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Top-Rated CAT Study Material 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 2025 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. In this article, you will also get to know the CAT 2025 exam pattern, sectionwise study materials, CAT 2025 MCQs to help you in your preparation journey.
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.
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 |
With the help of the best books for section-wise preparation of CAT, one can crack CAT 2025 with a good score. Let us have a look at the best study material for all three sections for 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:
How to Prepare for the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay (Tata McGraw-Hill) is a workbook with practice questions and tips based on previous CAT papers.
Norman Lewis’ Word Power Made Easy.
CAT toppers recommend ‘GMAT Official Guide’ and ‘Manhattan Verbal.’
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Barron’s Pocket Guide to Vocabulary
Nishit Sinha’s The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning (Pearson) covers a wide range of topics explained in an easy-to-understand manner.
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.
From the level of basic to advanced preparation, aspirants can take aid from the following study material for DILR:
Books for DILR-
How to prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT by Arun Sharma (Tata McGraw-Hill)
How to prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Arun Sharma (Tata McGraw-Hill)
How to prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma
Nishit Sinha's The Pearson Guide to Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation
The Great Book of Puzzles & Teasers by George J Summers
Additionally, Manek Daruvala, Director of T.I.M.E., vouches for the book ‘Puzzles to Puzzle You' by Shakuntala Devi to boost LR and DI preparation.
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Newspapers and Business Magazines - Study pie charts and graphs from business magazines and newspapers, like:
The Economist
The Economic Times
Business Standard
Financial Chronicle
Financial Express
The Hindu Business Line
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. |
We have provided below the direct links to access sectionwise, topic specific MCQs, to add a boost in your preparation journey. These MCQs help students in analyzing their preparation across different sections such as VARC, QA and DILR.
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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 the CAT 2025 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 years' 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 hand-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 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 the 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, and solved examples |
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Nishit Sinha | Quantitative Aptitude | Detailed explanations, practice questions, and 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, and 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, and strategies for quick solving |
CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Detailed explanations, practice questions, and CAT-specific strategies |
PSC for VA for CAT | Nishit Sinha | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | Practice exercises, tips for RC and verbal ability, and 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, and 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 Guardian and Project Syndicate are among the most recommended for reading articles of global and national economic importance. Other than these, candidates can refer to newspapers as well.
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.
The Hindu, Economic Times, and The Business Standard are generally considered to be the most useful newspapers for CAT aspirants.
Hello,
Yes, with a 622 rank in IPU CET for MBA and being a Delhi candidate, you have a good chance of getting admission in MAIT (Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology).
You don’t need to worry about not giving the CAT exam. IPU CET rank is enough for admission in MAIT under the CET quota.
Just make sure to keep MAIT high in your preference list during counselling.
Hope it helps !
Yes, candidates who qualify in CUSAT CAT can gain admission to various participating institutes based on their rank. These include engineering colleges associated with CUSAT, such as its own School of Engineering in Kochi, Model Engineering College, and over 20 government and private engineering colleges across Kerala like College of Engineering Thrikkaripur, Co-operative Institute of Technology Vadakara, and MG College of Engineering Thiruvallam. The final seat allotment is based on your rank and your choice of program during the counselling process.
Hello Ashish,
Yes, you can get admission to MBA programs at IISWBM without a CAT score, but only for certain courses. Note that IISWBM has MBA programs under the University of Calcutta and flagship courses like MBA (Day) or MBA-HRM typically require a CAT score. Other programs like the PGDM or Executive MBA/Course may have other entrance examinations on which consideration would be made, or considerations may be based on merit, and of course work experience. Always run any eligibility detail checks with the official IISWBM (https://www.iiswbm.edu/) website or The IISWBM prospectus.
Hello,
Yes, a state (Delhi) NC-OBC certificate is valid for CAT 2025 , but it must be in the central government format (for appointment to posts under Government of India).
Also, it should be issued after 31st March 2025, as required by IIMs. If your certificate meets these conditions, it will be accepted.
Hope it helps !
Hello aspirant,
With 375 marks and an AIR of around 2.6 lakh in NEET 2025, getting admission to Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College (AUTC), New Delhi under the state quota is quite difficult. The cutoffs for government BAMS seats in AUTC generally stay below AIR 50,000, especially for the General and EWS categories. Your score may not meet the cutoff in the first or second rounds, but you might still have a slim chance in the mop-up or stray vacancy rounds, depending on how many seats remain and how other candidates opt. If you're a Delhi domicile and have all your documents ready, you should definitely apply and fill AUTC as a top choice. It’s also good to keep backup options in other AYUSH colleges open.
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In a business analyst job role a lot of analysis is done, things are learned from past mistakes and the successful strategies are enhanced further. A business analyst goes through real-world data in order to provide the most feasible solutions to an organisation. Students can pursue Business Analytics to become Business Analysts.
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