Revisiting CAT 2024 & Targeting CAT 2025: The Big Picture
As we get into the final few laps for CAT 2025 lets revisit CAT 2024 and take key lessons in our journey to CAT 2025.
CAT 2024 introduced notable tweaks compared to previous years yet retained its fundamental challenge: 120 minutes to solve 68 questions across three sections. According to coaching-institute analyses and student feedback, CAT 2024 was overall more approachable than CAT 2023, especially in DILR and Quantitative Ability, but this made benchmarks and cut-offs more competitive at top B-schools. Understanding these changes and their implications is crucial for CAT 2025 aspirants aiming to stay ahead.
Pattern Changes & Structure
- Total Questions: 68 (VARC: 24, DILR: 22, QA: 22)
- Section Timing: 40 minutes each.
- VARC Tweaks: Complete removal of Paragraph Jumble. Instead, more emphasis on paragraph completion, summary, and odd-sentence (TITA) questions
- DILR Tweaks: Increased to 5 sets (2 sets of 5 Qs, 3 sets of 4 Qs) totaling 22 questions, up from 20 in earlier patterns.
- QA Composition: Arithmetic-heavy (around 8–10 questions), with Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, and Modern Math making up the remainder.
- Question Types: Mix of MCQs (with negative marking) and TITA (no negative marking). The balance across MCQ/TITA varied section-wise (e.g., more TITA in DILR).
- Difficulty Level: Slot-wise variations, but overall moderate; easier than CAT 2023 in many aspects, especially DILR and QA, though VARC maintained moderate challenge.
Because the exam was slightly “easier,” percentile cut-offs at premier IIMs likely edged upward; thus, aspirants needed to aim for even higher raw scores to secure the same percentiles as previous years.
Section-Wise Analysis & Key Takeaways
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
- Question Distribution: Approximately 16 Reading Comprehension (RC) questions + 8 Verbal Ability (VA) questions, but with no para-jumbles. Instead, VA featured summary, paragraph completion, and odd-sentence (TITA) items
- Difficulty: Generally easy to moderate for RC passages, with a mix of easier and moderate-length passages. VA questions required strong elimination instincts and clarity in sentence usage.
- Attempts & Accuracy: Students reported targeting around 12–14 attempts with 60–70% accuracy to secure a safe percentile in VARC. Overthinking often led to time loss; trusting reading instincts paid off.
- Strategy Lessons:
- Active Reading Practice: Regularly practice varied RCs to build speed and comprehension. Focus on identifying main ideas, tone, and structure quickly.
- VA Question Drills: Prioritize exercises on paragraph completion and summary questions under timed conditions. Develop clarity on sentence coherence to tackle odd-sentence TITA items confidently.
- Time Allocation: Avoid spending excessive time on any single passage or question. Practice pacing to attempt all RCs first, then VA, or vice versa, based on personal strength.
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
- Question Distribution: 5 sets totaling 22 questions (2 sets × 5 Qs, 3 sets × 4 Qs). A blend of DI caselets (tables, graphs) and LR puzzles (arrangements, tournaments, assignment problems).
- Difficulty: Moderate overall and easier compared to CAT 2023 DILR. However, certain sets still demanded multi-step reasoning, careful data filtering, and accuracy under time pressure.
- Attempts & Accuracy: Quality over quantity—targeting around 10–13 questions with high accuracy (80%+ for safe percentile). Skipping a deceptively tough set early could improve overall score.
- Strategy Lessons:
- Set Selection: Develop the skill to quickly gauge set difficulty in the first 1–2 minutes—identify whether information is structured clearly or too convoluted for your comfort.
- Practice Diverse DI Formats: Regularly solve graph/table caselets and varied LR puzzles under timed mocks. Exposure reduces hesitation on exam day.
- Accuracy Focus: Since negative marking applies to MCQs, avoid guessing. For TITA questions (no negative), attempt only when reasonably sure.
- Time Management: Allocate time flexibly—if one set stalls your momentum, move on and return only if time permits.
QA (Quantitative Ability)
- Composition: Arithmetic-dominant (around 8–10 questions), plus Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, and Modern Math (permutations, probability).
- Difficulty: Moderate overall; easier than CAT 2023, but still challenging for accuracy under time constraints. Many straightforward-looking questions could be time-consuming if fundamentals weren’t rock-solid.
- Attempts & Accuracy: Aiming for about 10–12 attempts with 70–80% accuracy was typical for a strong percentile.
- Strategy Lessons:
- Fundamentals Mastery: Strengthen arithmetic basics (percentages, ratios, time & work, speed & distance) through daily practice. Make formula recall second nature.
- Speed & Calculation Practice: Use shortcuts judiciously but ensure they don’t invite errors. Practice mental math to save precious seconds.
- Topic-wise Mock Analysis: Post-mock, analyze which topics consume excess time or cause errors. Devise targeted practice for weak areas.
- Balancing Easy vs. Time-Consuming: Learn to identify “windfall” questions vs. trap questions early. Attempt easy ones first to build confidence and bank marks.
Slot-Wise & Overall Student Feedback
- Slot Variations: Slot 1 was reported as slightly tougher in QA than Slot 2/3; VARC sometimes felt tougher in Slot 3 due to passage topics. However, differences were marginal overall.
- Psychological Factors: Anxiety on exam day impacted attempt order; many aspirants preferred starting with their strongest section (e.g., QA first for some) to build momentum.
- Post-Exam Reflection: High-performing students emphasized mock simulations under strict timed, proctored conditions to mimic real exam pressure.
- Cut-off Implications: Since CAT 2024 was marginally easier, the cut-offs for IIMs likely rose by a few raw-score points. Aspirants needed to aim for higher safe attempts than in previous years.
Lessons & Tips for CAT 2025 Preparation
Revisiting CAT 2024 helps shape an effective prep roadmap for CAT 2025. Below are distilled insights and actionable tips:
- Start Early & Build Fundamentals
- Begin with Basics: From Day 1, reinforce arithmetic concepts, grammar rules, and logical reasoning principles. A strong foundation pays dividends in mock performance.
- Structured Study Plan: Create a weekly/monthly calendar, allotting dedicated slots to VARC, DILR, QA, revision, and rest. Consistency beats cramming.
- Mock Test Series: Simulate Real Exam Conditions
- Realistic Environment: Take full-length mocks in a proctored, timed setting to build exam temperament. This reduces anxiety on D-Day.
- Sectional Mocks & Analysis: Regular sectional tests help isolate weak areas early. Post-mock, invest time in deep analysis—identify time-sinks, error patterns, conceptual gaps.
- Adaptive Practice & Feedback Loop
- Data-Driven Improvement: Track performance metrics (attempts vs. accuracy vs. time taken) for each topic. Use this data to adapt study focus.
- Peer/ Mentor Discussions: Join study groups or mentor sessions to discuss tricky problems; this exposes you to varied approaches.
- Refine Section Strategies
- VARC: Practice active reading daily (newspapers, editorials, research articles). Drill RCs under timed conditions. For VA questions, practice summary/parajumble alternatives as seen in CAT 2024.
- DILR: Expose yourself to diverse DI sets (tables, graphs, caselets) and LR puzzles. Practice quick set-evaluation techniques. Emphasize accuracy over blind attempts.
- QA: Balance speed with accuracy; focus on arithmetic drills and learn to switch quickly between topics. Regularly time-based topic tests (e.g., 15-minute arithmetic drills).
- Time & Stress Management
- Mock Simulation of Pressure: Include distractions or minor stressors during practice mocks to train resilience.
- Exam-Day Strategy: Decide attempt order based on your strengths and slot-wise insights. Be ready to pivot if a section seems tougher than expected—move on, maintain composure, and return later if time allows.
- Analyze Last-Year Patterns but Stay Flexible
- Pattern Awareness: CAT examiners may tweak question types (as in CAT 2024’s removal of para-jumbles). Stay updated via reliable analysis, but avoid overfitting exclusively to last year’s pattern.
- Versatility: Practice a wide variety of questions beyond just “previous year repeats.” This builds adaptability for surprises in CAT 2025.
- Revise Strategically
- Regular Revision Cycles: Allocate weekly slots to revisit previously covered topics. Use summary notes, flashcards for formulas/rules.
- Error Log Maintenance: Maintain an error log across mocks—note why mistakes happened (conceptual lapse, silly error, time pressure) and address them systematically.
- Stay Informed & Motivated
- Follow Credible Insights: Rely on trustworthy sources (coaching institutes’ official analysis, credible education portals) rather than unverified social-media hearsay.
- Health & Well-being: Ensure adequate sleep, nutrition, and breaks. A fresh mind improves learning and performance.
Marketing Note: Endeavor Magic CAT Test Series & Toolkit
As CAT 2025 aspirants gear up, having the right resources and guidance can make a pivotal difference. Here’s how Endeavor Magic supports you:
🚀 Endeavor Magic CAT 2025 Test Series (Launch: July 1, 2025)
- Realistic, Adaptive Mocks: Full-length proctored simulations mirroring CAT 2024/expected CAT 2025 pattern, including section-wise timing and question-type distribution.
- Sectional Tests & Topic Drills: Focused sectional tests to sharpen specific skills (e.g., RC speed drills, DI set-evaluation, arithmetic speed rounds).
- Live Analysis Sessions: Post-mock discussions led by CAT experts and IIM alumni, dissecting high-yield questions and strategic approaches.
- Benchmarking & Percentile Projections: National-level rank lists to gauge where you stand, plus data-driven feedback on target score improvements.
- Personalized Improvement Plan: Detailed feedback reports highlighting strengths and weaknesses, with actionable next steps and revision roadmaps.
- Community & Mentor Support: Access to a peer community for doubt resolution, plus mentor Q&A sessions to clarify conceptual queries.
🗓️ Starts July 1, 2025
🔗 Explore & Enroll: www.endeavormagic.com
🧰 Endeavor Magic Toolkit for Self-Prep
For aspirants preferring independent study, the Toolkit offers:
- 100+ Hours of Concept Videos: Comprehensive lectures on VARC, DILR, and QA fundamentals, taught by seasoned mentors.
- Chapter-wise Practice Material: Thousands of curated practice questions aligned to CAT 2024/2025 trends, with detailed solutions.
- Weekly Study Planner & Progress Tracker: Built-in calendar to schedule topics, mocks, and revisions, plus tools to monitor consistency.
- Mock Discussion Resources: Recorded analyses of select mock questions illustrating thinking processes and shortcuts.
- Mentor Q&A Access: Periodic live sessions or forums to clear doubts, ensuring you don’t prep in isolation.
- Strategic Guides & E-books: Tips on exam-day strategy, time management, mindset conditioning, and post-mock remediation.
🔗 Get the Toolkit: www.endeavormagic.com
Conclusion
Revisiting CAT 2024 reveals how slight pattern tweaks and difficulty variations can shift the competitive landscape. For CAT 2025, aspirants must combine strong fundamentals with realistic mock practice, smart test-taking strategies, and continuous feedback loops. Whether you choose guided preparation via the Endeavor Magic CAT Test Series or the structured Endeavor Magic Toolkit for self-study, the goal remains the same: simulate exam-like conditions, analyze performance deeply, and refine your approach iteratively. Start early, practice smart, and aim not just to know concepts, but to apply them swiftly and accurately under time pressure.
Prepare wisely, stay adaptive, and let Endeavor Magic be your partner on the path to CAT success.