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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.
CAT 2025: VARC, DILR, and Quant: MCQs & Weightages | Chapter-wise MCQs
CAT 2025 Study Material: VARC | Quantitative Aptitude | 60 Days Study Material by Experts
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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 |
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 |
Quantitative Aptitude | 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 Logarithms Digits Sequences & Series Triangles Maxima and MInima Complex Numbers Progressions Polygons Higher Powers Set Theory Coordinate Geometry Theorem Number of factors and number of trailing zeroes Surds and Indices |
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.
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
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 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.
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
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.”
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.”
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.”
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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You have 40 minutes for each section. Candidates with disabilities (PwD) get 53 minutes and 20 seconds for each section.
Toppers concentrate on:
Strengthening the essentials first.
Practice frequently.
Taking and analysing mock exams.
Putting up additional effort to address weak areas.
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.
Mock tests are pretty significant. They assist you:
Get acquainted with the test structure.
Manage time efficiently.
Both work wonderfully. Coaching saves time and offers assistance, but self-study with dedication and the correct tools is equally successful.
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.
Yes, many high performers are working professionals. They emphasise creative approaches such as choosing appropriate topics and practising effectively with limited time.
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.
Late Fee Application Date:15 April,2025 - 19 April,2025
Hello,
achieving a 99.99 pecentile in the CAT exam significantly enhances your prospects for admission to JBIMS, which evaluates candidates using an application rating(AR) score, which includes
-entrance exam score (CAT/MH-CET/CMAT) : 60% weightage
-Past Academic Record (PAR) : 15% weightage (https://cracku.in/colleges/jbims/admission-process/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
-Extra-curricular Activities/Work Experience : 20% weightage (https://jbims.edu/uploads/announcement/Revised_M_Sc__Finance_Admission_Procedure_Batch_2024-26.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
-Diversity (Academic/Gender): 5% weightage
while ahigh CAT percentile is crucial, a lower academic record may impact your overall AR score. Nonetheless, exceptional performance in other areas, such as entrance exams and extracurricular activities, can help offset weaker academic credentials. it's advisable to review JBIMS's detailed admission criteria and consider strengthening other aspects of your application to enhance your chances
To find the 2024 MHT CET answer key, you'll need to check the official Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell website. This is the primary source for all official announcements and documents related to the MHT CET exam. After the exam concludes, the CET Cell typically releases a provisional answer key.
Once released, the provisional answer key will likely be available as a downloadable PDF file. You'll need to navigate to the official website, look for the MHT CET section, and find the link related to the answer key. This link might be labelled "MHT CET 2024 Answer Key" or something similar.
After downloading the answer key, you can compare your responses with the official answers. If you find any discrepancies or have objections, the CET Cell usually provides a window for raising objections. You'll likely need to pay a specified fee for each objection raised. The official website will provide instructions on how to submit your objections, which may involve logging into your candidate portal and following the provided steps.
Finally, after considering all objections, the CET Cell will publish a final answer key. This final version is considered definitive, and the MHT CET results will be based on it. Keep an eye on the official website for all updates and announcements regarding the 2024 answer key.
I hope this helps.
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Okay, so you're a bit confused about what to put in those CAT, FMS, DSE, and IIFT forms regarding your 12th scores. Since you did CBSE, they usually only consider your final 12th standard marks.
Even though you did great in 11th, scoring 495 out of 500, for these entrance exam forms, they're specifically asking about your 12th board exam marks .You mentioned you got 400 out of 500 in 12th, which comes out to 80%.
Therefore, when filling out the forms for CAT, FMS, DSE, and IIFT, you should enter 80% as your 12th percentage. The aggregate of 11th and 12th isn't typically what they're looking for in these sections. They want to know how you performed in your final board exams. So, stick with the 80% from your 12th results. Good luck with your applications!
Greetings! Here's a detailed response to your query:-
Determination of the best time to start the journey of CAT examination is based on individual factors like your current skill level, knowledge ,potential, learning pace and availability. To give yourself the best chance of success on the CAT exam , which usually takes place in November, it's advisable to begin studying between January and March of that same year. This 8 to 12-month preparation window is widely recommended by experts. But if you're managing your college along with the CAT preparations make sure you start from 2nd year onwards. It will hep you manage stress and you'll have ample amount of time to get along with the syllabus , pattern and various practice and mocks .
You'll be able to build a strong foundation in each sections and be able to know your strengths and weaknesses in different topics. The CAT syllabus is extensive, and early preparation allows for thorough coverage. Assess your learning speed and adjust your preparation timeline accordingly.
Essentially, while the ideal start time is subjective, beginning your CAT preparation well in advance is generally considered the most effective strategy for achieving optimal results.
The CUSAT CAT previous year question papers are available on the Careers360 website. You can find question papers from 2012 to 2023, which can be downloaded in PDF format HERE
Additionally, the official website of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) also provides previous year question papers. To access them, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the CUSAT official website - admissions.cusat.ac.in.
- Click on the resources tab from the homepage.
- Select the previous year's question papers from the drop-down menu.
- Select the Common Admission Test (CAT) question papers link.
- Now click on the B.Tech course.
By practicing with these previous year question papers, you can get familiar with the exam pattern, identify important topics, and improve your time management skills.
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.
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The Sales Manager work also includes hiring and laying off sales personnel after evaluating his or her work performance. In bigger entities, sales quotas and plans are usually set at the executive level. He or she is responsible for overseeing the set target or quotas met by salespeople or upholding any policy. He or she guides his or her fellow salespeople and allows them to sell.
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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.
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