The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is scheduled for November 30 . The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode will conduct the exam. CAT assesses eligibility for postgraduate programs offered by IIMs and other participating business schools. Students have approximately one month to finalize their preparation.
The CAT 2025 exam is a computer-based test lasting 120 minutes . It comprises three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The exam will be held in three sessions across test centers in 170 cities .
CAT 2025 Preparation Strategies
Students from IIM Kashipur’s current MBA batch shared section-wise preparation and test-taking strategies. These insights come from high-percentile scorers.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Anish Ghosh , who scored 99.73 percentile in VARC, emphasized curiosity and consistent reading. Ghosh recommended reading various genres to build comprehension skills. He suggested diverse learning sources, including movies and series with subtitles, to learn new words.
Test Strategy: Ghosh advised against starting with questions first. He explained that recent CAT exams feature inference-based questions, making direct answer searching inefficient. He stated, “Understand the author’s central idea. Read the passage at your own pace. Comprehending the meaning allows accurate question answering.”
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Hersh Sharma achieved a 98.58 percentile in DILR. His preparation involved solving sets from the last 10 years of CAT question papers. Sharma attempted 120 to 156 sets , which helped him identify his strengths and weaknesses. This practice allowed him to focus on specific set types during the exam.
Test Strategy: Sharma stressed the importance of selecting the right sets. He advised against attempting unfamiliar sets. Sharma recommended a mind clock for time management. He said, “If you cannot solve any question after 10 minutes , move on. Sticking to one set wastes time.” Sharma suggested aiming to solve two to three sets for a strong score. He noted that solving one to 1.5 sets with full accuracy is often sufficient to clear the cut-off.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Udaibhan Rathore , a 99+ percentile scorer in QA, detailed his preparation. Rathore divided QA into four main areas: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern maths. He analyzed previous year papers based on weightage and difficulty. Rathore found arithmetic carried more weightage and was easier than geometry, which guided his effort prioritization.
Rathore used basic study materials and online conceptual videos. He maintained a formula notebook, reviewing it weekly. His revision focused on confidence building. He reviewed every solved question and past year paper. Rathore attempted sectional and full-length mock tests. Initially, he prioritized accuracy, then gradually increased the number of attempts.
Test Strategy: Rathore recommended dividing the 40-minute QA section. He suggested spending the first two minutes analyzing questions and marking easier ones. In the following 18 minutes , attempt those identified as easier. Rathore advised using the elimination method for answers, which saves time. Every question carries equal marks, emphasizing correct question selection.