CAT 2025 Repeaters’ Preparation Strategy - A Comprehensive Guide

One of the most famous exams in India right now is the Common Admission Test (CAT), which helps us to cross the threshold of prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools. Like every year, this year, too many aspirants cracked the CAT on their first attempt, and a significant number of candidates chose to re-attempt the exam, commonly known as CAT repeaters or droppers. It can include aspirants who may have scored a decent CAT score in the last year. Let's understand the CAT 2025 Repeaters Preparation Strategy.

CAT 2025: VARC, DILR, and Quant: MCQs & Weightages | Chapter-wise MCQs

CAT 2025 Study Material: VARC | Quantitative Aptitude | 60 Days Study Material by Experts

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This Story also Contains

1. Who Are CAT Droppers and Repeaters?
2. CAT 2025 Repeaters’ Preparation Strategy – Where to Begin?
3. Best Preparation Strategy for CAT Repeaters – A Step-by-Step Approach
4. CAT Study Plan for Droppers – Weekly and Monthly Strategy
5. Self-Study vs Coaching – Which Is Better for CAT Repeaters/How to prepare for CAT as a dropper?
6. Subject-Wise Strategy for CAT 2025 Repeaters or CAT study plan for droppers
7. The Role of Mock Tests in CAT Repeaters’ Success or CAT preparation tips for droppers
8. Common Mistakes CAT Droppers Should Avoid for CAT success strategy for repeaters
9. CAT Preparation for Repeaters Without Coaching – A Self-Study Guide
10. The Right CAT Study Material for Droppers
11. Strategies to Crack CAT in a Drop Year – Do’s and Don’ts
12. CAT 2025 Repeaters’ Preparation Strategy

Who Are CAT Droppers and Repeaters?

CAT droppers decide to dedicate a full year to CAT preparation after their first unsuccessful attempt. Aspirants with decent scores also decide to repeat the exam for various reasons, and it can include a pool of students, including candidates who are working professionals or students attempting the exam again while managing other commitments.

Should You Drop a Year for CAT 2025? Pros & Cons

Pros:

• With a detailed insight, more focused preparation without distractions.

• Better chances of improving percentile with structured learning.

• Understanding past CAT exam mistakes and constantly working on them.

• Opportunity to get into a top B-school, ensuring better career prospects.

Cons:

• A year-long gap in education or employment.

• Added pressure and expectations.

• Uncertainty about results.

Common Reasons Why Candidates Repeat CAT

Before diving into the answer to these big questions, to do or not, let's understand why repeating CAT. First of all, Inadequate preparation in the first attempt. Maybe opted for an experience. Secondly, Poor time management and exam stress. Third can be a weakness in a particular section (VARC, DILR, or QA). Fourth, not taking enough mock tests or analyzing them incorrectly. And lastly and most importantly, lack of a structured study plan or wrong approach.

CAT 2025 Repeaters’ Preparation Strategy – Where to Begin?

Evaluating Past Performance: Analysing Strengths and Weaknesses

By the start, things should be pretty clear, what exactly the exam requires and what as an aspirant I am looking for. So, start your preparation and analyze your previous attempt:

• Check your sectional percentile breakdown.

• Identify which concepts need improvement.

• Understand if exam stress or time management was an issue.

Understanding CAT Exam Pattern and Changes in 2025 (If Any)

CAT exam pattern generally remains consistent, but always check for changes in question types, time allocation, or marking schemes on the official IIM CAT website. Understanding the exam format is crucial for effective preparation, and that too in advance is very important when thinking about how to prepare for CAT. Get a better understanding of the CAT exam pattern, question types, and marking scheme by using CAT sample papers or actual papers. Evaluate the difficulty level and question styles of the CAT 2025 exam from CAT previous years' papers. It is crucial to carefully select the questions because there is a risk of negative marking.

Our overall analysis suggests that this year's CAT exam was relatively easier than in previous years. One noteworthy change was the increase in the total number of questions, with two additional questions added to the DILR segment. Additionally, the DILR section itself was much more manageable than in recent years, where students often struggled to complete even one set. This year, many students reported being able to attempt 2-3 sets. The verbal section followed a similar trend. Although the quantitative aptitude section presented a surprise in slot 2, it was still generally easier compared to last year's exam.

Setting a Structured Study Plan for Repeaters

Nothing is fixed, so be agile with the planning part. A well-structured CAT preparation plan is crucial to maximize efficiency. Follow a customized approach based on your past performance. In the first 2 months. The target should be to work on fundamentals and accuracy. Next till August one can work on Accuracy. September month to be prioritized for time management. And the last few months were only for shortcuts and elimination.

Best Preparation Strategy for CAT Repeaters – A Step-by-Step Approach

Importance of a Customized Preparation Plan for Repeaters

Since repeaters have a basic understanding of the exam, their preparation should focus on weak areas and refining strengths. Try to divide your day very effectively as the majority of students preparing for the CAT exam usually seek a specific number or statistic to understand the level of effort required. However, it's not just about the number of hours spent on preparation, but about the quality of learning derived from the process. Throughout your preparation, it's crucial to continually assess your learning and ensure that you're reaching your learning goals. Setting clear goals with deadlines is very important, as it helps you stay focused and motivated. When goals are set with timelines, it becomes easier to track progress and make necessary revisions. It is important to set realistic goals and have a schedule that includes short breaks.

How to Improve Weak Areas While Maintaining Strengths

Schedule regular revision sessions to consolidate learning, create concise notes or mind maps to summarize key topics, and focus on weak areas to strengthen understanding through revision.

Students need to start preparing for competitive exams early on. This will give them ample time to cover the vast array of topics required for thorough understanding and practice. Starting early allows students to pace their study schedule and reduces the pressure of cramming, which promotes a deeper understanding of concepts. In addition to this, starting early allows students to identify and address their weaknesses well in advance. By pinpointing areas of difficulty, students can allocate more time and resources to master these subjects. This proactive approach helps them bridge knowledge gaps effectively, enhancing overall competency. Another benefit of starting early is the development of a habit of consistent and disciplined study. Regular study sessions spread over a longer duration instill a sense of routine and commitment, minimizing the likelihood of procrastination. This habit not only aids in exam preparation but also fosters valuable life skills essential for future endeavors.

Starting early has many benefits. It gives you the flexibility to try different study techniques, personalize your learning, and reduce stress. It also allows you to explore supplementary CAT study materials for a better understanding of complex topics. So, start early and optimize your learning process!

The Right Mindset and Consistency for CAT 2025

Prioritize and find support and be flexible: When you have too much to do and not enough time, it's important to take a few minutes to assess your priorities. Determine which deadlines are most pressing and evaluate how much energy you have. While preparation and organization can take you far, it might not be enough in some cases. Fortunately, you have a support system cheering you on to achieve success. Along with that, while creating your calendar, schedule, and priorities list, be realistic about what you can accomplish. If you're unsure, include some buffer time to minimize obstacles and reduce potential friction.

Start with Small Tasks: When you have a long to-do list, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, there's a simple approach that can help you tackle your tasks more efficiently. Start by prioritizing small and low-level tasks at the beginning of your day's to-do list. By completing these smaller tasks first, you'll gain momentum and feel a sense of accomplishment. If you have larger tasks or assignments that will take multiple hours or days to complete, try breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts. This can help you stay motivated and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the size of the task. By making tasks more manageable, you can take control of your day and achieve your goals with greater ease.

CAT Study Plan for Droppers – Weekly and Monthly Strategy

How to Structure Your Daily Schedule Effectively

Tracking time helps to deal with problems regarding CAT time management, specifically in terms of practicing time management to a great extent.

Maintain a Calendar: It is advisable to create a personal calendar well in advance that includes all your upcoming deadlines, exams, social events, and other time commitments. This will help you keep track of what's ahead. If you prefer a digital calendar, make it a habit to check it daily, preferably in the morning, to ensure that important events are fresh and top-of-mind. To increase efficiency, ensure that your digital calendar integrates with other tools such as your email. Digital calendar options include:

• Google Calendar

• Outlook Calendar

• Fantastical

• Calendly

Setting Reminders: It's important to set up periodic reminders for yourself after creating your calendar. These reminders can include completing a study guide ahead of time or scheduling a meeting for a group project. Remember, it's not just about knowing the deadlines, but also staying on top of the smaller tasks that are necessary to meet those deadlines.

Along with that, mark schedules like-

• Morning: Solve 2-3 RC passages + DILR sets.

• Afternoon: Revise QA concepts and solve practice questions.

• Evening: Mock analysis + revising mistakes.

• Night: Light revision, reading newspapers/articles.

Time Management Tips for CAT Repeaters

Need to allocate specific time slots for each subject daily to ensure comprehensive coverage of the syllabus, which we can call a CAT self-study plan for repeaters. Along with that, solve sample papers and previous years' question papers within the stipulated time frame to improve speed and accuracy. Also, practice CAT mock tests regularly to simulate exam conditions and enhance time management skills. Try to balance both your academic and CAT preparation beginning your journey in advance so that last-moment pressure can be handled smoothly. To effectively manage your time, consider marking your calendar with weekly and monthly strategies. This will help you plan and stay organized. As for the Quantitative Ability Section, you should practice fundamental arithmetic, algebra, and geometry daily. You can also take timed quizzes on online platforms to improve your speed. Roughly you can follow like: -

• 2-4 hours daily (if working/studying)

• 6-8 hours daily (if full-time preparation)

• Increase intensity in the last 3 months.

Self-Study vs Coaching – Which Is Better for CAT Repeaters/How to prepare for CAT as a dropper?

Is Coaching Necessary for CAT Repeaters?

• If you struggle with concepts, coaching can help.

• If you lack practice and discipline, self-study works well.

How to Prepare for CAT as a Dropper Without Coaching?

• Follow structured online resources (YouTube, Udemy, Unacademy).

• Use mock tests, sectional tests, and CAT previous papers.

Subject-Wise Strategy for CAT 2025 Repeaters or CAT study plan for droppers

VARC Strategy for CAT Repeaters

1. Reading Comprehension (RC)

The first target should be to enhance Reading Comprehension:

1. First is Active Reading: Engage actively with the text by asking questions, making predictions, and summarizing key points as you read.

2. Second is Skim and Scan: Develop skimming and scanning techniques to quickly locate relevant information in passages. Pay attention to headings, subheadings, and keywords.

3. Third is to Increase Reading Speed: Gradually increase your reading speed through regular practice. Use online tools and apps to track your reading speed and monitor progress.

4. Fourth is to Summarize Passages: Practice summarizing passages in your own words to improve comprehension and retention. Identify the main ideas, supporting details, and the author's purpose.

5. Fifth is to Vary Reading Material: Read a variety of texts, including articles, essays, and literature, to expose yourself to different writing styles and topics.

What to Expect:

Question Types can be vocab-based questions, Main idea, tone of the passage, factual details, inferences, and critical analysis.

2. Non-RC questions

This includes Summary, Misfit, Best Fit, and Para Jumble. Here consistency with practice is a must. Reading a lot will help.

DILR Strategy for CAT Repeaters

The target should be made to solve 4-5 sets daily. Consider Logical Reasoning as a separate subject. Focus on high-weightage topics (Games & Tournaments, Venn Diagrams).In the last few years, CAT has featured around four DILR sets, with 4-6 questions each. Though the pattern and number of sets may vary from year to year, the important thing is the selection of sets and questions. From the standard four sets appearing in the exam, there have always been 1-2 doable sets, and the remaining are on the difficult side.

The key takeaway from this is that if you choose the right questions, you can solve them more easily during the exam, even under time pressure. Let's go through each question set one by one and determine the best approach to tackle them efficiently. It's important to note that the strategies outlined here are general. Students who have encountered a particular type of question set before in practice exams may find it more challenging to manage, even if it seems straightforward.

QA Strategy for CAT Repeaters

Generally, every year the actual paper comprises 7 – 8 easy, 8 – 9 medium, and 6 – 8 difficult questions. The learning that can be taken from this is that if selected properly, there are questions, which can be solved in the exam under time pressure. The complete syllabus for CAT Quantitative Aptitude can be organized into distinct lessons and topics. Each of these topics necessitates mastering a specific set of concepts. The students have to outline each topic along with the recommended time they should dedicate to studying them.

For example-

Number System – 1.5 weeks

• Digital Root

• Euler Number

• Cyclicity + negative remainder

• HCF LCM

• Divisibility

• Remainder theorems

• Factorial

• Number of divisors / Sum / Product

• Unit Digit/ tens digit

• Integral Solutions

• Base System

• Fractions, Bodmas, decimals

• Factors

The Role of Mock Tests in CAT Repeaters’ Success or CAT preparation tips for droppers

Analyzing Mock Test Results to Enhance Performance about CAT, Skills practice test

Take care of Setting Test-Taking Environment

Conducive ambience is a must so try to create a test-taking environment similar to the actual exam, including a quiet space and timed conditions, to simulate the exam experience. Try to complete one question or a single paper in one attempt without taking breaks in between.

Try to work on Eliminating Distractions: Focus is the key to success, so minimize distractions during your practice sessions to maintain focus and concentration.

Be busy with Analyzing Results: Revisit and keep reviewing, Correct and Incorrect Answers as a thorough review of correct and incorrect answers to understand the reasoning behind them and learn from your mistakes.

Work on Time Management: Start with your strength area and then move towards the difficult one. For example, give at least 8 mins per RC and leave the rest. As there is a sectional time limit, we need to carefully manage the time. And try all new patterns while solving.

Common Mistakes CAT Droppers Should Avoid for CAT success strategy for repeaters

• Visit your calendar daily and be consistent schedule-wise as well as practice-wise.

• The holistic approach is very important, so time has to be given area-wise, sectional-wise, as well as overall analysis-wise.

• The focus should be to hone your strength areas as well as focus on the Weak Areas, so practice and practice more.

• Daily reading will help to develop lots of skill sets, including concentration power, so be an active reader to be ready with an updated stock of vocabulary, recent current affairs, and trends.

• A calm and composed attitude is a must, so staying positive and believing in one’s skills are as important as trying to maintain a positive attitude and manage stress effectively.

CAT Preparation for Repeaters Without Coaching – A Self-Study Guide

Try to explore online platforms that offer study materials, CAT practice tests, and video lectures tailored specifically to CAT. Join online forums or discussion groups to exchange study tips with peers and clarify any doubts. Additionally, use educational apps and websites to engage in interactive learning and take self-assessment quizzes. Especially for those who stay in remote areas, they can stay relevant. For example, to excel at logical reasoning, solve puzzles, riddles, and reasoning questions regularly. You can also refer to books specifically designed for the CAT exam.

The Right CAT Study Material for Droppers

As the countdown to the CAT exam begins, it's time to devise a strategy and start preparing earnestly to stay ahead of the curve. One of the important points to keep in mind is that in addition to preparation books for CAT, other valuable sources have to be included. Read online and offline materials. The most helpful resources are Newspapers, blogs, and Articles. Reading newspapers like The Hindu, and Economic Times, and articles from various journals enhances reading comprehension and keeps you updated with current affairs. Must follow some trustworthy best study material for CAT online Resources like websites named Pagalguy, Word pandit, Time4Education, Career Launcher, Hitbullseye, Cracku, Unacademy, Career 360, and Byju’s as all of these offer mock tests, preparation tips, and interactive learning modules.

Strategies to Crack CAT in a Drop Year – Do’s and Don’ts

Develop a perfect Study Plan

Try to divide your day very effectively as the majority of students preparing for the CAT exam usually seek a specific number or statistic to understand the level of effort required. However, it's not just about the number of hours spent on preparation, but about the quality of learning derived from the process. Throughout your preparation, it's crucial to continually assess your learning and ensure that you're reaching your learning goals. Setting clear goals with deadlines is very important, as it helps you stay focused and motivated. When goals are set with timelines, it becomes easier to track progress and make necessary revisions. It is important to set realistic goals and have a schedule that includes short breaks.

Be consistent about regular Practice and revision

Area-wise and sectional practice both are a must, and it is essential to regularly practice topic-wise tests and focus on crucial areas. It is necessary to learn, unlearn, and relearn periodically. Reviewing mistakes helps to achieve better conceptual clarity. Equal importance should be given to all sections.

Diligently Solve Previous Year Question Papers

Previous year's paper gives us a clear understanding of the algorithm of the paper, so attempting mocks is a big strategy. Analyze it timely, and the area-wise focus is also important. The section-wise analysis gives us clarity about the holistic progress. Apart from that, solving actuals and previous year papers is also a task to do. So that one can plan accordingly with clarity.

Attempt and Take Mock Tests and Practice Quizzes

It's important to remember that even if you feel like you haven't covered the entire CAT exam syllabus, you should still take practice exams at this stage. CAT is an aptitude exam, and most of the topics you'll encounter are ones you should have studied before. Taking practice exams helps you understand the demands of the exam better and refine your preparation. Play crossword puzzles, take quizzes, and try Sudoku or mental math-related quizzes.

Regularly Seek Clarifications for Doubts

Working on improving your speed and accuracy is also a CAT repeaters strategy 2025. Address all mistakes and find ways to minimize them. Promptly clear doubts to ensure a strong understanding of concepts.

CAT 2025 Repeaters’ Preparation Strategy

The best Preparation Strategy For CAT Repeaters is to stay calm and believe that as the much-anticipated CAT 2025 exam day approaches, it's important to remember that you've been dedicated and worked by following the CAT 2025 repeaters preparation Strategy to prepare for this moment. At this stage, there's no need to burden yourself with new material, rather just follow the recommended books for CAT preparation. Instead, focus on maintaining a relaxed study schedule in the days leading up to the CAT exam. Clear your mind and strive for a peaceful state. Prioritize a good night's sleep, aiming for at least 8 hours, to ensure that you're well-rested on the night before the exam. Additionally, be mindful of the content, especially the best book for CAT exams you go through, steering clear of anything that may induce negativity or affect your mood adversely. Follow CAT entrance exam books as much as possible. On the day of the exam, resist the urge to overthink. Trust in your abilities and remember that the skills you've diligently honed will seamlessly come into play once the CAT exam commences. Have faith in yourself and your capabilities to guide you toward achieving an exceptional score!