The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode will conduct the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 on November 30 . This national-level entrance exam facilitates admission to management programs across IIMs and other participating B-schools. The CAT 2025 admit cards will be issued on November 12 .
CAT 2025 Exam Structure
The CAT 2025 exam will take place in three sessions. The question paper divides into three distinct sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Candidates’ specific session details will appear on their admit cards.
Key Strategies from Past CAT Toppers
Analysis of previous years’ topper strategies reveals consistent advice for achieving high percentiles. Successful candidates focus on reinforcing their strengths and ensuring a clear understanding of core concepts. Extensive practice through mock tests and past papers is also crucial. Developing a calm, pre-defined exam-day strategy is another common element.
Shouvik Chatterjee: CAT 2024, 99.43 Percentile
Shouvik Chatterjee’s preparation involved continuous mock test attempts, including on the exam day. He used positive visualization to prepare his mindset. Chatterjee maximized focus by minimizing social distractions. His study methods included essays and coaching support. On exam day, he scanned each section’s questions first. This helped him decide question order and time allocation.
Rounak Tikmani: CAT 2023, 99.90 Percentile
Rounak Tikmani, a chemical engineer, concentrated on previous years’ CAT papers in the final two weeks. He stopped taking new mock tests during this period. Tikmani revised formulas and concepts one week before the exam. He practiced mock tests in the actual exam time slot. This simulated real conditions. He also read newspapers and discussed topics with a friend.
For VARC, Tikmani trusted his instincts and used elimination techniques, avoiding overanalysis. He identified the most challenging DILR sets early. In timed situations, he made intelligent guesses. His Quantitative Aptitude strategy involved a two-step process: quick analysis and then deciding to attempt or skip the question.
Soumik Banerjee: CAT 2022, 99.95 Percentile
Soumik Banerjee, a working professional, scored 99.95 percentile overall. He achieved 98.54 in VARC, 99.55 in DILR, and 99.9 in QA. As an engineer, he identified VARC as a weaker area. He addressed this by joining an online course. Banerjee followed a structured schedule, dedicating two to three hours daily to preparation.
He consistently took mock tests weekly. He also completed at least two sectional tests for each subject weekly. His exam-day approach focused on staying calm and recognizing his weaknesses. Banerjee did not take last-minute notes. He relied on his preparation and confidence, particularly in the QA section, to score well.
Core Advice for CAT Aspirants
- Master Concepts: Ensure a strong foundation in all subjects.
- Practice Regularly: Take mock tests frequently to build speed and accuracy.
- Analyze Performance: Review mock tests to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Develop an Exam Strategy: Plan your approach for each section before exam day.
- Manage Time: Learn to allocate time effectively across questions and sections.
- Stay Focused: Minimize distractions to maintain concentration during preparation.