Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
CAT 2025 Preparation strategy: If you work hard and stay dedicated, you can ace the CAT exam and get closer to your dream of studying at an Indian Institute of Management. To do well in the CAT exam, know what’s in the syllabus, understand the exam pattern, and find the best study materials. Also, use mock tests and practice questions. They’ll help you get better at solving problems and make sure you’re all set for the CAT entrance test.
Major Topics Covered Under CAT Exam
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
|
Verbal reasoning |
Subject-verb agreement |
Para jumbles |
|
Sentence completion |
Foreign language words used in English |
Different usage of the same word |
|
Grammar |
Reading comprehension |
Idioms |
|
Syllogisms |
Analogies |
Antonyms |
|
Jumbled paragraphs |
Sentence correction |
One-word substitution |
|
Parts of speech |
Preposition |
Types of clauses |
|
Phrases modifiers |
Errors in tenses |
Articles usage |
2. Quantitative Ability
|
Algebra |
Modern Math |
Inequalities |
|
Quadrilaterals |
Polygons |
Harmonic Progression |
|
Factorials |
Shortcuts in Averages |
Properties Of Ratio, Proportion |
|
Conditional Probability |
Infinite Geometric Progression |
Derangement |
|
Remainder Concept |
Number System |
Permutation |
|
Combination/ Probability |
Statistics |
Weighted Average |
3. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
|
Blood Relations |
Clocks and Calendars |
Syllogism |
|
Series |
Statements |
Venn Diagram |
|
Proposition |
Data Arrangement |
Data Structures |
|
Direction Sense |
Family Tree |
Tables |
|
Coding-Decoding |
Binary Logic |
Pie Charts |
|
Assumptions |
Seating Arrangement |
Data Sufficiency |
|
Puzzles |
Sets & Caselets |
Bars & Line Graphs |
CAT Exam Important Dates
IIM Calcutta is expected to oversee the CAT exam in 2025. The notable CAT 2025 dates, including the CAT registration date 2025, the last date to apply, the CAT 2025 exam date, and the result date, are provided below:
| CAT 2025 Important Dates | |
| CAT 2025 Events | CAT 2025 Dates (Tentative) |
| CAT 2025 notification | 28 July 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Registration | 4 August 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Registration Last Date | 20 September 2025 |
| Release of CAT 2025 admit card | 6 November 2025 (Postponed) |
| CAT 2025 exam date | 30 November 2025 |
| CAT 2025 result date | 4 January 2025 |
What are the Common Mistakes to Avoid while Preparing for CAT Exam 2025
When prepping for the CAT exam in 2025, steer clear of these common slip-ups:
- Not Knowing the CAT Syllabus: Make sure you’re familiar with the CAT syllabus for thorough preparation.
- Forgetting Regular Revisions: Keep revisiting topics to solidify your understanding and memory of key concepts.
- Skipping Mock Tests: Don’t miss out on mock tests- they mimic the real exam and highlight areas needing improvement.
- Poor Time Management: Create a well-structured study plan to allocate enough time for each section and topic.
- Overemphasizing Weak Areas: Maintain balance across all sections. Don’t focus too much on weak spots and neglect stronger ones
How to Create a Preparation Schedule for CAT 2025
To build a well-rounded CAT 2025 prep schedule, follow these steps:
- Time Allocation: Split your prep time evenly among sections and topics based on strengths and weaknesses. Start about 12-15 months ahead.
- Know the Syllabus and Pattern: Understand the CAT exam structure to plan your prep effectively.
- Section-wise Focus: Divide time for VARC, LR, and QA, prioritizing key topics like RC and DILR.
- Address Strengths and Weaknesses: Dedicate time to both strong and weak areas, focusing on important topics.
- Daily Study Plan: Incorporate daily activities like newspaper reading, expert sessions, practice, and doubt-solving, for at least 30 minutes.
- Mock Tests and Sectionals: Do plenty of mock tests (around 25-30) and sectionals to enhance problem-solving skills.
- Review and Analyze: Regularly assess your mock test performance to identify areas needing improvement.
- Online Resources: Use online tools—videos, practice questions, and mock tests—to supplement your prep.
- Stay Consistent: Stick to your plan, maintain discipline, and stay committed to your prep routine.
How to Prioritize Topics for CAT 2025 Preparation
- Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Find out what you’re good at and what you need more practice in—like Reading, Data, Logic, and Math.
- Start with Your Strengths: Begin by studying what you’re best at to build confidence.
- Focus on Important Sections: Spend more time on sections that are more crucial or where you’re stronger. For instance, Reading is a big part of Verbal, so give it more attention. Do the same for Data, Logic, and Math.
- Adapt from Mock Tests: If you struggle unexpectedly in a section, change your plan to improve. Do mock tests use different strategies to see what works best for you?
Sections that Carry Higher Weightage in CAT 2025
In the CAT 2025 exam, certain sections or types of questions hold more importance. To know which ones, you can check the following details:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Section: In VARC, the most significant part is Reading Comprehension. This section consists of Reading Comprehension (16 questions) and Verbal Ability that includes Para Jumbles, Out of Context, Para Completion and Para Summary questions (8 Questions).
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Section: In QA, Arithmetic, and Algebra are the key topics, each contributing around 36% to the section’s weightage. Geometry and Mensuration, Modern Maths, and Number Systems are also crucial here.
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Section: In DILR, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning carry equal weight. There are 2 sets for each. The question types cover True/False statements, explanations of phrases/words, author’s perspective, the main idea of RC passages, passage purposes, inference-based, data-driven, and vocabulary-based questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the CAT exam
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level management entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programs. It tests candidates in Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
2. Who conducts the CAT 2024 exam
The CAT 2024 exam is expected to be conducted by IIM Calcutta on a rotational basis among the IIMs.
3. When will CAT 2024 be held
The CAT 2024 exam date is tentatively set for 24 November 2024 (Sunday). The CAT result is expected around 4 January 2025.
4. How many sections are there in the CAT 2024 exam
There are three sections in the CAT exam:
-
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
-
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
-
Quantitative Ability (QA)
5. What is the marking scheme for CAT 2024
Each question carries +3 marks for a correct answer and –1 mark for an incorrect one. Non-MCQs (TITA questions) have no negative marking.
6. How should I start preparing for CAT 2024
Start by:
-
Understanding the CAT syllabus and exam pattern
-
Creating a 12–15 month study plan
-
Building conceptual clarity in all sections
-
Practicing previous year papers and mock tests
-
Regularly analyzing mock results to improve weak areas
7. What is the ideal time to begin CAT 2024 preparation
Ideally, start your CAT preparation 10–12 months before the exam. However, consistent preparation of 2–3 hours daily for six months can also yield strong results with the right strategy.
8. How many mock tests should I take for CAT 2024
You should aim to take at least 25–30 full-length mock tests and 30–40 sectional tests. Analyze each mock to understand your mistakes and improve time management.
9. Which topics are most important for CAT Quantitative Ability (QA)
Focus on Arithmetic and Algebra, as they carry the highest weightage (around 36%). Topics like Geometry, Mensuration, and Number Systems are also critical for a balanced preparation.
10. How can I improve my Reading Comprehension (RC) in CAT VARC
To boost RC scores:
-
Read newspapers like The Hindu or The Economist daily
-
Practice 3–4 RC passages every day
-
Focus on identifying the
-
Practice Para Jumbles and Summary Questions regularly
11. What is the best strategy for CAT DILR preparation
The key to mastering DILR is pattern recognition and logic building. Practice different types of sets daily from mock tests and previous CAT papers. Focus equally on Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning to ensure balance.
12. What are the common mistakes to avoid during CAT 2024 preparation
Avoid these pitfalls:
-
Ignoring regular revisions
-
Skipping mock tests
-
Spending too much time on weak areas
-
Neglecting time management
-
Overemphasizing quantity over quality of practice
13. How should I divide time among sections while preparing for CAT 2024
-
VARC: 1.5 hours daily (focus on reading and comprehension)
-
DILR: 1 hour daily (logical puzzles and data sets)
-
QA: 1.5 hours daily (concepts, speed math, and problem-solving)
Adjust time allocation based on mock test performance.
14. What is a good CAT 2024 score for getting into top IIMs
To target top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, aim for a CAT percentile above 98, which typically requires a score of 95–100+ out of 198 marks.
15. Is coaching necessary for CAT 2024 preparation
Coaching is not mandatory, but joining a structured CAT preparation course can help with expert guidance, peer competition, and a planned study approach. Online options like CATKing’s CAT 2024 Course offer live lectures, mock tests, and doubt sessions.
Comments are disabled for now