How to Start Preparing For CAT 2025? Best Books, Preparation Tips

Are you wondering over how to start preparing for CAT 2025? It requires a smart, structured, and consistent approach. As it is one of the most competitive MBA entrance exams in India, and it tests your aptitude in Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. The best way to start is by understanding the CAT exam pattern and syllabus, assessing your current level through a mock test, and creating a realistic study plan.

Whether you opt for self-study or coaching, focus on building strong concepts, practising regularly, and analysing mock tests. With discipline and the right strategy, you can confidently crack CAT 2025.

How to Start Preparing for CAT by Self Study

When you're preparing for CAT, it's very important to understand the concept of the exam with its exam pattern, syllabus, marking scheme, and giving mock tests. This practice ensures and helps to boost your confidence to perform better on the test. Check out a few basic tips listed below for CAT exam preparation

• Understand the concept of CAT.
• Thoroughly go through the CAT Syllabus and exam pattern.
• Make a preparation plan and follow it religiously.
• Give CAT mock tests regularly.
• Practice solving CAT previous year's sample papers.
• Make a note of important topics subject-wise and work on strengthening your basics.

CAT Exam Preparation with Self Study

If you are unable to join professional classes and is planning to do CAT exam preparation at home, then you can choose to prepare by self-studying and follow some simple tips listed below.

• Check the CAT exam syllabus, exam pattern, and marking scheme properly.
• Join Online Study Group - There are multiple study groups now available on social media platforms; students can easily join on Facebook, Quora or YouTube, etc.
• Download MBA/CAT exam preparation apps, which are available on the playstore and apple store.
• Check out and buy the best books for CAT exam preparation.
• Check and obtain the CAT #year mock test material available with MBA coaching institutions.
• Ensure you make and follow a monthly plan for CAT exam preparation.

Category-wise CAT Exam Topics

As the CAT exam paper is divided into 3 major sections, you are advised to prepare and understand each section thoroughly to ensure your good performance in the test. Check out the overview of how these 3 sections are covered in the exam paper.

• CAT Vocabulary-based questions
  • Synonymsnalogies
  • Spellings
  • Odd words
  • Work on vocabulary knowledge along with reading skills

• CAT Grammar
  • Spotting Subject and Verb
  • Identify Pronouns in Complex Sentences
  • Focus on the usage of ‘Articles’
  • Concepts of Tenses
  • Punctuations are the keys
  • Spot the ‘Modifiers’
  • Parallel Constructions
  • Test for Redundancy
  • Possible Idiomatic Errors
  • Clarity of meaning

• CAT Reading Comprehension
  • Built habit of reading books for 2-3 hours daily
  • Focus on what the paragraph has to say
  • Once you read the question, come back to the part of the passage that is likely to have the answer
  • Compare the options and eliminate the incorrect choices based on the evidence that you see in the passage
  • Choose the answer once you are convinced of the right choice

Also Read: 

• How to Prepare for CAT 2025 Exam in 3 Months?
• CAT 2025 Preparation in 2 Months

CAT Exam Preparation with Institutions

CAT is considered to be one of the toughest entrance exam in India. There are many institutions that are helping you with the CAT exam preparations. Check out the list of top institutions for CAT exam preparations.

1. T.I.M.E

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. or T.I.M.E is one of the most reputed and promising institutes in India for CAT exam preparation. 

• T.I.M.E was established in 1992. Today there are 238 centers spread across 119 cities in India.
• T.I.M.E. provides features like study material, concept training, doubt sessions, topic-wise videos, section-wise testing, and comprehensive testing that are a part of the classroom teaching program.
• The institute also provides correspondence/online classes for the CAT exam preparation to their students. AIMCATs is a comprehensive mock test series provided by T.I.M.E. for CAT 2025 preparation. GWPI modules are also available in both online and classroom platforms.

2. Career Launcher

Career Launcher has also been the top pick of aspiring candidates for CAT. With over 21 years of experience, Career Launcher is successfully running their 200 centers in 100 cities in India.

• Career Launcher provides Classroom teaching for CAT 2025 and other popular management exams like XAT, SNAP, MAT, TISSNET, etc.
• Teaching, doubt clarification, study material, mock tests, workshops, etc are provided by the center.
• MBA Residential and online classes for CAT exam preparation and other initiatives by CL.

3. IMS

IMS has been in the industry for about 40 years and is one of the oldest organizations in this sector. It is spread across 44 cities with 99 centres. 

• The institute assists the candidates with features like study material, a blended classroom program with 150+ hours of video lectures, one-on-one mentoring sessions and 100 full-length mock tests.
• IMS provides two online test series for CAT exam preparation namely e- Test Series Plus and e- Test Series Focused. IMS also offers an Online Correspondence Program which is specifically for CAT 2025, it is a self-learning program with concept videos and 75 full-length mock tests.

4. PT Education

PT Education is another popular coaching institute for CAT 2025 preparations and was established in the year 1993.

• Courses of varied time durations are offered by the institute. PT MBA Entrance Course - PINNACLE Online is an online course that is offered for varied time durations such as 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years.
• PT MBA Entrance - PINNACLE Pen Drive course does not require any active internet connection. Candidates will have offline access to study material.

The best way to pick the right institute for CAT exam preparation is through social networking, and meeting the present and the ex or the pass-out students of the institutes. Try to learn from their experience. Social networking really helps when it’s done correctly, to shortlist the right institutes, and in many things.

Also Read:

• Main Reasons Why Aspirants Fail CAT Exam?

Best Books For CAT Exam Preparations 2025

It’s very important for you to pick the right books for CAT exam preparations or for any examinations. Check out the CAT books listed best for preparations:

CAT Best Books for VARC

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension is considered to be the toughest section of the CAT exam paper. Aspirants are advised to practice VARC questions and mock tests more frequently. Given below table is about the books to help you prepare for VARC.

Also Read: How to Improve Reading Comprehension for CAT Exam?

Best Books CAT for Quantitative Aptitude

Quantitative Aptitude is the most important section as it consists of Mathematical based intensive calculations. Check out the listed CAT books with their author names in the table below

Best Books for CAT DILR

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning is one of the most tricky papers out of all 3 sections. You need to practice DILR questions in order to improve your speed in solving the questions, this section can be the most time-consuming if the preparation is not done appropriately 

You are advised to go through the details carefully and start the exam preparation with full confidence and zeal.