CAT 2025 preparation requires an accurate understanding of section-wise trends, as the question pattern and difficulty levels have changed in recent years. In CAT 2024, the total number of questions increased from 66 to 68, with DILR expanding to 22 questions. While VARC retained its 24 questions, the difficulty level remained moderate to difficult. DILR became easier compared to 2023, and QA saw a decrease in difficulty, becoming moderate. Check CAT Syllabus 2025
These changes are crucial for aspirants aiming for the 99+ percentile, as section-wise cutoffs fluctuate based on difficulty and weightage. Therefore, creating a focused strategy for each section, based on previous year patterns and mock test feedback, increases the chances of scoring high.
VARC Preparation Strategy Based on Trends
In previous year’s CAT Exam, the VARC section had 24 questions, with a fixed split of 16 Reading Comprehension (RC) and 8 Verbal Ability (VA). This pattern has remained unchanged since CAT 2021. Most RC questions over the past four years have focused on inference and tone, with minimal factual questions. CAT passages are usually sourced from academic journals, Aeon essays, Smith-sonian, Scientific American, and opinion-based articles.
Build a Reading Routine Aligned with RC Trends
CAT RCs are mostly inference-based and are often sourced from philosophy, sociology, science essays, and editorial articles. Around 50% of RC questions require interpretation beyond the text.
- Read 1 Aeon or The Atlantic article daily with focus on argument flow and author tone.
- Focus on dense, unfamiliar topics to build comprehension flexibility.
- After reading, summarize each paragraph in 4–5 words to build active retention.
Use Mocks to Improve Time and Accuracy
Mock tests play a central role in VARC prep. By attempting 35–40 mocks before CAT, candidates can improve time management and pattern recognition.
- Review each RC set and all VA TITA questions after every mock.
- Keep a log of incorrect RCs and analyze if the error was due to misreading, haste, or inference gap.
- Focus on time per passage and try to complete one RC in under 9–10 minutes with 80%+ accuracy.
Master TITA-Based VA Questions
The VA section has mostly TITA questions with no negative marking. These include para jumbles, summary writing, and odd sentence out.
- Practice at least 3 para jumbles daily, using fixed time slots to improve sequencing speed.
- Review patterns like connectors, contrast markers, and tone shifts.
- For summary writing, train with short editorials and reduce them into 2-line core ideas.
Revise Key Concepts Regularly
Maintaining revision notes helps retain error patterns and logic tricks.
- Create a sheet of confusing words, misplaced modifiers, and paragraph flow rules.
- Revise mock error logs weekly to avoid repeating common RC or VA mistakes.
- Mark difficult RCs from mocks and solve them again under time constraints after 15–20 days.
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DILR Preparation Strategy Based on Trends
CAT DILR has 4-5 sets of 4 or 5 questions, but due to rising toughness, most students could only solve 2 sets. The section now features hybrid sets combining logic and data, with frequent topics like games and tournaments, grids, and charts with conditions. Unusual formats like Venn + linear and bubble charts are also increasing. Preparation should focus on hybrid set practice, time-bound solving (max 20 mins per set), and mock analysis to recognize patterns and improve speed.
Effective DILR Preparation Approach
Set selection techniques
- Begin every mock by scanning all sets in 2–3 minutes and identifying 2 best-fit sets.
- Avoid getting stuck in trap sets, even if they appear familiar. Time is better spent on partially solvable sets.
- Focus on sets with concrete values over too many variables early in the attempt.
Daily practice and mock strategy
- Solve 3-4 DILR sets every day, with one from previous CAT papers and one from new formats.
- Attempt at least 25 full-length mocks with section-level analysis for DILR.
Clean solving
- Use a fixed structure to tabulate or draw diagrams before attempting questions.
- For DI, create grids early to avoid data confusion mid-set.
- Aim to solve 2 sets completely within 40 minutes and have one backup set partially attempted.
Toppers’ Tips for DILR
Top scorers in DILR consistently stress on mock-based learning, review of failed attempts, and solving CAT previous year sets repeatedly.
Mock-based improvement
- After every mock, reattempt all DILR sets without time pressure.
- Analyze not just wrong answers, but also time wasted on unsolved or guessed questions.
- Track which types of sets are consistently left or solved—improve weaker types.
Solving CAT previous year sets
- Practice CAT DILR sets from 2017–2023, as many logic types get repeated with slight variations.
- Solve them under exam settings first, then again after 2–3 weeks to reinforce methods.
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QA Preparation Strategy Based on Trends
In CAT from 2022 to 2024, the Quant section had 22 questions in each slot. Arithmetic had the highest weightage, with 8 to 9 questions. Algebra came next with 6 to 8 questions, while Geometry had 2 to 3 questions. Number System and Modern Maths appeared the least, with just 1 to 2 questions. To prepare well, focus more on Arithmetic and Algebra, as they cover most of the paper. Ignoring Geometry may cost you a few easy marks.
Topic-Wise Milestones
- Start with Arithmetic topics like percentages, averages, profit-loss, and time-speed-distance. Solve 20 questions per day and aim for at least 80% accuracy.
- Then move to Algebra, covering linear equations, inequalities, and functions. Solve 15 different types of questions each day and track your error rate, which should be below 10%.
- Geometry comes next. Focus on triangles, circles, and mensuration. Use visual diagrams while solving to improve understanding.
Formula Sheet and Revision
- Create a running list of formulas for each topic. Revise it weekly.
- Every fourth day, spend one session reviewing formulas and solving mixed-topic questions.
- Use flashcards for common theorems and identities. These help in faster recall during the exam.
Accuracy Over Speed
- Instead of attempting all 22 questions, try to solve 14 to 16 questions with 90–95% accuracy.
- Go through each mock’s solution to spot repeated errors. Work on those areas with focused practice.
Time Allocation Plan
- You get 40 minutes for QA, so aim to spend around 1.8 minutes per question.
- Spend the first 10 minutes on easier Arithmetic questions. Try to finish 5 to 6 here.
- Use the next 15 minutes for Algebra, which usually has 8 to 9 questions.
- Use the last 15 minutes for Geometry, Number System, and Modern Math.
Check CAT Exam Pattern 2025
Conclusion
A focused, section-wise preparation strategy for CAT 2025 is essential to maximise scores. Analysing recent trends helps identify key topics and difficulty levels across VARC, DILR, and QA. Consistent practice, timed mock tests, and targeted revision will build confidence and accuracy, ensuring a competitive edge in the CAT 2025 exam.
