Must-Read Non-Fiction Books for CAT 2025
Anil Solonki3 Dec, 2025
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Must Read Non-Fiction Books for CAT: Preparing for CAT 2025 requires more than just solving mocks and revising concepts. Strong reading comprehension, critical reasoning, vocabulary, and awareness of real-world issues are essential — and non-fiction books are one of the best ways to build these skills.
Non-fiction improves your ability to:
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understand complex ideas
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evaluate arguments
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read dense passages faster
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absorb facts and data
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strengthen decision-making & analytical thinking
This is exactly what CAT’s VARC section tests.
List of Must-Read Non-Fiction Books for CAT 2025 (Level-Wise)
Level 1 – Beginner-Friendly Non-Fiction Books
|
Book Title |
Author |
Focus Area |
|
Outliers: The Story of Success |
Malcolm Gladwell |
Psychology, patterns of success |
|
The Skies Belong to Us |
Brendan I. Koerner |
True crime, history |
|
India Unbound |
Gurcharan Das |
Indian economy, reforms |
|
Stiff |
Mary Roach |
Science, human anatomy |
|
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat |
Oliver Sacks |
Psychology, neuroscience |
|
The 33 Strategies of War |
Robert Greene |
Strategy, leadership |
|
Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! |
Richard Feynman |
Science, autobiography |
|
Why We Buy |
Paco Underhill |
Consumer behaviour |
|
Contagious: Why Things Catch On |
Jonah Berger |
Marketing, trends |
|
Business Legends |
Gita Piramal |
Indian business stories |
Level 2 – Intermediate Non-Fiction Books
|
Book Title |
Author |
Focus Area |
|
Liar’s Poker |
Michael Lewis |
Economics, finance |
|
The Idea of India |
Sunil Khilnani |
Politics, sociology |
|
The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid |
C.K. Prahalad |
Business strategy |
|
How Much Should a Person Consume? |
Ramachandra Guha |
Sustainability, environment |
|
The Argumentative Indian |
Amartya Sen |
Philosophy, culture |
|
Beyond the MBA Hype |
Sameer Kamat |
MBA insights — (high GSC relevance) |
|
Why We Buy |
Paco Underhill |
Consumer psychology |
|
Contagious |
Jonah Berger |
Marketing |
|
Business Legends |
Gita Piramal |
Biography |
Level 3 – Advanced Reads for CAT 2025
|
Book Title |
Author |
Focus Area |
|
Breakout Nations |
Ruchir Sharma |
Economics, global markets |
|
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World |
John Wood |
Leadership, impact |
|
Ballad of the Whiskey Robber |
Julian Rubinstein |
Crime, biography |
|
The 33 Strategies of War |
Robert Greene |
High-level strategy |
|
Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! |
Richard Feynman |
Critical thinking |
|
Contagious: Why Things Catch On |
Jonah Berger |
Behavioural science |
Popular Non-Fiction Books for CAT 2025
Non-fiction books play an important role in enhancing one's intellectuality and preparing effectively for the CAT exam. Here are some popular non-fiction books recommended for CAT preparation:| some popular Non-fiction books for CAT preparation | |||
| Level | Title | Author | Genres |
| 1 | Outliers: The Story of Success | Malcolm Gladwell | Psychological non-fiction |
| 1 | The Skies Belong to Us: Love and Terror in the Golden Age of Hijacking | Brendan I. Koerner | Biography, True crime |
| 1 | India Unbound | Gurcharan Das | Politics, Economy |
| 1 | Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers | Mary Roach | Science |
| 1 | The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat | Oliver Sacks | Neurology, Psychology |
| 2 | The 33 Strategies of War | Robert Greene | Business, Management, Military history |
| 2 | Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! | Richard Feynman | Autobiography, Biography |
| 2 | Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping | Paco Underhill | Business non-fiction |
| 2 | Contagious: Why Things Catch On | Jonah Berger | Business non-fiction |
| 2 | Business Legends | Gita Piramal | Business, Biography |
| 3 | Breakout Nations: In Pursuit of the next Economic Miracles | Ruchir Sharma | Economics |
| 3 | Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur’s Odyssey to Educate the World’s Children | John Wood | Business, Inspiring |
| 3 | Ballad of the Whiskey Robber | Julian Rubinstein | |
How Non-Fiction Helps in CAT 2025 Preparation
Non-fiction books can provide valuable information and knowledge that may be relevant to the topics covered in the CAT exam.- Reading non-fiction books can improve reading comprehension skills, which are essential for the verbal ability section of the CAT exam.
- Non-fiction books can help in developing critical thinking and analytical skills, which are beneficial for the logical reasoning and data interpretation sections of the CAT exam.
- They can also enhance general awareness and knowledge about current affairs, business, economics, and other topics that are often part of the CAT syllabus.
- Non-fiction books can offer different perspectives on various subjects, helping candidates broaden their understanding and approach to problem-solving in the exam.
Why Non-Fiction Books Matter for CAT 2025
Non-fiction reading is strongly recommended for CAT aspirants because it helps you:
Strengthen Reading Comprehension
CAT passages often come from psychology, economics, history, business & social sciences — all non-fiction domainsBuild Vocabulary Organically
Non-fiction introduces relevant, high-frequency CAT vocabulary naturally.
Improve Analytical & Critical Thinking
Books based on real events, research, or economic theories train your mind to evaluate arguments logically.
Expand General Awareness
While GK is not directly tested, broader awareness helps you interpret passages faster and more accurately.
Non-fiction books can be read at different levels, from beginner to advanced, and can be diversified to broaden knowledge. Regular reading is key to improving reading skills and understanding complex topics.
How Often Should You Read Non-Fiction (2025 Strategy)
To boost your performance in the CAT exam, consider incorporating regular reading of non-fiction books into your routine. Aim for 20-25 pages daily, whether before bedtime, during breaks, or in the early morning to begin your day with focus. Reading non-fiction aids in developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and a broader perspective, all crucial for the CAT exam.- Diversify your reading by starting with simpler non-fiction books and gradually progressing to more complex ones.
- Cultivating a habit of reading non-fiction can be an enjoyable and beneficial practice, contributing to long-term improvements in mental health and cognitive abilities.
Recommended Genres for CAT 2025
Non-fiction books play a vital role in preparing for the CAT exam as they contribute to the development of critical thinking, analytical skills, and a broader perspective. Here are some recommended non-fiction books categorized by difficulty levels for effective CAT preparation:| Specific genres of Non-Fiction books that are recommended for CAT preparation | ||
| Genre | Book Title | Author |
| Psychological non-fiction | Outliers: The Story of Success | Malcolm Gladwell |
| Biography, True crime | The Skies Belong to Us: Love and Terror in the Golden Age of Hijacking | Brendan I. Koerner |
| Politics, Economy | India Unbound | Gurcharan Das |
| Science | Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers | Mary Roach |
| Neurology, Psychology | The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat | Oliver Sacks |
| Economics | Liar's Poker: Rising through the Wreckage on Wall Street | Lewis Michael |
| Politics, Economics | The Idea of India | Sunil Khilnani |
| Business, Management, Military history | The 33 Strategies of War | Robert Greene |
| Autobiography, Biography | Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! | Richard Feynman |
| Business non-fiction | Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping | Paco Underhill |
| Business non-fiction | Contagious: Why Things Catch On | Jonah Berger |
| Business, Inspiring | Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur’s Odyssey... | John Wood |
| Business, Biography | Ballad of the Whiskey Robber | Julian Rubinstein |
| Economics | Breakout Nations: In Pursuit of the next Economic Miracles | Ruchir Sharma |
What are some non-fiction books that focus on cat preparation for advanced learners?
Some non-fiction books recommended for advanced learners in CAT preparation include:- The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene (Business, Management, Military History)
- Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard Feynman (Autobiography, Biography)
- Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping by Paco Underhill (Business Non-Fiction)
- Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger (Business Non-Fiction)
- Business Legends by Gita Piramal (Business, Biography)
- Breakout Nations: In Pursuit of the Next Economic Miracles by Ruchir Sharma (Economics)
- Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur’s Odyssey to Educate the World’s Children by John Wood (Business, Inspiring)
- Ballad of the Whiskey Robber by Julian Rubinstein (Biography, Crime)
Must Read Non-Fiction Books for CAT FAQs
Why are non-fiction books recommended for CAT preparation?
How can non-fiction books aid in improving CAT performance?
Are there specific genres of non-fiction books suggested for CAT preparation?
Can non-fiction books be incorporated into a daily routine for CAT preparation?
Are there additional recommended non-fiction books for CAT preparation?
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