Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication - PGDM 2025
Excellent Placement Record | Industry Experienced Faculty
How to Crack CAT 2025 in the First Attempt: The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive entrance exam for MBA aspirants in India. It is the most difficult MBA entrance exam, and cracking it in the first attempt can be a daunting task. However, with proper planning, preparation, and a strategic approach, it is achievable. If you're planning to take CAT 2025 and want to increase your chances of cracking it on the first attempt, then this article is going to be very helpful for you. Here, you will learn some of the best tips and tricks suggested by toppers on how to crack CAT in first attempt.
CAT 2025: VARC, DILR, and Quant: MCQs & Weightages | Chapter-wise MCQs
CAT 2025 Study Material: VARC | Quantitative Aptitude | 60 Days Study Material by Experts
Online MBA: Complete Guide | Universities That Redefine Online MBA in India
Know how to prepare for CAT in 3 months
The first step towards cracking the CAT exam in the first attempt is to understand the exam pattern and CAT syllabus thoroughly. CAT is a computer-based test, consisting of three sections - Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
It is essential to have a clear understanding of the exam pattern, the number of questions in each section, the duration of the exam, and the marking scheme. With a clear idea of the CAT exam pattern, you can get your CAT preparation right by improving your weak areas and strengthening your strong areas. Time management is also crucial while preparing for CAT 2025, as it is a time-bound exam, and you will need to solve a large number of questions in a limited amount of time.
Quick Link:
Excellent Placement Record | Industry Experienced Faculty
Highest CTC: Rs 18.33 LPA | Average CTC: Rs 7.39 LPA | Experiential Learning | Classes by Industry Professionals | Alumni Mentorship Program
To crack the CAT exam in first attempt, candidates are advised to follow the steps below;
No one knows you better than you do. So, candidates are advised to assess themselves and try to know where they stand in the race for the most difficult entrance exam for MBA admission in India. When they know their weak and strong points, they will be able to diligently study for CAT 2025. After having analyzed it, candidates will know that they would need the guidance of the coaching institute.
Many resources will be helpful. Also, in this article, some of the best tips on how to clear CAT exam in 1st attempt is given. Coaching may help understand the basic concept of the exam and draw the right CAT preparation study plan. But it is not a guarantee of success.
Through self-preparation, candidates can crack the exam and achieve a good score enough to get a call from the IIMs, and other top MBA colleges in India. All you will need is to remain focused, set targets, and draw the right strategies to crack CAT to achieve the target score.
To get the fruitful results for any task, one must put time and effort into it. It is usually believed that six months to one year is a good amount of time to crack CAT 2025 in the first attempt. One of the biggest advantages of starting early for CAT preparation is that in the fag end, candidates will not panic in case they had difficulty understanding any topic or subject.
Early preparation would mean that they would have a good amount of time to revise whatever they had studied during the early stages of CAT preparation. They would have ample amount of time to prepare for CAT 2025 and would not be jostling towards the end. Therefore, aspirants, who are only aiming to crack CAT 2025, must start preparation as early as possible.
An answer to the question of “how to crack CAT exam for MBA” is that one should have a good grasp of the syllabus of CAT. Though the IIM which conducts the exam does not prescribe any specific CAT syllabus, the relevance of the topics can be understood by going through past years question papers on CAT. Based on the CAT sample papers and question papers, one gets to know the topics and sub-topics from which the questions are primarily asked.
By knowing this, the candidates will be able to determine for themselves how much time they would need to devote to each of the topics. Having a good understanding of the CAT 2025 syllabus will pave the way for being studying well and answering the questions with ease.
After going through the syllabus thoroughly, the candidates need to start section-wise preparation. Here are some tips that are given below for the same.
Preparation for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section - This section broadly consists of questions based on Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Verbal Reasoning. Each area in this section needs a different approach to preparation. To prepare for the reading comprehension part, students should inculcate the habit of reading newspapers and novels, for Vocab and Grammar, part one should go for a good book for regular practice of both and should practice lots of questions based on verbal reasoning.
Preparation of Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) section - This section in the CAT is there to check one's analytical skills and logical rationale or reasoning. To deal with this section it is important to understand and clear the basic concepts. The DILR section consisted of questions based on Line charts, Pie charts, Bar charts and Mixed charts. Candidates should regularly practice lots of questions based on the mentioned topics to have a strong grasp and better concept clarification.
Preparation for Quantitative Aptitude section - This section requires lots of practice and excellent command of the formulas, concepts and theorems as it is the section in which questions are asked from Maths topics only. Usually, candidates find this section the most rigorous one among all but having a strong command of basic concepts of the topics would lead you to have an edge over others. This section includes questions based on Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Mensuration. Strong mental calculation serves a lot to cater for this section.
Quick Links:
100% Placement Record | Highest CTC 21.58 LPA | Average CTC 8.75 LPA
Last Date of Applications- 22nd April | 250+ Companies | Highest CTC 16 LPA | Average CTC 8 LPA | Ranked as Platinum Institute by AICTE for 6 years in a row
While you prepare for each section, make sure that you proceed towards learning the basic concepts first and then move towards more difficult ones. If your basics are strong then you will be able to do well as you will be able to solve the most complex problems without much difficulty. You should build your preparation on the principle that a durable house has a strong foundation and will be able to survive in all kinds of adverse situations. Similar is the case with CAT preparation.
With regards to reading comprehension, start with reading books written in simple language and after each paragraph or completion of a chapter comprehend what was mentioned in it. In the initial stages, it might be difficult, but later on, it will prove beneficial. Similarly with quantitative ability, first be thorough with your class ninth and tenth maths and after knowing the formulae and their applications in easy questions move on to the more difficult ones.
It is normally stated that time lost never returns. Therefore, the candidates must divide the time that they have in hand as they prepare for CAT and how to crack IIM entrance exam itself. An average to brilliant student might easily prepare for CAT in six months. Therefore, going by the past years' trends, one can assume that questions will be asked from three sections.
Hence out of the six months, candidates must try to finish all three sections within a span of three to four months and keep the last two months before the exam to take the mock tests as they will be able to know the type of questions that are asked in the entrance exam.
Mock tests are an elixir to the preparation of any entrance exam. Candidates must take two to three mock tests in a week and should analyze them thoroughly to make their SWOT analysis. While taking the CAT mock tests, candidates must ensure that they adhere to the sectional and overall time limit.
It is then only that they will be able to solve the questions with ease on the day of the exam. If one adopts a leisurely approach, then in such a case they would be decisive themselves and once the CAT result is out, then it might not be to their liking. The primary objective of the mock tests is to identify one’s strong and weak areas.
Candidates should also practice from the model test papers of the different coaching centres as they are updated and consist of new types of questions based on the same concept that you have studied throughout the preparation. Aspirants should practice a question of a new type at least two to three times to understand the pattern
The above-mentioned preparation tips will help you to land in one of the premier MBA colleges in India. So, pull up your socks and start preparing for CAT 2025.
Here are some tips and strategies by previous year toppers. Rahul Gupta (100 percentiler) of CAT 2019 shares his section-wise preparation strategy of CAT. Rahul says “Since I appeared for the CAT last year, also, this time I gave four to five months for serious preparation for the CAT. I started preparing for the CAT in June and took up the basics in each section”. Check the section-wise preparation strategy of Rahul.
For the English Section - As far as my preparation for reading comprehension and verbal ability is concerned, I used to read a lot of fiction novels as well as newspapers. In order to ensure that I could answer the questions with ease, again I used to practice with CAT mock tests.
For DI and LR Section - I used to practice a lot of questions from particular topics and also focussed a lot on them while taking the mock test.
For Quantitative Ability - I studied basic theory, arithmetic, and number systems. Two months before the exam I used to regularly take mock tests and used to devote at least four to five hours. I practised a lot of questions on Geometry so that I can solve it with ease as solving more questions gave me the confidence to respond correctly on the day of the exam
Preparing for CAT in just three months requires focused and efficient planning. Here’s how you can approach it:
Firstly, familiarize yourself with the CAT exam pattern and syllabus. Understand the types of questions in each section: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). This will help you prioritize your study areas.
Secondly, create a detailed study plan for each section. Allocate time based on your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on improving your weaker areas while maintaining your strengths through regular practice.
Thirdly, practice consistently. Solve previous years’ CAT papers and mock tests to get accustomed to the exam format and time constraints. Analyze your performance to identify areas needing more attention.
Lastly, revise strategically. In the final weeks leading up to the exam, focus on revisiting concepts, formulas, and shortcuts. Stay calm and confident, and remember to take care of your health and well-being during this intensive period of preparation. With dedication and smart studying, you can make significant progress in preparing for CAT within three months.
The CAT entrance exam is not as easy to crack. It is one of the toughest MBA entrance exams in India and requires thorough practice and preparation.
With the proper strategy and dedication, a focused aspirant can aim for the top CAT percentiles even on the first attempt.
Greetings! Here's a detailed response to your query:-
Determination of the best time to start the journey of CAT examination is based on individual factors like your current skill level, knowledge ,potential, learning pace and availability. To give yourself the best chance of success on the CAT exam, which usually takes place in November, it's advisable to begin studying between January and March of that same year. This 8 to 12-month preparation window is widely recommended by experts. But if you're managing your college along with the CAT preparations make sure you start from 2nd year onwards. It will hep you manage stress and you'll have ample amount of time to get along with the syllabus , pattern and various practice and mocks .
You'll be able to build a strong foundation in each sections and be able to know your strengths and weaknesses in different topics. The CAT syllabus is extensive, and early preparation allows for thorough coverage. Assess your learning speed and adjust your preparation timeline accordingly.
Essentially, while the ideal start time is subjective, beginning your CAT preparation well in advance is generally considered the most effective strategy for achieving optimal results.
The CUSAT CAT previous year question papers are available on the Careers360 website. You can find question papers from 2012 to 2023, which can be downloaded in PDF format HERE
Additionally, the official website of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) also provides previous year question papers. To access them, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the CUSAT official website - admissions.cusat.ac.in.
- Click on the resources tab from the homepage.
- Select the previous year's question papers from the drop-down menu.
- Select the Common Admission Test (CAT) question papers link.
- Now click on the B.Tech course.
By practicing with these previous year question papers, you can get familiar with the exam pattern, identify important topics, and improve your time management skills.
Hey Shathvika,
Let's dive deep into MBA Entrance Exams (Other than CAT)
1. XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
Conducted by: XLRI, Jamshedpur
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Decision Making, Verbal & Logical Ability, Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
- Duration: 3 hours.
- Marks: No negative marking for General Knowledge.
Key Highlights:
- The Decision-Making section tests analytical and situational judgment skills.
- General Knowledge is evaluated during interviews, not for percentile calculation.
Official Website: https://xatonline.in
---
2. SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
Conducted by: Symbiosis International (Deemed) University
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for reserved categories).
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: General English, Quantitative, Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency, and Analytical & Logical Reasoning.
- Duration: 1 hour.
- Marks: Total 60 marks (MCQs).
Key Highlights:
- Specifically for admission to Symbiosis institutes like SIBM Pune and SCMHRD.
- Easy-to-moderate difficulty level.
Official Website: https://snaptest.org
---
3. CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
Conducted by: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Language Comprehension, General Awareness, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
- Duration: 3 hours.
- Marks: 400 marks.
Key Highlights:
- Accepted by over 1,000 AICTE-approved institutes.
- Includes an optional Innovation & Entrepreneurship section.
Official Website: https://cmat.nta.nic.in
---
4. MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
Conducted by: All India Management Association (AIMA)
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis & Sufficiency, Intelligence & Critical Reasoning, and Indian & Global Environment.
- Duration: 2.5 hours.
- Marks: 200 marks.
Key Highlights:
- Held multiple times a year in PBT, CBT, and IBT modes.
- Accepted by more than 600 MBA colleges in India.
Official Website: https://mat.aima.in
---
5. NMAT (NMIMS Management Aptitude Test)
Conducted by: Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, and Logical Reasoning.
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Marks: 360 marks.
Key Highlights:
- Allows three attempts, with the best score considered.
- Accepted by NMIMS and partner universities worldwide.
Official Website: https://www.mba.com/exams/nmat
---
6. IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade)
Conducted by: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (final-year students can also apply).
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Quantitative Analysis, Reading Comprehension & Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation, and General Knowledge.
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Marks: 300 marks.
Key Highlights:
- Specifically for IIFT’s flagship MBA in International Business.
- General Knowledge plays a significant role in shortlisting.
Official Website: https://iift.nta.nic.in
---
7. TISSNET (Tata Institute of Social Sciences National Entrance Test)
Conducted by: Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: English Proficiency, Mathematics & Logical Reasoning, and General Awareness.
- Duration: 100 minutes.
- Marks: 100 marks.
Key Highlights:
- Focused on social sciences, HRM, and public policy programs.
- General Awareness is crucial (with emphasis on current affairs).
Official Website: https://admissions.tiss.edu
---
8. MICAT (MICA Aptitude Test)
Conducted by: MICA, Ahmedabad
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree and a valid CAT/XAT/GMAT score.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Psychometric Test, Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability, General Awareness, Divergent-Convergent Thinking, and Descriptive Test.
- Duration: 2.5 hours.
Key Highlights:
- Psychometric Test is a qualifying section.
- Specifically for MICA’s flagship PGDM-C program in Strategic Marketing and Communications.
Official Website: https://www.mica.ac.in
---
9. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
Conducted by: Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Eligibility: No specific eligibility; bachelor’s degree recommended.
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.
- Duration: 3 hours 7 minutes.
- Marks: 800 (scaled score).
Key Highlights:
- Globally recognized for MBA programs.
- Popular for Indian B-schools like ISB, SPJIMR, and Great Lakes.
Official Website: https://www.mba.com
---
10. MAH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test)
Conducted by: Maharashtra State CET Cell
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories).
Exam Pattern:
- Sections: Logical Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension.
- Duration: 2.5 hours.
- Marks: 200 marks (MCQs).
Key Highlights:
- Accepted by top Maharashtra B-schools like JBIMS, SIMSREE, and PUMBA.
- Known for its speed-intensive nature with 200 questions in 150 minutes.
Official Website: https://cetcell.mahacet.org
Let me know if you have any doubts regarding a specific exam or any other query.
Have a nice day !!
Hello Ayush,
K.R. Mangalam University utilizes a blend of MCQs, descriptive formats, and practical assessments to evaluate student performance. The continuous evaluation system ensures that students are assessed regularly throughout the semester, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of their academic progress.
Hello,
Here are some simple tips to prepare for the CUSAT CAT exam:
1. Focus on Physics, Chemistry, and Maths (PCM).
2. Give equal time to all subjects.
3. Use NCERT Books as they are best for basics.
You can refer to following study materials for better practice :-
Hope it helps !
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.
Amongst top 3% universities globally (QS Rankings)
MBA @ P P Savani University | NAAC A+ Grade | 100% Placement Assistance | Apply Now
Highest CTC: Rs 18.33 LPA | Average CTC: Rs 7.39 LPA | Experiential Learning | Classes by Industry Professionals | Alumni Mentorship Program
Ranked #41 amongst institutions in Management by NIRF | 100% Placement
International Tie Ups | Project Based Learning | State of the art infrastructure | Attractive Scholarships | Last Date: 10th Apr'25
NBA Accredited | AICTE Approved | Avail 50% Off on Application Forms | Last Date: 19th Apr’25 | Use Code: Careers360