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CAT Topper Interview 2025: Every year, thousands of aspirants ask the same question - what does it actually take to score 99+ percentile in CAT exam? In this topper interview, we speak with three CAT 2025 toppers who cracked India's top B-schools. They share their real prep journeys, daily routines, biggest failures, and the resources - that helped them get there.
CAT 2025 Topper Profiles: Bhavya Hooda, Pudhu Yugan and Abhinav
Among them, the three toppers represent a first, second, and third CAT attempt - proof that there's no single "right" background or timeline to crack CAT.
Topper | CAT Percentile | College Converted | Background | Attempt Number |
Bhavya Hooda | 99.33 | SPJIMR Mumbai | CSE grad, BIT Mesra; working at Microsoft | 1st attempt |
Pudhuyugan | 99.95 | IIM Ahmedabad | IIT Kharagpur grad, Business Analyst at Axis Bank | 3rd attempt |
Abhinav | 99.96 | IIM Calcutta | B.Com Honours graduate | 2nd attempt |
How a Working Professional Cracked CAT While Managing a Full-Time Job
Both Bhavya and Yugan prepared for CAT while working full-time - at Microsoft and Axis Bank respectively - which is one of the most common challenges aspirants search for help with.
Bhavya started with just 30 minutes a day around March and gradually built a routine, balancing her Microsoft internship-turned-full-time role with CAT Preparation. Yugan structured his day around his office hours in Bangalore: 30-40 minutes of prep before breakfast, gym after work, and a bit more prep before dinner. His takeaway: starting the day with productivity sets the tone for the rest of it.
Key tip for working professionals: short, consistent daily study blocks around a fixed job schedule work better than trying to find large uninterrupted chunks of time.
Also Read: How Srianjyee Cracked CAT in 7 Days and Converted IIM Bangalore
CAT Preparation Strategy: First Attempt vs Repeat Attempts
A big theme in this interview is how each topper's strategy evolved across attempts.
- Abhinav (2nd attempt): In his first attempt (2024), he couldn't clear CAT sectional cutoffs due to a weak QA section, coming from a non-engineering (B.Com) background. In 2025, he specifically targeted QA while maintaining strength in LRDI and VRC, then focused heavily on execution and staying calm on exam day.
- Yugan (3rd attempt): His first attempt in 2023 lacked structure. 2024 was used only to "stay in touch" with the exam. His serious, structured attempt came in 2025, starting in June with a strict daily-target routine for the first three months, followed by mocks in the final stretch.
- Bhavya (1st attempt): Cleared CAT on her very first try by building consistency gradually from March onward, rather than attempting a last-minute sprint.
Common thread: Identify your weak section early, and fix it with targeted, consistent practice rather than a random mix of topics.
Also Read: Shivam's Journey from 60 Percentile in CAT 2024 to SCMHRD
Daily Study Routine of CAT 99 Percentilers
Aspirants often search for a CAT 100 days study plan or Daily routine for CAT preparation - here's what actually worked for these toppers:
- Morning discipline: Complete a fixed CAT prep block like CAT Daily Targets before starting the day's other commitments.
- Reward-based structure: Treat meals or breaks as a reward after finishing prep goals - this keeps motivation high on tough days.
- Backtracking on missed questions: Yugan emphasised solving the day's target questions and then going back to revisit anything missed, rather than moving on without closing gaps.
- Mocks in the final phase: All three shifted focus toward full-length CAT Mock Tests in the last two to three months before the exam.
Is Consistency Better Than Last-Minute CAT Preparation?
All three toppers agreed: consistent, spread-out preparation beats short intense bursts or last-minute cramming.
Yugan tried both approaches across his three attempts - a short burst strategy in 2023 that didn't work, versus a consistent, structured approach in 2025 that got him to 99.95 percentile. Abhinav echoed this, saying daily targets acted as a "warm-up" that got his mind into exam mode every single day. Their advice to aspirants: don't save mocks for the end, and don't expect one month of hard work to make up for months of inconsistency.
Also Read: What Scores Do CAT 99 Percentilers Get in Mocks? Check Now
Role of CAT Daily Targets and Mock Tests in CAT Preparation
This is where the toppers specifically credited Cracku's resources:
- Daily Targets: All three toppers called this a "game-changer." It kept them disciplined through gamified elements like streaks, leaderboards, and a timed "Quant Rush," making daily practice feel less monotonous.
- Dash Cat mock tests: Described as being at CAT-level difficulty or tougher, these mocks trained the toppers to handle a harder-than-expected paper on the actual exam day.
- Concept lessons: Video lessons by Cracku helped fill concept gaps and served as a complete revision resource in the final months before the exam.
- Active reading technique: One specific strategy mentioned - practising active reading (reading with note-taking) instead of passive reading for VARC - which one topper was initially skeptical of but found genuinely useful once implemented.
- Support system: Despite being a fully online course, toppers highlighted that Cracku's support team was easily accessible by call whenever they needed help, which mattered especially during low-motivation phases.
Final Tips from CAT 99 Percentilers for Aspirants
Based on their combined experience, here are the top takeaways for CAT aspirants:
- Don't delay mocks - Attempt them consistently throughout your prep, not just at the end.
- Stay consistent - Steady daily effort beats short, intense bursts.
- Start early - Build up gradually rather than overloading yourself at once.
- Fix your weakest section - With targeted practice instead of spreading effort evenly.
- Trust experienced mentors - Even when their methods (like active reading) seem unnecessary at first.
- Believe in yourself - Self-belief and staying calm on exam day matter as much as preparation itself.
What Aspirants Can Learn from These CAT Toppers: Conclusion
All three toppers prove that there's no single path to a 99+ percentile in CAT - one cracked it on her first attempt, another on his second, and another on his third. What unites their journeys is consistency, targeted effort on weak areas, and disciplined use of structured resources like Cracku's Daily Targets and Dash Cat mocks. Whether you're a working professional or a fresh graduate, their biggest lesson is simple: build a routine you can sustain, and trust the process even on your lowest days.
