Top 10 Tips to Crack CAT Exam: Preparation Tips, Study Materials

Top 10 Tips to Crack CAT Exam: Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level MBA entrance exam for candidates to get admission into the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools in India. Cracking the CAT Exam requires strategic planning, consistency, and discipline.

With over 2 lakh candidates attempting the CAT exam every year, there are certain preparation tips and tricks for a focused and efficient CAT Exam preparation to get good marks.

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CAT Exam 2025 Overview

The CAT Exam for 2025 is scheduled to be conducted by IIM Kozhikode on November 30, 2025. The official CAT Exam Notification was released on July 28, 2025. Before starting CAT preparation, it’s crucial to understand the CAT exam structure. This helps candidates understand the high-yielding section and streamline their preparation plan accordingly. 

The CAT test consists of the following three sections:

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Every section of the CAT exam has a time limitation. Therefore, candidates must strengthen their time management skills. The table below presents the exam pattern of the CAT exam 2025:

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Top 10 Tips to Crack CAT Exam

CAT is a national-level MBA entrance exam attempted by over 2 lakh aspirants every year. Cracking the CAT exam is tough, but not impossible. Candidates need to prepare with a strategic approach and disciplined plan so that they can score good marks in the exam. 

Aspirants can also check below for tips on an effective and actionable CAT Exam preparation through the top 10 tips to crack CAT exam:

1. Understand the Exam Pattern Thoroughly: Before you start preparation, study the latest exam pattern. Knowing the number of questions, sections, and time limits helps build a strong foundation.

2. Start with Basics: A common mistake is to jump to advanced questions. Build your conceptual clarity in arithmetic, grammar, and logical reasoning before tackling complex problems.

3. Make a Realistic Timetable: Create a daily study schedule. Allocate specific time for each section. Make sure to include buffer time for revision and mocks.

4. Focus on Your Weak Areas: Use mock test analysis to identify weak areas and devote extra time to improve them. For example, if Reading Comprehension slows you down, practice 2–3 RCs daily.

5. Set Weekly and Monthly Goals: Break your CAT exam preparation into small milestones. Set measurable targets such as “complete Geometry by Week 2” or “5 full-length mocks in August.”

6. Solve Previous Year Papers: Solving past CAT papers gives you a clear understanding of question trends. Attempt papers from the last 5 years for best results. It is one of the top tips to crack CAT Exam.

7. Practice Daily: Consistency matters more than hours. Solve at least 20–25 questions from each section daily. Regular practice also improves speed and accuracy.

8. Use Shortcuts and Tricks: Learn mental math techniques, Vedic math, and grammar hacks to save time. They prove helpful during a time crunch in the exam.

9. Don’t Neglect Sectional Mocks: Take sectional mocks for VARC, DILR, and QA every alternate day. It helps in fine-tuning the strategy for individual sections.

10. Stay Calm and Motivated: CAT is a high-pressure exam. Stay calm, follow the top 10 tips to crack CAT Exam meditate if necessary, and keep reminding yourself of your long-term goals.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid in CAT Exam Preparation

Cracking the CAT Exam can be challenging sometimes. A comprehensive approach can be decisive in getting good marks. During the preparation for this high-pressure exam, candidates are prone to committing certain mistakes. Avoiding these common mistakes can be one of the top 10 tips to crack CAT exam. 

Aspirants should look to avoid these common mistakes during the CAT Exam preparation:

• Ignoring Mocks: Many aspirants delay taking mock tests. Start early and take at least 15–20 full-length mocks.

• Over-reliance on Coaching: Coaching is helpful, but self-study and revision are equally important.

• Skipping Revision: Not revisiting solved questions leads to forgetting concepts. Make weekly revision mandatory with the tips to crack CAT Exam.

• Guessing Excessively: There’s negative marking—guess smartly, not randomly.

• Neglecting Health: Don’t Compromise on Sleep and Nutrition. A healthy mind performs better. 

Section-Wise Strategy for CAT Exam Preparation

The CAT Exam consists of 66 questions that are divided into three different sections, namely VARC, LRDI, and QA. Candidates should look to prepare effectively for all three sections. Check the table below to get an idea about the section-wise strategy for CAT Exam Preparation:

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