Great Lakes - PGPM & PGDM 2025
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The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 will have two types of questions: multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions, which are TITA questions, meaning (Type in the Answer). Many candidates get stuck with TITA questions just because they do not know how to tackle such questions. Candidates who want to score better in the CAT exam must be able to tackle the TITA questions. Candidates can attempt all TITA questions, as there is no negative marking for them.
In this article, we will explore effective tips to solve CAT TITA questions, focusing on strategies for tackling TITA in the CAT exam. Some key TITA strategy for CAT includes building a strong foundation of concepts, handling various types of problems, and enhancing your performance in this challenging area. Time management techniques will also be covered, helping you approach the non-MCQ questions in CAT with ease. The power of confidence is great, and accurate answers can be perfectly predicted by your understanding of how to answer these questions.
TITA was introduced, for the first time, in 2015. In TITA, candidates will have to answer them directly by typing on the screen. Candidates must perform excellently in the TITA questions to score well and convert to their desired IIM. Common Admission Test is considered to be the most difficult exam due to the sectional time limit, level of questions asked, etc. Candidates should keep the time in mind while solving Non-MCQ or TITA questions as there is limited time for each section.
Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024 | Application Deadline: 1st Dec 2024
250+ Companies | Highest CTC 16 LPA | Average CTC 8 LPA | Ranked as Platinum Institute by AICTE for 6 years in a row | Awarded Best Business School of the Year
Based on the CAT exam pattern 2025, there will be two types of questions: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and type-in-the-answer (TITA/non-MCQ questions in CAT). In TITA, candidates will have options to choose from. Also, this will take more time to write answers, so candidates should go with only those questions they are confident about. Check the table below to understand the trends of CAT TITA questions that will be asked in the CAT 2025, tentatively scheduled on November 2025.
Understanding the number of TITA questions asked each year can provide candidates with valuable insight into the weightage of CAT TITA questions. Below is the breakdown of the non-MCQ questions in CAT for the past three years, helping candidates strategise their preparation and approach CAT TITA questions more effectively. This information will also help in developing a focused TITA strategy for CAT, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared for this section.
Total number of TITA questions | Exam Year |
44 | 2020 |
42 | 2021 |
47 | 2022 |
(This data includes questions from all the three slots in the corresponding year)
CAT Year | TITA Questions in DI & LR | TITA Questions in CAT QA | TITA Questions in CAT VARC | % of TITA Questions Every Year |
CAT 2023 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 16 |
CAT 2022 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 17 |
CAT 2021 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 18 |
CAT 2019 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 25 |
CAT 2018 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 27 |
CAT 2017 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 20 |
CAT 2016 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 25 |
CAT 2015 | 24 | 14 | 10 | 32 |
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Be Careful With Time Management While Dealing with TITA Questions
Clear your concepts
Avoid Guesswork
To know how to approach CAT TITA questions, time management is key when dealing with these questions. As mentioned above, CAT 2025 will have a sectional time duration, and candidates will be given 40 minutes per section to answer both MCQs and TITA questions. Efficiently managing this time is essential to tackle TITA in the CAT exam successfully, ensuring that candidates can attempt all questions with the right balance of speed and accuracy.
In each section, i.e. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability, Verbal and Reading Comprehension equal to or more than 5 TITA questions are asked every year. Such questions do not have any options and hence candidates are required to read the question carefully and then answer accurately.
TITA questions can be time-consuming if not practised well in advance.
Time management of TITA questions is very important and can turn a candidate's efforts into great marks.
Divide your day into productive, timely hours and make a proper timetable.
Devote one hour daily for each section for TITA questions and practice them.
Speaking about time management, CAT topper Lakshya Kumar said that he considered time management as the fourth section and focussed on it with full dedication without any carelessness.
First time CAT takers, time management will surely benefit in the following ways
Efficiency Improvement
Productivity Enhancement
Another topper of CAT Somansh said, “I believe time management is much easier when you are passionate about what you are doing, so simply realizing that makes a lot of difference”.
IIM Kozhikode has not provided any official CAT syllabus 2025. Based on question paper sets, the CAT 2025 syllabus should be checked by candidates before starting their preparation.
Candidates should try to focus on clearing their concepts from the basic level
Buy the best books for CAT preparation to stay updated with the latest problem-solving methods
Do not haste to cover all the topics in one go. Take your time in understanding the key concepts of each topic and then move towards other topics of the CAT syllabus.
If you start preparing for CAT without any coaching in such case you can join any online study groups, contact friends who have registered themselves for coaching classes, or simply browse the internet to learn new ways of question-solving to clear concept.
Make flashcards or sticky notes to remember the difficult topics that may be asked in TITA questions.
If you are starting before 6 months of CAT, you should shift your focus to unfamiliar topics from which TITA questions could be raised.
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In Multiple-choice questions, candidates have the option to solve questions in a reverse manner. However the same can not be applied in non-MCQs or TITA questions. Here, candidates do not have options for solving the question in that manner.
No reverse action strategy can be followed while solving TITA questions.
No imperative cues will be there, hence do not waste your time searching and thinking about the answer.
Attempt such TITA questions only if you know the answer and try to solve TITA questions only when you are done with the MCQs.
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Attempt Mock Test of CAT
Do not Fall into the Trap of “Non-Negative Marking”
Practice Previous Year CAT Question Papers
Strategy to Attempt TITA Questions
One of the best ways to how to tackle TITA questions in CAT is through the CAT mock test. Most of the previous year believed that solving mock tests helped in understanding the paper pattern and getting clarity about concepts.
Benefits of the mock test of CAT include self-analysis, self-cum-time-management, and accuracy in problem-solving including TITA questions.
CAT topper Ronit Banerjea said, “I was also regular with my attendance of scheduled mocks and attempting of sectional mocks, which helped boost my performances in all 3 sections. I had an edge in VARC owing to my general comfort in the language, but a constant fear of the LRDI section ensured I was regular with my practice.”
Similarly, another CAT topper Rahul Gupta said, “Before the exam, somehow I was not able to score very well in the quantitative ability section and I used to be not satisfied with my performance. I practised a lot of mock tests and gradually I started doing well. I practised a lot from sectional and mock tests and the questions that were there in the study material from which I was preparing. During the weekend I used to give more time for my preparation and used to take mock tests as well as sectional tests. I used to solve a lot of questions also apart from the mock tests.”
As discussed above, TITA questions are non-MCQs and do not have any options like MCQs. Hence are more time-consuming and require more time to answer. Just because answering TITA questions does not result in losing marks, many candidates fall into the trap and end up losing their precious time of 60 minutes per section. Candidates also face anxiety as they fear losing time while solving TITA questions.
To make their preparation strong candidates are advised to practice from the previous year question papers of CAT. Once finished with the syllabus solve at least one question paper/sample paper daily. This will improve speed and accuracy and there will be a time when no question will look unfamiliar. By regularly scanning the previous year question paper, you will be familiar with both types of questions i.e. MCQs and TITA questions.
Finally, remember that there is no specific strategy or trick to attempt TITA questions in CAT. To save time while solving the CAT question paper, the best advice for candidates would be to first solve the non-MCQs and then move on to those TITA questions that seem familiar and can be answered easily. This approach helps in efficiently managing time and tackling the TITA section with greater confidence and accuracy.
The non-MCQ questions in the CAT exam are referred to as CAT TITA (Type in the Answer) questions. Candidates have to give their answers using an on-screen keyboard. There is no negative marking for CAT TITA questions.
Students should have a clear understanding of the basics and should take multiple mock tests to enhance their speed and accuracy in solving questions for the CAT exam. Regular practice through mock tests helps in familiarizing with the exam pattern and managing time effectively.
No, there are no negative marking for attempting TITA questions in CAT exam. TITA stands for "Type In The Answer," which are non-MCQ questions in CAT. Here, candidates are required to directly type their responses instead of choosing from provided options.
The frequency of TITA questions in CAT exam varies from 12-20 questions from different sections i.e., DI & LR, VARC and QA.
To solve TITA (Type In The Answer) questions in CAT, start by carefully reading the question to understand the requirement, as there are no answer options to guide you. Focus on logical reasoning and precise calculations, as these questions often test conceptual clarity. Avoid guesswork since there is no negative marking, but aim to attempt only those questions where you are confident.
Hello Greetings,
With a CAT 2024 score of 93.94 percentile, you can expect calls from newer IIMs like *IIM Udaipur*, *IIM Raipur*, and *IIM Kashipur*. These institutes have relatively lower cutoffs compared to the older IIMs. Additionally, you may also consider other top MBA colleges like *IIT Madras*, *IIT Roorkee*, or *IIT Kharagpur*, which offer MBA programs with slightly lower cut-offs. To get a better idea of your chances, you can use online CAT College Predictor tools, which estimate the probability of receiving interview calls from different IIMs and other top MBA colleges based on your CAT percentile and academic background .
Have a great day
Hi,
With a CAT 2024 score of 93.94 percentile, you have a good chance of getting calls from several prestigious IIMs. Here are some possibilities
IIMs:
- IIM Indore: 90 percentile (General Category)
- IIM Ahmedabad: 80 percentile (General Category)
- IIM Bangalore: 85 percentile (General Category)
- IIM Calcutta: 85 percentile (General Category)
- IIM Lucknow: 90 percentile (General Category)
- IIM Kozhikode: 85 percentile (General Category)
- IIM Shillong: Sectional Cutoffs
Other Top B-Schools:
- SPJIMR (S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research): 90-95 percentile
- MDI Gurgaon (Management Development Institute): 90-95 percentile
- XIME (Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship): 90-95 percentile
- FMS Delhi (Faculty of Management Studies): 95-99 percentile
- IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay: 90-99 percentile
These are general estimates and cutoffs can vary each year based on the difficulty of the exam and the number of applicants. It's always a good idea to check the official websites of these institutes for the most accurate and updated information.
Hello,
Given that you scored 93.94 percentile for CAT 2024, you should get interview calls from some of the newer and baby IIMs in Nagpur, IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Sirmaur, and IIM Jammu. The list will be pre- cut based on your academic profile, work experience, category, and performance in other criteria like WAT/PI.
In addition to IIMs, you may also consider the top B-schools like IMT Ghaziabad, XIM Bhubaneswar, TAPMI, Great Lakes Institute of Management, FORE School of Management, and KJ Somaiya. All these institutes have good placements and are known for quality management education.
Use the CAT college predictor to explore more of your options. This predicts colleges considering your score, profile, and category, and tools that provide a comprehensive list of institutes that you can consider applying for.
Hi,
Based on the previous year analysis, According to your CAT 2024 percentile you have chances to get call from some of the IIM including:
Some of the good colleges other than IIM in which you have chances to get a seat are the following
You can predict the colleges in which you have chance to get a seat for MBA course using the CAT 2024 college predictor tool.
Hope this information will help you
Based on your CAT and NMAT scores, here's a suggested preference order for the colleges you've applied to, keeping in mind that MBA Finance specializations often have specific cutoffs:
You must make considerations on specialization, placements, faculty, curriculum and campus life and go for the college that you believe suits you the best.
All the very best!
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Admissions Open | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.3 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2024 | Application Deadline: 1st Dec 2024
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