How to Tackle Non-MCQ Questions in CAT 2025?

In order to overcome non-MCQ (Type in the Answer) questions in the CAT (Common Admission Test) you require a well designed strategy and a sound knowledge of basics. For multiple-choice questions, you could potentially guess and eliminate but with non-MCQ, you have to determine the answer, straight up, without options.

These questions are specifically designed to test your analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and depth of subject knowledge. To excel in this segment, you must develop precision, logical reasoning, and time management skills.

By learning and applying effective strategies such as breaking down problems methodically, practising without answer choices, and avoiding calculation errors, you can approach non-MCQs with confidence and accuracy. Read on to know how to tackle non-MCQ questions in CAT 2025.

How to Crack Non-MCQ Questions in CAT? 

To solve non-MCQ questions in the CAT exam, remember these points.

1. Read the Question Thoroughly 
Never read it in a rush, or else you will end up losing a lot of time and taking the answers in the wrong direction. Get a clear understanding of the question and move ahead only when you are sure of the crux of the question.

2. Keep Taking Notes 
Write down the steps and important information as you go along in the question. It helps to keep your train of thought in order, but also reduces the chances of making any calculation or logical mistakes.

3. Revision is a Must 
Revision of all the basic concepts of all the topics is a must. As a lot of non-MCQs are directly based on your conceptual clarity of a topic, ensure you are comfortable with all the formulas and related concepts, and it’ll help you solve the questions quickly and easily.

4. Time Management 
Time is a very important factor that decides the score of the candidate in CAT. So always keep a tab on the time spent on each question and move to the next after you think you’ve exhausted all the possibilities. If you’re still not able to crack the question, then come back to it in the end; else, go ahead and leave it. Save time and move on. But don’t spend all your time on a single question.

5. Strategic Guessing 
In case you think that there is some way to strategically guess, try it, but only when you have no other option left. Don’t be in a position where you have no other option at all, hence save time on non-strategic guesses.

6. Practice, Practice and Practice 
Practice with full concentration and focus is what matters in the end. As in non-MCQs, there will be no distractors, so you can directly go for the right answer, but you need to ensure the accuracy of the answer, which can only be ensured by focused practice.

7. Don’t blindly fill up answers 
The probability of non-MCQs getting skipped is high if the negative marking is imposed. But don’t fill in the answers blindly; it’ll again waste your time. Leave it if you have no idea of the answer; otherwise, fill in the answer, but try to have a fair idea of the same.

8. Focus on Conceptual Understanding
Work on deeply understanding the concepts behind each topic. This will help you solve problems more efficiently, especially when options are not there to guide or validate your answer.

9. Take Full-Length Mock Tests
CAT Mock tests are essential for building your exam temperament. They help you get familiar with the CAT exam pattern, track your progress, and fine-tune your time management and accuracy in non-MCQ questions.

10. Prioritise Your Health and Well-Being
Don’t underestimate the importance of rest, nutrition, and exercise. A healthy body supports a sharp, focused mind. Ensure you're well-rested and stress-free to perform your best on exam day.

Also Read: Which are the best books for CAT preparation in 2025?

Common types of Non-MCQ questions in CAT

In the CAT (Common Admission Test), candidates encounter a variety of Non-MCQ (Type in the Answer or TITA) questions. Unlike traditional multiple-choice questions, these require candidates to solve problems and type in the correct answer without any given options. Understanding the common types of non-MCQ questions can help you prepare more effectively. Here’s a breakdown of the most frequently asked types:

1. Misfit or Odd Sentence Out

In these verbal ability questions, you're given a set of sentences, and your task is to identify the one that does not logically fit with the others. These questions test your understanding of paragraph coherence and flow.

2. Summary Questions

You’ll be presented with a short passage or paragraph and asked to condense it into a concise and accurate summary. These questions evaluate your ability to comprehend and extract the main idea effectively.

3. Parajumbles (Sentence Rearrangement)

In this type, a set of jumbled sentences is provided. You need to rearrange them to form a coherent and logically ordered paragraph. Since there are no options to help you, these are typically asked in TITA format and demand a strong understanding of logical sequencing and flow.

4. Data Interpretation (DI) Questions

In DI-based TITA questions, you’ll be required to analyze data presented in tables, charts, bar graphs, or pie charts. The answer must be calculated and entered manually, making accuracy and attention to detail critical.

5. Logical Reasoning (LR) Questions

These questions assess your ability to draw logical conclusions, identify patterns, or solve puzzles based on the given information. You must deduce the answer without multiple choices, which increases the importance of clarity and structured thinking.

6. Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Occasionally, CAT includes TITA-format RC questions where you read a passage and type your response directly. These questions test your reading comprehension, inference skills, and understanding of tone and context.

7. Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Questions

These are numeric value-based questions where you must solve mathematical problems and enter the exact answer. Topics include:

• Arithmetic

• Algebra

• Geometry

• Number Systems

• Modern Math

Because there's no option to validate your answer, accuracy and conceptual clarity are essential.

8. Verbal Ability Questions

These may include vocabulary-based questions, grammar corrections, or sentence completions. You’ll need to apply your language skills to construct or complete correct sentences without the help of multiple choices.

Also Read: Can a Final Year Student Apply for CAT 2025?

Conclusion

The non-MCQ questions in CAT 2025 should not be feared; they should be strategically approached. With no negative marking, they offer a golden chance to improve your score if tackled with clarity, speed, and accuracy. Strengthen your fundamentals, practice extensively, and use smart strategies to master Non-MCQ questions. Remember, in a competitive exam like CAT, every mark counts and TITA questions might just be the edge you need.