There are no items in your cart
Add More
Add More
Item Details | Price |
---|
The ultimate step-by-step guide! Here is a detailed analysis of the exam pattern, study plans, syllabus breakdown, time management tips, and more to crack CAT 2025.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gate to getting you into India’s top business schools. This exam is your golden ticket not only to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) but also to many other prestigious business schools.
However, it is not a regular aptitude exam. As we know, a bright future comes with a tough exam, so cracking the CAT exam isn’t easy. It will take hard work and dedication to clear the exam and get into your dream business institute. The syllabus is quite vast and it takes a good time to cover.
Then you have to sharpen your analytical skills and fundamental concepts. Along with everything, you will need a strategy because smart work brings better results than just hard work. By the end of this article, you will understand all about the CAT exam, and then you can work on yourself, taking into consideration which areas need more help.
History and Evolution of CAT
India didn’t always have the centralized exam for business schools but it’s good that now they have it. So the question arises: when did India start having a centralized entrance exam for IIMs?
Initiating Days (1960s-1980s)
It began in the 1960s when India brought the concept of a centralized entrance exam for IIMs but it didn’t immediately begin. It was 1961 when India began the common written test and that’s where CAT began.
Structure of the Exam (1990s-2008)
In the 1990s, CAT became a bit more structured and made standard in the format with different sections that included quantitative ability, verbal ability, and data interpretation. Also, optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets came into the picture and were used to conduct CAT exams.
Moving Forward With Computer-Based Testing (2009-Present):
In 2009 came the biggest shift, where now CAT was taken through computers and not paper. Using paper for CAT was an old thing and computer-based testing (CBT) began, which made answering the questions easier. Announcement of results didn’t take long and the exam schedule was also flexible. A couple of things also added to the exam, making it more reliable and competitive, like the Logical Reasoning & Reading Comprehension section in 2011.
Understanding the CAT Exam Pattern
Now that you are well informed about what a CAT exam is, it is also important to understand the pattern of the exam and understand a little about the sections that you will get to solve before getting started with the preparation.
CAT questions will be divided into three sections:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):
Yep, those big passages with a set of questions. This is to analyze your grammar and comprehension abilities.
LRDI (Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation)
This section is all about your analytical skills. It tests how effectively you can solve problems. You will find data given in different formats, like charts, graphs, tables, and some logical reasoning.
Quantitative Ability (QA)
Sharpen your mathematical skills because quantitative ability tries to understand and make sure you have good mathematical knowledge and aptitude. This section covers questions of various basic concepts like algebra geometry, etc.
Duration
You will get 120 minutes that you have to divide strategically so that you can attend to every question. 40 minutes per section would be the best to answer all the questions and achieve your business school dreams.
Marking Scheme
Well, knowing the marking scheme would help you make the smart and strategic move to get a good score and accomplish your dreams. +3 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect MCQs, and thankfully there is no negative marking for TITA questions.
Step 1: Create a Realistic Study Plan
Taking a national exam for which millions of people are competing comes with pressure and stress but a structured study plan can help you achieve your dream. CAT preparation is not tough, but you have to be consistent, stop procrastinating, and get the work done right now! Plan a good study timetable and start with it; you will soon start seeing the positive effect, which will not only help you in studying but also build your confidence. Depending on when you start, you should manage your time accordingly.
6-12 months preparation
This is the best time for preparation for everyone so that you can cover the syllabus of CAT successfully and strengthen your fundamentals.
3-6 months preparation
You can also prepare for 3 to 6 months, but only when you have some knowledge and understanding of the syllabus.
1-3 month preparation
Preparing for the CAT 2025 exam in three months would only work when your basics are strong but the only thing you need is practice and test-taking strategies; otherwise, the preparation wouldn’t be fruitful.
Daily Study Plan
Have a planned routine and follow it religiously so that you can achieve your dream IIM institute or whatever business institute you want to join in India.
Morning
Reading comprehension might sound easy to some but you can only understand it after solving reading comprehension passages. To solve at least 2-3 reading comprehension passages every morning along with practicing verbal ability.
Afternoon
Many students feel stuck at LRDI sets and logical reasoning so improve it by solving plenty of questions based on them.
Evening
If you aren’t great at mathematics, start working on it and focus on quantitative aptitude, revise concepts, and take mock tests.
Key Tip
This is a general study plan and if you cannot follow it, customize it and make changes according to your strengths and weaknesses but be persistent.
Step 2: Master the Syllabus
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Topics Covered:
Preparation Strategy:
Scared about VARC? Good vocabulary with good grammar understanding would help you ace this section of the exam. So start reading newspapers like The Hindu, The Economist, etc. Also read other knowledgeable topics from history, economy, and literature. You can also find many apps online that would help improve your vocabulary. And of course, don’t forget to practice at least five RC passages daily.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (LRDI)
Topics Covered:
Preparation Strategy:
Data interpretation and logical reasoning aren’t very tough but you have to understand the concept well to ace the questions with the right answers. So, start solving simple sets in the beginning and eventually move to difficult ones. Practice puzzles like Sudoku, Kakuro, and logical grid puzzles. Then solve the previous year's questions of CAT LRDI and see how well you can solve them and understand the pattern. Attempt at least two LRDI sets daily.
Quantitative Ability (QA)
Topics Covered:
Preparation Strategy:
Quantitative Ability has basic questions from classes 9 to 12 but if you weren’t that great in mathematics in school, you need to practice a lot, and to understand and learn, you can choose NCERT Class 9 to 12 books. Write the formula in a notebook and keep on revising it and solving 20 to 30 questions daily with a focus on accuracy and speed.
Step 3: Take Mock Tests and Analyze Performance
For better performance and understanding of the CAT exam, taking mock tests is important.
Start taking mocks at least six months before the exam and start with one mock a week, then gradually increase it to 3 and then 1 mock every two days.
How to Analyze Mocks?