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CAT 2025: When and How to Start Preparation? Planning for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is a crucial step toward your dream of studying at India's most prestigious management institutes. The CAT exam is conducted every year by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). It is a computer-based entrance exam that serves as the gateway to not only the IIMs but also hundreds of other top management institutes across India.
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For those aiming to secure admission to top B-Schools for the academic year 2025-27, the time to start preparing is NOW. The question of when? And how? It will disappear after students confidently navigate the CAT Exam preparation. This article will give insights into every aspect of CAT 2025 preparation – from when to begin studying to how to structure your preparation plan across different timeframes.
The question is when and how to start preparing for CAT 2025. The answer is 'NOW'. A national-level management exam, the Common Admission Test (CAT), marks the participation of more than 2 lakh candidates every year. The CAT 2025 is expected to be held tentatively in November. To know about the preparation plan and timing, the best books for CAT 2025, and the strategy to devise a study plan for CAT, candidates must go through this complete article on CAT 2025, as well as when and how to start preparation by Careers360. The test evaluates your analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and comprehension capabilities.
Understanding the CAT exam structure is the first step toward creating an effective preparation plan. The exam pattern helps you know what to expect on the test day and how to distribute your study time across different sections. Each section requires a different approach and preparation strategy.
Scoring a good percentile will require extensive preparation for CAT 2025. Candidates who are going to fill out the CAT 2025 application form must check the exam pattern beforehand to prepare and do well in the CAT exam. The exam pattern of CAT 2025 is expected to be similar to that of 2025, but the candidates can expect some changes. Given below is an exam pattern for CAT 2025.
Particulars | Details |
Exam Duration | 2 hours |
Total no. of questions | 68 MCQs |
Mode of CAT 2025 | CBT i.e. Computer-Based Test |
Marking scheme |
|
Sections (3) | Quantitative ability |
Data interpretation & logical reasoning | |
Verbal ability and reading comprehension |
The vast CAT 2025 syllabus covers numerous concepts across the three main sections. However, the IIMs have not explicitly released the official syllabus yet.
Along with the CAT exam pattern, candidates must also know the CAT 2025 syllabus to prepare in advance. According to some management experts, six months of committed preparation will push you toward becoming a CAT topper.
Based on the past year, the CAT syllabus 2025 will likely be the same with a few changes. The overall question paper will be divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. Candidates will be required to solve 66-68 questions in total.
Creating a structured preparation plan is essential for CAT 2025 success. Without a clear roadmap, you might study inefficiently or miss important topics.
Once aware of the CAT 2025 syllabus, candidates must divide their preparation to answer the question of when to start preparing for CAT 2025. It is common for candidates to get confused even after knowing the exam pattern and syllabus, and waste a lot of CAT 2025 precious time. Better scores than others will open your gateway to top B-Schools. Candidates can break their preparation into three stages as mentioned below-
Month-Wise Preparation Plan for CAT 2025
Month-wise Strategy Division | Target Points |
6 Months |
|
3 Months |
|
1 Month |
|
How to start CAT preparation? There is no better way than starting your CAT preparation at home. Preparing for the CAT 2025 exam at home can be effective with the right approach. Start by understanding the exam pattern and syllabus, then create a study schedule covering all the sections: Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning/Data Interpretation. Use high-quality study materials and online resources, and practice regularly with mock tests and previous years' papers to improve your speed and accuracy. Focus on understanding concepts rather than just memorizing them. Additionally, maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition and adequate sleep to keep your mind sharp and focused. Consistency, discipline, and a positive mindset are key to successful CAT preparation at home.
Self-study allows you to learn at your own pace and focus more on areas where you need improvement. It also gives you the flexibility to study according to your schedule. Use high-quality CAT study materials and online resources, and practice regularly with CAT 2025 mock tests and previous years' papers to improve your speed and accuracy. Focus on understanding concepts deeply rather than just memorizing them.
Most CAT toppers admitted that a significant portion of their preparation started when the CAT was 6 months away. The points mentioned below can be referred to by candidates if they are planning to start their CAT 2025 Preparation within 6 months of duration -
CAT Toppers say, “Time management should be considered as the fourth section of the CAT exam. It is not just preparing Verbal Ability, Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability, but preparing all three and attempting them within the stipulated time”. Attempting questions with a time allotment of 40 minutes for each section makes the CAT exam difficult. To achieve fruitful results, candidates must try to divide their study timetable such that, within 24 hours, they practice each section daily.
If some candidates feel that they will be unable to study and prepare for CAT 2025 on their own, then such candidates should join some coaching institutes. Another answer to the question, CAT 2025: When and how to start preparation, is that nowadays, popular social media groups are trending and helping candidates to crack CAT and other management exams. One Topper of CAT told us that he joined the coaching institute and began preparing from their study material to learn new and efficient approaches to solving the questions.
In the initial 6 months of CAT preparation, candidates should only focus on clearing their concepts. One of the assets of CAT toppers is the clarity of fundamental concepts. Most of the toppers believe that it is easy to guess what type of questions will form part of the data interpretation & logical reasoning, and quantitative ability sections. But even guessing what will come in VARC, i.e., verbal ability and reading comprehension, is very challenging. To clear concepts, candidates must be aware of the CAT exam pattern and the CAT 2025 syllabus.
Once they have completed their basic knowledge of the CAT exam 2025, candidates will be closer to the CAT exam day. Agitation and stress are the most common during this period. Do not panic and follow the points below for CAT 2025;
Keeping track of previous year question papers, mainly there are three sections in the CAT. Candidates are advised to draw an efficient section-wise strategy as the CAT 2025 is almost near.
How to prepare for CAT VARC (Verbal and Reading Comprehension): Candidates should start reading newspapers, journals, blogs, articles, etc, to enhance their skills. They should try to solve comprehension, and inferencesfillll in the blanks with the right vocabulary choice, and read passages. Try adding a new word each day to your vocabulary.
How to Prepare for CAT Quantitative Ability: Focus on building up mathematics basics. Candidates should focus on topics like profit and loss, number systems, and geometry, as they might form key questions in the question paper of CAT 2025.
How to prepare for CAT DI & LR: Try to study basic topics like seating arrangements, blood relations, syllogisms, etc, to grip on this section. It is advisable for candidates not to use a calculator while solving questions from this section.
As for CAT 2025, candidates can focus and try improving the areas in which they feel are not as strong as compared to others. Instead of being melancholy about what all new can be learned, candidates should take the initiative to focus on and enhance their preparation for weaker areas.
Candidates are advised to check the previous year's question papers of CAT. After finishing the syllabus, candidates should try to revise at least 2-3 sample papers on a daily basis. It will help in improving speed as well as let candidates know how accurate they are. While solving the question papers or sample papers of CAT rigorously, there will be a time when candidates will not find any questions of a new type.
When there is almost a month left until CAT 2025, candidates will be required to keep calm and emphasize only what is majorly required. Below points mentioned below will help candidates in scoring great and most likely a call from any of the IIMs.
IIM will release the official CAT mock Test to give candidates a gist of the actual exam simulated environment. Solving the mock tests helps candidates to understand and assess the difficulty level of CAT 2025. Lakshya, the topper of CA, T said that “he was regular at testing myself via mock tests (once a week). Post any mock test, he gave some time to analyze the test and figure out what went wrong and then focused on that”. The most effective method of evaluating the current preparation level is the mock test.
Starting any new topic will lead to confusion. So, candidates should focus on and improve their strong areas. Do not waste your time figuring out new topics or trying to learn new concepts.
CAT results will be declared by the authorities on the first of January 2025, in online mode. Around 2.0 lakh candidates will appear for the exam. To learn and read the success stories of the toppers, when and how they started their CAT preparation, and their message for future candidates, go through the complete article on CAT toppers.
We wish you all the best for your CAT 2025 preparation journey. With the right approach and dedicated effort, you can certainly achieve your dream of studying at India's premier management institutes.
Read more-
Quick Links-
Why, When, and How to Take a CAT Mock Test
CAT Exam: Important topics for preparation
How do I do Time Management for CAT?
How to do Time Management for CAT?
How many questions should I attempt in the CAT to get the 99th percentile?
Number Systems, Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Modern Math are important. Focus on topics with higher question frequency in previous papers.
Starting CAT preparation nine months in advance is a great choice according various CAT experts and toppers, as it provides a lot of time to cover the syllabus and improve. In the first three months, candidates can focus on building a strong foundation in Quantitative Aptitude, VARC, and DILR topics. The next three months can be dedicated to practicing questions, improving speed, and identifying weak areas. The final three months should focus on taking regular mock tests, analyzing performance.
The CAT 2025 exam is expected to be set by IIM Kozhikode, continuing the rotation system among the Indian Institutes of Management. Each year, one of the IIMs takes responsibility for conducting the exam, ensuring a fair and standardized process.
Yes, solving previous years' papers helps understand the CAT 2025 pattern, difficulty level, and types of questions asked.
The three main sections are Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Hi aspirant,
You can also refer to the link given above for more information on the same.
All the best!
Hi aspirant,
The CUSAT CAT 2025 admit card has been released.
The admit card will be accessible for download on the official website, admissions.cusat.ac.in. Candidates can obtain their admit card by logging into their candidate portal and entering their User ID and password. The admit card will provide vital information including the exam date, time, and location.
You can also refer to this link for more information on the same.
All the best!
Hi aspirant,
As of the CAT 2024 exam for the MBA class of 2025-2027 at IIM Mumbai, the NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Other Backward Classes) category requires an overall percentile of 75.
It is essential to understand that these are the minimal qualifying percentiles required to go to the next level, the Personal Interview (PI). The actual cutoffs for receiving a PI call may be much higher, depending on the number of candidates, their profiles, and IIM Mumbai's special admission requirements for the year.
A higher score will considerably improve your chances of being shortlisted for the PI process.
CAT Cut off for IIM for OBC Category
You can also refer to the link given above for more information.
All the best!
All the best!
The CAT is a great option after graduation if you're interested in pursuing an MBA and building a career in management. It can open doors to top business schools like IIMs and lead to lucrative corporate roles. However, if you're not interested in management, there are other career options like higher studies, certifications, or entrepreneurship. Consider your career goals, interests, and investment before deciding.
Hello,
Yes, CAT is a better option if you want to pursue an MBA from top institutes like the IIMs and other reputed B-Schools in India. It is highly recognized and opens many career opportunities in management. However, if you want other options, exams like XAT, SNAP, or GMAT are also good.
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