With CAT 2025 scheduled for November 30, the final countdown has begun for approximately 2.95 lakh registered candidates. The Indian Institutes of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) is conducting the examination, and admit cards are already available on the official website iimcat.ac.in.
The Final Countdown: Mental Preparation Over Cramming
Previous CAT toppers, now studying at premier institutions like IIM Ahmedabad and FMS Delhi, emphasize that the last three days before the Common Admission Test are crucial for mental stabilization rather than academic overload. The exam comprises three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) – each with a strict 40-minute time limit.
Raiyaan S, who scored 98.03 percentile in CAT 2023 and currently studies at Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, advises: "I told myself, 'You've done the work, don't ruin it by overloading your brain now.' I revised formulas, watched a few quick Quant tip videos, solved a handful of easy questions, and took long walks to clear my head." He strongly believes that CAT rewards calmness more than cramming.
Proven Strategies from Perfect Scorers
Apoorva, who achieved a perfect 100 percentile in CAT 2024 and now studies at IIM Ahmedabad, began her preparation journey in July 2024, managing only four months alongside her commitments at IIT Bombay. "I created a strict schedule and managed to squeeze in three hours of preparation daily," she recalls. Her routine included online lectures, practice papers, and revision of key concepts.
Meditation and music became integral to her success. "Meditation ensured that I was fully present in whatever I was doing," she explains, highlighting that CAT is more about managing time and understanding question essence than knowing everything.
The Art of Strategic Skipping
Milan Morais (CAT 2023, 99.79 percentile, FMS Delhi) completed his syllabus by October and shifted to mock-test mode. In the final days, he focused on rest and light revision. "Be extremely comfortable skipping questions. It's the BEST thing you can do at such a late stage to drastically improve your percentile," he advises.
His section-wise approach was meticulous: training reading speed for VARC, analyzing DILR sets for 5-10 minutes before attempting, and targeting easy questions first in his weakest Quant section.
Rhuthwik Nargund (CAT 2023, 98.67 percentile) implemented a 30-second rule: "If it doesn't click in 30 seconds, skip it." He used the final days to stabilize himself rather than fix everything, revising only trusted topics and avoiding discussion groups.
Essential Do's and Don'ts
Multiple toppers consistently recommend:
- Do: Focus on strengths, revise solved examples, maintain hydration and sleep, practice meditation or light exercise
- Don't: Study late nights, attempt new topics, scroll through forums, consume excess caffeine, engage in score predictions
Dhatri Mehta (CAT 2024, 99.99 percentile, IIM Ahmedabad) developed a structured approach through repeated mock tests. For DILR, she would "scan all sets, categorize them as easy, medium, or hard, and prioritize accordingly." For QA, she revisited elementary concepts to boost calculation speed.
Abhinesh M S (CAT 2023, 98.23 percentile) treated the last days as a cool-down lap: "No mocks, no new problems. I revised only my mistake log and tough sets." His exam mantra was simple: "Protect your calm. Your calm protects your score."
As Anirudh A. (CAT 2023, 98.19 percentile) concludes, "In the last 48 hours, clarity beats intensity." The unanimous message from all toppers is clear: the final phase is about smart choices, mental steadiness, and trusting the preparation already completed.
