The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is scheduled for November 30, with 2.93 lakh candidates expected to take the exam across India. Conducted by IIM Kozhikode, CAT remains a crucial gateway for admission to top management institutes. Experts from Supergrads have highlighted potential surprises and strategies to help aspirants maximize their performance.
CAT 2025 Exam Structure and Key Expectations
The CAT 2025 will follow a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format with three sections of 40 minutes each. While the official structure remains the same, experts recommend preparing for slight changes in question distribution and difficulty:
- Section 1: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) – 24 questions, 40 minutes
- Section 2: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) – 22 questions, 40 minutes
- Section 3: Quantitative Ability (QA) – 22 questions, 40 minutes
In total, the exam comprises 68 questions over 2 hours. Previous years have shown minor fluctuations in question numbers and TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) questions, so aspirants must stay flexible.
Key Changes and Section-Wise Strategies
Candidates may encounter the following surprises on November 30:
Section-Level Difficulty Shifts
- Difficulty may vary unexpectedly across VARC, DILR, and QA.
- Strategy: Quickly identify scoring questions and avoid getting stuck early.
LRDI Set Structure Changes
- Sets may have unfamiliar data or themes.
- Strategy: Scan the entire section first and attempt easier sets.
Fluctuating Question Counts
- DILR or QA may not exactly follow 22 questions.
- Strategy: Use the ABC approach – A (Attempt) confident questions first, B (Backup) medium ones, C (Challenging) last.
TITA Questions
- Placement or number of TITA questions may vary.
- Strategy: Attempt only when confident; avoid guessing.
VARC Odd-Even Patterning
- RC passages can appear in any order.
- Strategy: Solve familiar questions first and maintain steady pace.
Exam Centre Technical Delays
- Login delays or queues may occur.
- Strategy: Arrive early and stay calm; exam duration remains 120 minutes.
CAT 2025 Exam Day Essentials Checklist
To ensure smooth execution on exam day, candidates should strictly follow these guidelines:
Documents and Items to Carry:
- CAT Admit Card
- Valid ID
Prohibited Items:
- Mobile phones, electronic gadgets, watches, calculators
- Heavy jackets, jewellery
Other Guidelines:
- Arrive 1.5 hours before the test
- Rough sheets provided; do not carry external paper
Preparation Tips:
- Maintain reading habit and revise formulas or grammar basics
- Use 10-second recovery rule for mistakes
- Scan sections before attempting questions
By following these strategies and staying adaptable, candidates can convert potential surprises into opportunities for scoring well in CAT 2025.
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