CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy for College Students: Time Table, Tips & Resources

CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy for College Students: Time Table, Tips & Resources

Ongoing Event

CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 13 Sep' 25

Komal MiglaniUpdated on 19 Jun 2025, 02:52 PM IST

CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy for College Students: Discover how to prepare for CAT 2025 while in college with a semester-wise study plan, expert tips, recommended books, and time management strategies. Start early and ace the CAT exam without a drop year.The Common Admission Test or the CAT examination is expected to be attended by more than 2 Lakh candidates in 2024. Out of this immense CAT population, a good portion belonged to the percentage of candidates who were still in their last year of college. Preparing for the CAT examination during college is one of the best approaches for the CAT examination, as it could save 1 year of the candidate’s CAT preparation. It may seem that preparing for a management entrance examination like CAT could be challenging for the candidates who are currently enrolled on various degrees in college. Some candidates might feel that managing both CAT preparation along studies might hinder any of the two or both. But in reality, a lot of candidates have successfully cleared the CAT examination while preparing for it during their college days. All it takes is perseverance, smart work, and good CAT time management skills. This article from Careers360 goes into detail about the various CAT 2025 tips for college students and how college students can prepare for CAT 2025.

LiveCAT 2025 Registration LIVE: IIM Kozhikode to close registration tomorrow; IIM admission criteriaSep 12, 2025 | 10:02 PM IST

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) will close the registrations for CAT 2025 for admission to MBA and other management courses for the academic year 2025-26.

If you are looking forward to register for the CAT 2025 for admission to MBA and other management programmes, follow the 6 simple steps given below.

Official Website

  • Go to the official portal of IIM CAT 2025 at iimcat.ac.in.

New Registration

  • On the homepage, look for the new registration link and click on it.

Registered Candidate Login

  • Graduates who have already registered but haven’t filled the application form yet, can directly register through the ‘registered candidate login’ using user ID and password.

Details to Fill

For new registrations, candidates are required to fill the following given points to complete the registration.

  • Name of Candidate
  • Note: Candidate name should be entered exactly as it appears in 10th/SSC Certificate.
  • Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
  • Email Address
  • Confirm Email Address
  • Country
  • Mobile Number
  • Code
  • Confirm Code
  • Confirm Mobile Number
  • Candidates will have to generate an OTP by clicking on the generate OTP button. They will be redirected to CAPTCHA to fill and submit. To verify the mobile number, enter the OTP received and click on “Validate the OTP” tab. After validation, you will be able to submit the registration form.
  • Registered applicants will receive the User ID and Password on the registered email address and or on the registered mobile number. Overseas candidates will receive both User ID and Password on registered email address.

CAPTCHA

Applicants will have to retype the characters displayed in the CAPTCHA box provided. “The CAPTCHA box (as displayed above) is a special set of characters displayed on the screen,” the official notification reads.

Declaration

After filling all the requisite details, candidates must select the “I Agree” checkbox in the Declaration section to enable the submit button. The declaration is for candidates that they are committing to be honest and fair in all their actions and that the information provided in the CAT 2025 Registration Form is correct and true.

“Providing wrong information can lead to the cancellation of your right to appear in the examination or to be considered for the admission process as mandated by the appropriate authority. It is mandatory to agree to the contents in the Declaration to proceed to submit the form,” the notice on the website reads.

Read More

This Story also Contains

  1. CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
  2. Why College is the Right Time to Start CAT Preparation?
  3. Ideal CAT 2025 Preparation Plan for College Students
  4. CAT 2025 Preparation while in College Time Table
  5. CAT 2025 Tips for College Students
  6. CAT Preparation Books 2025
CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy for College Students: Time Table, Tips & Resources
CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy for College Students: Time Table, Tips & Resources

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

Preparing for the CAT 2025 examination begins with the proper understanding of the CAT 2025 exam pattern and the CAT syllabus 2025. As per the previous year's CAT question papers and the CAT exam trends, the expected CAT 2025 exam pattern is provided below for the reference of the candidates.

Particulars

CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus

CAT exam time duration

2 Hours (120 Minutes) & (160 Minutes for PwD)

Name of the Section

- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Section-wise CAT exam time duration

- 40 Minutes for Each Section (VARC, DILR, QA)

- 53 Minutes 20 Seconds for PwD candidates for each section

Number of Questions

68

Total Marks

204

Mode of the CAT 2025 exam

Computer-Based Mode (CBT)

CAT Marking Scheme

- For every right answer, +3 will be awarded

- For every wrong answer in MCQs, -1 will be deducted

- No negative marks for Non-MCQs

The candidates should also note that the CAT exam pattern might also change and is completely under the discretion of IIM Kozhikode, the institute which will conduct the CAT 2025 examination.

Why College is the Right Time to Start CAT Preparation?

When it comes to CAT 2025 preparation, a lot of candidates are sceptical about starting the preparation with their college. Some of the major reasons why the candidates do not prefer to attempt the CAT preparation along with their college studies are the difficulty in managing the CAT preparation and academics, time management issues that the candidates might face during assessments and examinations, lack of self-motivation, procrastination and less support from peers. Another reason why the candidates do not wish for CAT preparation during college is the lack of awareness of how college students can prepare for CAT 2025 While the candidates might have justifiable reasons, it should also be taken into account that preparing and acing the CAT examination during college can also be very helpful for the candidates.

More Time for Gradual Preparation

Starting CAT preparation during college gives candidates more time to cover the syllabus at a comfortable pace. Instead of rushing through topics, they can focus on understanding the basics and improving steadily over months. One advantage in such cases is that the candidates will be able to take a break from the preparation if they have to concentrate on academics. This can bring a balance for both the candidate’s academics and CAT preparation.

Stronger Conceptual Foundation

The CAT examination is all about conceptual understanding and not rote memorisation. When the candidates start their CAT preparation during their college days, they will get enough time to prepare for the examination. More time means more time for understanding the topics in depth. Hence, when the candidates begin their CAT preparation from college, they will be able to spend more time on the topics they need to. This will help them build a conceptual foundation in topics such as Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning, which are essential for scoring well in these sections.

Less Pressure After Graduation

If a candidate clears the CAT exam while still in college, they don’t have to take a gap year or prepare again after graduation. This reduces the pressure and uncertainty about what to do next. This is one of the biggest advantages for the candidates who are planning to start their CAT preparation during college. The candidates can also save themselves from taking a drop for the CAT examination. Having clarity on what to do after completing graduation is always beneficial.

Opportunity for Multiple Attempts

CAT is not an easy examination to crack. For some candidates, it might take more than one attempt to crack the CAT examination. So, preparing for the CAT examination after college is also helpful for the candidates, so that even if the first attempt at the CAT examination does not go well for the candidate, they can still attempt the CAT examination again. Appearing for the CAT examination once will give the candidates the necessary exam practice and help them to understand the CAT exam insight, such as the exam pattern, difficulty and sectional CAT preparation tips.

Access to College Resources and Peer Support

While being in college, the candidates can always use the college resources such as the library and the internet, from where the candidates can get access to CAT preparation books, which, if not, the candidates must purchase, which can be costly, various CAT preparation materials such as ebooks can also be accessed using the internet which can be helpful for the candidates in their CAT preparation journey. Another advantage is that the candidates can also seek advice from their peers and faculty, which will help them to structure their CAT preparation during their college journey in the right direction.

Ideal CAT 2025 Preparation Plan for College Students

Preparing for the CAT 2025 examination during college is not an easy task. It requires strong time management skills. The candidates should be able to accommodate all the necessary adjustments into their CAT preparation cycle to ensure that the CAT preparation does not hamper the candidates’ academics. It is very important that the candidates always ensure that both their academic and CAT preparation go hand-in-hand. The candidate should prepare for the CAT examination online. Offline classes can be difficult to attend and may also have rigid timings, which may go against the candidate’s college hours. Careers360 has devised a plan for the CAT 2025 prep for college students, which will help the candidates understand how college students can prepare for CAT 2025.

CAT 2025 Prep for College Students: Semester 5

It is ideal for the candidates to begin their CAT preparation from semester five of their 4 year degree course. (For the candidates who are enrolled in 2-year courses, they must start their CAT preparation from the first year or the first semester.) This would give them exactly one year for the CAT preparation. It can be very helpful for the candidates to understand the CAT examination and structure their CAT 2025 preparation. The candidate should begin by understanding the CAT exam pattern, going through the CAT examination syllabus, and going through a few CAT previous year question papers to gain an idea of the difficulty level of the CAT examination. CAT 2025 preparation while in college might seem a bit difficult at this stage, but it can be achieved with consistent efforts. The candidates should ensure that they are practising different CAT questions daily without fail. Around this stage, the candidates should also start reading various materials, such as their subject-related materials. This can be very helpful in preparing for the reading comprehension section of the CAT examination, which constitutes almost 60% of the CAT VARC section. The candidate should also understand the various CAT quantitative aptitude topics and memorise the various CAT quantitative aptitude formulas. The candidate should also attempt a few CAT DILR questions and understand its difficulty.

CAT 2025 Prep for College Students: Semester 6

Now that the basics of the CAT 2025 examination are understood, it is time for the candidates to strengthen their basic knowledge and move ahead with further preparation. The candidates should go through the topics that they had learnt in the 5th semester, but make sure that this time around, they go through the various important CAT topics in detail and apply them while studying. This CAT revision would help the candidates to retain the concepts in case they have forgotten and solidify their subject knowledge. CAT time management and accuracy play a really important role in determining the CAT success of the candidate. Hence, the sem 6 of the candidate’s CAT 2025 preparation while in college must focus on time management and improving the speed of answering. In this sem, the candidates can focus on going through various CAT quant shortcuts, study mental math calculations and go through CAT techniques such as Vedic Maths. This is also an important phase for the candidates to understand their weak areas while going through the second round of CAT revision. The candidates should ensure to work on their weak areas, and this will help them to gradually improve over time. At the end of the 6th semester, the candidates should be able to complete the CAT 2025 syllabus. At fixed intervals, the candidates should ensure that they take sectional mock tests and analyse their preparation levels.

CAT 2025 Prep for College Students: Semester 7

By the 7th semester, students should begin taking sectional tests to get a feel of the actual exam pattern. Both semesters 7 and 8 should be reserved for revision, solidifying the conceptual understanding and going through any topics that require further attention. At this stage, the candidates would become the final year students and will have more time for CAT practice as the number of subjects per semester would be cut down, and eventually, they will be left with only the final year project. One of the essential CAT 2025 tips for college students is that the candidates should make use of the time they have during the semester breaks solely for CAT preparation, as they would not have any academic-related pressures during that time. The 7th semester is absolutely critical for the candidates, as this is the phase when the candidates develop a test-taking strategy, such as deciding question selection, time allocation, and order of sections based on personal comfort and performance. The transition from sectional mock tests to gradual full-length CAT mock tests should also start from this phase.

CAT 2025 Prep for College Students: Semester 8

The 8th semester will be the final semester for the candidates who are appearing for any 4-year course. In most of the universities in India, the final semester will be reserved for minimal subjects and mostly for the course project alone. This would mean that the candidates will have more time for CAT 2025 preparation while in college during the final semester. The candidates should split the time equally between working on their project and preparing for the CAT 2025 examination while in college. They can devote the weekends to unwind, but the weekdays should be invested properly by following the various CAT 2025 strategies for final-year students. In the final semester, students must start attempting full-length mock tests regularly and analyse their performance. This phase should also include revising key concepts, formulae, and shortcuts. The candidates should also try to engage in at least 2 full-length mock tests daily because this would help them to stay focused and be CAT exam day ready. Once the candidate has completed the CAT mock tests and solving of the CAT sample papers, they must then devote time to preparing for CAT GDPI. This should begin with reading the newspapers, going through various static GK topics, etc. Also, the candidates can get in touch with the placement cell of the university and, if possible, arrange CAT mock interviews to gain first-hand experience on how the CAT interviews are going to be conducted.

CAT 2025 Preparation while in College Time Table

CAT 2025 preparation for college students can often be challenging without following a proper CAT timetable. It is ideal for the candidates to choose their CAT preparation timetable during their CAT 2025 preparation while in college. If a candidate is unsure about creating one, they can refer to the CAT preparation timetable for college students using the table provided below.

Semester

Preparation Focus

VARC Topics

DILR Topics

QA Topics

Semester 5

(Start of Prep)

- Understand the CAT syllabus & pattern

- Start daily reading habit

- Practice basics of all three sections

- Begin concept building

- Para-jumbles

- Sentence Completion

- Inferences

- Odd One Out

- Sentence Correction

- One-word Substitution

- Short RC Passages

- Para Summary

- Graph types

- Table-based DI

- Bar & Line Graphs

- Pie Charts

- Radar Graphs

- Scatter & Innovative Graphs

- Percentages

- Ratios & Proportions

- Averages & Mixtures

- Profit & Loss

- TSD

- SI & CI

Semester 6

(Concept Strengthening & Revision)

- Strengthen concepts

- Focus on time management

- Second round of revision

- Work on weak areas

- Begin sectional mock tests

- RC (Factual)

- Para Completion

- Syllogism

- Analogies

- Para-jumbles

- Summary-based RC

- Tone & Style RC

- Venn Diagrams

- Cubes & Dicing

- Blood Relations

- Binary Logic

- Decision Making

- Analytical Puzzles

- Time & Work

- Partnership

- Linear & Quadratic Equations

- Inequalities

- Functions

- Surds & Indices

- Logarithms

- Sequences & Series

Semester 7

(Mock Tests & Strategy Building)

- Start full-length mock tests

- Finalise test-taking strategy

- Identify strong & weak topics

- Continue revision & practice

- RC Variety Practice

- Para Summary & Inferences

- Sentence Correction

- RC Timed Practice

- VARC Round-up

- Logical Deductions

- Selections & Distributions

- Linear & Circular Arrangements

- Routes & Networks

- Games & Tournaments

- Caselets

- Mixed LR sets

- Factorisation

- Maxima & Minima

- Coordinate Geometry

- Mensuration (2D & 3D)

- Square & Cube Roots

- Base Systems

- Set Theory

- P&C

- Probability

Semester 8

(Final Prep & GDPI Readiness)

- Intensive full-length mocks

- Final brush-up of all concepts

- Time for revision & interview prep

- GDPI awareness

- Full VARC Practice Sets

- Error Logs Revision

- Final Review + Mock Tests

- Mixed DI + Reasoning Sets

- Puzzle Practice

- Final Brush-up

- DI-Reasoning Combo Practice

- Final QA Practice Sets

- Arithmetic Revision

- Geometry & Algebra Revision

- Stats & Mixed Practice

CAT Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
Select your preferred subject to view the chapters

CAT 2025 Tips for College Students

Since the candidates are often engulfed with a lot of responsibilities and other commitments during their CAT 2025 preparation while in college, there is always a chance that the CAT preparation of the candidates might be hindered. Procrastination is seen to be the biggest challenge for candidates and their CAT preparation in college. It is vital for the candidates to break this shell and be focused on their CAT 2025 preparation. Some of the effective CAT 2025 tips for college students are provided below for the reference of the CAT 2025 aspirants.

  • The candidates should start as early as possible to make sure that they have enough time for both their CAT 2025 preparation as well as academics.

  • The candidates should make wise use of breaks and holidays to prepare for the CAT examination. The college hours should be used only for studies.

  • The candidates must read newspapers, editorials, and magazines daily to improve Reading Comprehension and vocabulary.

  • The initial semesters should be given for understanding the basics only. The candidates should build a strong foundation in Quant, VARC, and LRDI before moving further.

  • Once the candidates have mastered various topics, sectional mock tests must be taken to asses their preparation levels.

  • From the seventh semester, the candidates should emphasise taking part in full-length mock tests, as they should have ideally completed the CAT 2025 syllabus by then.

  • The candidates should also create a weekly or monthly plan that incorporates both the studies and CAT preparation. It should also be flexible enough to accommodate any sudden changes.

  • One of the most important CAT 2025 tips for college students is that the candidates should stay consistent throughout their preparation timetable. This would help them to stay ahead of the curve, and eventually, 1-2 hours of daily practice would make a lot of difference in the end.

CAT Preparation Books 2025

Choosing the right CAT preparation books is one of the most important CAT 2025 strategy for final-year students. Since the candidates will have free access to the library of their college, it will be easy for them to access the best CAT books. Borrowing these important CAT books and preparing for the CAT examination forms an essential part of the candidate’s CAT 2025 preparation while in college. Careers360 has shortlisted a set of books for enhancing the candidate’s CAT 2025 preparation while in college. The list is provided below.

CAT Section

Book Name

Author Name

Quantittaive Aptitude

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations

R.S. Aggarwal

Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT

Sarvesh Verma

NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 9–10)

NCERT

How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT

Arun Sharma

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT

Arun Sharma

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT

Nishit K. Sinha

A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning

R.S. Aggarwal

Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency

Ananta Ashisha

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT

Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay

Word Power Made Easy

Norman Lewis

PSC for VA for CAT

Nishit Sinha

High School English Grammar & Composition

Wren & Martin

CAT Exam 2025 Preparation Materials by Careers360

How college students can prepare for CAT 2025? The answer is with the help of efficient CAT preparation resources. Careers360 has a lot of CAT preparation materials in store for the candidates who are preparing for CAT 2025 from colleges. A few of the selected CAT preparation materials from Careers360 are listed below.

eBook Title

Download Links

3000+ Most Important Words - Vocabulary Builder

Download Here

500+ Most Important Idioms and Phrases

Download Here

300+ Most Important Phrasal Verbs

Download Here

Permutation & Combination - Video Lectures and Practice Questions

Download Here

Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions

Download Here

CAT 2025 Exam's High Scoring Chapters and Topics

Download Now

Mastering CAT Exam: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages

Download Now

CAT 2025 Mastery: Chapter-wise MCQs for Success for VARC, DILR, Quant

Download Now

CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers

Download Now

CAT DILR Questions with Solution, Download LRDI Questions for CAT

Download Now

CAT 2025 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Study Material

Download Now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How should students manage CAT prep alongside academics?
A:

They should begin with 1-2 hours daily, use semester breaks effectively, and follow a flexible plan that includes reading, regular practice, and mock tests without neglecting academic performance. 

Q: When should college students ideally begin CAT preparation?
A:

Students are advised to start in their 5th semester, progressing from understanding basics to mastering concepts, taking sectional and full-length mocks by the 7th and 8th semesters to build a strong test strategy.

Q: What does the CAT 2025 syllabus include across its three sections?
A:

The syllabus is divided into VARC (with topics like RC, para-jumbles, and sentence correction), DILR (covering puzzles, charts, and arrangements), and QA (including arithmetic, algebra, and geometry), with each section allotted 40 minutes in the 2-hour test.

Q: Is college the right time to start preparing for CAT 2025?
A:

Yes, college is an excellent time to start CAT prep as it allows a gradual understanding of key areas like Quantitative Aptitude, VARC, and DILR, while building time management skills without the added pressure of post-graduation uncertainty.

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Questions related to CAT

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Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello Aspirant,

Since your payment status shows "S" , it means your payment is successful. The "payment unsuccessful" message on the form is likely a temporary system error or a delay in updating.

Do not make another payment.

Making a second payment could cause a double debit, which is difficult to get a refund for. You should:

  1. Wait 24-48 hours for the status to update automatically.

  2. Download and save a copy of your form and a screenshot of the "S" payment status as proof.

  3. Check your bank statement to confirm the money has been debited.

  4. If the issue is not fixed after 48 hours, contact the official CAT helpdesk immediately with your transaction details.

Hello

The CAT 2025 exam is a national-level MBA entrance test for IIMs and top B-schools in India. It will be held on 30th November 2025 in computer-based mode across ~170 cities.
The registration is open from 1st August to 13th September 2025 on iimcat.ac.in .
Admit cards will be available from 5th November 2025 onward.
Graduates with at least 50 marks (45 for SC/ST/PwD) are eligible to apply.
The exam tests English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude in three timed sections.

Yes, you can pursue an MBA at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, through the CAT exam.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.

  • Entrance Exam: A valid CAT score is required for admission.

Admission Process:

  1. Application: Register online through the BBAU admission portal.

  2. Entrance Exam: Appear for the CAT exam and obtain a valid score.

  3. Counseling: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling based on their CAT scores.

  4. Document Verification: Submit necessary documents for verification.

  5. Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment to confirm admission.

Course Details:

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time).

  • Specializations: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, among others.

Placement Opportunities:
BBAU has a strong placement record, with top companies recruiting MBA graduates.

For more details and to apply, visit the  official BBAU MBA admission page

Hello Amgothu

With 305 marks in ICAR PG and being from ST category, your chances of getting an AIEEA (CAT) seat is good, especially in plant sciences and less competitive subjects