Great Lakes - PGPM & PGDM 2025
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One Year Study Plan for CAT 2025 - The Common Admission Test (CAT 2025) is the most popular MBA entrance exam in India as it is the gateway to top MBA colleges in the country. To crack the IIM entrance exam with a good score, aspirants are advised to start preparing for the CAT in advance. Toppers and experts suggest starting the preparation at least one year in advance so candidates can have enough time to cover all the important topics for CAT 2025 and revise them. Careers360 brings you expert advice on what should be your one-year study plan for CAT 2025 and how to prepare for the CAT exam in one year.
Before the candidates design their one year study plan for CAT 2025, they must be aware of the differences between CAT score and percentile. Having a good understanding of the CAT exam basics can strengthen the candidate’s CAT study plan for 1 year.
The CAT score is the total marks obtained by a candidate in the exam,. It is calculated based on the number of correct answers, wrong answers, and the difficulty level of the questions. Each section of the CAT has a specific weightage, and the score reflects how well a candidate performed relative to the total possible score.
The CAT percentile indicates the relative performance of a candidate compared to others who took the same exam. It represents the percentage of candidates who scored lower than a particular score. For instance, if a candidate achieves a percentile of 90, it means they scored better than 90% of the test-takers. Percentiles are crucial for admission processes, as they help business schools rank candidates without revealing exact scores. Understanding the CAT percentile can enhance the candidate’s roadmap for CAT preparation.
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A CAT percentile vs CAT score analysis is given below. The candidates can refer to this analysis throughout their CAT study plan or one year study plan for CAT 2025.
Percentile | Score VARC | Score DILR | Score QA | Overall Score |
99.5 | 42 | 30 | 30 | 86 |
99 | 36 | 25 | 25 | 74 |
95 | 30 | 20 | 22 | 52 |
90 | 24 | 14 | 13 | 42 |
80 | 20 | 11 | 9 | 35 |
70 | 18 | 9 | 7 | 30 |
Understanding the CAT exam 2025 pattern is one of the first major aspects of the CAT preparation roadmap of a candidate. Before any CAT aspirant devises their CAT study plan, they must fully understand the CAT exam pattern.
Particulars | CAT Pattern 2025 and Syllabus |
CAT exam time duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
Name of the Section | |
Section-wise CAT exam duration |
|
CAT slot timings |
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How many questions in CAT exam | 68 Questions |
CAT total marks | 204 marks |
Mode of the CAT 2025 exam | Computer-Based Mode (CBT) |
CAT Marking Scheme |
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There are more than 1200 leading B-schools that accept the CAT exam for admission. Around 2 lakh candidates appear for the CAT exam every year, which makes the IIM entrance exam more competitive. A one-year study plan for CAT 2025 is the best way to crack this MBA entrance exam with a significantly high score. To start the preparation, candidates first need to decide which study plan they want to proceed ahead with. Candidates have two choices before they start their preparation, which are given below:
CAT 2025 with the assistance of coaching institutes
Let us look at each of the two plans in detail below and check is one year enough for CAT 2025 preparation.
A one-year study plan for the CAT exam involves breaking down your preparation into manageable stages. Start with understanding the exam pattern and syllabus, then focus on building a strong foundation in each subject. Gradually move on to advanced topics and practice regularly with mock tests. As the exam approaches, shift your focus to revision and improving test-taking strategies. This approach ensures comprehensive coverage of all topics and ample time for practice and review.
Month | Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
Month 1 | Basic Numbers, Classification, conversions (Decimal to Fraction), Base conversion, Unit DigitLast Two Digit of a number | Bar Graph, Pie Chart | Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs |
Month 2 | Line Graph, Tables, Spider | Conjunctions, Articles, Prepositions, Reading | |
Month 3 | Percentage Profit and Loss Simple Interest Compound Interest | Caselett, Data Interpretation, Blood Relation | Tenses, Subject-Verb Agreement, Sentence Correction |
Month 4 | ,Loans and Installment ,Linear Equations in Two Variables ,Quadratic Equations , Types of Polynomials | RC and PYQs, Active and Passive Voice, Direct and Indirect Speech | |
Month 5 | ,Inequality Functions and Graph, Maxima and Minima, Logarithm and Modulus | Distribution, Selection, Miscellaneous, Decision Making | Verbal Analogies, Participles, Parallelism |
Month 6 | Average , Problems involving Ages, Mixture and Alligation Ratio and Proportion | Logical Deductions and Connections Reasoning Venn Diagram Syllogism , Data Sufficiency in LR | One-word Substitution, Synonyms, Antonyms |
Month 7 | Ratios in partnership ,Time and Work Time, Speed and Distance | Seating ArrangementBinary Logic | Parajumbles and PYQs, Idioms and Phrases and PYQs |
Month 8 | ,Trains and Stream Linear Races and Circular Races , TSD in Elevator | Mathematical Grid, Miscellaneous (Part 1) | Critical Reasoning |
Month 9 | Revision of all topics covered so far, focus on weak areas | Revision of all topics covered so far, focus on weak areas | Revision of all topics covered so far, focus on weak areas |
Month 10 | Advanced problems, Mock Tests | Advanced problems, Mock Tests | Advanced problems, Mock Tests |
Month 11 | Full-Length Practice Tests, Review Mistakes | Full-Length Practice Tests, Review Mistakes | Full-Length Practice Tests, Review Mistakes |
Month 12 | Final Review, Focus on Key Areas | Final Review, Focus on Key Areas | Final Review, Focus on Key Areas |
Some of the experts of CAT and past year toppers agree that mentoring or joining coaching for CAT may really help to some extent. But merely joining coaching does not guarantee you acing the entrance exam and scoring high marks. Pulkit Daga, a CAT topper, said that joining a coaching class for CAT is not obligatory, through which a candidate can think of getting into top B-schools. Walking on the footprints of Suvam Debnath who self-prepared for CAT without being part of any coaching institute, he took the assistance of the internet. So CAT preparation without coaching is absolutely possible.
Some experts admit the fact that roughly 500 hours of serious preparation for CAT 2025 will be sufficient to reach the peak potential to crack the exam and get admission to the best B-Schools in India. If candidates are planning to go for self-study and without any coaching for CAT 2025, then candidates can follow the below-mentioned CAT 1 year study plan.
S. No. | Methods |
1. | Division of Syllabus |
2. | Monthly Planning |
3. | Create study groups |
4. | Get the right study material |
Given below is a detailed CAT study plan for one year for each CAT topic.
As per the exam CAT 2025 exam pattern, the paper will be divided into three sections - verbal ability & reading comprehension, quantitative ability and logical reasoning and data interpretation. Upon deciding to take the CAT exam, candidates need to follow the CAT 2025 syllabus to draw up a preparation plan. Remember that the CAT 2025 preparation time is now. Follow the below-mentioned strategy to start preparation based on sections.
Keeping in view the past records, this section of LR & DI is considered to be a difficult nut to crack and hence requires a tough grind to be done from the side of candidates
For this, it is advisable to thoroughly go through the previous year's CAT question papers
Basic level mathematics preparation is a must to score in this section of QA
Major topics of the QA section include questions from seating arrangements, number system, profit and loss, geometry, blood relations etc.,
Practising mock tests for the section will be more beneficial
At the time of solving QA questions, candidates avoid using calculators
According to the CAT topper Alamuri Kumar, candidates can develop vocabulary skills through regular reading habits and explore different topics of CAT with major details.
Go through journals, blog posts, articles, podcasts etc., to improve this section
Practice topics like inferences, comprehensions and para jumbles
Candidates must divide their preparation strategy to answer when exactly they should start to prepare for CAT 2025. Most candidates get confused and end up wasting a lot of their precious time. To begin with, candidates can start their preparation with 9 months, 6 months and 3 months of planning. When and how to start CAT preparation can be divided by candidates as follows:
Division on Month-wise Basis:
Monthly Division | The focus of the CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy |
9 Months (March-May) |
|
6 Months (June-August) |
|
3 Month (September-November) |
|
Taking help from alike minds will accelerate one’s performance for sure. Hence, try to search for other candidates who are planning to appear for CAT 2025. A good company helps a lot and can ensure better consequences. Therefore, it is advisable for candidates to search out people who are planning for B-School for the upcoming academic year. Study group participants can help and motivate others to create a lively and competitive-free environment.
According to CAT topper Shreemant Singi, it is better to form a focused friend’s circle with the same objective can help in clearing doubts and formulating a better strategy. Apart from the helping hand, friends who know the importance of CAT can help one to start studying post a decent amount of recreational time.
CAT is about attempting questions with accuracy rather than solving more questions. Do not forget that negative marking will be applicable in CAT 2025 just like the previous years. To score well in all sections will be possible only when candidates know where to prepare. Candidates must try to figure out and look for the best books for CAT preparation.
If you look out for CAT books, the market will provide you with big stacks of books. But what will you do if those books don’t serve the purpose? Before buying books, it is advisable to go through the syllabus carefully. Check whether the book you are planning to buy contains all topics or most of them or not. Buy those books that provide quality content.
How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT - Arun Sharma
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT - Arun Sharma
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT - K. Sinha Nishit
Mastering the Verbal Ability for CAT - Ajay Singh
Nishakar Kumar, topper in CAT 2023 who hit a straight 99.83 percentile told Careers360 that he took coaching and received feedback from the professional with regard to the preparation strategy. “A good coaching institute will prove beneficial along with regular CAT mock tests,” says Rahul. Whereas CAT 2023 topper Rounak Tikmani says, “Coaching institutes provide guidance and content and make the preparation path easy, however, it is not always necessary to join one.
Below are the benefits associated with CAT coaching, if you are planning to join a coaching institute for CAT 2025 -
Competitive environment to stay focused
Sufficient study material
Mock Test series
Shortcut methods of solving difficult questions
According to Soham Katkar, Topper of CAT, clearing CAT requires both i.e. self-study can make a difference, whereas coaching institutes provide the right base, quick concept clarity, as well as straightforward guidance.
CAT preparation can take more than a year, for a CAT aspirant with an average past academic record, 6-8 months for a student with a better-than-expected past academic record and 3-4 months for an aspirant with an amazing past academic record.
Focus on understanding the basic concepts of Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability. Familiarize yourself with the syllabus and exam pattern and start solving practice questions to build your problem-solving skills.
Hard work is possible. Try searching for some good coaching institutes around you. CAT exam has 3 sections verbal, DILR and quants quants is the section where students face difficulties so keep practicing and get your doubts cleared by teachers.
A CAT student should aim to study for around 3 to 5 hours daily. The key is consistency and quality of study rather than just the number of hours. Regular practice and review are crucial for good preparation.
Hello,
Here are important points regarding your query :-
Hope it helps !
Hi,
Based on the previous year analysis, According to your CAT 2024 percentile some of the colleges in which you have chances to get a seat includes:
You can predict more colleges using the CLAT 2024 college predictor tool .
Hope this information will help you
Hello Greetings
With a CAT 2024 percentile of 68.28%, you may face a challenging time getting into IIT Delhi, as their cutoffs are typically higher. However, being an SC female student, you may be eligible for relaxation in the cutoff criteria .
To give you a better idea, here are some general CAT cutoff percentiles for IITs and other top B-schools:
- *IIT Delhi*: Typically above 90 percentile for general category students.
- *Newer IIMs*: Such as IIM Vishakapatnam, IIM Shillong, and IIM Udaipur, may have lower cutoffs, around 80-90 percentile.
- *Other top B-schools*: Like IMT Ghaziabad, XIM Bhubaneswar, and TAPMI, may also consider students with lower percentiles.
It's essential to note that CAT cutoffs can vary from year to year, and other factors like your academic background, work experience, and performance in the personal interview (PI) and written ability test (WAT) also play a significant role in the admission process.
To explore more options and predict your chances of getting into various colleges, you can use online CAT college predictor tools .
Have a great day
Hello Greetings
Considering your 82.58 percentile in CAT and 22 months of industry experience in IT and Financial analysis, you have several options for General Management PGDM or PGPM programs.
*Decent Colleges Accepting Low CAT Percentile:*
- _SPJIMR_: Offers PGDM and PGPM programs, accepting CAT scores, with a minimum eligibility criterion of 50% aggregate in graduation ¹ ².
- _SOIL_: Provides PGPM and PGDM programs, considering CAT scores, with a focus on experiential learning ³.
- Other institutes like _IMT Ghaziabad_, _XIMB_, and _IRMA_ might also accept candidates with lower CAT percentiles, but this may vary depending on the program and intake.
*Key Factors to Consider:*
- _Work Experience_: With 22 months of experience, you might be eligible for PGPM programs, which typically require more work experience than PGDM programs ¹.
- _Career Gap_: Explain your career gap effectively in your application, highlighting any relevant activities or skills gained during that period.
- _Profile-Based Selection_: Some institutes consider profiles, including work experience, academic background, and extracurricular activities, in addition to CAT scores ¹.
*Next Steps:*
1. Research the institutes mentioned above and their programs.
2. Review the eligibility criteria, admission process, and fees for each program.
3. Prepare your application, ensuring you effectively communicate your strengths, work experience, and career goals.
4. Be prepared for interviews, focusing on your profile, experience, and motivation for pursuing a PGDM or PGPM program.
Remember, a lower CAT percentile doesn't necessarily limit your options. Focus on showcasing your strengths, experience, and fit with the program to increase your chances of admission.
Have a great day
Hi Gaurav,
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted annually in India for admission into MBA/PGDM programs at prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools.
For registering for CAT 2025, you can follow the given steps:
For more recent details, you can check out the given link.
Best wishes!
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