CAT section-wise Preparation Strategy 2025: CAT 2025 preparation can be daunting, with heavy competition and fast-evolving exam patterns. Yet, having a strong CAT Section wise preparation Strategy 2025 will help students make it a manageable and goal-oriented journey. Whether you belong to the first time or repeat category of aspirants, a clear approach toward each section of the CAT will serve as a prerequisite for the IIM colleges.
In this blog, we offer some tested strategies and study material recommendations and very realistic schedules and approaches to follow. This CAT section-wise preparation strategy will definitely scale your scores and help one get admission in the top MBA colleges.
CAT Section-Wise Preparation Strategy 2025
Each section of the CAT exam, be it VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), LRDI (Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation), or QA (Quantitative Aptitude), needs to have its distinct kind of preparation strategy, wherein one must emphasize accuracy, concept clarity, and practice efficiency.
CAT Month-Wise Study Plan (3 Months Preparation)
Month | Focus Areas | Recommended Activities |
---|---|---|
1st Month | Build Concepts | Foundation in Arithmetic & Algebra, daily RC+LRDI sets, formula revision, diagnostic mock |
2nd Month | Strengthen Core | Deep dive into Arithmetic, Modern Maths, daily DILR sets, RC option elimination, 2-3 mocks |
3rd Month | Mixed Practice & Speed | Past CAT sets, medium-high level QA, 3 mocks, error log |
4th Month | Mock Tests & Analysis | 1 mock every 3-4 days, error logbook, advanced DILR, QA (geometry, probability) revision |
5th Month | Final Strategy & Stamina | 2-3 mocks/week, daily sectionals, all-round revision, stamina-building |
CAT Section-wise Study Material 2025
Cat study material includes various CAT books, mocks, sectional tests etc. Some trusted and high quality study material is mentioned in the table below:
Section | Recommended Material |
---|---|
QA | Cracku CAT Quantitative Aptitude Book |
VARC | Cracku RC Sets, CAT VARC Book, CAT Daily Articles |
DILR | CAT Previous Papers, CAT Study Room, Cracku CAT Logical Reasoning Book |
Mock Tests | Cracku DashCATs and Headstart Mocks |
Final Tips for CAT Section‑Wise Preparation
- Get down to the basics first—never rush through advanced topics until you are absolutely clear about the basics.
- Try practicing all three sections daily to ensure holistic growth.
- Maintain an error log for your recurring doubts, to an array of questions including trick questions.
- Take regular breaks; avoid unnecessary burnouts closer to your exam date.
- Utilize Cracku's CAT Section-wise Study Material and daily targets as a systematic approach toward preparation.
CAT VARC Preparation Strategy 2025
The CAT VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) section tests your ability to read, understand, and interpret written information, along with your command over English language skills. It plays a vital role in your overall CAT percentile and is especially important for aspirants from non-engineering backgrounds or those aiming for top IIMs. A strong grasp of this section can significantly boost your chances of securing a high percentile.
Item | Details |
---|---|
Total Questions | 24 |
Sectional Time | 40 minutes |
MCQ-Type | 21 |
TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) | 3 |
Number of RCs | 4 passages (≈16 Qs) |
Verbal Ability Qs | 8 |
Marking | +3/-1 (No negative for TITA) |
CAT VARC Preparation Tips 2025
- Daily Reading: 45 minutes from various sources; use Cracku's CAT Daily Articles, Aeon, The guardian etc.
- Active Reading: Write down key ideas for each paragraph in one line.
- Practice: RCs, parajumbles, odd sentences, summaries; previous years' CAT papers. Try to use techniques like option elimination in RC.
- Timing: Keep under 10 minutes for each RC. Solve at least 2-3 RCs per day and 10 VA questions everyday.
- Option Elimination: Evaluate and discard choices that stand less probability of being correct.
- Sectional Tests: Take regular mocks & analyze mistakes for steady improvement.
Topic-wise Weightage in CAT VARC Section
CAT VARC Topics | CAT 2024 |
---|---|
Reading Comprehension | 16(4+4+4+4) |
Para Summary | 3 |
Odd One Out / Out of Context | 2 |
Para Insertion | 3 |
Total Questions | 24 |
Also Read, CAT VARC Topic Wise Weightage 2025, Download PDF Now
CAT LRDI Preparation Strategy 2025
The CAT LRDI (Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation) section checks how well you can solve problems, think logically, and make quick decisions under pressure. It’s often the most unpredictable part of the CAT exam, with questions changing in type and difficulty every year. A good score in LRDI can really boost your overall percentile, especially when competition is high.
This section doesn’t need heavy formulas but does require a calm mind, clear thinking, and smart decision-making. That’s why having a smart and well-planned approach is more helpful than just solving lots of questions randomly.
Below, we’ve shared some useful tips to help you prepare for LRDI in a simple and effective way:
- Past Papers:
Begin your DILR prep by solving previous CAT DILR sets, as they give you the closest feel of the actual exam.
These sets test your ability to interpret data in real exam-like scenarios and time pressure
Solving them helps you understand the difficulty level and the variety of questions CAT usually asks. - Variety of sets:
Don’t just stick to one type of set, explore arrangements, puzzles, tables, graphs, and games. Cracku's CAT study room is an excellent resource to practice variety of sets.
Exposure to different formats sharpens your flexibility in approaching new questions.
This variety ensures you’re not caught off guard by unfamiliar question types in the exam. - Consistency:
Practice at least 2 sets every day to build stamina and logical clarity.
Gradually increase the number of sets as the exam approaches to simulate higher pressure.
Consistent practice builds confidence and makes problem-solving almost second nature. - Sectional Tests:
Take regular sectional tests to track your progress and identify weak areas.
They help you build speed and accuracy under real-time pressure.
By simulating exam conditions, these tests prepare you to perform efficiently on the actual day. - CAT Daily Targets : Cracku's CAT Daily Targets contains excellent LRDI sets that match the actual difficulty level of the CAT exam and this resource is widely recommended by CAT toppers.
CAT LRDI Important Topics
The CAT LRDI section does not follow a fixed syllabus, as the exam is known for testing logical reasoning and data interpretation through diverse question types. However, certain topics appear frequently and can be prioritized during preparation. The table below highlights some important LR and DI topics that candidates should focus on.
LR Topics | DI Topics |
---|---|
Arrangements | Graphs, Tables |
Case-based LRs | Routes/Networks |
Games, Tournaments | Charts, Caselets |
Puzzles | Quant-based DI |
Also Read, CAT DILR Topic-wise Weightage 2025, Expected Questions PDF
CAT QA Preparation Strategy 2025
The CAT QA (Quantitative Aptitude) section checks how well you understand basic math and how quickly you can solve problems using it. Most questions come from topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and numbers. Doing well in QA can really help increase your overall CAT score.
You don’t just need to remember formulas—you also need to understand the concepts and know which questions to pick during the exam. That’s why it’s important to build strong basics and practice regularly.
Below, we’ve shared some easy and useful tips to help you prepare for QA more effectively:
- Understand Concepts Clearly: Focus on building strong fundamentals instead of just memorizing shortcuts. CAT often mixes concepts, so real clarity of fundamentals helps.
- Formula Book: Maintain a small notebook of formulas, tricks, and tips. Keep revising it regularly or you can purchase CAT formula Book by cracku and keep it handy.
- Practice Different Types: Solve a variety of questions to build confidence. Start with previous year papers, Cracku provides them topic-wise for free, which is super helpful.
- Manage Time Smartly: Learn to spot easy questions and solve them first. Don’t waste time on tough ones. The best way to master this is through sectional tests.
- Take Mock Tests: Begin with one mock per week and increase the frequency closer to CAT. Use them to track your strengths and weaknesses.
- Speed Up Calculations: Improve your mental math and learn shortcuts, especially for Arithmetic. Practicing speed math will make solving much faster.
CAT Quant Important Topics
Some of the important topics that carry high weightage in the CAT quant section is given in the table below:
Arithmetic | Algebra | Others |
---|---|---|
Percentages | Linear/Quadratic | Geometry |
Time & Work | Progressions | Mensuration |
Averages | Inequalities | Probability, Set Theory |
Ratio & Proportion | Logarithms | Number Systems |
Also Read, CAT Quant Topic wise Weightage 2025, Previous Years Analysis
CAT Section-wise Preparation Strategy 2025: Conclusion
CAT 2025 success is not about hard work; it's about the right orientation, resources, and disciplined execution. Following this detailed CAT Section-wise preparation Strategy 2025 can increase your confidence and scores.
So, ready to give your preparation a boost? Then, join Cracku for the expert-curated study material, daily targets, and CAT section-wise guided practice, your gateway to the IIMs!