Indus Business Academy (IBA), Bangalore PGDM Admissions 2025
Triple Accreditation (NBA, IACBE & SAQS) | Dual Specialisation | Merit-Based Scholarships Available
How to prepare for CAT 2025 - How to prepare for CAT is one of the most commonly asked questions by fresh graduates or working professionals. CAT is one of the toughest MBA entrance exams in which few students are able to make their way through IIMs. To ace this CAT 2025 for MBA admission, Careers360 brings you the CAT preparation tips for beginners. All CAT aspirants must run through these CAT 2025 preparation tips for beginners to crack CAT exam with an excellent percentile.
For beginners preparing for the CAT, start by understanding the exam pattern and syllabus thoroughly. Focus on building a strong foundation in all sections: Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning , and Quantitative Ability. Create a consistent study schedule, dedicating specific time slots for each section. Let us understand a few CAT preparation tips for beginners.
Understand the exam format: Familiarize yourself with the structure, sections, and types of questions asked in the CAT exam. Knowing the format will help you tailor your preparation effectively.
Plan your CAT exam preparation: Create a detailed study plan that covers all sections of the exam. Allocate sufficient time for learning concepts, practising problems, and revising regularly.
Regular practice is necessary: Consistent practice is crucial for mastering the concepts and improving your problem-solving speed and accuracy. Solve a variety of questions and take regular mock tests to track your progress.
Effective time management is crucial: Develop strategies to manage your time efficiently during the exam. Practice solving questions within a set time limit to enhance your time management skills.
Work on weak areas: Identify your weak areas and focus on improving them. Spend extra time understanding and practising topics that you find challenging.
Stay healthy and positive: Maintaining good physical and mental health is important during your preparation. Take breaks, eat healthily, exercise regularly, and stay positive to keep your mind sharp and focused.
Effective study techniques for CAT exam preparation include several key strategies. First, break down the syllabus into manageable parts and create a detailed study schedule, dedicating specific time slots for each section. Focus on understanding the fundamental concepts before moving on to advanced topics, ensuring a strong foundation. Let us discuss all the effective study techniques for CAT preparation.
Create a Study Schedule: Break down the syllabus into small parts and plan your study time. Dedicate specific hours for each section, ensuring you cover all topics without feeling overwhelmed.
Understand Basic Concepts: Focus on learning the fundamental ideas of each topic before moving on to harder problems. A strong foundation helps you solve advanced questions more easily.
Regular Practice: Solve previous years' papers and take mock tests frequently. This helps you get used to the exam pattern and improves your speed and accuracy.
Analyze Performance: After taking mock tests, review your answers to find out where you went wrong. Work on these weak areas to avoid making the same mistakes again.
Use Active Learning: Engage with the material by summarising what you learn in your own words, teaching concepts to someone else, or using flashcards for quick review. This makes the information stick better.
Take Short Breaks: Include short breaks in your study routine to rest your mind. This helps you stay focused and prevents burnout.
Stay Consistent and Positive: Keep a regular study routine and stay motivated. A positive attitude helps you tackle challenges more effectively and keeps you going during tough times.
Students must note that completing the syllabus of the CAT is not sufficient to bell the CAT exam, it also requires a versatile approach and incorporating changes in the study plan. The CAT exam pattern consists of three sections with a sectional limit of 40 minutes. CAT will be conducted in online mode.
It is advisable to begin CAT exam preparation early. One of the tips for CAT preparation by toppers is one cannot improve verbal ability in a month or so as it requires continuous practice and attention. Students must know that the formation of a reading habit takes time, hence one should start early to have good reading skills. As per the experts starting preparation nine months before the examination is the ideal time.
One of the important and foremost things to do is to know the CAT syllabus. Many students spend time on obscure concepts, for example, students might know that reading comprehension is a major component of verbal ability, hence practising vaguely without knowing the topics from which reading comprehension is given is a waste of time. Students must make a list of topics that are covered under each section and know the percentage of each question asked.
Not having a plan of action is similar to walking through a maze. If you learn something and don’t put it into practice then it is a sheer waste of time. Also, avoid practising questions from one skill set. Remember if you can’t solve basic questions while practicing then surely there is an error in strategy. Make sure to have a weekly schedule on how many questions you will practice and the mocks you will give. As the syllabus of CAT is vast, cover the topics by setting weekly goals and learning formulas to build confidence.
It is always easy to solve questions from the areas you are strong in, however, one of the important CAT preparation tips for beginners is not to focus on the short term but rather focus on long-term goals by building the foundation and working on the areas you are weak in. Take ample time to understand the topic you are weak in before jumping to another topic.
Students should learn to make a difference between passive learning and active learning. Passive learning is understanding the concept through lectures and videos and not implementing it in practice. Whereas, active learning is understanding the concept and practicing a number of questions related to that topic. Therefore, students should not presume that they have understood the topic without practicing at least 5-10 questions from each set.
Many beginners fixate on the target of achieving the 99 percentile rather than focusing on preparation. It is always advised to focus on your preparation and accuracy to answer questions over the percentage you desire to achieve. Despite you have scored less in class 12th or graduation, always focus on the future on how to get an additional 1 percent through preparation.
In order to crack the CAT 2025 , it is crucial to have a well-structured plan in place. The main components of CAT exam preparation include maintaining consistency, making a schedule and dedicated hard work. These tips will help you in your section-wise CAT preparation:
Quantitative Ability questions cover a wide range of topics including averages, percentages, compound interests and more. It requires quantitative skills and logical and analytical skills required for banking jobs, civil service posts, management projects and so on. Here, we provide you with consistent quality Numerical Aptitude Questions for Engineering, Law, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Banking, SSC, UPSC etc.
The syllabus of CAT quantitative ability is generally covered from class 10th, 11th, and 12th level which includes common topics like Arithmetic Progression Time, Speed and Distance Time and Work and so forth. While practising the questions from the topics above, note down the time you take to solve questions from a topic. You know how much time you need to devote to a particular section to manage time effectively.
When you decide to appear for CAT 2025, you don’t know what might appear on your plate. On the other hand, you know the topics from which questions are likely to be asked, hence prepare your strategy accordingly on how to tackle the questions with accuracy.
Once you know the topics, the next step is to work on speed and accuracy. A sectional limit of 40 minutes is given for each section, hence for each question, we have less than 1.5 minutes. Make sure you practice each unsolved/ wrongly marked question a minimum of three times so that they become a part of your subconscious knowledge.
Also, while you read the question paper be selective on which questions you can attempt correctly and leave the difficult questions for later. Also, improve your calculation speed by learning the tables, square roots, and fractions every night before sleeping. Deduce your calculation with the help of the options that will be provided.
Know more preparation tips on CAT Quantitative Ability
CAT DILR questions often spoil the mood. If you don't get them right, you can get into trouble. Here at Careers360, check complete study materials for data interpretation and logical reasoning. Check them out to clear your ideas.
Data Interpretation evaluates the candidate’s ability to solve the questions. DI questions usually involve a lot of calculations, hence Vedic math helps to solve questions quickly and with accuracy.
Logical reasoning questions are set-based hence before selecting the answer, read the question properly and collect the facts shared in the question.
Always read the question properly, and don’t take a shot in the dark. Stay alert with keywords like, ‘none’, ‘some’, ‘all’, ‘unless’, and so forth.
Learn in-depth material on CAT DILR Preparation
Verbal ability makes up one-third of the CAT question paper along with reading comprehension. It usually consists of para jumbles and odd sentences. Verbal ability is central to all other competitive exams. Verbal Ability includes three components – vocabulary, English grammar, and verbal reasoning. Let's understand the verbal ability part of MBA entrance exams and preparation strategy.
Reading is one of the important ways to improve your vocabulary. Always read from different genres and step out of your comfort zone. By reading from different genres you will run into new words. Make sure you take note of the new words and definitions.
Promise yourself to learn a new word each day from the text you read. What about downloading the mobile application and making it a piece of cake? Applications such as Vocabulary.com, Magoosh Vocabulary Builder, Word to Word, and much more help you learn new words and their usage in a sentence.
Now that you are learning a new word each day, try to use that word in your daily life. Also, if you hear any new expression, idiom or phrase try to inculcate them in sentences while talking to friends or family. It becomes easy to remember the more often you use it.
Assess your current reading by noting the time you take to read a passage. To know your capability pick a passage from any magazine, book, newspaper, or novel and note the instances where you lag, for example, difficulty in understanding a few words. If you take time to understand a few words, focus on improving your vocabulary by creating flashcards of the words you were not able to relate to. Write the definition of the difficult words and twice or thrice take a quiz of yourself from the vocabulary you have written on your flashcard.
Know the preparation tips for the CAT VARC
Practising CAT model papers should be one of the main tasks in the exam preparation plan. Solving the CAT sample paper is helpful for high-weight candidates to understand the paper pattern and topics before taking the final exam.
Candidates can check the CAT sample paper with Solutions here.
CAT Question Paper Year | CAT Sample Paper Download Link |
---|---|
2023 | CAT 2023 question paper pdf |
2022 | CAT previous year question paper pdf |
2021 | CAT practice papers slot-wise |
2020 | CAT sample papers with solution |
2019 | CAT question paper with answer |
2018 | CAT exam question paper pdf |
2017 | CAT question paper with solution |
Triple Accreditation (NBA, IACBE & SAQS) | Dual Specialisation | Merit-Based Scholarships Available
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024 | Application Deadline: 10th March 2025
Therefore, candidates are advised to solve more and more sample CAT questions and previous years' solved questions. There are many advantages to solving the CAT exam sample question paper. For exams, it allows candidates to gain more knowledge about the CAT syllabus and topics. Candidates who are going to study for CAT 2025 are advised to take as many CAT mock tests as possible. Or they should take at least two or more CAT sample papers in a week.
Aspirants preparing for CAT 2025 should check out the resources below, as these ebooks are specially designed to support their exam preparation and can be highly useful.
eBook Title | Download Links |
3000+ Most Important Words - Vocabulary Builder | |
500+ Most Important Idioms and Phrases | |
300+ Most Important Phrasal Verbs | |
Permutation & Combination - Video Lectures and Practice Questions | |
Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions |
The ideal preparation time for CAT varies from candidate to candidate. However, a structured 6-9 months of dedicated preparation is recommended to cover all sections thoroughly. Those with a strong foundation in Quant and VARC may require less time, while beginners might need more practice.
Candidates should aim to take at least 20-25 full-length mock tests before the exam. Regularly analyzing mock test performances will help in identifying weak areas and improving accuracy. Sectional tests are also useful for focused practice.
Some common mistakes include starting late, not following a structured study plan, ignoring mock tests, neglecting weak areas, and not focusing on time management. Candidates should also avoid relying only on passive learning without sufficient practice.
Reading comprehension is a crucial part of the CAT VARC section, contributing to nearly 70% of the total VARC score. Improving reading speed, comprehension skills, and practicing different passage types will significantly enhance performance in this section.
Yes, many working professionals successfully crack CAT by following a disciplined schedule. Allocating 2-3 hours daily for focused study, using weekends for mock tests, and maintaining consistency in preparation can help in balancing work and studies effectively.
No, the coaching institutes are not mandatory for CAT exam preparation. Many students in the past have scored 99+ percent through self-examination. However, whether or not to enroll in a training institute is a personal decision that must be made with personal discipline and time available for CAT preparation. The advantage of coaching is that students will get a guide to guide them through their preparation journey.
Hello
If you are aiming for the CAT exam this year and considering joining the fourth year, it might be a good idea if you are confident in managing both your academic workload and CAT preparation .
However, the CAT exam is competitive and balancing your BCom studies and preparation might be challenging.
If you think you can handle the extra year and need more time for focused preparation , joining the fourth year could provide that but you should also evaluate your current academic commitments and your ability to stay consistent with CAT preparation .
Hope this gives you the clarity you need.
Hello,
Securing a seat in a National Institute of Technology (NIT) with a JEE Main score of 67 as an SC category candidate is challenging. Consider the following points:
Qualifying Cutoff : The expected qualifying cutoff for SC candidates in JEE Main 2025 is around 65 marks.
Admission Prospects : While you may qualify for JEE Advanced, admission to NITs typically requires higher scores. For instance, in previous years, SC candidates needed higher marks to secure seats in NITs.
Improvement Opportunity : Consider preparing for the next JEE Main attempt to achieve a higher score, thereby enhancing admission prospects in subsequent counseling rounds.
You can also use the JEE Mains College Predictor Tool to predict which college you can get based on your score.
Hope you find it useful!
Hello,
With an 88 percentile in the JEE Main exam and belonging to the SC category from Karnataka, your chances of securing a Computer Science Engineering (CSE) seat in NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs are as follows:
NITs :
IIITs :
GFTIs :
Hope you find it useful !
Hello,
According to the NIFT 2025 exam schedule , the General Ability Test (GAT) is from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and the Creative Ability Test (CAT) is from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. This indicates a gap of 3.5 hours between the two tests.
The official guidelines do not specify whether candidates are allowed to leave the exam center during this interval. Therefore, it's advisable to:
Check the Admit Card : Specific instructions regarding breaks may be mentioned.
Contact the Exam Center : Reach out directly to confirm their policy on leaving during the interval.
By taking these steps, you can ensure compliance with the exam center's policies and plan your day effectively.
Hope you find it useful !
The CDAC C-CAT exam dates for the August 2025 batch haven't been announced yet. However, I can provide you with some information on the exam schedule for the February 2025 batch, which might give us an idea of what to expect for the August batch.
The CDAC C-CAT exam for the February 2025 batch was held on January 11 and 12, 2025.The application form for the February batch was available from November 2024 to December 30, 2024.
Typically, the CDAC C-CAT exam is conducted twice a year, in June and December, for admissions to the August and February batches, respectively. However, the exact dates for the August 2025 batch will be announced separately.
To stay updated on the CDAC C-CAT exam dates and other important events, I recommend checking the official CDAC website regularly.
BEST OF LUCK!!
A career as Marketing Director is also known as a marketing expert who is responsible for the overall marketing aspect of the company. He or she oversees plans and develops the company's budget. The marketing Director collaborates with the business team to plan and develop the marketing and branding strategies for the company's products or services.
A Business Development Executive (BDE) is a professional responsible for identifying growth opportunities and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance a company's market position. Typically, a BDE conducts market research, analyses industry trends, and identifies potential clients or business prospects. He or she plays a crucial role in developing and implementing sales strategies to achieve revenue targets.
A BDE often collaborates with cross-functional teams, including marketing and product development, to align business objectives. Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills are essential for success in this role. BDE strives to expand the company's customer base, drive sales, and contribute to overall organisational growth in a dynamic and competitive business environment.
Content Marketing Specialists are also known as Content Specialists. They are responsible for crafting content, editing and developing it to meet the requirements of digital marketing campaigns. To ensure that the material created is consistent with the overall aims of a digital marketing campaign, content marketing specialists work closely with SEO and digital marketing professionals.
A sales manager is a revenue-generating source for a company. Any organisation or company which sells a commodity or service requires sales to generate revenue. A Sales manager is a professional responsible for supervising the sales team. An Individual as a sales manager works closely with salespeople, assigns sales territories, sets quotas, mentors the members of the sales, assigns sales training, and builds a sales plan.
The Sales Manager work also includes hiring and laying off sales personnel after evaluating his or her work performance. In bigger entities, sales quotas and plans are usually set at the executive level. He or she is responsible for overseeing the set target or quotas met by salespeople or upholding any policy. He or she guides his or her fellow salespeople and allows them to sell.
Individuals who opt for a career as a business analyst look at how a company operates. He or she conducts research and analyses data to improve his or her knowledge about the company. This is required so that an individual can suggest the company strategies for improving their operations and processes.
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.
A marketing manager is a person who oversees a company or product marketing. He or she can be in charge of multiple programmes or goods or can be in charge of one product. He or she is enthusiastic, organised, and very diligent in meeting financial constraints. He or she works with other team members to produce advertising campaigns and decides if a new product or service is marketable.
A Marketing manager plans and executes marketing initiatives to create demand for goods and services and increase consumer awareness of them. A marketing manager prevents unauthorised statements and informs the public that the business is doing everything to investigate and fix the line of products. Students can pursue an MBA in Marketing Management courses to become marketing managers.
An SEO Analyst is a web professional who is proficient in the implementation of SEO strategies to target more keywords to improve the reach of the content on search engines. He or she provides support to acquire the goals and success of the client’s campaigns.
Digital marketing is growing, diverse, and is covering a wide variety of career paths. Each job function aids in the development of effective digital marketing strategies and techniques. The aims and objectives of the individuals who opt for a career as a digital marketing executive are similar to those of a marketing professional: to build brand awareness, promote company services or products, and increase conversions. Individuals who opt for a career as Digital Marketing Executives, unlike traditional marketing companies, communicate effectively through suitable technology platforms.
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024 | Application Deadline: 10th Feb 2025
Ranked #41 amongst institutions in Management by NIRF | 100% Placement | Last Date to Apply: 25th Feb
NBA Accredited | AICTE Approved
Round 03 Applications Deadline - 21st March 2025 | Average CTC 15.10 LPA
Last Date of Applications- 20th February |250+ Companies | Highest CTC 16 LPA | Average CTC 8 LPA | Ranked as Platinum Institute by AICTE for 6 years in a row
Triple Accreditation (NBA, IACBE & SAQS) | Dual Specialisation | Merit-Based Scholarships Available