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Questions to attempt for the 95th percentile in CAT: How many questions to attempt in CAT to get 95 percentile? Achieving a 95 percentile in the CAT exam is a great achievement that lets you into the top MBA colleges in India. Becoming one of the top 5 percent of candidates requires a clever mix of the number of questions attempted and answered correctly, and the ability to manage time wisely.
With changing exam patterns observed from CAT 2021 to CAT 2024, understanding the section-wise attempts, score thresholds, and preparation strategies is crucial to secure this percentile. This blog provides a data-backed guide based on recent CAT trends and Cracku analysis to help aspirants plan effectively for CAT 2025 and reach the coveted 95 percentile.
Questions to Attempt in CAT vs 95 Percentile
Our recent CAT score vs percentile analysis shows that the raw score required for 95 percentile has varied significantly across 2022-2024 due to difficulty shifts. For instance, in CAT 2022, a 95 percentile score was around the mid-70s, the mid-50s in CAT 2023, and about 70 marks again in CAT 2024, demonstrating how the same percentile can correspond to very different scores.
Expected overall score vs percentile band for CAT 2025:
Percentile | Expected Overall Score Range (CAT 2025) | Notes |
99 | 90–100 | Very high accuracy and strong section balance. |
97 | 80–88 | One strong section plus two decent ones. |
95 | 65–75 | Good but not perfect performance in all three sections. |
90 | 50–58 | Comfortable attempts with moderate accuracy. |
Questions to attempt for 95 percentile in CAT (overall)
With 3 marks for a correct answer and −1 for an incorrect one, the net score S for A attempts at accuracy p (in fraction) is S=3Ap−(1−p)A=A(4p−1). Using the projected 65–75 score range, you can reverse‑engineer a practical attempts target.
Approximate overall Questions to Attempt for 95 Percentile in CAT:
Attempts | Accuracy | Net Score (approx) | 95%ile viability (2025 trend) |
23–25 | 90% | 60-65 | Lower end of 95%ile if paper is easy‑moderate. |
26–28 | 85% | 66–72 | Core sweet spot for 95%ile in many years. |
30–34 | 80% | 65–74 | Very safe band for 95%ile if you can maintain accuracy. |
35–36 | 75% | 67–72 | Risky if accuracy slips; attempt only if control is good. |
For most aspirants, aiming for 24–28 serious attempts with at least 80–85% accuracy is the most efficient strategy to Get 95 Percentile in CAT.
Also Read, Last-Minute CAT Preparation Strategy for 99+ Percentile
CAT Section-wise Attempts for 95 Percentile
CAT Exam analysis for CAT 2021–2024 shows that across years, “good attempts” in each section for high percentiles typically fall in the mid‑teens, with scores balanced rather than spiky. CAT 2024 in particular had 24 VARC, 22 DILR, and 22 QA questions, with good attempts around 17–19 VARC, 12–13 DILR, and 13–14 QA at decent accuracy.
Projected CAT Section-Wise Attempts for 95 Percentile for CAT 2025:
Section | Total Questions (likely) | Good Attempts Range | Accuracy Target | Approx Sectional Score |
VARC | 24 | 14–17 | 75-85% | 32–40 |
DILR | 22 | 9–12 | 80-85% | 20-22 |
QA | 22 | 10–12 | 85–90% | 25-28 |
Hitting the lower end of these ranges comfortably with high accuracy is typically enough to be in the 95+ overall zone, especially if at least one section is significantly stronger.
Accuracy Needed for 95 Percentile in CAT Exam
Experts emphasize that high accuracy is more important than raw attempts for 99 percentile, and the same logic directly scales down to a 95 percentile target. For a 65–75 score target with around 24-26 attempts, you typically need at least 85–90% accuracy; otherwise, negative marking pulls your net score down quickly.
Practical “Accuracy Needed for 95 Percentile” by attempts band:
- 23–25 attempts: 90–95% , to be safe for 95 percentile.
- 26–28 attempts: 85–90% , is usually enough.
- 30–34 attempts: 80–85% , works well for most recent years.
- 35+ attempts: ~75% , anything below becomes counterproductive.
The key is to define a maximum attempt cap per section beforehand so that you stop once accuracy starts dropping, a principle Cracku stresses in its mock‑taking strategy.
Also Read, Last-Minute CAT Preparation Strategy for 99+ Percentile
Strategy to get 95 Percentile in CAT
Cracku’s 95 percentile roadmaps can be the best strategy for a rock‑solid score such as 95 Percentile in CAT 2025. Instead of trying to dominate all three sections, focus on being very strong in one, solid in the second, and safely above the sectional cutoff in the third.
Section-wise strategic pointers:
- VARC
- Target 3 RCs + 2–3 VA questions that you can solve with near‑perfect accuracy.
- Skip dense or confusing RCs quickly; spending too long on one passage kills attempts and accuracy.
- DILR
- Aim for 2 full sets plus 1–2 questions from a third set as your default.
- Spend the first 5 minutes scanning all sets and committing only to the cleanest ones, a method regularly highlighted in Cracku’s slot‑wise analysis.
- QA
- Start with arithmetic and algebra questions that look straightforward and only then explore geometry or number systems.
- Keep a hard time cap per question (e.g., 90 seconds) and move on ruthlessly if stuck.
Across sections, using Cracku CAT mocks, percentile predictors and post‑test analysis helps you calibrate how many attempts you can make without accuracy dip, instead of copying someone else’s raw number.
Mistakes to Avoid for 95 Percentile in CAT
Major exam‑day tips, video analyses and post‑CAT debriefs repeatedly underline a few critical Mistakes to Avoid for 95 Percentile in CAT. Avoiding these can make the difference between 90 and 95+ even if your conceptual preparation is similar.
Key mistakes to avoid:
- Chasing attempts instead of accuracy
- Forcing 25–30 attempts when your natural control is around 18–22 usually drops accuracy into the 60–70% range, which is disastrous for net score.
- Not scanning the paper/set
- Jumping into the first RC or DILR set without a quick scan often traps you in one of the toughest items, hurting both attempts and morale.
- Ignoring sectional balance
- Over‑investing in your strong section while barely clearing sectional cutoffs in another can keep your overall percentile below 95 even with a high sectional spike.
- Poor mock analysis
- Taking many mocks without analyzing question selection, accuracy pattern and timing (as Cracku mocks allow) means you keep repeating the same mistakes on exam day.
Also Read, How to Handle Stress & Stay Calm on CAT Exam Day?
Questions to attempt for 95 percentile in CAT: Conclusion
The 95 percentile in CAT 2025 can be secured by getting the right number of questions attempted. That is, targeting around 24 to 26 questions with an 80-85% accuracy rate in each of the sections. Balanced participation in each section along with expert time and accuracy management is the secret. The common mistakes like trying too many questions without caring for the truth or taking one's sectional cutoffs lightly should be avoided.
By following a structured approach grounded in recent CAT trends and Cracku insights, candidates can confidently aim to hit the 95 percentile mark and enhance their chances for admission in top B-schools. Preparation, smart attempts, and self-analysis remain the pillars of success in this competitive exam duration.
