How Toppers Prepare for CAT Exam 2025: Tips and Preparation Strategies

How Toppers Prepare for CAT Exam 2025: Tips and Preparation Strategies

Ongoing Event

CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 13 Sep' 25

Team Careers360Updated on 27 Dec 2024, 06:13 PM IST

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a highly valued management admission test in India. Its ever-changing nature often confuses applicants, even with preparation. Aspirants might learn from former toppers' experiences in dealing with this problem and remaining calm on test day. This article includes CAT 2025 preparation ideas, methods, and insights to help you succeed.

This Story also Contains

  1. CAT Exam Pattern
  2. CAT Exam 2025 Syllabus
  3. How Toppers Prepare for CAT
  4. CAT 2023 Toppers
  5. CAT preparation tips by toppers
  6. How did Toppers Prepare for CAT?
  7. Importance of Mock Tests for Toppers
How Toppers Prepare for CAT Exam 2025: Tips and Preparation Strategies
How Toppers Prepare for CAT Exam

CAT Exam Pattern

The CAT exam pattern consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The exam typically features a total of 66 questions. The duration of the exam is 120 minutes. The CAT follows a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format as well as a non-MCQ format, with some questions requiring direct answers instead of selecting from options. The sectional time limit requires candidates to manage their time effectively within each section, as moving between sections is not allowed during the exam. The detailed CAT exam pattern is given below:

CAT Exam Sections

Number of questions

Time limit

The time limit for PwD

students

Verbal Ability and

Reading Comprehension

(VARC)

24

40 minutes

53 minutes and 20

seconds


Logical Reasoning (DILR)

22

40 minutes

53 minutes and 20

seconds

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

22

40 minutes

53 minutes and 20

seconds

Total

68

120 minutes

160 minutes

CAT Exam 2025 Syllabus

The CAT 2025 syllabus is divided into three main sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). VARC focuses on English language skills, including reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and sentence correction. DILR assesses your ability to interpret data from various formats and solve logical reasoning problems. QA covers a range of mathematical topics, such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems. Mastery of these areas requires conceptual solid understanding, problem-solving skills, and effective time management. The complete CAT 2025 syllabus is given below:

CAT 2025 Sections

CAT 2025 Topics

Verbal Ability and Reading

Comprehension (VARC)

Grammar or English

Usage

Synonyms Antonyms (Vocabulary

Based)

Fill in the blanks

Meaning/Usage Match Jumbled Paragraph and Close

Passage

Verbal Reasoning

Reading Comprehension Analogies and Reverse Analogies Summary Questions

Facts Inferences

Judgments

Verbal Logic One-word substitution

Data Interpretation &

Logical Reasoning (DILR)




Bar Graphs and Column

Graphs

Caselets and Tables Venn Diagram

Combination of two or more

types linked to each other

Line Charts & Pie Chart Calendars, Clock ,Cube

Number and Letter Series Binary Logic ,Seating Arrangement

Connectives Matching/ Puzzle Logical Sequence

Blood Relation ,Syllogism ,Coding-Decoding

Quantitative Aptitude

Mixture and Alligation

Higher Order

Equation

HCF and LCM , Circles

Average Graphs Base System Combinations Quadrilaterals

Percentage Linear Equations in Two Variables Factors Probability Mensuration

Races Inequalities Divisibility Functions Trigonometry

Profit and Loss

Logarithms Digits Sequences &

Series

Triangles

Pipe and Cistern

Maxima and

MInima

Complex Numbers Progressions Polygons

Ratio and Proportion

Quadratic Equations

Higher Powers Set Theory Coordinate

Geometry

Time and Work

Theorem

Venn Diagram

Time, Speed and Distance

Number of factors and number of trailing zeroes

Time and Work

Surds and Indices

Compound Interest Simple Interest

How Toppers Prepare for CAT

One may be familiar with the material, but they may gain some important CAT 2025 hints from people who have an advantage over the rest, which will help them pass the test without a problem. Read the whole article to learn "how toppers prepare for CAT," their sectional and overall percentiles, and the difference they make in acing the test without much effort.

How Toppers Scored Both Section-Wise and Overall in CAT

A candidate may be brilliant, but worry remains until the day of the examination because you are unsure of the kind of questions that will be asked or whether the exam pattern of CAT will change.

Before we get into how toppers prepare for the CAT, please let us know their sectional and total scores. Despite volunteering in several college organisations or working as a professional, nothing could stop these toppers from realising their dreams. The chart below shows the section-wise scores of toppers, allowing you to determine how much you need to score to get the desired percentile in the CAT.

Quick Link- When and how to start CAT preparation

CAT 2023 Toppers

Name of CAT 2023 Topper
CAT Topper Score
Topper Interview Link
Rounak Tikmani
99.90
Click here
Nishakar Kumar
99.83
Click here
Shreemant Singi
99.28
Click here
Suvam Debnath
99.52
Click here
Pulkit Daga
99.14
Click here
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Also Read: Full List of CAT Toppers

CAT preparation tips by toppers

CAT preparation tips from toppers often emphasize the importance of a structured approach and consistent effort. Some of the CAT preparation tips suggested by toppers are mentioned below.

  • Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the CAT exam pattern and syllabus to create an effective study plan.

  • Strengthen Basics: Focus on building a strong foundation in all sections by thoroughly understanding fundamental concepts.

  • Practice Regularly: Take regular mock tests and solve previous years' papers to get used to the exam format and identify areas for improvement.

  • Manage Time Effectively: Practice solving questions within time limits to develop speed and accuracy.

  • Review Mistakes: Analyze your mistakes from practice tests to learn and adjust your strategy.

  • Stay Motivated and Balanced: Maintaining motivation is critical. Balancing your study routine with breaks ensures sustainable and adequate preparation. It inspires you and keeps you determined towards your goal.

CAT 2025: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages
Comprehensive CAT prep guide with focused practice on Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
Download Now

How did Toppers Prepare for CAT?

To have a decent score one has to begin preparing a few months in advance to score 99 percentile or more. Some relentlessly worked hard, analyzed their performance by taking mock tests, and overcame those mistakes. Such were some toppers who have shared their exam preparation plan with Careers360.

One of the working professionals, Sukumar who bagged 99.3 percentile proved that no barrier can stop one achieve a dream in this regard he shares, ’My idea was to have some work experience to improve my skills and chances of getting into Top tier B-Schools, as I secured placement in a company I wanted to work in. So, I planned to use this year to get some calls and have some Interview experience so that I would know the areas where I have to work on. My preparation strategy was, I took the TIME test series and came to know which questions I can do and which questions I should leave rather than preparing for the content because the time available for my preparation was limited.’

Another CAT topper focused on clearing concepts before taking the next step of preparation, Ronit Baerjea, who takes immense pleasure in watching sitcoms and poetry states, “My journey started with joining a couple of the most prominent Facebook groups (such as iQuanta, ElitesGrid, and Quantifiers), in September 2018, and going through all the questions and solutions posted by previous year's aspirants. I spent a lot of time analyzing the shortcuts mentioned and rigorously dissecting their mathematical robustness. The 2-3 months I spent re-introducing myself to mathematical concepts untouched since my JEE days were crucial to my eventual confidence and consistency in this particular section.”

Also Read- CAT Exam: Tricks for Quant, DI&LR, VRC by 99 percentilers

How CAT Toppers Tackled Their Weak and Strong Areas?

To tackle one’s weak areas is the biggest challenge while preparing for CAT. However, few toppers share their experience as to how one can overcome their mistakes and weaknesses. Ankit Desai believes that overcoming the fear of failure is the first step toward success and so he scored 99.1 percentile.

To tackle his weak area, he shares, “I knew I wasn't good at VARC. So in the first few CAT mock tests, I tried to understand the questions I could solve correctly in the section. This is where analyzing the mocks comes to the rescue. Once I understood that I wasn't comfortable with inference-based questions and para jumbles, I started practicing more RCs and more para jumbles daily. Also, I started reading an article or two daily for one month to increase my reading speed.”

Another topper, Lakshay Kumar who thought QA to be his weak point, scored the 99.7 percentile. To tackle his weak area he states, “For the weak area, there was no synonym to hard work there. If practicing 2-3 hours didn't cut it then I worked 4-5 hours on that section. Geometry as a whole is a very wide topic and I always had the fear that there were a lot of concepts that I had not prepared. To counter that, I carefully understood the pattern and extent of the topic and prepared accordingly.”

How Toppers Managed Time on D-Day?

With a sectional time limit of 40 minutes for each section, it is a challenge to solve all the questions in a stipulated time period, wherein no balanced time from the previous section can be taken forward. Such was the challenge for toppers and thus succeeded by showcasing their management skills by planning a strategy to attempt questions from each section. Such was a topper Lakshay Kumar who says, “For Reading Comprehension, I made sure that I completed it in the first 40 minutes (skipping any difficult questions) and then gave 20 minutes for the Verbal ability section.

For Reasoning, I gave the first 7-8 minutes reading and deciding the difficulty level of each question set and then the rest 52-53 minutes in attempting the sets with the easiest being attempted the first. For quants, the rule of them for me was to attempt in order of question paper but skip the question if within the first 30-40 seconds the approach does not strike your mind.”

What did Toppers prefer: Self Study or Coaching Institutes?

One of the most common dilemmas that every aspirant faces is choosing between self-study or coaching. No matter if the student belongs to an engineering background or not, every candidate feels an urge to join a coaching centre so that they can learn the tricks of the trade. However, many toppers believe that the only ingredient that adds to success is discipline and dedication towards your plan no matter if it is self-study or through coaching.

Somansh Chordia who scored 100 percentile shares how he decided to prepare, “I had joined TIME. With so much content and guidance available online and CAT being a relatively easy exam in terms of the syllabus, I wouldn’t say coaching is necessary but it certainly saves a lot of time as the experienced faculties help you find out the common approaches taken by students so that you can easily discover what suits you the best. Other than this, what coaching institutes primarily offer is a competitive atmosphere that is necessary to remain motivated to push our limits. But how important this again depends on the individual and if there are friends around you going through the same process, this might not be necessary.”

Importance of Mock Tests for Toppers

Mock tests are trial exams that help you have the same exam environment and prepare you for D-day. Without taking the mock test one often stays in anxiety and as the question paper appears things are forgotten in a flash. To reduce such mishappenings and keep you motivated, mock tests will help you analyze the difficulty level of the question paper and prepare you as per the exam pattern of CAT.

Anumay Ashish highlighted his weak points by taking mock tests frequently, he says that “The last part was the CAT mock tests, I gave around 25-26 mock tests and evaluated the performance of each of them properly; highlighting my disabilities and weaknesses.”

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How can I keep motivated throughout CAT preparation?
A:

Take frequent pauses, monitor your progress, and remain focused on your objective. Joining study groups and connecting with other hopefuls might also help you stay motivated.

Q: Can working professionals pass the CAT?
A:

Yes, many high performers are working professionals. They emphasise creative approaches such as choosing appropriate topics and practising effectively with limited time.

Q: Should I attend a coaching institution or prepare on my own?
A:

Both work wonderfully. Coaching saves time and offers assistance, but self-study with dedication and the correct tools is equally successful.

Q: How long in advance should I begin preparing for the CAT?
A:

It is preferable to begin 6–12 months before the test. This allows you adequate time to review the material, prepare, and take mock examinations.

Q: What's the time restriction for each section?
A:

You have 40 minutes for each section. Candidates with disabilities (PwD) get 53 minutes and 20 seconds for each section.

Q: How do top performers prepare for the CAT?
A:

Toppers concentrate on:

  • Strengthening the essentials first.

  • Practice frequently.

  • Taking and analysing mock exams.

  • Putting up additional effort to address weak areas.

Q: How can I improve my weak areas?
A:

Mock examinations may help you identify your weak subjects and practice them regularly. For example, if you struggle with geometry, devote some extra time to completing related problems and understanding topics.

Q: How significant are mock tests?
A:

Mock tests are pretty significant. They assist you:

  • Get acquainted with the test structure.

  • Manage time efficiently.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

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,

  1. 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."

Hello Kapish

You can find the last 5 year questions of DILR for CAT at Careers360 website. Moreover, you can find the previous year papers of all the subjects i.e. DILR, Quants and VARC. I am attaching the link through which you would be able to access the same.

Here's the link: CAT Previous Year Papers by CAREERS360
Sample paper of DILR: CAT Sample Paper (DILR) by CAREERS360

Thank You!!!


Hello Divya,

Yes, candidates with an online BBA can sit for both CAT and GMAT provided that the degree is from a recognized (UGC approved in India or accredited abroad) institution. The leading B-schools in both India and abroad do not look down upon online degrees as long as the degree is from a recognized body, they will mostly be looking at your test scores, academic performance, work experience, and profile holistically. What matters is the legitimacy of the institution and how you showcase your abilities, not whether your degree was obtained online or in-person.

Yes, someone with an online BBA can sit for both CAT and GMAT, provided the degree is from a UGC recognized university. Top B-schools in India (like IIMs) and abroad generally accept online degrees if they are valid, and you won’t be marked down just because it’s online. What matters more is your entrance exam score, academic record, work experience, and overall profile.