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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 |
|
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 |
|
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
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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
If you are aiming for the CAT exam this year and considering joining the fourth year, it might be a good idea if you are confident in managing both your academic workload and CAT preparation .
However, the CAT exam is competitive and balancing your BCom studies and preparation might be challenging.
If you think you can handle the extra year and need more time for focused preparation , joining the fourth year could provide that but you should also evaluate your current academic commitments and your ability to stay consistent with CAT preparation .
Hope this gives you the clarity you need.
Hello,
Securing a seat in a National Institute of Technology (NIT) with a JEE Main score of 67 as an SC category candidate is challenging. Consider the following points:
Qualifying Cutoff : The expected qualifying cutoff for SC candidates in JEE Main 2025 is around 65 marks.
Admission Prospects : While you may qualify for JEE Advanced, admission to NITs typically requires higher scores. For instance, in previous years, SC candidates needed higher marks to secure seats in NITs.
Improvement Opportunity : Consider preparing for the next JEE Main attempt to achieve a higher score, thereby enhancing admission prospects in subsequent counseling rounds.
You can also use the JEE Mains College Predictor Tool to predict which college you can get based on your score.
Hope you find it useful!
Hello,
With an 88 percentile in the JEE Main exam and belonging to the SC category from Karnataka, your chances of securing a Computer Science Engineering (CSE) seat in NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs are as follows:
NITs :
IIITs :
GFTIs :
Hope you find it useful !
Hello,
According to the NIFT 2025 exam schedule , the General Ability Test (GAT) is from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and the Creative Ability Test (CAT) is from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. This indicates a gap of 3.5 hours between the two tests.
The official guidelines do not specify whether candidates are allowed to leave the exam center during this interval. Therefore, it's advisable to:
Check the Admit Card : Specific instructions regarding breaks may be mentioned.
Contact the Exam Center : Reach out directly to confirm their policy on leaving during the interval.
By taking these steps, you can ensure compliance with the exam center's policies and plan your day effectively.
Hope you find it useful !
The CDAC C-CAT exam dates for the August 2025 batch haven't been announced yet. However, I can provide you with some information on the exam schedule for the February 2025 batch, which might give us an idea of what to expect for the August batch.
The CDAC C-CAT exam for the February 2025 batch was held on January 11 and 12, 2025.The application form for the February batch was available from November 2024 to December 30, 2024.
Typically, the CDAC C-CAT exam is conducted twice a year, in June and December, for admissions to the August and February batches, respectively. However, the exact dates for the August 2025 batch will be announced separately.
To stay updated on the CDAC C-CAT exam dates and other important events, I recommend checking the official CDAC website regularly.
BEST OF LUCK!!
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