Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024
Preparing for CAT 2025 while working full-time can feel challenging, but with the right strategy, it’s absolutely doable. CAT is a top MBA entrance exam accepted by IIMs and leading B-schools across India for admission into MBA and PGDM programs. Candidates who meet the cutoff are shortlisted for WAT, GD, and PI rounds. Expected to be held in November 2025 in 155 cities, the CAT exam demands smart planning, especially for working professionals. This guide is here to help you balance work and preparation effectively for CAT 2025.
If you’re serious about cracking CAT 2025, practising section-wise MCQs is a game-changer. It helps you understand the exam pattern better, improve speed, and spot your weak areas early. Whether it’s Quant, DILR, or VARC, regular MCQ practice trains your brain to think faster and smarter, exactly what you need to stay ahead in the competition.
There is no thumb rule for cracking IIM CAT. The CAT preparation strategy or plan that worked for others doesn't need to work for you as well. Every student planning to take the CAT exam should have their own unique strategy, drawn, keeping their weak and strong points. The key to cracking CAT exam is not how long you are preparing but the preparation strategy. Candidates with the right strategy and study plan can clear the CAT exam, even become topper, in two or three months.
Getting 99+ percentile in CAT exam not only gets you shortlisted for MBA admission in top IIMs as well as other premium B-schools. To appear for the CAT 2025, students need first to fill out the CAT application form and pay the fee.
The CAT toppers in the previous CAT exams as well as experts say that CAT is more of an IQ-based exam than knowledge-based one. It does not matter how much one does study. What matters is how they study, their strategy, and plan for CAT preparation. Anyone with the right strategy can achieve a score above the average even without full-time preparation.
Below are the few most important tips for CAT preparation for for those who are looking for an answer on how to prepare for CAT with job. The preparation strategy of CAT can be used by candidates to prepare for other B-School entrance exams as well.
Let us look at each of the tips for CAT preparation for working professionals to have a better understanding and insights on how to prepare for CAT 2025 while working:
Check out all the tips to consider on how to manage CAT preparation with job.
Prepare a timetable and try to follow it even if you feel exhausted. It is better to draw a timetable for a shorter span of time as it is easy to follow and comply with. While planning a preparation schedule, keep an eye on the revised CAT 2025 exam pattern and syllabus. As time management is a major concern when it comes to CAT preparation for working professionals, drawing a time plan and following it properly will help in saving time for each topic.
If you're a working professional planning to take the Common Admission Test (CAT) this year, it’s important to start preparing with the right strategy. One of the best ways to begin is by checking out the Best Books for CAT Preparation, which can guide your study sessions effectively.
Try to dedicate at least 2 hours each weekday and around 5 hours on weekends, adding up to a consistent 20 hours per week. This routine not only builds your concepts gradually but also keeps you in rhythm despite a busy work schedule. The earlier you begin, the better your chances of performing well.
Also, don’t miss out on exploring the Best Study Material for CAT to complement your preparation with high-quality practice content.
Balancing work and CAT prep isn’t easy, but the right resources can save you time and effort. Opt for compact video lectures, weekend batch coaching, mobile-friendly apps, and topic-wise PDFs. Focus on smart tools like time-based mock tests and adaptive question banks. Flexibility is key, your prep should move with you, whether you're commuting or between meetings.
CAT Sample Paper
CAT sample papers give you a solid idea of what to expect on exam day. They’re designed to simulate the real paper, with similar question types and difficulty levels. Solving them helps reduce anxiety, improve time management, and identify where you need to focus more. It’s like getting a sneak peek, only smarter because you get to practice too.
CAT Previous Year Papers
CAT previous year papers are gold for serious aspirants. They help you understand the trend, structure, and types of questions that actually appear. By solving these, you can gauge the evolving difficulty level and work on real exam strategies. Plus, they show you how the test setters think, which gives you a psychological edge in your prep.
CAT Mock Test
Mock tests are your rehearsal before the real show. Taking full-length CAT mock tests under timed conditions helps build stamina, improve time allocation, and sharpen accuracy. They show you how you'd actually perform on exam day. Review every mock to find what’s working and what’s not each one is a feedback loop to help you improve faster.
CAT Practice Set
Practice sets are perfect for building topic-wise confidence. Whether you’re struggling with geometry or logical reasoning, focused practice sets help you master one concept at a time. They’re also great for short, targeted study sessions during breaks or after work. Solving 10–15 questions daily keeps your mind sharp without overwhelming your schedule.
For working professionals preparing for CAT 2025, here are a few tips to keep in mind on the exam day:
Stay Hydrated and Comfortable: Drink water and stay comfortable throughout the exam duration
Yes, one can prepare for CAT while doing their job. You do not need to spend the whole day preparing form CAT. If a working professional starts CAT preparation at an early stage, then every day 2 hours of studies are enough.
No, one can prepare for CAT while doing their job. As per the CAT syllabus, if a candidate is able to study for 20 hours in a week then they can ace this national-level MBA entrance test with a decent percentile.
If a candidate appears for the first time for the CAT exam they can crack the CAT but there is no guarantee that they can secure the 90+ percentile. However, if a candidate has appeared for CAT or any other national-level MBA entrance exam then they can excel in the CAT exam in the last three month of preparation and without losing their job.
Yes, you can prepare for the CAT exam while working by establishing a study routine that fits your schedule, utilizing downtime effectively for review and practice, setting achievable goals, using online resources for flexibility, and ensuring you balance study with self-care to stay motivated and focused. It's about managing your time efficiently and staying committed to your preparation plan.
Yes, you absolutely can. Cracking the CAT isn’t about how many hours you study, but how effectively you use your limited time. Even small, focused efforts every day can lead to big results over time.
Start as early as possible. Early planning gives you the space to pace yourself, revise thoroughly, and avoid burnout before the CAT 2025 exam.
Start with basics, build concepts, practice topic-wise questions, and take regular mocks. Analyse mistakes deeply, revise often, and focus on time and accuracy management.
Turn your daily routine into a disciplined plan, and reserve your evenings or early mornings for
CAT Mock tests 2025 simulate the real exam and show you where you stand. Each test is a learning opportunity, an honest mentor that helps you improve your speed, accuracy, and confidence.
Definitely. CAT 2025 rewards smart, sustained effort over random marathon sessions. Success comes from showing up daily with focus and purpose, not just clocking in hours.
As per experts and past year's CAT aspirants, CAT 2023 and 2021 was quite tougher in comparison with other years.
Important topics for NIFT CAT are mostly based on your creativity, observation, design thinking, and visual communication skills. So here's list of important topics you should focus on:
- Observation and drawing skills: Human figures & gestures, nature & Scene drawing are important
- Creative Visualisation: In this you'll have to convert 2d shapes into 3d, making imaginary scenes from a theme, and story illustration from given situations.
- Design & Concept Development: You'll be making logo, posters with creative slogans, book cover design and many more designs.
- Color theory, creative use of texture & patterns.
- Imagination & Innovation: merging two object to make new thing, designing eco friendly or festive based products
Hello Aspirant,
On the CAT form, you should put your name exactly as it is on your class 10 marksheet, as that will be the official educational record. Then during document verification, you can bring a Gazette notification or affidavit for name change so that documents can match your Aadhaar.
Hello aspirant,
The CUSAT CAT 2025 inaugural real-time spot admission will take place at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) from August 4–6. For admission to a variety of undergraduate (B.Tech) and graduate (MSc) programs, the Common Admission Test, or CUSAT CAT, is an entrance exam. Every year, it features sections in mathematics/biology, chemistry, and physics.
For complete information, you can visit our site through following link:
https://www.careers360.com/exams/cusat-cat
Thank you
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, if your caste is listed under Central OBC and you come under the category of Non-Creamy Layer, then you shall be eligible for the OBC-NCL reservation in the CAT exam and IIM admissions, irrespective of its being categorized as OEC in Kerala. Remember to get a valid OBC-NCL certificate obtained as per the format prescribed by the Government of India.
Hey Vijay:)
Thanks for reaching out!
OEC,(Other Eligible Communities) is a state-specific reservation category used in Kerala,and it is not recognised as a separate category in central-level exams like the CAT.
For Central govt exams candidates must choose from the recognised categories: General,SC,ST,OBC-NCL,EWS or PwD.If your community is listed under OEC-SC or OEC-ST in Kerala,you should check whether it falls under SC or ST in the central list and apply accordingly.
Similarly,If your OEC community is in the central OBC list and you meet the non-creamy layer(NCL)rules,you can apply as OBC-NCL, otherwise you need to apply under the general category.
You can verify caste's status in the central list on the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) website.
Hope this clears your doubt!
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 identifies and pursues new business opportunities to drive company growth. They generate leads, build client relationships, develop sales strategies, and analyse market trends. Collaborating with internal teams, they aim to meet sales targets. With experience, they can advance to managerial roles, playing a key role in expanding the company’s market presence and revenue.
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 leads a sales team to meet targets, formulates strategies, analyses performance, and monitors market trends. They typically hold a degree in management or related fields, with an MBA offering added value. The role often demands over 40 hours a week. Strong leadership, planning, and analytical skills are essential for success in this career.
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.
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.
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024
IBSAT 2025-Your gateway to MBA/PGPM @ IBS Hyderabad and 8 other IBS campuses | Scholarships worth 10 CR
75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools | Apply now
1 Exam accepted by 17 Top Symbiosis Institutes for 29 MBA programmes.
Amongst top 3% universities globally (QS Rankings) | Ranked among top 10 B-Schools in India by multiple publications
NAAC A+ Grade | Among top 100 universities of India (NIRF 2024) | 40 crore+ scholarships distributed