How to Prepare for CAT Exam Without Quitting Your Job? Preparation Strategies

2 minute read

Souvik

Souvik

Update on 7 Nov, 2025, 01:06 PM IST

How to Prepare for CAT Exam Without Quitting Your Job: In the year 2024, a total of about 3.29 lakh candidates registered, and about 2.93 lakh appeared. Cracking the CAT is a big achievement for management aspirants hoping to attend top-notch business schools in India. Preparation for CAT Exam is normally expected to take steady and concerted effort over a period of many months, with aspirants spending 6 to 8 hours a day. But working professionals cannot afford to follow such a routine. It needs a wise strategy and not job-hopping.

 

Table of Contents
  1. Tips to Prepare for CAT Exam Without Quitting Your Job
  2. Is it possible to crack CAT while doing a full-time job?
  3. Last Minute Important Formulas To Revise
  4. Best Books for CAT Preparation

 

Tips to Prepare for CAT Exam Without Quitting Your Job

Candidates who are currently working somewhere can follow the below tips to prepare for the CAT Exam without quitting the job.

TipDescription
Start Early and Plan Wisely

Begin your CAT preparation at least nine months before the exam. This ensures enough time to cover the vast syllabus, revise thoroughly, and practice mocks. For example, start in March for a November exam. Divide your preparation into two phases

 

Understanding concepts and completing the syllabus.

 

Intensive mock practice and revision.

Identify Strengths and WeaknessesAnalyze your current skill set and identify strong and weak areas. For instance, engineers may find Quant easier, while arts or commerce graduates might need extra focus on math. Similarly, work consistently on Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, regardless of your background.
Set a Realistic Daily Study PlanDue to limited time, focus on quality over quantity. Even 2–4 hours of focused study daily can be productive if done consistently. Schedule study sessions around your work hours and tackle difficult topics when your mind is fresh.
Smart Study TechniquesUtilize every spare moment. Use your commute and short breaks for quick revision or read

Also Read CAT Exam Preparation Tips 2025

 

By adhering to a systematic schedule respecting both work and study commitments, cracking CAT while employed on a full-time basis is challenging but very much possible. Commitment, discipline, and intelligent preparation can make this a successful career milestone.

 

Is it possible to crack CAT while doing a full-time job?

Yes, Every year, thousands of working professionals successfully secure admission to top IIMs and other B-schools while continuing their jobs. What matters most is strategy, consistency, and smart preparation not the number of hours you study.

 

Last Minute Important Formulas To Revise

Important Formulas for CAT 2025 are essential tools that help candidates solve quantitative aptitude problems quickly and accurately. These formulas cover various topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and probability, forming the backbone of CAT math preparation. Knowing the Important Formulas for CAT 2025 not only saves time during the exam but also reduces calculation errors. This guide provides a clear and concise list of crucial formulas that candidates should memorise and use regularly while practising. Mastery of these formulas boosts confidence and improves overall performance in the CAT 2025 quantitative section.

 

Best Books for CAT Preparation

Choosing the right books for preparing CAT 2025 is not an easy task because of the multiple of options available these days. With numerous study guides and books available in the market, it's important to choose resources that provide real value. The right kind of books are those which give chapter-wise explanations, detailed discussions, explanatory examples, and practice questions of all types. Some of the most recommended books by experts and toppers include How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma, Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha, and Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K. Verma for advanced quantitative practice. For Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, aspirants can rely on How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay. You can check the detailed list here.

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