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.
cHow to Crack CAT 2025: 10 Tips to Get into IIMs
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most competitive MBA entrance exam in India, serving as the gateway to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other leading business schools. With the exam expected on 29 November 2026, aspirants must adopt a smart, structured strategy that balances concept clarity, consistent practice, and mock test discipline to crack CAT successfully.
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1. Prepare a Well-Structured Study Plan
A solid preparation plan is the foundation of your CAT strategy. Divide your time among three core sections — VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Aptitude) — ensuring you cover all key concepts. The CAT syllabus for 2026 spans topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, reasoning sets, and reading comprehension passages.
Actionable Steps:
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Create a weekly timetable
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Allocate more slots to weak areas without ignoring strengths
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Set daily targets for revision and practice
2. Strengthen Your Basic Concepts
Before jumping into advanced questions, build a solid foundation:
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Learn all essential formulas
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Understand question types in each section
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Revise language fundamentals and mathematical basics
Foundation building is especially crucial for Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning, where conceptual gaps can cost valuable time in the exam.
3. Take CAT Mock Tests Regularly
Mock tests are the backbone of CAT preparation. They help you:
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Understand actual exam environment
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Improve time management
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Identify section-wise strengths and weaknesses
Start mocks early in your preparation and increase frequency as the exam approaches. Analyze performance thoroughly after every mock to refine your approach.
4. Analyse Your Mock Test Performance
Simply taking mocks is not enough. Real improvement comes from thorough mock analysis:
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Identify error patterns
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Note topics where accuracy is low
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Track time spent per question
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Adjust your test-taking strategy accordingly
This iterative cycle of testing and analysis builds skill and confidence.
5. Practice Consistently Every Day
Consistency differentiates top performers from average aspirants. Make daily practice a habit:
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Solve practice questions section-wise
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Work on topic-wise question banks
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Revise important formulas and shortcuts
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Regularly solve Reading Comprehension passages
Even small, disciplined daily efforts yield exponential improvement over time.
6. Develop an Exam-Day Strategy
On test day, strategy matters as much as preparation:
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Start with your strongest section
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Avoid getting stuck on tough questions
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Maintain a calm, positive mindset
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Ensure you complete all sections within the sectional time limits
Clear planning reduces panic and improves result consistency.
7. Read Extensively to Improve VARC
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension can be unpredictably difficult. Improve this section through:
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Daily reading of quality articles, editorials, and novels
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Practicing RC passages regularly
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Solving para-jumbles, summarization, and grammar sets
Reading enhances both speed and comprehension — critical for VARC success.
8. Focus on High-Impact Sections Wisely
Some sections carry more weight or have higher scoring potential:
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Focus on arithmetic in QA (ratios, percentages, averages)
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Solve diverse DILR sets to master patterns
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Prioritize RC passages that are easier to interpret
Efficient section-wise strategies help maximize score within limited exam time.
9. Build a Strong Profile Alongside Preparation
IIM admissions are holistic — CAT score is the first filter, but overall profile matters for GD-PI rounds. Enhance your profile with:
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Good academic record
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Relevant internships or work experience
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Extra-curricular achievements
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Leadership or community initiatives
A strong profile improves your chances in final shortlists and interview rounds.
10. Stay Composed and Consistent
The CAT journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Maintaining emotional balance throughout preparation and on the exam day is essential. Avoid burnout, stick to your plan, and stay confident. Smart preparation backed by calm execution often translates into top performance.
Recent Trends to Watch for CAT 2026
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CAT is expected to be conducted on 29 November 2026, with the notification usually out by July.
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The exam continues to follow a three-section pattern with equal sectional time limits and a mix of MCQs and TITA questions.
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CAT cutoffs for top IIMs have become more competitive, with institutes like IIM Ahmedabad raising percentile requirements for the 2026-28 batch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is CAT 2025 tougher than previous years?
CAT difficulty varies every year, but the relative percentile calculation ensures fairness. Instead of worrying about toughness, focus on time management, accuracy, and mock test performance. Even if the paper is tough, cutoffs usually drop.
Q2. How many hours should I study daily for CAT 2025?
On average, 2–3 hours per day is sufficient for working professionals, while students with more flexibility should aim for 4–6 hours daily. In the last 1–2 months, study intensity should be increased, with a strong focus on mock tests and analysis.
Q3. Can I crack CAT in the first attempt?
Yes, many aspirants crack CAT in their first attempt with the right strategy. The key lies in strengthening basics, solving past year papers, taking mocks regularly, and learning effective exam-day strategies.
Q4. How important are mock tests for CAT preparation?
Mocks are the most critical part of CAT prep. They help you:
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Understand the paper pattern
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Improve time management
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Identify weak areas
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Develop question selection skills
Aiming for 20–25 mocks before CAT 2025 is ideal.
Q5. How can I improve my VARC score for CAT?
Build a reading habit with newspapers, essays, and editorials. Practice 2–3 RCs daily, track accuracy, and solve VA topics like para-jumbles, odd sentence, and summaries regularly. Reading speed + comprehension is more important than rote vocabulary.
Q6. How do I balance Quant, VARC, and DILR preparation?
Divide your week to give equal weightage initially. As the exam nears, allocate more time to weaker sections. Remember that IIMs have sectional cut-offs, so you cannot afford to ignore any one section.
Q7. What raw score is needed for 99 percentile in CAT 2025?
Although it changes yearly, recent CAT trends suggest that a raw score of 95–105 marks out of ~198 is enough for 99 percentile. Accuracy and smart attempt selection matter more than attempting too many questions.
Q8. Do IIMs only look at CAT scores for admission?
No. While CAT is the first filter, IIMs also consider your 10th, 12th, graduation scores, work experience, profile, diversity, and performance in WAT-PI rounds. Building a well-rounded profile improves your chances of final selection.
Conclusion
Cracking CAT and gaining admission into an IIM is a challenging but achievable goal with the right strategy, disciplined execution, and regular self-evaluation. Following these 10 updated tips — from planning your study schedule to mastering mocks and building a strong profile — can significantly enhance your chances of success.
Stay focused, study smart, and keep learning — and your CAT 2026 dream can become a reality.
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