CAT preparation for beginners needs a step-by-step approach to tackle with the early learning challenges. Beginners should focus on understanding the syllabus properly, building foundation, conceptual clarity and practicing mocks at advanced level. With right preparation strategy, discipline, and consistent practice even beginners can score as high as 99+ percentile.
A strategic approach will simplify the process and convert this challenging goal into success. Let us see how to start CAT preparation for beginners:
CAT Preparation For Beginners: Step by Step Guide
CAT exam tests a candidate’s aptitude and problem-solving skills to work under pressure. Consistency and hard work are the two key pillars to prepare for CAT 2025, which helps you to build a solid foundation and attain high accuracy. Candidates need not to take and grasp all the available materials to excel rather it is better to rely on an effective test-taking strategy which helps you to score high. This can only be achieved through practice and regular practice.
Preparation Basics: What To Check Before Beginning With 2025 CAT Preparation
- Self-evaluation: Why CAT and why you aim to pursue CAT?
- Analyse and ask yourself why you to attempt CAT and understand the benefits.
- Get all the insights about CAT and purpose.
- Research about all the top-B schools and the career exposure.
2. Take a familiarity test and check where you stand
- Taking such a test will help you to analyse your strengths and weakness
- This will help you to focus on your weaknesses from beginnings and making your strengths much stronger.
- Take a test to analyse your current aptitude and understanding.
- Analyse your performance to identify your strong and weak areas and dedicate time to build concepts.
- Take a decision whether self-study or coaching will be effective for you.
3. Decode the CAT syllabus and Understand fundamentals
- Understand and familiarise your self with CAT exam structure and pattern, including number of questions, time allocation and sections.
- Go through CAT 2025 syllabus in detail and understand the subject and included topics.
- Identify the key areas to be focused on by analysing the topics you need special care.
4. Master your basics before chasing the speed: Basic to advance
- Learn and grasp the basic concepts of QA (Quantitative Aptitude), VA (Verbal Ability), DI (Data Interpretation) and LR (Logical Reasoning) section.
- Practice questions to apply both practical and theoretical knowledge to strengthen and revise them.
- Gradually increase the difficulty level of the questions, practice them, and increase speed.
5. Test, learn and repeat: Incorporate Mocks regularly
- Begin practicing mocks one by one. Understand the design and structure of exam and gradually increasing mocks.
- Analyse each mock to determine the areas where you are lagging and strengthen them.
- As the exam approaches, increase attempting mocks by doing 2-3 mocks per week.
6. Make previous year mocks your best friends: Keep on practicing
- Use past test papers to test you level of preparation.
- Evaluate your performance and refine the strategy to approach the exam.
- Practicing PYQs under exam like condition will help you to solve the questions under pressure.
How Will Online Coaching Help For CAT 2025 Preparation For Beginners
Starting CAT preparation as beginners can be little bit overwhelming, but a structured online coaching with quality content and resources can help in good level of preparation. Get access to good recorded videos, live online classes, personalized learning, mentorship as well as smart and adaptive learning techniques. Here as some tips, you can follow to ace your preparation.
- To stay ahead with your preparation, always start early
- It is better to start 9-12 months early
- For self-study, and to build your basics it is advised to start early
2. Choose good coaching centre to build strong roots
- Choose a good coaching with experienced faculties, peer interaction performance analysis and mock test series.
- Ensure that the institute provide quality mocks and mentorship
3. Follow a good structure study time table
- It is advised to dedicate 6-8 hours of study with coaching classes if enrolled in and self-study
- Adjust your time table by allotting time to foundation building, learning basics and then moving to advance stage
4. Leverage online classes and features
- Take maximum advantage of the mentorship, doubt sessions, discussion forums and study notes.
- Practice and improve your topics with help of sectional tests.
5. Do mocks, analyse them and chase speed
- Start doing mocks in your preparation to boost up confidence and concepts
- Analyse your performance to identify your strengths and weakness.
6. Focus on quality not on quantity
- It is important to focus on quality of preparation rather than quantity
- Focus on grabbing the concepts of the most major topics with maximum weightage to grab more marks.
7. Master all the 3 pillars of CAT
- To strengthen VARC, improve reading and comprehension skills.
- To improve accuracy in DILR and QA, it is important to practice questions to increase speed and accuracy
8. Maintain consistency: The ultimate key to success
- To crack this exam, study regularly and maintain fix timings
- Regular revision is necessary to keep the topics in mind fresh
- Maintain self-study and coaching classes
- Stay motivated during this preparation journey
- Interact with peers to gain more knowledge
9. Stay updated on the changing trends of CAT
- Be aware of CAT syllabus and changing patterns
- Follow and keep an eye on CAT related updates from sources
Also read, What is the Purpose of CAT Exam: Check Benefits for CAT 2025 Success
How To Crack CAT 2025 With Self-Study For Beginners
For candidates who are beginners and preparing for CAT 2025 on their own, keep in mind few important things:
- Get to know about CAT syllabus and pattern
- Understand CAT syllabus and pattern.
- Familiarize yourself with exam pattern
- Understand the weightage of each topics from QA, VARC, and DILR
2. Create a time table
- After understanding the syllabus, now allot yourself time to prepare for the same
- Identify your strength topics and weakness.
- Dedicate time accordingly to your need
- Keep in mind to give all the 3 sections equal importance
3. Join telegram groups or other interactive groups
- Be a part of telegram group engaged in sharing information related to CAT to stay updated.
- Participate in peer interaction groups to be involved and updated
4. Utilize free online lectures or materials
- Get access to free lectures provided by CAT faculties and get sample papers, past previous years.
- Take advantage of online platforms providing CAT training
5. Attempt regular mocks and focus on revision
- Practice mocks regularly to boost up your preparation
- Analyse your mocks and improve weak areas
- Focus on revision part as it is important to revise your concepts regularly
- It is advised to maintain a formula notebook to revise them time to time.
6. Be consistent and motivated
- Do not stress yourself. Keep the learning process slow yet consistent and gradually develop the speed.
- Stay motivated during this preparation period by engaging yourself in activities like reading etc.
How To Prepare For CAT 2025 DILR Section For Beginners?
To prepare for DILR, it is very important to keep in mind the following points to excel in this area:
- It is important to identify the easy set of questions and difficult ones.
- Attempt easiest set with accuracy to not to lose marks.
- Understand the question clearly and decide how to approach.
- Avoid making assumptions on questions on your own.
- Practice for arrangement based logical reasoning questions as they are majorly covered in exam.
- Practice solving caselets, line and bar graphs, pie charts etc.
- Solve previous years paper to understand the level of questions been asked,
- Solving PYQs will help to understand the skill set that you need to excel in this section.
- Practice efficiently to solve the questions with speed and accuracy.
- Set timers to test your time management skills while answering the questions.
How To Prepare For CAT 2025 VARC Section For Beginners?
To prepare for VARC, it is very important to keep in mind the following points to excel in this area:
- Develop habit of reading book and enhance comprehension skills
- Focus on reading diverse materials like journals, novels, newspaper, and magazines.
- Have a habit of going through various idioms day by day.
- Stay updated about most common social issues to have a better and good understanding.
- Practice exercises and questions to build up your vocabulary.
- Understand key elements and fundamentals of critical reasoning like facts, inferences, statements, assumption, and conclusions.
How To Prepare For QA 2025 Section For Beginners?
To prepare for QA, it is very important to keep in mind the following points to excel in this area:
- Master the basics first and build a strong foundation in Algebra, arithmetic, geometry, and number system before moving into advance level and topics.
- Its is advised to divide syllabus into high-weightage and low-weightage topics and prioritize accordingly.
- Learn short techniques and tricks to avoid large and lengthy calculations, master in mental maths.
- Strengthen your weak areas with constant practice and revision.
- Solve at least 10 questions daily from each topic with time limit to eventually increase speed and accuracy.
- Practice mocks, analyse mistakes and learn from them.
- Maintain a formula book and make a habit of noting down all the formulas and short tricks to revise them frequently.
Also read, CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy for Working Professionals
Preparation Strategy For CAT For Beginners
CAT is not just an exam for knowledge, but it is known for its strategy, logical way of thinking and mind work. Beginners should focus on developing there conceptual understanding and improve clarity of thoughts. Below are few effective strategical tips for preparation strategy for CAT for beginners.
- Understand the CAT Syllabus and Exam Pattern
- Familiarize yourself with the complete CAT syllabus and exam pattern.
- Identify the key topics and weightage for all three sections:
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Create a Customized Study Plan
- Analyses your strengths and weaknesses to develop a personalized schedule.
- Allocate specific time slots for concept building, practice, and revision.
- Join Online Study Groups
- Participate in online forums, Telegram groups, or WhatsApp study groups.
- Engage in peer discussions for knowledge exchange and motivation.
- Utilize Free Online Resources
- Access free CAT preparation resources such as sample papers, mock tests, and e-books.
- Take advantage of open educational platforms offering practice material.
- Watch Video Lectures
- Find free video lectures on platforms like YouTube to strengthen your basics.
- Focus on specific topics where you need more clarity or practice.
- Use the Best Study Material and Books
- Invest in latest CAT study material and renowned books like:
- Arun Sharma for QA, VARC, and DILR
- Nishit Sinha for QA
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis for vocabulary
- Refer to previous year CAT papers for practice.
- Attempt Regular Mock Tests
- Start attempting mock tests early in your preparation to build familiarity with the exam.
- Use test analysis to identify areas for improvement.
- Focus on Revision
- Consistently revise formulas, concepts, and shortcuts to reinforce learning.
- Maintain a formula notebook for quick reference.
- Practice and improve time management skills
- Work on accuracy and speed with time by solving questions.
- Prepare yourself for the actual exam by practicing sectional time constraints.
- Stay Consistent and Dedicated
- Adhere to your study plan without procrastination or delay.
- Monitor and analyse your progress regularly and adjust your plan as per your need.
- Stay Motivated and energetic
- Set targets, short-term and long-term goals to keep yourself motivated and confident.
- Celebrate small milestones and achievements to maintain a positive mindset.
If you are an aspiring MBA student, and aiming for 99+ percentile, Mindworkzz is here to support your preparation. Gain access to curated and structured study material for CAT preparation with Mindworkzz.
CAT Preparation For Beginners FAQs
Get access to good quality resources and study materials. Go through CAT syllabus properly. Allot time equally to three sections and practice as many questions as you can after completing the syllabus.
Candidates can so self-study by following tips:
- Understand CAT exam well
- Access good resources and study materials
- Practice mocks from online resources
- Get connected with peer study groups
hemistry, and maths.
Yes, it is possible to crack CAT through self-study but make sure to have a well-organised and structured plan. Get access to useful and relevant online resources and stay updated.
No, CAT is not the only exam for MBA exams but it is the widely accepted exam by most of the reputed colleges. There are other management entrance exam like XAT, CMAT, SNAP, NMAT, MAT, which offers MBA in reputed colleges in India.
