How to Crack CAT 2025 in the First Attempt: The journey to crack CAT 2025 in the first attempt isn't just about hard work; it's about working smart and having the right approach. Many students find CAT to be a tough challenge, especially when attempting it for the first time. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly competitive entrance exam for MBA aspirants in India.
As CAT 2025 was conducted in multiple sessions, a normalisation process will be applied to ensure fairness across different test forms. Section-wise scaled scores will be calculated and then converted into percentiles, which will be used by B-schools for shortlisting candidates.
CAT 2025 Section-Wise Preparation Strategies by Toppers
CAT 2025 Preparation in 3 months
How to Crack CAT 2025
This article created a roadmap that will help students navigate the CAT 2025 preparation strategy to clear the CAT 2025 in the first attempt. From understanding the exam pattern to mastering each section, from creating a study plan to taking mock tests, we cover everything you need to know to maximise your chances of success.
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 many questions in a limited amount of time.
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It's crucial to understand what you're preparing for. The Common Admission Test is not just any entrance exam - it's designed to test your aptitude, logical thinking, and problem-solving abilities rather than just your knowledge. This makes it different from many other exams you might have taken before.
The CAT exam is conducted once a year, usually in November or December, by one of the IIMs on a rotating basis. It's a computer-based test with a duration of 2 hours (120 minutes), divided into three sections:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Quantitative Ability (QA)
CAT 2025 Percentile Predictor
Use the CAT Percentile Predictor to estimate your score, gauge your performance, and know your chances of getting shortlisted by IIMs.
Each section has its time limit, usually 40 minutes, which means you cannot move back and forth between sections.
Understanding the CAT 2025 marking scheme is equally important: you typically get +3 marks for each correct answer and -1 for each incorrect answer (unanswered questions don't carry any negative marks).
Now that you understand the CAT exam, let's look at how to prepare effectively and crack it in your first attempt.
Basic Tips to Crack CAT 2025
To crack the CAT exam in the first attempt, candidates are advised to follow the steps below;
1. Deciding Between Coaching vs Self-Preparation
No one knows you better than you do. So, candidates are advised to assess themselves and understand where they stand in the race for the most challenging entrance exam for MBA admission in India. When they know their weak and strong points, they can diligently study for CAT 2025. After analyzing it, candidates will see they need guidance from the coaching institute.
Many resources will be helpful. This article also provides some of the best tips on how to clear the CAT exam on the first attempt. Coaching may help you understand the basic concept of the exam and create 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 the CAT and achieve the target score.
2. Start As Early As Possible
To get fruitful results for any task, one must put time and effort into it. Six months to one year is usually a reasonable amount of time to crack the CAT 2025 in the first attempt. One of the most significant 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 they would have a reasonable amount of time to revise whatever they had studied during the early stages of CAT preparation. They would have ample 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.
3. Know the CAT 2025 Syllabus Well
An answer to the question of “how to crack the CAT exam for MBA” is that one should have a good grasp of the syllabus of the 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 subtopics 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 studying well and answering the questions with ease.
4. Make a Section-Wise Preparation Strategy for CAT 2025
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 the vocabulary and grammar part, one should go for a good book for regular practice of both, and practice lots of questions based on verbal reasoning.
Preparation of Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) section—This section in the CAT checks one's analytical skills and logical rationale or reasoning. To deal with this section, it is essential to understand and clear the basic concepts. The DILR section consists of questions based on Line charts, Pie charts, Bar charts, and Mixed charts. Candidates should regularly practice many questions based on the mentioned topics to have a firm grasp and better clarify concepts.
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, but having a strong command of basic concepts of the topics would give you an edge over others. This section includes questions on Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Mensuration. Strong mental calculation serves a lot to cater to this section.
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While you prepare for each section, make sure that you learn the basic concepts first and then move on to the more difficult ones. If your basics are strong, you will 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 can survive in all kinds of adverse situations. Similar is the case with CAT preparation.
Regarding 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. It might be difficult in the initial stages, but it will prove beneficial later. Similarly, with quantitative ability, first be thorough with your ninth and tenth maths classes, and after knowing the formulae and their applications in easy questions, move on to the more difficult ones.
Start from basics: Don't rush into advanced problems. Make sure you understand the fundamental concepts first.
Use quality study material: Choose books and resources that explain concepts clearly with plenty of examples.
Practice incrementally: Begin with simple problems and slowly get ahead with complex ones as your understanding improves.
6. Time Management
It is usually stated that time lost never returns. Therefore, the candidates must divide the time they have at hand as they prepare for the CAT and how to crack the IIM entrance exam. An average to brilliant student might easily prepare for the CAT in six months. Therefore, going by the trends in the past years, one can assume that questions will be asked from three sections.
One must prepare a proper time table which will help you give a general idea of how your study schedule should look like. Make sure you adjust it according to your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on improving your weak areas first.
Hence out of the six months, candidates must try to finish preparing for all the 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.
Here is a suggested study time that will help you study and prepare well for the upcoming CAT 2025 exam:
Mock tests are an important resource for the preparation of any entrance exam. Candidates must take two to three mock tests in a week and should analyse 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 only then 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.
8. Practice from Model Test Papers
Candidates should also practice using the model test papers of the different areas 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 kind at least two to three times to understand the pattern.
The above-mentioned preparation tips will help you land a position at one of the premier MBA colleges in India. So, pull up your socks and start preparing for CAT 2025.
Toppers often credit section-wise strategies is the best plan to move ahead for the preparation especially if you have quite limited time. This strategy works best to facilitate quicker turnaround in fixing weak topics.
CAT 2025 Section-Wise Preparation Strategies by Toppers
Here are some tips and strategies from last year's toppers. Rahul Gupta (100 percentiler) of CAT 2019 shares his section-wise preparation strategy for 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 focused 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 devote at least four to five hours. I practised a lot of questions on Geometry so that I could solve them with ease, as solving more questions gave me the confidence to respond correctly on the day of the exam.
While starting early is ideal, many candidates find themselves with only 3 months to prepare for CAT 2025. Don’t be too stressed, just plan your strategies and implement them with your 100%.
CAT 2025 Preparation in 3 months
Preparing for the CAT 2025 in just three months requires focused and efficient planning. Here’s how you can approach it:
Month -1: Familiarise 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.
Month -2: 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.
Month -3: Practice consistently. Solve previous years’ CAT papers and mock tests to get accustomed to the exam format and time constraints. Analyse your performance to identify areas needing more attention.
Lastly, revise strategically. In the final weeks before 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 the CAT within three months.
Setting your target colleges early can help you determine the CAT 2025 percentile you need to aim for and tailor your preparation accordingly.
B-School Accepting CAT Scores - Location-Wise
Knowing which business schools accept CAT scores can motivate you during your preparation journey and help you plan your applications strategically.
As you prepare for CAT 2025, keep your ultimate goal in mind - securing admission to your dream B-school. With determination, strategic preparation, and the right mindset, you can certainly crack CAT 2025 in your first attempt and take the first step towards a successful management career. Best of luck with your CAT preparation journey!
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.
Q: Is it easy to crack cat in first attempt?
A:
With the proper strategy and dedication, a focused aspirant can aim for the top CAT percentiles even on the first attempt.
Q: How many hours should I study daily for CAT 2025?
A:
Quality matters more than quantity. Start with 2-3 hours daily and gradually increase to 4-6 hours as the exam approaches. Consistency is key.
Q: How long should I prepare for CAT 2025?
A:
Ideally, 6-12 months of dedicated preparation are recommended. However, with focused effort, you can prepare effectively in 3-4 months.
Q: What is the exam pattern for CAT 2025?
A:
CAT typically consists of three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes, making the total exam duration 2 hours.
Q: How to start preparing for CAT 2025?
A:
To start preparing for the CAT 2025 exam, one must focus on understanding the exam, create a proper study plan and consistently work and practice on improving yourself. Make sure you have established a structured study routine, allocating time for each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
Q: Will CAT 2025 be tough?
A:
Well, it's impossible to predict the exact difficulty of CAT 2025, it's reasonable to expect that CAT 2025 will fall between moderate to difficult level, based on past trends and the nature of the exam.
CAT does not restrict eligibility based on stream. Candidates from commerce, arts, science, engineering or any other background can appear for CAT and apply to MBA programmes offered by IIMs and other top B-schools.
The basic eligibility criteria for CAT are:
You must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university with at least 50 percent marks (45 percent for SC, ST and PwD categories). Final-year graduation students are also eligible to apply.
Being a commerce graduate can actually be an advantage in areas such as accounting, finance, economics and business studies, especially during MBA coursework in finance, marketing and operations.
After qualifying CAT, admission depends on multiple factors including CAT percentile, academic background, work experience (if any), performance in GD, WAT and personal interview rounds. Many IIMs and B-schools follow a diverse academic background policy, which means non-engineering candidates, including commerce graduates, often receive additional weightage.
Apart from IIMs, several reputed institutes such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IMT Ghaziabad, and many state and private universities also accept CAT scores for MBA admissions.
So, as a commerce graduate, you are fully eligible to appear for CAT and pursue an MBA, provided you meet the minimum academic requirements and perform well in the selection process.
If you want, I can also help you with realistic CAT percentile targets based on your academic profile or suggest suitable MBA colleges.
With a CAT 2025 raw score of 84 and strong sectionals, your expected percentile may fail in the high 98 range , depending on scaling. Your excellent academics and 2 years of work experience strengthen your profile .IIM Lucknow calls are possible but competitive for EWS engineers , while FMS Delhi looks mainly at CAT score and VARC , so you have a reasonable chance there . Final calls depend on cutoffs and composite score.
For MANAGE Hyderabad MBA , the OBC cutoff in CAT 2024 was generally around 85-90 percentile for shortlist consideration , tough exact figures vary by section and profile . For CAT 2025, if fewer candidates appeared , the cutoff might slightly adjust , but percentile based cutoffs dont change drastically year to year. A minor decrease is possible , but you should still aim for 90+ percentile to be competitive. Factors like VARC, QA-LRDI and overall profile influence the final shortlist.
For a raw score of 56 in CAT 2025 Slot 3, your expected overall percentile is likely to be in the range of the 90th-95th percentile. The exact percentile can vary slightly on the final normalization process and the process and performance of all test-takers. In this
article
you'll find more about the CAT result.
Hello,
With a projected CAT percentile of 87% but not clearing sectional cutoffs, your chances at top IIMs are limited because they require both overall percentile and sectional minimums. However, you still have a good shot at other reputed management institutes and non-IIM B-schools. Consider colleges like NMIMS, SPJIMR, IMT, TAPMI, Great Lakes, and other well-ranked private or state-level B-schools that accept CAT scores and weigh your profile holistically. Your academic record, BSc in Animation with 80%, and 5 years of work experience at Ubisoft India are strong points and may help in institutes that value work experience in their selection process. Also, explore institutes that accept XAT, MAT, or CMAT, where your profile can be competitive.
Hope this helps you.
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