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Best Study Material for CAT 2025: Preparing the right set of study materials is imperative to crack highly competitive exams like CAT. A vital parameter in choosing the best CAT study material is to go for tried-and-tested resources. Having understood the significance of the MBA entrance test and MBA learning material, Careers360 brings to you the best study material for the upcoming CAT exam.
The market is flooded with a plethora of books and study material for the CAT exam for MBA, and it is obvious that aspirants will get baffled in their attempt to pick the best ones. In other words, one must utilize the books and study materials for CAT recommended by toppers and experts. First, let us take a glimpse at the exam pattern for CAT 2025.
With the help of the best books for section-wise preparation of CAT, one can crack CAT 2025 with a good score. Let us look at the best MBA learning material for each section in CAT 2025.
A good percentile is achievable in this section if one utilizes the following strategy and refers to the following VARC study material for IIM CAT 2025:
CAT toppers recommend ‘GMAT Official Guide’ and ‘Manhattan Verbal.’
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Regular Reading is the key - Reading quality newspapers such as ‘The Economist’, magazines like ‘India Today’, editorials, journals, and novels is proven to be one of the best study materials for the VARC section. Mark difficult words as you read and learn their meaning from the dictionary. Also, solving word puzzles and crosswords in the daily newspaper can be a game-changer for those whose forte does not lie in VARC.
Before starting the CAT 2025 preparation, candidates must be well aware of the exam pattern of CAT 2025. Complete details related to the number of questions asked, marking scheme, duration, and mode of the CAT exam are mentioned in the CAT 2025 exam pattern. Given below is a gist of the revised CAT exam pattern.
Section | No. of Questions | Duration |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes |
Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
Total | 68 | 120 |
From the level of basic to advanced preparation, aspirants can take aid from the following study material for DILR:
Books for DILR-
Newspapers and Business Magazines - Study pie charts and graphs from business magazines and newspapers, like:
Brainstorming activities - After you are done with your daily preparation, take some time and indulge in brainstorming sessions.
The following CAT study material for QA is highly recommended by toppers and experts to master the problem-solving approach:
Arun Sharma’s ‘How to Prepare for Quantitative Ability for CAT’, published by Tata McGraw Hill. |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha (Tata McGraw-Hill) has a comprehensive step-by-step problem-solving guide. |
How to Prepare for the CAT Common Admissions Test by Muhamed Muneer, published by Om Books, is another book that is simple and easy to understand. |
Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Nishit Sinha published by Pearson. |
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT and Other MBA Entrance Exams by Trishna Knowledge Systems (Pearson) has many practice exercises of increasing difficulty for a gradual transition. |
Arun Sharma’s The Complete CAT Digest, by Tata McGraw-Hill, is a must-have for any CAT aspirant. |
CAT Topper Rahul, who scored 100 percentile recommends T.I.M.E. material to learn the basics of QA. He suggests referring to LOD-2 and 3 of Arun Sharma’s book for a little more advanced difficulty. |
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Once a strong foothold has been established in all the topics under each section, the next step would be to solve CAT sample papers. Practice past years’ CAT question papers, and if possible, purchase a dedicated book that contains a question bank of all the past years' CAT question papers. Solving sample papers for CAT 2025 will help in quickly learning the important words and formulae in terms of the examination.
One of the top choices of study materials for the CAT exam is the book ‘Face to Face CAT Common Admission Test’ by Arihant Publishers. It consists of previous year's solved papers for thorough and final practice. The book also comes with a CD of CAT sample papers.
Further, CAT preparation e-books are a great source of wholesome information. The best part is that most of them are available online and don’t cost a penny!
CAT mock tests will be the backbone of one’s CAT 2025 preparation. Topper Sukumar, who secured the 99+ percentile in the CAT exam, says, “Taking mock tests and analyzing them played a very crucial role in my performance. It helped me create a strategy for the D-day and gave me an idea about my weak and strong areas.”
In fact, Topper Somansh shares that he did not buy any study material for CAT apart from a test series by a reputed institute. “The test series provided me with enough sectional tests, full tests, etc. I went through Arun Sharma's books for all three sections, but I feel all the concepts, logic, and techniques required will be encountered if you give the full-time tests of a test series and analyze the tests properly.”
Coaching study materials of reputed institutes especially tailored for CAT exam aspirants are updated each year to keep up with the latest CAT exam pattern 2025 and trends. Those who have enrolled in a coaching institute must be thorough with the CAT 2025 study material given to them by their institute. However, those who do not have access to the coaching study material for the CAT exam may purchase second-hand versions of it or find handed-down books. They need not worry about missing out on any topic, as the CAT 2025 syllabus remains the same each year with hardly any change in the content.
CAT study materials are inevitable for the CAT exam success of any candidate. CAT materials do not only provide guidance on attempting the CAT exam but also remain the go-to guide for candidates throughout their CAT preparation journey. Careers360 has compiled a collection of the most reputed CAT exam study materials for the reference of the candidates. Referring to these study materials for CAT can definitely sharpen the skills of the candidates.
CAT Exam Material | Authors | Category | Key Features |
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Arun Sharma | Quantitative Aptitude | Comprehensive coverage, various difficulty levels, practice questions, solved examples |
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Nishit Sinha | Quantitative Aptitude | Detailed explanations, practice questions, CAT-specific strategies |
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT | Sarvesh Verma | Quantitative Aptitude | Conceptual clarity, practice questions, tips and tricks for quick problem-solving |
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Meenakshi Upadhyay, Arun Sharma | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Comprehensive coverage, practice exercises, tips for RC and verbal ability |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Detailed explanations, practice questions, and strategies for solving DI and LR problems |
A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Extensive practice questions, and step-by-step solutions, cover a variety of logical reasoning topics |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis | Verbal Ability | Vocabulary building, easy-to-follow exercises, practical usage of words |
High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin | Verbal Ability | Grammar rules, practice exercises, composition tips |
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | Abhijit Guha | Quantitative Aptitude | Extensive practice questions, and detailed solutions, suitable for various competitive exams |
Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | Ananta Ashish | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Comprehensive coverage of DI and DS topics, practice questions, strategies for quick solving |
CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Detailed explanations, practice questions, CAT-specific strategies |
PSC for VA for CAT | Nishit Sinha | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Practice exercises, tips for RC and verbal ability, CAT-specific strategies |
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary | Dr. Wilfred Funk, Norman Lewis | Verbal Ability | Vocabulary-building exercises, practical usage of words, easy-to-follow format |
The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Nishit Sinha | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Comprehensive coverage, practice exercises, CAT-specific strategies |
Kaushik Kapoor, Director at Erudite, also shares his expert tips on the best study material for CAT preparation. In addition to books and coaching material for basic study, mocks, and advanced sectional tests, he recommends using applications (Apps) for CAT test training and practice questions. These apps are available on the Android and iOS platforms.
“Online blogs like the LRDI of the Day series by learningroots.com are very good. Also, 2iim's question bank is very good for advanced concepts,” says Hitesh Lohani.
Furthermore, public discussion forums can prove useful in solving queries, exchanging preparation material, and giving tips. According to Hitesh, “the best way to keep calm and confident during this process is to interact with your fellow CAT exam 2025 aspirants. I had a WhatsApp group of people who were also preparing for the CAT exam, and together we used to discuss our queries, mocks, ups and downs, and share jokes, and it made my preparation memorable,” he says. Other platforms, like Careers360’s Q&A, also welcome queries and discussions related to CAT 2025 preparation.
Browse Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score: Location-Wise
The best material for CAT preparation has been provided in this article.
Yes, CAT preparation can be done at home if the candidate executes the correct strategy and practice mock tests to know their weaknesses and fill the gaps.
Candidates shall start preparing for the CAT exam by getting a proper idea of the syllabus and exam pattern. Then analyzing your strong and weak points and working upon them according.
Yes, there are many previous toppers of the CAT exam who have aced this MBA entrance exam with only 1 month of preparation.
Some of the books for CAT preparation 2025 are:
Arun Sharma’s ‘How to prepare for Quantitative Ability for CAT’;
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha (Tata McGraw-Hill);
How to Prepare for the CAT Common Admissions Test by Muhamed Muneer.
Some of the CAT preparation books for beginners are:
Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Nishit Sinha;
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT and Other MBA Entrance Exams by Trishna Knowledge Systems (Pearson);
Arun Sharma’s The Complete CAT Digest.
Dear Aspirant
Your rank at eleven thousand eight hundred eighty seven under the OBC reservation has a strong chance for admission to the Computer Science Engineering (CSE) program at one of the three CUSAT campuses The exact seat depends on opening and closing ranks for CSE in each campus and the round of counselling
CUSAT campuses offering BTech CSE
• School of Engineering Thrikkakkara – flagship campus in Kochi
• CUCEK Kuttanad – second campus in Alappuzha district
• Lakeside campus does not offer CSE so only two campuses are relevant
Previous closing ranks under OBC quota for CSE
• Thrikkakkara campus closed near rank one thousand
• CUCEK Kuttanad closed around six thousand two hundred in 2024
Your likelihood with rank 11887
• Thrikkakkara campus is unlikely as CSE closes much lower than your rank
• CUCEK has potential since closing ranks in recent years have extended into the high six thousands
• Seats may remain open in later rounds so you may gain admission at CUCEK
Other CSE seat possibilities under OBC
• School of Engineering might open seats in spot or mop up rounds if higher ranked students do not confirm
• CUCEK will likely accept OBC candidates up to rank one two thousand to thirteen thousand
• Keep an eye on real time counselling as closing ranks may shift downward with seat cancellations
Alternative branches and campuses
If CSE is not available at CUCEK you may consider similar branches like Electronics and Communication Engineering Information Technology Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering closing beyond twelve thousand under OBC
You may also add interdisciplinary programs or lateral entry courses available in Lakeside or Thrikkakkara depending on available seats
Counselling strategy recommendations
• Register and fill choices on the CUSAT admissions portal in all counselling rounds
• Place CUCEK CSE as a high preference followed by ECE or IT at Thrikkakkara or CUCEK
• Monitor round wise closing ranks through the portal or official communications
• Participate in mop up and spot rounds where seats are more likely available near your rank
Key considerations
• Cutoffs decrease between rounds allowing more opportunities in later phases
• OBC candidates compete within their category reducing competition compared to open rankings
• CUCEK is your best target campus for CSE at your rank under OBC
• You must have all documents ready like previous marksheet category certificate and CUSAT admit card for verification
Let me know if you would like a suggested list of choices tailored to your academic interest or want help tracking counselling round data
Hi aspirant,
You can refer to the link attached above for more information on the same.
All the best!
Hi aspirant,
You can refer to the link given above for more information on the same.
All the best!
Hello dear,
The CAT exam requires a significant amount of time for preparation, including brushing up on basic concepts and practicing advanced problem-solving. Starting too early can feel overwhelming and may not be sustainable with other academic commitments.
The CAT exam requires a level of focus and maturity that is not always present in class 9. Starting preparation at this stage can be challenging to maintain. At class 9, you're primarily focused on learning foundational concepts. So you just need to boost your fundamentals by practicing more and more at class 9 because the Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT syllabus includes all the topics of Mathematics from Class 9 to 10 such as Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry and Mensuration.
Start Preparation 12 Months Prior:
Identify Weak Sections:
I hope you got your answer, That's all Thank you.
IIFT CAT Cutoff 2024
IIFT Delhi
General: 95–98 percentile
OBC: 90+
SC: 85–95
ST/PwD: 75–93
IIFT Kolkata
General: 85–95 percentile
OBC/SC/ST: 50–95 (varies)
Note: Final selection also includes WAT, GD, PI, academics, and work experience.
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