The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of India’s most competitive MBA entrance exams, essential for securing admission to the prestigious IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, and other top B-schools. Scoring a 99+ percentile in CAT Exam requires more than just hard work; it demands a smart, optimised preparation strategy tailored to the exam's unpredictable nature.
Each year, CAT challenges candidates with varying difficulty levels across sections like VARC, DILR, and QA. Without a structured study plan, consistent practice, and performance analysis, even serious aspirants may struggle to crack the top percentiles. Starting early, focusing on weaknesses, and fine-tuning test-taking strategies are critical to staying competitive.
Whether you begin your CAT Preparation in January or mid-year, around June or July, optimising your approach with the proper methods and disciplined practice can make all the difference in crossing the 99th percentile mark.
Section-wise CAT Preparation Tips 2025
To maximise your CAT 2025 score, adopting a tailored preparation approach for each section, VARC, DILR, and QA is essential. Here's a section-wise strategy designed for adequate preparation:
1. How to Prepare for the VARC Section in CAT 2025?
Based on recent exam patterns, the VARC section is expected to carry 24 questions, with approximately 16 from Reading Comprehension (RC) and 8 from Verbal Ability (VA). These will be a mix of MCQs and TITA (Type in the Answer) questions.
Key preparation tips for VARC:
- Master Reading Comprehension: Focus on understanding the essence of passages rather than reading every line in depth. Develop the habit of summarising the main idea quickly.
- Enhance Vocabulary & Grammar: Reading diverse materials, such as newspapers, editorials, and journals, daily, sharpens vocabulary and comprehension. Sources like The Hindu, The Economist, and The New York Times are highly recommended.
- Practice Daily: Solve at least 4-5 RCs each day, covering various themes like economy, philosophy, science, etc, to build versatility.
- Work on Verbal Ability: Regularly practice para-jumbles, para-completion, odd sentence out, and summary-based questions.
- Curate Reading Material: Use reading sources with complex arguments to train your mind for the CAT level of reasoning.
Pro Tip: Diversify your reading with platforms like Aeon Essays, The Ken, and The Morning Context. This boosts both reading speed and comprehension accuracy.
Check CAT Exam Pattern 2025
2. How to Prepare for DILR Section in CAT 2025?
In CAT 2023, the DILR section consisted of 22 questions, divided into 3 sets of 4 questions and 2 sets of 5 questions. This section is known for its unpredictability, and success hinges on selection and accuracy rather than attempting all sets.
Effective strategies:
- Daily Practice: Solve 2-3 new DILR sets every day to build familiarity with different patterns.
- Attempt Selectively: Instead of targeting all questions, focus on solving 2-3 complete sets accurately to comfortably breach the 90 percentile mark.
- Set Identification: Train yourself to quickly assess the difficulty of a set within the first 2-3 minutes. Skip time-consuming or convoluted ones.
- Mock Tests: Take weekly topic-specific mocks and one full DILR mock per week to build speed under exam constraints.
- Accuracy Over Quantity: Accuracy should be prioritised over the number of attempts. Understand the logic, and don’t hesitate to leave tough questions midway.
Pro Tip: Within a single set, some questions are easier than others. If stuck, skip that particular question, even if you plan to attempt the whole set; maximising accuracy is key.
Check CAT Syllabus 2025
3. How to Prepare for QA Section in CAT 2025?
The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section remains challenging for many. It covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, and Modern Math.
Best preparation methods:
- Start with Basics: Revise from NCERT Class 10-12 math books to build a strong foundation before moving to advanced problem-solving.
- Sectional Mocks: Attempt frequent sectional mock tests to monitor your speed, accuracy, and understanding of varied topics.
- Don’t Assume Prior Knowledge: Even if you’re good at math, revisit basics systematically to avoid surprises in the exam.
- Learn Shortcuts: Master tricks and faster calculation techniques for quick problem-solving.
- Time Tracking: While practising, time each question to identify slow areas and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Focus on High-Weightage Areas: Arithmetic and Algebra typically have more weightage, so prioritise them while keeping Geometry and Modern Math in your routine.
Pro Tip: Create a topic-wise map based on your strengths. For instance, if Arithmetic and Geometry are your strengths, focus your efforts there first to secure a safe score before expanding to other topics.
5 Essential Tips to Optimise CAT Preparation
Preparing for CAT requires more than just academic effort. Adopting a balanced lifestyle enhances focus and stamina for the exam. Here are five expert-backed tips.
Eat a Balanced Diet: Avoid heavy, oily foods that cause fatigue. Include fruits, vegetables, nuts, and foods rich in omega-3, like fish, to improve brain function and alertness.
Take Regular Breaks: Studying for long hours can reduce efficiency. Include short recreational breaks, such as playing a sport, listening to music, or practising yoga, to recharge your mind.
Prioritise Sleep: Ensure 7-8 hours of sleep daily. A good night's sleep boosts memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills, which are essential for CAT preparation.
Maintain a Proper Study Setup: Use a comfortable chair and desk to maintain good posture. Take a 10-minute break every hour to prevent fatigue and improve retention.
Follow a Daily Schedule: Study in the morning for complex topics when your mind is at its freshest. Use evenings for revision. Keep your study space distraction-free for better focus.
