How to Prepare for CAT 2025: Ultimate Tips from Experts & Free Study Material
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CAT preparation is all about striking the right balance between theory and practice. Within the given time duration of CAT exam preparation, you need to do both - cover CAT syllabus and practice CAT question banks/mock tests. If you are planning to appear for CAT 2025, Shiksha brings to you, top study tips by MBA expert. Check out how to prepare for CAT 2025 exam.
CAT is the most popular MBA entrance exam in India, taken by over two lakh aspirants every year. The number of CAT aspirants has increased to over 3 lakh in the last two years. It is the road to India's best B-schools, the IIMs. Naturally, it is also the toughest entrance exam to crack. So CAT 2025 aspirants must make such a preparation plan that encompasses all the aspects that contribute in scoring 99 percentile and above. CAT exam preparation requires six to eight hours of study on daily basis with revision of all the concepts and formulae regularly so that it remains fresh in memory till the exam day.
CAT 2025 preparation has entered it is last phase with only 2 months (October and November) left for the exam. Now is the time to start CAT mock test practice on daily basis and analysis of each mock to track progress. By the CAT 2025 exam day, i.e. November 30, 2025, candidates should be able to consistently score 99 percentile in mocks.
CAT is an aptitude test for assessing a candidate’s analytical, logical as well as verbal skills, all of which are essential for a successful career in business management. Thus to crack the CAT exam, one needs a sound preparation plan. In this article, you will read all about CAT preparation 2025. Also get section-wise prep tips and previous years' CAT question papers.
- CAT Preparation Through Coaching
- CAT Preparation by Self-Study
- How to Prepare for CAT 2025: VARC
- How to Prepare for CAT 2025: DILR
- How to Prepare for CAT 2025: Quantitative Aptitude
- CAT Preparation 2025: Solving Sample Papers and CAT Mock Tests
- CAT Preparation: Solve Previous Year CAT Question Papers
- CAT Preparation Tips from Toppers
CAT Preparation Through Coaching
CAT preparation is a long term plan. One has to start preparing for it at least six to nine months in advance. Candidates who plan to prepare for CAT by self study must start even earlier (preferable from March 2025). Candidates who opt for coaching for CAT exam preparation will be guided well by the mentors and coaches. The coaching institute will also provide all the study material and CAT mock test series to candidates, while guiding them through tricky topics and questions. However, they will be required to attend classes of six to eight hours daily.
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It is difficult but not impossible. If you give yourself a good enough time to improve English comprehension, grammar and vocabulary, you will be able to do it. Yes, a non- English medium student will require longer time for CAT preparation as they will have to start reading and improving English comprehension. So, may be they need to start English preparation for CAT in the second year of graduation, instead of final year (much earlier than English medium students). They may also need two attempts to crack CAT with high percentile. But that's not true for all. If you work hard and study smartly, you will be able to crack it.
The best way to prepare for DILR section is through practice. Before starting the preparation, aspirants should check previous years’ question papers. Since there is not much conceptual understanding required in this section, practice is important.
Some of the most popular books on DILR section that you can refer are How to Prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit Sinha, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Pearson, to name a few.
CAT Preparation by Self-Study
Aspirants can also prepare for CAT 2025 by self-study. There are many CAT toppers, who have studied for the exam by self. Those who opt for self-study, must not worry about how to prepare for CAT 2025. All they need to do is, do the following:
- Join online study groups on Facebook, YouTube, Quora, Telegram, etc.
- Download MBA entrance exam preparation apps
- Buy best books for CAT preparation and other CAT preparation material
- Obtain online study material like CAT mock test series by MBA coaching institutes.
- Make a month-wise CAT preparation plan
CAT exam is held in online mode. The difficulty level of the question paper is usually moderate to difficult. The questions may be easy or tough, but what makes the difference is how well and fast you use your mind to solve them with 80-85 per cent accuracy.
Knowing CAT syllabus and pattern thoroughly is the first and foremost requirement. Being able to choose the right question, reading them quickly and accurately and solving them quickly and accurately, are the key areas you need to work upon during your CAT 2025 preparation. In the CAT exam, candidates have to take split-second decisions. To master this skill, you need to practice 40-50 CAT mock tests.
Also Read:
- Section-wise CAT syllabus 2025
- CAT exam pattern and structure
- CAT preparation plan and section-wise strategy
- Download CAT question papers PDFs
How to Prepare for CAT 2025: VARC
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of CAT exam has two parts – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. For CAT 2025 preparation, you will need to have a separate strategy for both.
Verbal Ability questions of the CAT are mainly parajumbles, odd sentence out and para completion and sometimes, fill in the blanks. There are no grammar questions, thus one cannot rely on word power or English Grammar rules to help you sail through this section. Parajumbles are equally tricky as CAT RC passages, so the only way to crack CAT VARC is practice and more practice.
Reading Comprehension can be tackled by cultivating the habit of reading over time. Start fiction novel, newspapers and blogs. Target nothing less than a reading speed of about 300 words per minute depending on the level of the text. And read a lot. Choose topics that are out of your comfort zone.
| CAT Syllabus 2025: VARC |
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CAT is a speed-based test of analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or Commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advanced-level problems.
However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam.
Hope it was helpful!!!
CAT syllabus is vast. It has numerous topics from Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation. Covering the CAT syllabus also includes practicing a variety of sample questions on the topics included. Thus, it requires a lot of time. Candidates must given themselves atleast 3-4 months to cover CAT syllabus and keep in mind the following:
· Check the previous years' CAT papers to know topics which carry more weightage so that you can focus on those topics more.
· List down topicsin order of easy, moderate and tough and allot time to them accordingly.
· Make sure to study about 6-8 hours per day to complete the syllabus 2-3 months before the exam.
· After studying every topic, practice sample questions. Balance theory with practical.
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How to Prepare for CAT 2025: DILR
The weightage of Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) in a CAT exam almost the same as the other two sections of the paper. This section is moderately tough and time consuming.
The tricky part about CAT DILR is that it is not Mathematics and there is no formula. It is logic based and requires some amount of calculation and counting. Meaning, Reasoning is a skill to be acquired and not formulae to be memorised.
To prepare for CAT DILR, Mental calculation is the keY. To strengthen your hold on DILR, don’t use the calculator, rely on your brain. Master Tables from 1 to 20, knowledge of Fractions from 1/1, 1/2, 1/3 to 1/20, basic calculation, etc.
DILR section of CAT can be mastered with practice, the more you practice, the higher accuracy you will develop.
| CAT Syllabus 2025: DILR |
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How to Prepare for CAT 2025: Quantitative Aptitude
The CAT Quantitative Aptitude section includes Arithmetic, Algebra, Advance Mathematics and Geometry; and makes up for the 1/3rd of the CAT question paper.
In this section, there is no other way of scoring but by being thorough with each and every chapter. Memorise fundamentals and theories. Attempt a variety of sample questions to tackle the QA section of CAT. This section may require heavy calculation. Rely on mental calculation as it will win against the calculator in time consumption.
| CAT Syllabus 2025: Quantitative Ability |
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Our advice to CAT 2025 aspirants is to practice, practice and practice more. The more you practice the better will be you speed and accuracy.
CAT Preparation 2025: Solving Sample Papers and CAT Mock Tests
A key aspect of CAT exam preparation is solving sample questions and online mock tests. Candidates must make sure that they practice about 40-50 CAT mock tests during their preparation time. While the ideal time to start full-fledged CAT mocks is October, experts recommend that candidates solve topic-wise sample questions while studying them for better clarity of concepts. Listed below are some key points related to CAT mock test, read on.
- While studying a particular topic, solve its practice questions at least thrice. In the first attempt, you will understand the question and its logic, in the second attempt, you will be able to solve it accurately and in the third attempt, you’ll be able to solve in with accuracy in lesser time.
- Start solving online CAT mock tests after you’ve completed the syllabus so that you don’t get stuck on a particular topic.
- Your aim behind practicing CAT mock tests must be to increase speed and accuracy for solving a 2-hour long question paper. Also, increase your stamina for a 2-hour test without getting exhausted.
- After solving each CAT mock test or sample paper, analyse your performance and assess the area of improvement. Do not solve more than one sample paper in a day. Your mind needs rest after a grueling session.
- Do not feel demoralized if the result is not encouraging initially, continue to assess gaps and work on them. The only way you can win on CAT or any other MBA entrance exam is by winning on mock tests.
- Since, CAT exam has sectional time-limit, it is essential to practice sectional mock tests as well, to learn and manage time efficiently.
Take free CAT Mock Test below to improve your speed and accuracy
| CAT_Mock_Test | CAT_Mock_Test_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
CAT Questions for Practice - Download PDF
Download free PDFs of CAT questions for practice. The questions are clubbed as easy, medium and difficult for you to have a practice of all type of questions.
CAT Preparation: Solve Previous Year CAT Question Papers
Along with sample papers and mock tests, candidates must also solve previous year CAT question papers of at least last five years. This will give them an idea of question paper pattern, difficulty level of questions, types of questions, topic-wise break-up of questions and marking scheme of the CAT. Candidates can download free PDFs of CAT question papers of previous years below.
Download:
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CAT Preparation Tips from Toppers
We spoke to some of the CAT toppers to know how they prepared for the exam and what is their secret of scoring 100 percentile. Click on the links below to know their CAT preparation strategy:
| CAT Toppers |
CAT Topper Interviews |
|---|---|
| Vagish Nangia CAT 2024, 100 percentile |
“For an aptitude exam like CAT, one should focus on two things, speed and accuracy, both of which come with practice. Speed is important as the exam typically has 66-68 Questions to be attempted within 2 hours with sections like DILR and Quant in particular being fairly time-taking. Accuracy is also important as you need to avoid taking negative marks while looking to maximise your score as much as possible.” Read Vagish’s full interview |
| Mani Praneeth Chilukuri CAT 2024, 100 percentile |
“In terms of preparation, I started just a few weeks before the exam due to my job and other commitments. I prioritised understanding the exam format, syllabus, and structure through YouTube videos. I then solved a few previous years’ question papers to familiarize myself with the patterns.” Read Praneeth’s full interview |
| Vedant Chandewar CAT 2024, 99.98 percentile |
“I began my preparation in August 2024. Being good at mathematics, I found Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Logical Reasoning (DILR) relatively easy to prepare for. I joined a coaching institute that provided daily practice questions for these sections, which I diligently solved.” Read Vedant’s full interview |
| Sarthak Jaiswal CAT 2024, 99.97 percentile |
“I personally think that for the DILR section, the mock tests do not really help because every question is unique and there is no set pattern. Only practice can help for the DILR section preparation. Attempting mock tests for this section will not harm the preparation but also not give an edge. For QA and VARC, mock tests are very important.” Read Sarthak’s full interview |
| Kartik Bhageria CAT 2023, 99.99 percentile |
"I began my CAT preparation around July 2023. Being an engineering student, I did not spend a lot of time learning new concepts in the Quant and DILR sections. I spent most of my time giving mocks to practice and try to increase my attempted questions with better accuracy in each attempt." Read Kartik's full interview |
| Riddhi Dugar CAT 2023, 99.91 percentile |
"My overall strategy was to finish the entire syllabus a few months before the CAT. From July, I focused entirely on taking mock tests and sectional tests to maximise my score and have a strategy for D-Day. I completed around 70 mocks from July until the CAT exam day." Read Riddhi's full interview |
Lastly, we recommend practice, practice and practice more. The more you practice questions from VARC, LRDI and QA the better control you'll have on the CAT question paper.
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
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 15 hours ago
IIM Lucknow MBA cutoff for the general category generally goes upto 90 percentile. Students must aim to score 90 & above to get admission in the institute. For other categories, the cutoff is generally lower and ranges from 60 percentile to 85 percentile. However, this changes every year. Students c
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 15 hours ago
Students can get admission in IIM Lucknow without CAT score. But only for courses, such as EFPM, FPM, EPGP programmes. Those seeking flagship PGP/ MBA course admission must have valid CAT score. The IIM Lucknow courses for which CAT is not needed are as below:
- IPMX
- PGPX
- FPM
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 16 hours ago
Candidates who have not appeared in any entrance test should have a Bachelor's Degree with at least 55% marks. They will have to give a written test: same as I-CET. Students have to qualify in Written Test, Group Discussion and Personal Interview for taking admission in MBA at Vignan's Foundation
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
No, there is no mention of CAT scores being accepted to decide MET Institute of Management MMS admissions. The institute only mentions accepting the scores of the MAH-CET to admit candidates for the MMS course.
Thus, candidates with a valid CAT score must appear for MAH-CET to be eligible to apply.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Major topics under XAT and CAT syllabus are similar. Common sections include Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, and Verbal Ability. While the sections are same the syllabus is not identical. XAT also includes unique sections, namely Decision Making and General Knowledge.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 days ago
Students of GIBS Business School participate in internships and live projects which are cross-functional opportunities to gain practical experience in key functional areas (marketing, sales, finance, HR, business development, and operations). Students engage in internships to gain practical exposure
M
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
No, candidates can no longer appear for the CAT to qualify for Prestige Institute of Global Management PGDM admissions. Candidates who wish to apply for Prestige Institute of Global Management admissions must now wait for CAT 2027 or any other entrance exam to qualify for the Prestige Institute of G
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
Check CUSAT CAT exam pattern below:
Subject | Total Questions | Marks | Duration (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
Mathematics | 90 | 360 | 75 |
Physics | 75 | 300 | 60 |
Chemistry | 60 | 240 | 45 |
Total | 225 | 900 | 180 |
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
The CUSAT CAT question paper will have 225 questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Biology. Candidates will get three marks for every correct answer, while there is a deduction of one mark for every incorrect response.
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
NMIMS does not accept scores of the CAT exam for admission in its MBA courses. Even if you have a good percentile in CAT, you have to qualify the eligibility criteria for NMIMS MBA as well as take the NMAT exam. NMAT exam is a national level exam conducted by GMAC as an entrance exam for admission i
S
Contributor-Level 9
Yes CAT syllabus is difficult to crack if you do not have enough time. There are three subjects in CAT- VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Most of candidates find RC passages tough to crack. In Quants, Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry pose significant challenge during preparation. In DILR, Reasoning questions often turnout to be tricky and confusion.