.png)
CAT 2025 Preparation: How To Prepare For CAT 2025 Exam
- ASM IBMR
- Oct 31, 2019
- 7 min read
Updated: May 6
CAT 2025 Preparation
As an aspirant, you must have daydreams about running a sizable, successful company or even starting your own one day. In reality, to perform this, you will need to strive hard and pursue an MBA, preferably from one of the top B-schools in the country, such as the Indian Institute of Management (IIM). Their admission process entails a plethora of challenges. Your foremost goal is to sit and pass the Common Admission Test (CAT). This ubiquitous test creates a pathway for entry into esteemed institutes such as the IIMs and other like-minded institutions.
CAT ranks among the hardest entrance examinations available, assessing a diverse range of knowledge and skills during the exam. Testing can take up to 3 hours and includes a wide array of streaming subjects with 100 questions, including quantitative ability, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning, as well as Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. Considering the variation of subjects for a single entrance exam, students are sometimes compelled when looking for answers to the query ‘How to prepare for the CAT 2025 exam?’ If you are among the many students in the same boat, do not worry because we offer great solutions.
Related blog you will like All you need to know about CAT 2019 exam
How To Prepare For CAT 2025-26 Exam
By now, you should have already completed your registration, fee payments, and admit card printing. Most students have cleared these steps and begun preparations, but there’s a lot more that can be done.
There are a multitude of tips that can be shared in this regard, and all of them are focused on making sure you have optimum preparation for the CAT exam. Follow these, and you will be ready and confident for your CAT exam.
There are a multitude of tips that can be shared in this regard, and all of them are focused on making sure you have optimum preparation for the CAT exam. Follow these, and you will be ready and confident for your CAT exam.
The following are some tips that will surely help you in CAT preparation. Follow them and you will be confident of appearing for your CAT exam.
Check the Syllabus & Exam Pattern
You might be faced with subjects and questions that you have never encountered before; therefore, it would be a good idea to check what the syllabus is and the examination patterns. You can find previous years’ CAT exams online in many places. These can be downloaded, along with the syllabus, which you should spend some time trying to understand.
The CAT exam varies each year, however the structure of the questions remains unchanged. You have a set of multiple-choice questions, and then a few non-multiple-choice questions. And sometimes, to add spice, the organizers include General Knowledge questions. Keep that in mind.
No prescribed syllabus is officially issued, however, based on the trend of the previous years This is the section-wise breakdown of subjects that are frequently requested:
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Reading Comprehension (RC):
Inference-based questions
Tone and central concept the author's perspective
Vocabulary and context-specific usage
Verbal Ability (VA):
Para jumbles
Odd sentence in
Para Completion
Writing a summary
Modification of sentence
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Data Interpretation (DI):
Tables
Bar Graphs
Line Graphs
Pie Charts
Caselets
Venn Diagrams
Logical Reasoning (LR):
Seating Arrangements
Blood Relations
Puzzles
Syllogisms
Input-Output
Binary Logic
Team Formation
Order and Ranking
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
Arithmetic:
Ratio & Proportion
Averages
Time, Speed & Distance
Time & Work
Profit & Loss
Simple & Compound Interest
Algebra:
Equations (Linear & Quadratic)
Inequalities
Functions & Graphs
Geometry & Mensuration:
Triangles, Circles, Polygons
Area & Volume
Number System:
LCM & HCF
Divisibility Rules
Base System
Remainders
Modern Math:
Permutation & Combination
Probability
Set Theory
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern (Expected)
Particulars | Details |
Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Exam Duration | 2 Hours (120 minutes) |
Total Sections | 3 |
Section Names | VARC, DILR, QA |
Time per Section | 40 Minutes |
Total Questions | 66–70 |
Marking Scheme | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect (MCQs only) |
Type of Questions | MCQs & Non-MCQs (TITA – Type in the Answer) |
2. Coaching Classes
As you have already guessed, this is optional. A lot of students prefer to self-study and do revisions, yet a good number of students sign up for coaching classes that attempt to help students get through the CAT with ease. That's a fast-growing sector and very competitive. The underlying problem is, does tuition help? It looks like it does for everything, otherwise there wouldn't be so many students enrolling.
These classes are meant for the CAT coaching sessions only, which deal with every topic in the syllabus. Coaching classes leave nothing to be done by the students themselves. From filling out the registration forms to weekly mock tests, these classes try to simulate the actual exam environment for the students. So, yes, if these classes are something you want to go for, then coaching is advisable.
3. CAT 2025 Study Material
Here are some trusted sources for preparation for the CAT:
1. Online Platforms (Free & Paid):
Cracku - https://cracku.in (Previous year papers, mock tests, study notes)
2IIM CAT - https://online.2iim.com/ (Video lectures, practice questions, mocks)
iQuanta - https://www.iquanta.in(Live sessions, doubt clearing, test series)
Handa Ka Funda - https://www.handakafunda.com(Full CAT course, affordable pricing)
2. YouTube Channels:
Rodha
CATKing
Cracku
2IIM
Unacademy CAT Channel
4. Top CAT Study Guides (with Purchase Links):
For Quantitative Ability (QA):
How to Get Ready for CAT's Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma Purchase on Amazon
RS Aggarwal's book Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams Purchase on Amazon
For Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC):
Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay's book For Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Norman Lewis, "Word Power Made Easy"
For Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation (DILR):
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT – by Arun Sharma
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT – by Nishit K. Sinha
5. Combine Preparation With Other Activities Using A Daily Routine
For certain students, it's beneficial to make the most of every opportunity to study, but some students prefer a formal schedule that is more effective. You must set a certain time to study the CAT syllabus and be sure to follow the timetable that you have created yourself with complete vigilance.
Don't forget to make moments for activities such as chores, exercise, or getting together with friends, etc. Engaging in these activities can help your mind relax and aid in better retention of information throughout your study sessions. An overloaded study schedule is bound to become tedious over time. With this daily routine, ensure that you maintain productive study sessions every day, with some breaks every now and then.
6. Study With Friends
The study sessions become more efficient and more efficient when they are conducted in conjunction with other students who are preparing for similar subjects, such as the test for CAT. The study group performs better and there is plenty of evidence to show that students who study in a group tend to keep more information in mind and do better in the test.
There are many benefits to using a study group, one of which is the ability to solve each other’s queries. One individual may be strong in a particular topic while their friend is not; the friend can assist the other and the other way around. Working together means everyone becomes stronger as a unit.
7. Internet to the Rescue
In my opinion, the last century's greatest invention is 'the internet.' This boundless realm of information is at your fingertips and can assist you in passing your CAT examination with flying colours. There is a wealth of information about the subjects that comprise the CAT, as well as tips to excel on the internet (like this blog you’re reading now).
You may obtain information by joining the social media groups and forums that comprise CAT aspirants. You can also find important information by following the Twitter accounts of IIMs, various education departments, and their associated coaching institutes. The internet possesses countless advantages that can be used to your benefit.
8. Take Mock Test
Reaching your desired outcomes is made easier by using the internet, and mock tests are one of the goals. There are countless mock test resources available online, and I can attest that many of them are of exceptional quality and on par with the CAT examination standards. These evaluations serve as fantastic preparatory materials.
You can take as many practice tests as you desire which significantly increases your chances of success on the actual exam. One of the best forms of practice is taking the official mock test provided by CAT which gives students a realistic experience of what taking the actual test is like. This mock test can also be found on a plethora of websites.
9. Videos & Publications
If you are more inclined towards visuals, a number of video hosting sites contain expert-made tutorials on various CAT subjects and instructions on excelling in them. These videos come from professionals in the industry which means their insight is reliable.
Similarly, there are various publications authored by former CAT contestants. Some of these are incredibly successful and have been very beneficial to students, which is why you may want to look into purchasing them.
10. Formulating Your Own Strategy for Answering
This can be particularly shocking, but several students do not take the time to develop an outline or create an outline to answer in the exam. Students need to remember that feeling that their 3-hour limit on a 100-question test isn't enough.
Each question is worth 3 points, and -1 when answered incorrectly. Thus, formulate a balance so that you can afford to make a few reasoned guesses, increasing your chances of scoring higher.
11. Know Your Strengths
Among the subjects in CAT, there surely is one you are proficient at. Well, study because you know that you can afford to spend less time on your strengths.
In the exam, after waiting for some time, attempt the section you are confident about. Ensure you answer all questions you are certain of. This approach promotes confidence in your weak subjects. Spend the remaining time finishing your answers to ensure you score maximum marks.
12. Positivity
A positive attitude is key. Many students struggle to gain confidence when facing the CAT exam. With any problems you have, approach the exam with a positive mindset.
Also, keep in mind, that a negative result does not spell catastrophe. You still have other options entrance examinations, through which you can gain admission into a good MBA University.
You can also appear for the CAT examination the following year.
If you can follow the mentioned guidelines carefully, we are certain you will succeed in the upcoming CAT 2025-26 examination. Although the CAT exam is designed to foster one's career in management, it is still remarkably vital and helps shape you for what lies before you, as the preparation required to succeed in the CAT exam is also essential for one's management education.
13. CAT Previous Year Papers & Exam Pattern
CAT Previous Year Papers:
Access solved and unsolved CAT papers with solutions here: 🔗 https://cracku.in/cat-previous-papers
These help you:
Understand the pattern of questions
Time yourself better
Identify strong and weak areas
Hozzászólások