Time should be managed well in CAT exam and by practicing some mock tests we get an idea on how to manage time. Particularly we should concentrate on the units in the options and choose accordingly.
B Sree Varsha shares some key last-minute preparation tips that will make you exam-ready for Common Admission Test (CAT).
- The number of mock tests to be taken before the exam depends on the individual. There is no such guarantee that one who has taken an X number of tests will get a good percentile. CAT preparation patterns and time always matters the most than the number of tests taken. So, one shouldn't worry on taking more tests in lesser time, take tests to build up confidence and to be aware of areas of subject which are important. It is good to always analyse time and take tests accordingly.
- We should always attempt the questions which make us confident. Attempting more number of questions without confirmation will put all our efforts in vain. Anyway if we are well-prepared, attempting around 65 to 80 questions gives us a good percentile.
- Mistakes should be watched before the exam because we may suffer a huge loss after analysing our mistakes after the examination. We shouldn't waste most of our time in any section of questions. Time should be managed well in CAT exam and by practicing some mock tests we get an idea on how to manage time. Particularly we should concentrate on the units in the options and choose accordingly. Questions shouldn't be read incompletely and in a hurry. We shouldn't lose marks in areas where we are confident because of silly It is good to compete with others but doesn’t compare your marks with them. Everyone has their own pattern of preparation and patiently wait for the results until your preparation is completed. Prepare peacefully and make a timetable of your preparation and follow accordingly.
There is always something left out to be prepared before the exam due to lack of time or in a confusion. So it is better to do some mock tests so that we could cover at least some important topics in leftover subjects. Practice and revision are two important things to succeed in any competitive exam. We shouldn't think of uncovered subjects before the exam. Try to strengthen in subjects which were already prepared. It is always good to be calm and peaceful before the exam. Even if the exam seems to be tough, just be peaceful and attempt the questions which you know well.
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
About the Author:
B Sree Varsha recently completed her MBA from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavana Usha and Lakshmi Mittal Institute Of Management. At present, she is working as a financial research analyst in the investment banking sector.
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
28 Jun '26
1 Dec '25 - 30 Jun '26
15 Jun '26
15 Jun '26
Karnataka PGCET
21 Jun '26
31 May '26 - 24 Jun '26
27 May '26 - 26 Jun '26
28 Jun '26
15 Aug '26
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jul '26 | XAT 2027 registration dates |
Sep '26 | XAT 2027 mock test |
Aug '26 | SNAP 2026 Registration Process |
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... |
14 Jun '26 | MAT May 2026 CBT |
11 Jun '26 | MAT May 2026 CBT Admit Card |
Jul '26 | IBSAT 2026 Registration |
Dec '26 | IBSAT 2026 Exam Date |
Oct '26 | CMAT 2027 registration and app... |
Jan '27 | CMAT 2027 exam |
12 Jun '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 Result (Secon... |
30 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 Result (First... |
27 May '26 - 26 Jun '26 | TANCET Scorecard Download Wind... |
4 Jun '26 - 30 Jun '26 | TANCET counselling registratio... |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 days 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 4 days 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 5 days 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.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
No, IIM Calcutta cannot get into MBA courses without appearing CAT first. CAT is a mandatory entrance exam and it is conducted every year for admissions into all MBA courses offered by this institute.
However, candidates who are applying for MBAEx course will be required to appear in GMAT for admissi
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
To get a seat at IFMR Chennai, students have to first appear for any one of the entrance exams accepted by the institute for the MBA/PGDM course admission. CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, Andhra Pradesh ICET, IPAMT and SAT India are the entrance exams accepted by this institute for admission to the management
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
No, you cannot use the CAT score for direct admission to the MBA/PGDM course at this university.
You would need to first appear for the CAT entrance exam, and then get shortlisted for the PI and or GD rounds to be considered for a seat. Since the CAT cutoff is not released publicly, the closest esti
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
The Vishwakarma University CAT cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the MBA/PGDM course for the All India quota.
For the General AI category, the estimated Vishwakarma University MBA cutoff 2025 was 50. Students who gained this percentile are then eligible to enter the second round of admission
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The National Institute of Bank Management Cutoff 2026 for General AI category in CAT exam is 80.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
No, you cannot use the CAT exam result for direct admission to the MBA/PGDM course at AIMS Institutes, Bangalore.
The college accepts the CAT, XAT and MAT exam results for admission to the management programme. Students have to first attain the qualifying cutoff percentiles and then sit in the select
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Candidates applying for admission in MBA at IIM Raipur should have qualified the CAT exam. Check below the application fee of CAT:
- INR 2,300 for general category students
- INR 1,150 for SC/ST/PwD students
R
Contributor-Level 10