Looking for expert-recommended study material? Discover which are the best books for CAT preparation in 2025 with section-wise recommendations for VARC, DILR, and QA to boost your CAT score.
Table of Contents
The best books for CAT Preparation in 2025 are Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis, Quantitative Aptitude by Nishit K. Sinha, A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal, etc. If you don't know what your requirements are, selecting the right books for your 2025 CAT Preparation can be challenging. You need to understand that there are many books in the market, and not all of them will be useful.
When you are on the lookout for books for CAT exam preparation 2025, you should try to find books that have chapter-wise explanations, thorough discussions of concepts, solved examples, and, of course, practice questions, because these features help build a strong foundational understanding.
If you wish to crack CAT 2025, you should only study from books that are recommended by experts and toppers. To make your search easier, we have made a section-wise list of the best CAT 2025 books. However, before you begin, I would advise that you have a clear strategy for CAT 2025 preparation.
Best books for CAT 2025 Preparation - Section Wise
The Common Admission Test (CAT) aims to assess your aptitude in three broad areas. Each section assesses a distinct skill set crucial to success at the management program level. Book selection is also very vital for each section of the CAT exam 2025 preparation, so you have a balanced and effective preparation strategy.
Listed below are the books for each section of the CAT exam.
1. Books for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
This section tests your command of the English language, focusing on reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and verbal reasoning. To score well, you need strong reading habits, a good vocabulary base, and the ability to analyse written content quickly.
Listed below are the best books to prepare for the verbal ability and reading comprehension section of the CAT exam.
|
Book Name |
Author/Publisher |
|
Word Power Made Easy |
Norman Lewis |
|
High School English Grammar and Composition |
Wren & Martin |
|
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT |
Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay (Latest Edition) |
|
The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT |
Nishit K. Sinha |
|
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT |
Nishit K. Sinha |
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
The DILR section, i.e. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, tests how well one can analyse information, identify patterns, and solve logical problems within a specified time frame. This is the most dynamic section in recent years and thus requires practising different types of questions.
Listed below are the best books to prepare for the data interpretation and logical reasoning section of the CAT exam.
|
Book Name |
Author/Publisher |
|
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT |
Nishit K. Sinha |
|
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
|
Puzzle Books like “A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning” |
R.S. Aggarwal |
|
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT |
Arun Sharma |
|
A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning |
R.S. Aggarwal |
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
The QA part tests your math ability, how exact you are, and how fast you can solve problems. Topics come from math, algebra, shapes, and number systems—all learned in high school but with more hardness.
Listed below are the best books to prepare for the quantitative aptitude section of the CAT exam.
|
Book Name |
Author/Publisher |
|
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT |
Arun Sharma (Latest Edition) |
|
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
R.S. Aggarwal |
|
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT |
Sarvesh K. Verma |
|
Quantitative Aptitude by Nishit K. Sinha |
Nishit K. Sinha |
|
The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations |
Dinesh Khattar |
Also Read:
Newspapers and Magazines Suggested for CAT 2025 Preparation
Here’s a list of newspapers and magazines suggested for CAT 2025 preparation, especially for improving your Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) and staying updated for WAT, GD & PI rounds:
Recommended Newspapers for CAT 2025
Reading newspapers daily enhances your vocabulary, comprehension speed, and awareness of national and international issues—essential for both the CAT exam and the post-exam selection process.
- The Hindu (Editorial Section)
- The Indian Express
- The Economic Times
- LiveMint
- The Times of India (Opinion/Editorial Pages)
Recommended Magazines for CAT 2025
Magazines help you build a broader understanding of social, economic, and international topics, often covered in WAT/GD/PI.
- Frontline (by The Hindu)
- Business Today
- Outlook / India Today
- Reader’s Digest
- Yojana & Kurukshetra (Govt. of India Publications)
Also Read:
- How to Prepare for CAT Exam at Home? Best Tips, Sectional Strategy, List of Books and Online Classes
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right books can accelerate your CAT 2025 preparation significantly. Whether you're a beginner or a repeat aspirant, the books listed above cover all essential topics and difficulty levels. Consistency, CAT exam mock tests, and smart revision combined with these resources can help you crack the CAT with confidence.
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