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The 99 percentile in CAT 2025 represents the top 1% of test-takers and is a benchmark for entry into India’s premier management institutes like the IIMs, FMS Delhi, and SPJIMR. Achieving it means you’ve outperformed thousands of aspirants in accuracy, speed, and strategy.However, reaching this level is not as easy as it seems. It requires proper planning, deep conceptual understanding, and consistent CAT 2025 mock test practice to know exactly how many questions to attempt, and attempt correctly, for a 99 percentile score.
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In this article, we have shared the one month strategy for achieving 99 percentile in CAT, how many questions to attempt to get 99 percentile, sectionwise preparation tips along with useful study resources to help you score 99+ in the CAT 2025 exam.
Scoring the 99 percentile in the CAT exam means you have outperformed 99% of all other candidates who appeared in that year. Many students confuse between CAT score vs percentile. Unlike raw scores or marks, the percentile is a rank-based measure that reflects your relative performance compared to the rest of the test-takers.
For instance, if 2 lakh students take the exam and you secure a place among the top 2,000, your percentile would be approximately 99. Naturally, this leads aspirants to wonder how many questions attempt to get 99 percentile in CAT, since achieving this milestone is a key benchmark for admission into the country’s most prestigious B-schools.
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Scoring 99 percentile in one month is possible if your current mock range is already around 85–90 percentile and you can push your raw score from 65–70 to 90+, which was the CAT 2023 benchmark for 99 percentile. In the final 30 days, you need 14–16 full mocks, error-log-based revision, and a high-yield topic focus covering Arithmetic, RC inference, and two DILR set types. You don’t need to attempt the full paper; 30 accurate attempts with 80% accuracy can place you in the top 1%.
You don’t need to master the entire CAT syllabus 2025 to reach 99 percentile, you need to convert 25–30 high-confidence attempts across sections. CAT rewards accuracy, not volume. Most toppers leave 30–40% of the paper untouched intentionally, focusing only on predictable, solvable patterns that appear every year.
Based on CAT 2023 data, a raw score of around 90+ translates to a 99th percentile, which means, you’re aiming to get just 30–32 correct answers in total with controlled negative marking. So the challenge isn’t about solving everything, it’s about solving consistently and accurately. Since, over the last year, the CAT exam pattern has changed, so around 45-50 questions will get you into 99+ percentile category.
What makes 99 percentile tough is not the question difficulty but knowing which ones to drop fast. The candidates who make it don’t get more answers right, they waste fewer minutes on the wrong ones. CAT is designed to trap you with time-consuming questions, and your ability to exit them early determines your percentile.
The more mock analysis-driven your preparation is, the less difficult 99 percentile in CAT becomes. Students who consistently score 95+ percentile in mocks by the final month find the actual exam manageable, because they already know what to attempt, what to skip, and how long to stay on a question before exiting.
The biggest barrier is accuracy control under stress. Many aspirants rush and attempt 45+ questions, but toppers stay around 30 smart attempts with over 80% accuracy, which reduces negative marking impact. Scoring 99 percentile in CAT becomes significantly easier the moment you prioritise controlled attempts over aggressive attempts.
With just a month left for CAT 2025, the focus shifts from finishing chapters to improving score output. At this stage, every study hour should directly impact your speed, accuracy, or decision-making. A 99 percentile score usually sits around 85–90+ marks, so the goal now is to sharpen attempts, not increase random practice. The mindset changes from “How much do I know?” to “How efficiently can I convert my attempts into marks?”.
In the last few CAT papers, Arithmetic alone formed 40% of the Quant section, and just two clean DILR sets pushed students above 95 percentile. That’s your signal, skip the noise and master only the formats that show up again and again: Speed-Time questions, basic Geometry, Venn logic, and tone-based RCs. Solving these under a strict timer of 2 minutes per question puts you in the same decision rhythm as the actual exam.
Mocks are no longer for exposure; they’re for percentile tracking. Your first five mocks should score at 90 percentile, focusing on accuracy. The next set of mocks should push to 95+ percentile by speeding up your question rejection decisions. The last five mocks are pressure to test how consistently you can stay above 98 percentile without panicking when stuck. Track time wasted, accuracy on first attempts, and exits from trap questions, that’s where toppers win marks.
To hit 99 percentile, you don’t need to attempt everything, you just need clean, high-confidence attempts. In VARC, aim for 16–18 solid attempts with 80%+ accuracy. In DILR, scan all sets quickly and pick only two workable ones, leave traps in under four minutes. In Quant, secure easy Arithmetic and Algebra questions first before touching Geometry and PnC. This “select and score” approach follows the exact pattern seen in top percentile mock logs.
Reaching 99 percentile is not about solving more, it’s about wasting less time on dead questions. After every mock, note down the exact spots where time slipped: late rejection, repeated error type, overthinking RC options, or forcing a DILR set. Build a simple error log and revise only those points. When your rejection time drops under 30 seconds and repeated mistakes disappear, your score rises without needing extra attempts.
Scoring 99 percentile in CAT 2025 gives you a major advantage. It opens top B-school admissions, improves career options, and proves your strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Scoring 99 percentile almost guarantees admission to premier institutes like the IIMs and other top-ranked B-schools. It gives you access to world-class faculty, cutting-edge curriculum, and excellent peer networks that can shape your career for years to come.
A high CAT score opens doors to coveted roles in consulting, finance, marketing, and strategy. Recruiters actively look for top performers, giving you a head start in landing high-paying jobs and prestigious positions right after your MBA.
Many top B-schools offer merit-based scholarships or fee waivers for candidates with exceptional scores. Achieving a 99 percentile can significantly reduce your financial burden while rewarding your dedication and hard work.
Scoring this high demonstrates strong analytical, logical, and problem-solving skills. It helps you stand out among thousands of aspirants, whether during placements, internships, or even in future competitive opportunities.
Achieving a 99 percentile validates your preparation and abilities. This confidence extends beyond exams, empowering you to tackle challenges in academics, career, and other competitive scenarios with self-assurance and clarity.
You typically need a raw score of around 96–105 marks to score 99 percentile in CAT. This means roughly 32–35 correct answers across all sections with high accuracy. For example, with 90% accuracy, you should aim to attempt 36–39 questions. Section-wise, 13–14 correct in VARC, 11–12 in DILR, and 10–12 in QA are usually enough to hit the 99 percentile mark. We have provided below the expected no. of good attempts for each section in CAT 2025, based on previous year's question papers and cutoff analysis.
Section | Total Questions | Minimum Correct Answers Required | Net Marks |
VARC | 24 | 11–12 | 33–36 |
DILR | 22 | 10–11 | 30–33 |
QA | 22 | 10–12 | 30–36 |
Total | 68 | 32–35 | 96–105 |
Section | Total Questions | Target Attempts | Minimum Correct Answers Required | Net Marks |
VARC | 24 | 14–16 | 13–14 | 39–42 |
DILR | 22 | 12–13 | 11–12 | 33–36 |
QA | 22 | 11–13 | 10–12 | 30–36 |
Total | 68 | 36–39 | 34–35 | 102–105 |
Section | Total Questions | Target Attempts | Minimum Correct Answers Required | Net Marks |
VARC | 24 | 16–18 | 13–15 | 35–42 |
DILR | 22 | 14–15 | 11–12 | 33–36 |
QA | 22 | 14–15 | 11–12 | 33–36 |
Total | 68 | 44–48 | 35–38 | 101–105 |
Section | Total Questions | Target Attempts | Minimum Correct Answers Required | Net Marks |
VARC | 24 | 19–21 | 13–15 | 36–39 |
DILR | 22 | 16–17 | 11–12 | 33–36 |
QA | 22 | 18–20 | 13–14 | 36–42 |
Total | 68 | 54–58 | 38–41 | 100–105 |
Aspirants aiming for a 99 percentile in CAT 2025 should carefully balance accuracy with the number of attempts. Instead of rushing through the paper, focus on high-confidence problems in Quantitative Aptitude, VARC, and DILR, and skip those that may cause unnecessary errors. In fact, knowing how many questions to attempt for 99 percentile in CAT depends more on smart selection and accuracy than sheer volume.

Attempt | Correct | Net Score | Accuracy % |
32 | 32 | 96 | 100 |
40 | 34 | 96 | 85 |
48 | 36 | 96 | 75 |
56 | 38 | 96 | 68 |
60 | 39 | 96 | 65 |

Question Attempt | Correct | Accuracy % | Net Score |
24 | 24 | 100 | 72 |
32 | 26 | 81 | 72 |
40 | 28 | 70 | 72 |
48 | 30 | 62.5 | 72 |
56 | 32 | 57 | 72 |
Accuracy is one of the most critical factors in achieving a 99 percentile in CAT 2025. The exam rewards precision and penalises wrong attempts, making it essential to answer fewer questions correctly rather than attempting too many with errors. Focusing on accuracy improves your percentile, confidence, and overall test performance.
In the CAT 2025 exam, accuracy directly impacts your percentile. Even if you attempt fewer questions, high accuracy can place you ahead of students who attempt more but make mistakes. Since every wrong answer reduces your score, accurate attempts ensure you earn full value for your efforts.
CAT follows a strict negative marking system, where each wrong answer leads to a deduction. This makes accuracy more valuable than the number of attempts. Avoiding guesswork and focusing on correct answers helps reduce score loss. A careful and confident approach improves your overall standing in the percentile ranking.
High accuracy shows that your basics and concepts are strong. When you truly understand a topic, you make fewer careless mistakes. This not only boosts your CAT 2025 score but also builds long-term confidence. Accuracy is a sign of smart preparation, not just hard work.
Focusing on accuracy automatically improves how you manage time in the exam. When you clearly know what to solve and what to skip, you save time and avoid panic. By attempting fewer but certain questions, you maintain both speed and stability—two major strengths for a 99 percentile performance.
A smart CAT 2025 strategy is built around accuracy. It helps you select the right questions, maintain consistency across sections, and improve with every mock test. Prioritising accuracy over random attempts ensures steady progress, higher marks, and a realistic path to achieving a 99 percentile score.
CAT mock tests are the most effective way to prepare for the CAT 2025 exam. They help you understand the CAT exam pattern, improve your time management, and identify areas that need more work. To achieve a 99 percentile in CAT 2025, you must learn how to use mock tests smartly and analyse them well.
Begin your CAT mock test practice at least six months before the exam. Start with one mock test per week to get used to the CAT question pattern, difficulty level, and sectional timing. Early mock test practice helps you build accuracy and speed. As you gain confidence, increase the frequency to two mock tests per week to boost consistency and exam readiness.
Attempt each CAT 2025 mock test as if it were the actual exam. Choose the same time slot—morning or afternoon—and sit in a quiet place. Complete the test in one go without breaks, and follow the 40-minute limit per section. This approach helps you develop the right focus, reduce stress, and get comfortable with the real CAT exam conditions.
After finishing a CAT mock test, spend at least twice as much time analysing it. Go through every question—right, wrong, and skipped. Find out if the error was due to concept gaps, time pressure, or misreading. Check your accuracy rate, time spent per question, and section-wise performance. This mock test analysis helps you understand where to improve before the next test.
Use insights from your mock tests to make a focused plan for each section—VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. For VARC, read articles daily and practise RCs; for DILR, work on tricky sets from previous tests; and for QA, revise formulas and shortcuts. This section-wise preparation ensures balanced growth and helps you perform well in all three parts of the CAT 2025 exam.
Keep a record of your mock test scores and percentiles. Note how your performance changes with every test. If your percentile drops, check which section caused it and adjust your plan. Try different strategies, like solving easy questions first or changing time splits. Regular tracking and analysis of your CAT mock test performance will steadily move you closer to the 99 percentile goal.
Understanding the subtle differences between scoring 99 percentile and 100 percentile in CAT 2025 helps aspirants fine-tune their strategy. Focusing on accuracy, consistency, and smart question selection can bridge the gap between top-tier scores.
A 99 percentile scorer can afford minor mistakes, but 100 percentile aspirants maintain near-perfect accuracy.
99 percentile candidates usually attempt 45–55 questions correctly, while 100 percentile scorers focus on slightly fewer but almost all correct.
99 percentile scorers may have one weaker section, whereas 100 percentile candidates excel consistently in VARC, DILR, and QA.
99 percentile aspirants skip tricky questions strategically, while 100 percentile achievers solve them quickly and accurately.
Grasping the CAT scaled scores and normalisation process is essential for accurate performance assessment. It ensures aspirants understand how raw scores convert to percentiles, helping plan strategic attempts and accuracy for a 99 percentile.
Due to scaled scoring and normalisation, raw score requirements may vary. Typically, 45–55 high-accuracy attempts are sufficient for 99 percentile.
Prioritize correct and high-value questions over attempting maximum questions to maximize percentile.
Combining accuracy, smart question selection, and scaled score awareness forms a complete 99 percentile CAT strategy.
Boost your chances of achieving a 99 percentile in CAT 2025 with targeted section-wise preparation tips. Focused strategies for Quant, DILR, and VARC help improve accuracy, speed, and overall exam performance.
High-weightage topics and shortcuts: Focus on high-scoring QA topics like Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work), Algebra (Equations, Inequalities), Geometry (Triangles, Circles), and Modern Math (Permutations & Combinations, Probability). Use shortcuts, formula memorization, and mental calculation tricks to save time and increase accuracy.
Formula sheets and practice strategy: Maintain a dedicated CAT formula sheet PDF or notebook for all essential equations. Regularly revise formulas and solve topic-wise practice questions to reinforce speed and retention. Practicing previous years’ QA questions helps identify patterns and focus on the most frequently tested concepts.
Pattern recognition and time-saving techniques: Develop skills to quickly interpret charts, tables, and graphs. Focus on pattern recognition in puzzles, seating arrangements, and logical sets to reduce time per question. Use shortcut approaches for standard DILR question types to increase your number of accurate attempts.
Practice tips for tables, charts, and puzzles: Solve mock DILR sets under timed conditions. Analyze which types of puzzles or DI sets consume more time and identify strategies to solve them faster. Consistent practice improves speed, accuracy, and confidence during the CAT 2025 exam.
Reading speed improvement and comprehension techniques: Build reading stamina and comprehension skills by practicing long and complex passages daily. Focus on identifying the main idea, tone, and key points quickly. This improves your ability to solve reading comprehension questions under time pressure.
Grammar, vocabulary, and para-jumbles strategies: Strengthen grammar concepts and vocabulary to answer questions like sentence correction, fill-in-the-blanks, and vocabulary-based questions. Practice para-jumbles and para-summary questions regularly, using logical sequencing techniques to save time and improve accuracy.
Preparing for the CAT 2025 requires more than theory, it demands adaptive practice, exposure to exam-level difficulty, and constant benchmarking. The right resources not only test accuracy but also help you develop time management, sectional prioritisation, and question filtration skills.
CAT sample papers replicate the actual exam interface and structure, giving candidates an early chance to master the three-section time-bound format (VARC, DILR, QA). These papers highlight distribution patterns, difficulty gradients, and question sequencing. By solving them, aspirants learn about real exam pressure, allocate time per section, and understand attempt strategies. They serve as technical benchmarks for evaluating reading speed, accuracy trends, and data interpretation efficiency.
Practice with CAT 2025 Sample Paper
CAT mock tests closely simulate the real exam, helping track accuracy, attempts, and sectional performance. Analysing patterns and weak areas refines strategy, while regular practice builds stamina and ensures high accuracy for a 99+ percentile. Below is the mock test to attempt and help you plan your preparation effectively.
CAT Mock test 2025 |
Previous year CAT question papers are indispensable for pattern decoding and trend analysis. By analysing them, aspirants gain clarity on weightage distribution, recurring concept clusters, and sectional volatility. These papers expose the shifts in VARC reading comprehension length, DILR puzzle complexity, and QA topic dominance. Solving PYQs under timed conditions builds familiarity with exam temperament, ensures exposure to realistic question phrasing, and prevents over-reliance on outdated test prep material.
Practice with CAT Past 10 year question papers
Many aspirants aiming for a 99 percentile in CAT fall prey to common myths that derail preparation. One of the biggest misconceptions is that attempting the maximum number of questions automatically guarantees success. In reality, it’s more important to know how many questions to attempt to get 99 percentile in CAT with accuracy rather than chasing every question.
Trying to solve every question can backfire if accuracy drops. High attempts with low correctness often reduce percentile. Focus on safe attempts with high accuracy instead of attempting everything blindly.
Every student has unique strengths in Quant, VARC, and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. A single strategy doesn’t fit all. Analysing mock tests helps identify your patterns, making it easier to decide how many questions to attempt for 99 percentile in CAT confidently.
Neglecting core areas may limit your safe attempts for 99 percentile CAT. While selective preparation can save time, it’s important to practice all important topics and solve the CAT 2025 repeated questions to track your performance.
The number of attempts required for 99 percentile can vary due to normalisation and slot difficulty. Focus on accuracy and smart question selection rather than relying on fixed attempt numbers. Use mock tests to understand how many questions to attempt to get 99 percentile in CAT based on your own performance.
E-books play a crucial role in CAT 2025 preparation, especially for aspirants aiming for the 99 percentile. Careers360 has curated a comprehensive collection of CAT 2025 e-books that cover all critical areas, Quant, VARC, and DILR. While, it also helping aspirants understand how many questions attempt to get 99 percentile in CAT effectively.
eBook Title | Download Links |
Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions | |
CAT 2025 Exam's High-Scoring Chapters and Topics | |
Mastering CAT Exam: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weights | |
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 | |
CAT 2025 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Study Material |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Around 45–50 accurate attempts out of 66 can fetch a 99 percentile, depending on the paper’s difficulty. Accuracy matters more than quantity, so focus on solving selectively with 85–90% correctness.
Yes. It depends on the paper’s difficulty and normalisation. In an easy paper, you may need 48–50 good attempts, while in a tough one, even 40–42 accurate answers can touch the 99 percentile mark.
Candidates must aim for 85–90% accuracy. Guessing lowers your score, so attempt only those you’re confident about. Accuracy, not speed, is the real differentiator at the top percentiles.
Target 15–18 in VARC, 10–12 in DILR, and 12–15 in Quant, based on your strengths. Maintain balance across all sections to clear cut-offs and maximise your overall score.
Yes, if your basics are strong, then focus on mock practice, top topics, and correcting mistakes. Even one month of smart practice can significantly improve your percentile.
To achieve a 99 percentile, focus on quality over quantity. Typically, attempting 45–55 questions with 85–90% accuracy across sections is ideal. The exact number may vary depending on the difficulty level and scaled scores.
Accuracy is the key. Attempting fewer questions correctly outweighs attempting more questions with low precision. Smart question selection and time management complement accuracy to maximise your percentile.
Analyse past patterns and your strengths. Aim to secure safe attempts in your strongest sections while not neglecting weaker ones. Efficient allocation ensures strong sectional percentiles and boosts overall score.
Mock tests simulate the real CAT environment. Analysing accuracy, time per question, and mistakes helps refine strategies, identify weak areas, and determine safe attempts, which are crucial for high percentiles.
Take at least 8–10 high-quality mocks under timed conditions. Regular practice and post-mock analysis allow you to track improvement, understand your safe attempts, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
On Question asked by student community
If you got 802 marks in Telangana Intermediate and belong to the ST category, you have a fair chance to get admission in a BPT course in 2025, but it depends on the college and cut-off. Most BPT colleges in Telangana ask for 12th marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and some also use the TS EAMCET rank for admission. The cut-off for ST students is usually lower than for general students, but it changes every year. It is better to check the previous year’s cut-offs of the colleges you want to apply to.
Hey,
You already have a strong profile with the score of 58% in Class 10, 74% in Class 12, and 80% in graduation, but admission in IIT Bombay, Shailesh J Mehta School of Management is quite competitive, especially if you are in general category because the cutoff for general goes to 98.5-99%. Your CAT percentage is impressive but your 10th marks might reduce your score during the shortlisting process. If you perform well in Written Ability Test and Personal Interview, and present your commerce background you still stand a fair chance. But it would also be wise if you have some backups like MDI Gurugram, IMT Ghaziabad, IMI Delhi, where your marks and profile will fit well in their selection range.
HELLO,
I am providing you the link below through which you will be able to download the previous 10 years CAT question papers
Here is the link :- CAT Previous year Question papers
Hope this Helps!
The three key formulas that can solve almost all Profit & Loss problems are:
Profit/Loss % = (Profit or Loss / Cost Price) × 100%, where CP is the cost price.
Discount % = (Discount / Marked Price) × 100%, where MP is the marked price.
Mark up % = (Mark up Value / Cost Price) × 100%, where CP is the cost price.
These formulas can be adapted for problems involving discounts, marked price, or successive gains/losses.
For detailed examples and variations, you can from the article
Hello,
Yes, Pragati Engineering College offers seats in Category-B (Management quota) for B.Tech programmes. The selection criteria is mentioned as the per the guidelines issued by the AP State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE). The applications are available on the college's official website.
You can know more about the college and the courses from the link given below:
https://www.careers360.com/colleges/pragati-engineering-college-surampalem
Hope it helps!!!
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