
Amaan: To all the future CAT aspirants reading this, I only have one thing to say - "DO NOT MISS A SINGLE DAY". You may put in all your efforts for 3 months, but someone who has been preparing normally for the past year will surpass you. CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS; I am not saying it because it is an idiom, but because I have experienced it myself.
Shiksha: Which IIMs /Institutes are you targeting?
Amaan: I am targeting calls from the following institutes:
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CAT Topper Interviews 2025
The table below mentions the CAT 2025 topper interviews:
| CAT 2025 Topper Name | CAT Topper Interview |
|---|---|
| Anmol Gupta | Read how Anmol Gupta scores 99.96 percentile; strategy, mocks & preparation tips |
| Pranshav Shah | Read what Pranshav Shah has to say on securing 99.80 percentile in his first CAT attempt |
| Aishiki Sen | Read Aishiki’s Journey from Psychology to 99.18 Percentile in CAT |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
As per my knowledge, Yes If you've worked hard for your CAT score and you're now wondering whether DBS Global University will accept it For MBA admission at DBS Global University, a valid CAT score is accepted alongside MAT, CMAT, XAT, GMAT, and the DBS Global University Entrance Examination. Regist
P
Beginner-Level 4
Answered 2 days ago
The CAT 2026 cutoff has not been released yet. However, as per the 2025 cutoff, for admission to PGDM International Business at FORE School of Management, the last round cutoff percentile stood at 75 for the General AI category.
Additionally, the XAT cutoff 2026 for the same course also stood at 75
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
No, CAT is not compulsory to get admission in Justice K S Hegde Institute of Management. The college offers admission into MBA bvased on NUCAT scores. Other entrance exams accepted by the college include: CAT, MAT, CMAT, or KMAT.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
CAT is compulsory to take admission in MBA and MBA IB courses offered by the Institute of Management Studies of BHU (formerly known as FMS BHU). Admission to these courses is based on candidates' performance in CAT, GD-PI and past academic records.
However, candidates seeking admission to the MBA cou
H
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
No, CAT is not compulsorily required to get admission in RV University. The university considers score of nationally approved admission test (such as CAT, GMAT, NMAT, XAT), with high scores in English & numerical ability for admission into MBA.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Dear reader,
Lovely Professional University (LPU) is a great substitute for Delhi University, which offers a good and prestigious platform for management education. With an industry-aligned curriculum, broad global exposure, and an exceptional track record of high-package placements with top interna
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Dear reader,
Lovely Professional University (LPU) is a great substitute for Virohan: Vivekananda Global University, which offers a good platform for specialised study. With an industry-focused curriculum, extensive international exposure, and an exceptional track record of high-package placements wi
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes. IIMB does require the CAT exam, but the rest of the top B-schools in Bangalore also take in candidates through the state-level CET, ie, the Karnataka PGCET exam, or through MAT or CMAT.
Top B-schools in Bangalore without CAT | Cutoffs Required |
|---|---|
26690 | |
29592 |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIM Calcutta has only mentioned accepting GMAT score for admission into EMBA courses.
However, CAT is commonly accepted by other similar institutes for both MBA and MBAEx courses. Thus, candidates are advised to ask admission desk for confirmation on this question.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
It is not possible to determine a candidate's admission in IIM Calcutta MBA course through CAT score alone. In Stage 1, a score 85% in CAT will be enough for a general category candidate to be selected for PI+WAT admission stage.
Final admission cutoffs are based on many factors other than CAT score.
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Contributor-Level 10
Abhishek is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He completed his graduation from University of Delhi with a BA Degree. At Shiksha.com, he handles content for MBA, BBA, an
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