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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.
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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.
Watch Careers360's Exclusive Video on - CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy for Working Professionals
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
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Turn your daily routine into a disciplined plan, and reserve your evenings or early mornings for
As per experts and past year's CAT aspirants, CAT 2023 and 2021 was quite tougher in comparison with other years.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
On Question asked by student community
Hello
As you said you by mistakenly done that, you don't need to get worry regarding that ,
Just inform the help desk and carry the correct certifications , the state certificate will not disqualify you .
The steps you can follow is -
1. You can check if the correction window is available or not
2. Contact the CAT desk immediately.
Hope this helps
Yes, you can fill the CAT form even if you currently have a backlog. CAT eligibility requires you to be in your final year of graduation or already graduated backlogs don’t stop you from applying.
While filling the form:
Enter the aggregate percentage/CGPA of marks you have obtained up to the latest semester for which results are declared (in your case till 4th semester).
There will be an option to mention that you have a backlog.
If you clear the backlog later, you’ll just need to show the updated marks during admission.
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, you can apply for the CAT exam as a final-year student. You must declare your backlog on the online application form. You do not write about it on the final-year student certificate; that document is to certify your enrollment status. You must clear all backlogs before the final admission process to any MBA college.
Hello,
Thank you for your question!
KL- MAT syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English/Verbal Ability, and General Awareness (similar to MAT/CMAT pattern).
CAT scores are valid in many private universities including KL University, but always check the year’s admission notification.
CAT vs other exams: CAT is toughest (IIMs + top B-schools), while MAT/CMAT/ATMA are relatively easier and accepted by many mid-level private universities.
Hello it will clear your doubt!
Hello Aspirant,
I saw a cat. The cat found an old map inside a drawer of the king's palace.
Here's why:
"a cat": It's the first time we mention the cat, so it's indefinite.
"The cat": Now we're talking about that specific cat we just mentioned, so it's definite.
"an old map": It's the first time we mention a map, and "old" starts with a vowel sound, so "an."
"a drawer": It's one of possibly many drawers, not a specific one known to us yet.
"the king's palace": This is a specific, unique place, so "the."
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