The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 represents India's most challenging management entrance examination, serving as the critical gateway to prestigious institutions like the IIMs and other elite business schools. Scheduled for November 30, this rigorous assessment continues its established format with significant implications for management aspirants nationwide.
Understanding CAT 2025 Structure and Scoring
The two-hour computer-based test maintains its three-section framework: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). With 68 questions distributed across these sections and a strict 40-minute time limit for each, CAT 2025 demands more than just knowledge—it requires strategic thinking and precision.
The scoring system remains consistent with previous years: candidates earn three marks for each correct answer while losing one mark for every incorrect multiple-choice response. This approach effectively measures not only analytical capabilities but also how well candidates manage risk under intense pressure, mirroring the decision-making challenges they will face in their management careers.
Reading Comprehension: The Silent Game Changer
Within the VARC section, Reading Comprehension has emerged as a decisive factor for many aspirants. To provide expert guidance, we consulted Professor Kakoli Sen from IIM Raipur, who shared invaluable insights for mastering this critical component.
Professor Sen identifies a common pitfall: "Students often approach dense academic passages incorrectly by focusing on vocabulary rather than structure." She emphasizes that the key to success lies in understanding the architectural framework of passages rather than getting bogged down by unfamiliar terminology.
The Structural Reading Approach
According to Professor Sen, effective RC strategy begins with ignoring difficult words during the initial read. Instead, students should concentrate on transition words like 'however,' 'therefore,' and 'in contrast' that reveal the passage's argument flow. This method allows readers to grasp the core message without unnecessary delays.
After completing each passage, Professor Sen recommends summarizing the entire content into a single sentence using your own words. This practice ensures you've captured the essential message rather than getting distracted by peripheral details. She notes that CAT rarely tests exact definitions, making this approach particularly valuable.
The Purpose-Core-Tone Framework
Professor Sen advocates a systematic three-step method for identifying main ideas: Purpose, Core, and Tone. Purpose determines why the author wrote the passage—whether to argue, criticize, explain, or support an idea. Core represents the central argument connecting all paragraphs, while Tone reflects the author's attitude toward the subject.
She cautions against extreme tone interpretations unless strongly supported by the text. This disciplined framework replaces intuition with a reliable methodology for comprehension accuracy.
Final Preparation Strategy: The 60:40 Rule
As the November 30 exam date approaches, Professor Sen recommends a balanced preparation approach. Approximately 60% of study time should focus on timed practice sessions that simulate actual exam conditions, while the remaining 40% should dedicate to detailed analysis of performance.
This balanced strategy serves dual purposes: timed practice builds essential exam temperament and pacing skills, while thorough analysis identifies consistent error patterns and thinking gaps. Professor Sen emphasizes that score improvement comes from understanding why wrong answers were selected, not merely from solving numerous passages.
Essential RC Habits for Success
Based on Professor Sen's expertise, three non-negotiable habits define successful RC performance:
- Focus on paragraph roles and transitions rather than vocabulary
- Predict answers before reviewing multiple-choice options
- Maintain active reading by consistently questioning the author's perspective
Ultimately, Reading Comprehension success in CAT 2025 depends less on English language proficiency and more on developing managerial thinking patterns. As Professor Sen's strategies demonstrate, the students who excel are those who approach passages as editors and analysts, tracking argument development and maintaining mental engagement throughout.
