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Preparing for CAT 2025 isn’t just about putting in long hours; it’s about following a focused and intelligent strategy. The journey begins with understanding the complete exam pattern, detailed syllabus, key dates, and eligibility requirements. Once the foundation is clear, it’s crucial to dedicate 7 to 8 productive hours each day and rely on high-quality study materials that truly reflect the difficulty level of CAT 2025. This guide offers expert-recommended books, section-wise eBooks, and practical CAT preparation tips that will help you streamline your efforts and boost your chances of scoring 99 percentile or higher.
Analyse what a candidate would do if they had a suggestion that could not be carried out. Difficult? Whether you choose to CAT self-study or join a coaching facility, keep in mind that the CAT 2025 preparation material will be the most critical factor in your success. If applicants are looking for preparation materials, there are many options available both online and offline.
Below is a general CAT exam preparation strategy that any candidate can follow to build an overall preparation plan.
Check the CAT 2025 syllabus completely and understand the CAT exam pattern 2025 better.
Get books and other CAT study materials recommended by experts.
Join online MBA study groups on Telegram, Quora, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.
Create a monthly timetable, a weekly timetable, and a daily timetable.
Stick to the CAT preparation strategy and timetable for the best results
Candidates who are well-prepared for the CAT 2025 will have a better chance of scoring well. Candidates who prepare with coaching institutions may find it easier to get excellent material. However, such applicants must not be comfortable with minimal resources like the CAT 2025 books. However, candidates can also prepare for CAT without coaching using self-study.
Well, for all those candidates who are preparing for CAT for the first time, it might be difficult to figure out what books they should purchase. From where can I get sample papers? Should they rely on the self-preparation of notes or buy them from online/offline sources? Well, wait, all these things that we discussed just now are all part of your CAT 2025 preparation material. Let's take a look at each component carefully.
Features of Good Preparation Material for CAT 2025:
The richness of Content: Preparation material that is rich in content will only be good for the CAT. The preparation material’s information must be according to the reader’s requirements. Complete details related to the topics that help in understanding the syllabus content easily and accurately will be considered good material
Author’s Credibility: Before picking any preparation material, applicants should ensure it is reputable enough to be referred to. CAT 2025. Preparation materials are reasonably priced on the market. Some are first-time writers attempting to give appropriate preparation material, while others are seasoned authors who will provide excellent CAT 2025 preparation material. As a result, before picking CAT 2025 important topics for preparation, applicants ought to examine the author and consider using them as a CAT preparation guide.
Best books for CAT preparation
CAT question papers
Mock test of CAT entrance exam
CAT sample papers
E-Books of cat
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Let’s see each component one by one in the descriptive form:
After analysing the syllabus for CAT 2025, it is most likely that all candidates will find books that cover the overall topics. Getting the best books for CAT may be complicated and hectic if you do not know where to find them. Some of the books based on each section are given below.
For Quantitative Ability Section:
Best Books | Author |
How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CA | Arun Sharma |
Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha |
For Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Section
Best Books | Author |
Barron’s Pocket Guide to Vocabulary | Samuel C. Brownstein |
Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT | Ajay Singh |
Note that for this section, reading and improving vocabulary is the key. Read newspapers like The Hindu, The Economist, Business Standard etc.,
For the Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation Section
Best Books | Author |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT | K. Sinha Nishit |
The importance of solving previous year's questions cannot be ignored by candidates. Topper of CAT, Vishesh Garg, said that he solved question papers for CAT entrance exams to know what kind of questions came. He practised the question papers of CAT to make his time management skills strong while solving all the questions. In CAT, sectional timing is allotted to each section; hence, candidates must know the best possible way of solving the questions. Hence, the toppers of CAT suggest that solving previous years' or CAT sample papers helps a lot.
The Indian Institute of Management administers the CAT and will offer students a CAT mock test 2025 to simulate the actual exam day atmosphere. Mock tests may assist applicants in understanding how much time they need to finish each question and how to travel between various parts based on the difficulty level of the CAT. The CAT 2025 mock exam is quite comparable to the actual CAT. It will feature three components.
According to CAT topper Ashish Sen, all candidates who wish to crack the CAT entrance exam must try to solve the sample CAT papers. After solving a set of more than 30–40 sample papers for CAT, candidates will reach a point where they will not find any new types of questions. The wording or arrangement of questions may change; however, the basic structure of the question remains the same. Solving previous year question papers gives an added advantage to candidates.
Also Read: One Year Study Plan for CAT
Due to digitisation, candidates are moving from basic offline books to e-books of CAT. The biggest advantage of e-books is that they can be easily accessed from anywhere. The content given in e-books is easy to mark, and the meaning of different words is easily available with one click.
Do some brainstorming. Apart from the basic preparation material for the CAT mentioned above, candidates can also take some time and indulge in brainstorming sessions. According to the topper of CAT, Shivam Chandak, “I have always been involved in some brainstorming activities like playing chess, minesweeper, Sudoku, etc.”
Subject-wise e-books for CAT 2025 are digital study materials specifically designed for each section—Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. These e-books offer structured content, practice questions, detailed solutions, and sectional mock tests. Careers360 has come up with subject-wise ebooks to help aspirants study anytime and revise efficiently for the CAT exam.
eBook Title | Download Links |
3000+ Most Important Words - Vocabulary Builder | |
500+ Most Important Idioms and Phrases | |
300+ Most Important Phrasal Verbs | |
CAT 2025 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Study Material | |
Permutation & Combination - Video Lectures and Practice Questions | |
Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions | |
CAT 2025 Exam's High Scoring Chapters and Topics | |
Mastering CAT Exam: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages | |
CAT 2025 Mastery: Chapter-wise MCQs for Success for VARC, DILR, Quant | |
CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers | |
CAT DILR Questions with Solution, Download LRDI Questions for CAT |
Scoring the 99th percentile in CAT 2025 requires a strategic, high-performance approach that goes beyond basic preparation. Here are some go-to tips that will help you outperform the competition across all three sections.
1. Master High-Weightage Topics First
Focus on algebra, arithmetic, reading comprehension, and DI sets with moderate difficulty. Toppers prioritise these topics because they consistently constitute over 60% of the CAT paper. They also offer the highest scoring potential within a limited time.
2. Attempt Smart, Not More
Select questions based on difficulty level and accuracy potential. Even 60–70% correct attempts can lead to 99 percentile if accuracy is maintained above 90%.
3. Daily Mock Test Analysis
Attempt at least 3–4 full-length mocks weekly. Post-test analysis should include time spent per section, accuracy rate, and error classification to tweak strategies.
4. Sectional Strategy
Build specific strategies for each section. For example, in VARC, prioritise RC over VA. In QA, solve easy and medium questions first. In DILR, identify the most approachable sets quickly.
5. Mock Test
Practice mocks at the same time slot as the actual CAT exam. Eliminate distractions and maintain consistent break and meal routines to train both focus and stamina.
Ideally, you should begin studying 8 to 10 months prior to your exam to completely cover every topic and devote enough time for revision and sample examinations.
It all depends on how you choose to study. Many people prefer paperback books, but e-books are more handy, conveniently available, and allow for flexible study.
Choose resources that cover the whole syllabus, include enough practice problems and mock tests, and contain answers or explanations to help you grasp concepts better.
Mock test is important because it helps us to analyse our mistakes, understand the level of preparation for CAT Exam and the exam pattern
You can take the exam as long as you match the eligibility criteria as there is no limit for maximum attempts.
Begin your preparations at least 8-10 months before the test to provide adequate time to cover the topics and practice.
Yes, you can score 99 percentile in CAT 2025 by following a disciplined preparation plan and consistent practice.
Consistency matters more than long hours of study. Studying daily in a focused manner helps retain concepts and build confidence steadily throughout your preparation journey.
Mock tests help you experience real exam conditions. They improve your time management and help identify strengths and weaknesses so you can plan your study better.
Solve questions topic-wise and learn shortcuts and formulas. Review your mistakes carefully and work on weak areas consistently to avoid errors.
Begin by understanding the exam pattern and syllabus. Focus on strengthening your basics and then practice regularly with timed tests to improve speed and accuracy.
The best study material covers all CAT topics clearly with plenty of practice questions and mock tests. Choose books and online resources that explain concepts well and offer detailed solutions.
Hello aspirant,
The CUSAT CAT 2025 inaugural real-time spot admission will take place at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) from August 4–6. For admission to a variety of undergraduate (B.Tech) and graduate (MSc) programs, the Common Admission Test, or CUSAT CAT, is an entrance exam. Every year, it features sections in mathematics/biology, chemistry, and physics.
For complete information, you can visit our site through following link:
https://www.careers360.com/exams/cusat-cat
Thank you
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, if your caste is listed under Central OBC and you come under the category of Non-Creamy Layer, then you shall be eligible for the OBC-NCL reservation in the CAT exam and IIM admissions, irrespective of its being categorized as OEC in Kerala. Remember to get a valid OBC-NCL certificate obtained as per the format prescribed by the Government of India.
Hey Vijay:)
Thanks for reaching out!
OEC,(Other Eligible Communities) is a state-specific reservation category used in Kerala,and it is not recognised as a separate category in central-level exams like the CAT.
For Central govt exams candidates must choose from the recognised categories: General,SC,ST,OBC-NCL,EWS or PwD.If your community is listed under OEC-SC or OEC-ST in Kerala,you should check whether it falls under SC or ST in the central list and apply accordingly.
Similarly,If your OEC community is in the central OBC list and you meet the non-creamy layer(NCL)rules,you can apply as OBC-NCL, otherwise you need to apply under the general category.
You can verify caste's status in the central list on the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) website.
Hope this clears your doubt!
You can easily get CAT previous year question papers online in PDF format, with solutions too. Websites like CollegeDunia, Careers360, SelfStudys, Cracku, and Aglasem have papers from CAT 2024, 2023, 2022… even back to the 1990s.
Hi dear candidate,
The score of your CAT exam is valid for one year from the date of exam.
For example: If your CAT exam was held on 24th November 2024 then your score is valid till 31st December 2025 meaning that you can take admission in the academic year 2025 - 27.
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