CAT 2025 Preparation Tips, How to Prepare for CAT – Check Here

Tips and Tricks for CAT Examination

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) started the examination, IIMs selecting students by using the test for their business administration programs.

The CAT examination is a computer-based exam.

Section break up

• Verbal aptitude 34 question
• Quantitative aptitude 34 question
• Logical reasoning 16 question
• Data interpretation 16 question

The total test duration is 180 minutes, which means 3 hours. However, each test section has a time limit of 1 hour. The test takers cannot switch between the sections and must attend the test in a particular order. The order of the sections is as follows-

• Verbal aptitude
• Logical Reasoning and DInterpretationtion
• Quantitative aptitude

In the marking scheme, there are no negative markings for non–multiple choice questions; each multiple-choice carries three marks, and there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer.

There are two types of questions: multiple-choice and non – multiple-choice questions. For none – multiple-choice questions, candidates want to use the keyboard.

In the examination no marks for the unwanted question.  Common Admission Test is allowed the candidate to use the basic on-screen calculator. Each question carries three marks, with negative marks for the wrong answer.

Tips and Tricks for CAT Examination

• Tips and Trick 1:– You can use a basic on-screen calculator in the examination.
• Tips and Tricks 2:- Candidates need to concentrate more on the subject where they are weak in.
• Tips and Tricks 3: Begin preparing by practising the solved paper.
• Tips and Tricks 4:- Startup with mock test and previous year CAT paper.
• Tips and Tricks 5:- Students should maintain their time, and plan preparing for the CAT Exam.
• Tips and Tricks 6:- Revising all the fundamentals is important to obtain good soccer.
• Tips and Tricks 7:- schedule studying from an earlier time is a benefit.
• Tips and Tricks 8:- Give daily a few hours to study and work hard.
• Tips and Tricks 9:- Candidates can learn all the shortcuts is a benefit.
• Tips and Tricks 10:- Verbal section of CAT would be more difficult.

Common Admission Test Instruction

Download your admit card from the CAT website (https://iimcat.ac.in). Admit Card will not be available for download after the completion of the test.

• Read all the instructions carefully, which are provided on the Admit Card.
• You must reach the test centre by 7:30 a.m. for the forenoon session or by 1:00 p.m. for the afternoon session.
• Candidates who come late for the examination will not be permitted inside the test centre.
• Only original Photo ID proof and Admit Card will be permitted inside the examination hall.
• Applicants who have to choose to use a scribe must also carry the duly filled Scribe Affidavit (available on the CAT website) along with the Photo ID proof (original plus a copy) of the scribe.
• If applicable, your Admit Card (plus scribe affidavit) will be collected by the test invigilator and will not be returned to you. The invigilator will retain these.

Any kind of watch, mobile phone, earphone, microphone, pager, health band or any other electronic gadget, any printed/blank/handwritten paper, pencil box, pouch, calculator, etc., are not allowed inside the examination hall.

Candidates wearing shoes or any other closed footwear must leave the footwear (including socks) outside the examination hall. You can wear open footwear like chappals, sandals, etc.

Your digital fingerprint scan will be captured on the day of the test. Candidates whose fingerprints cannot be digitally scanned for reasons like applying Mehndi/henna / any cosmetic colours etc., will not be permitted to take the test. You should avoid applying Mehndi on your hands (palm side) for at least 5 days before the test.

Normalization of CAT Scores

CAT Exam shall be conducted in two sessions. Two different Test Forms shall be administered in two Test Sessions. To ensure fairness and equity compared to the candidates’ performances across different test sessions, the scores of the candidates shall be subjected to a Normalization process.

The Normalization process shall adjust for location and scale differences of score distributions across different forms. After normalization across different forms, the scores shall be further normalized across different sections. The scaled scores obtained by this process shall be converted into percentiles for shortlisting purposes.

For reporting purposes, Scaled Scores for each section

• Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC),
• Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR),
• Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA)and Total, along with the Percentiles, shall be published.

The process of Normalization is an established practice for comparing candidate scores across multiple Forms. It is similar to those being adopted in other large educational selection tests conducted in India, such as the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). For normalization across sections, we shall use the percentile equivalence.

Candidates who can apply for CAT should fulfil any one of the following conditions.

• Completed a Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage of marks.
• Completed professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA) with a required
• Should be in the final year of Bachelor’s degree with a required percentage.

SC / ST / PWD candidates should have a minimum 45%. For General and NC-OBC candidates, the minimum is 50%.

The percentage of marks obtained by the candidate would be calculated based on the practice as followed by the respective University/Institution. Regarding grades / CGPA, the conversion to the percentage of marks would be built on the procedure as certified by the respective University/ Institution.

If any University/institution confirms that there is no scheme for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the equivalence would be established by dividing the candidate’s CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the result by 100.

IIMS may verify eligibility at a different stage of the selection process. All details are provided at the IIMCAT website www.iimcat.ac.in. The candidate should note that their fulfilment with minimum eligibility criteria will not ensure consideration for shortlisting by IIMS.

The applicants must declare and maintain a valid email Id and a phone number throughout the selection process.

If you have more questions about CAT 2024/2025 Preparation Tips, please write your queries in the comments box below.

Sunil Kushwaha

As a dedicated Biology Science graduate, I’m passionate about sharing the latest updates in national and state entrance exams through my blog. I aim to keep aspiring students informed about exam trends, important dates, and changes in syllabi. With a keen interest in education, I strive to offer valuable insights for students navigating the competitive landscape of entrance examinations and admission tests. Stay updated with me.