How Many Mocks Should You Take Before CAT?

How many mocks should you attempt before CAT? Several factors influence the answer, including your current level of preparation, target score, and remaining time.

Thu Mar 27, 2025

How Many Mocks Should You Take Before CAT?

Relax, stop your prediction, guys. There is no benefit to solving an impossible puzzle. It is like counting stars in the sky.

Don't laugh; answering this question is worse than that.
Mock tests are rehearsals, while their analysis is the script. Together, they turn preparation into performance, paving the way for success on the CAT exam. Mocks are one of the resources you will use to get closer to your dream college.

At the end of this article, you will learn how many mocks are a wise bet.

Importance of Mock Tests

Mocks are not just about finding the possible CAT questions. It is about the numerous opportunities and experiences you gain from attempting a paper similar to the CAT.

They create an environment in which you can feel time pressure. They reflect your level of preparedness. You can see where you make mistakes and where you do well.
Henceforth, the importance of mock tests should not be overlooked.

How many mock tests to target?

The number of mocks required varies by aspirant. If you are a repeater, go for more than 30 mock tests. CAT mock tests are as important as the regular studies themselves. With the right strategy and the right amount of mock tests, an average student can crack the CAT exam.

Preparation From the Mock

There is no hard and fast rule for how many questions are required to pass the exam, but 10,000 questions can transform a beginner into a capable candidate.

This number is also reflected in the 66 questions that you will answer during a two-hour mock exam.
Due to a standard time limit, you will be better off not attempting all the questions, forcing you to strategize and determine which questions to leave.
Learning how and what to attempt for the paper is a critical component of improving your score.

Making it Hard

There is no hard and fast rule for how many questions are required to pass the exam, but 10,000 questions can elevate a noob to someone who can derivatively advance in the exam.
This will also give you an idea of what questions you will not be asking. Due to a standard time constraint, you will be better off not attempting all the questions, so you must strategize and determine which questions to leave.

Negative marks for each incorrect answer have a significant opportunity cost; each incorrect answer you mark and lose represents the difference between apparent success and disbelieved failure.
Learning how to attempt and what to attempt for the paper is a critical aspect of maximizing your score.

Weak Areas are Your First Target

The CAT is one of those exams where excelling in one section does not qualify you for the next round; you must demonstrate proficiency in all sections. To be considered for an interview at your desired college, you must score at least 80%.

To achieve the 80th percentile, you must score at least 6 questions correctly out of a total of 23/20 questions in the exam section within 40 minutes. For example, some students may be excellent at QA but struggle with VARC.

Mock tests can be used regularly to help identify such trends and guide future research. Mock exams can help with this difficult task.

Strong Areas Need Polishing

We are all born with strengths and weaknesses, and it is critical that we use those strengths effectively. Mock tests for the CAT will help you polish your strengths and maximize them on exam day. A good score can significantly improve your chances of being accepted to any college.
It is recommended that you approach the final exam with all guns blazing, which includes learning as much as possible about the subject.

Do Final Score & Mock Score Tally

For 60% of students, the mock and final scores are similar. For the other 40%, things are either better or worse. Though mocks simulate the final exam, they cannot guarantee your final day performance, as many factors come into play on the last day of your exam.

These factors are in addition to your preparation (your mental and physical health, the environment around you, and so on), so students should keep in mind that mock tests are only one part of the equation. They are not the actual exam, nor do they predict the exact score one would receive on the CAT. They are valuable tools for practice and self-evaluation, but they are not the only factors that influence success.

Best Mock Tests For CAT

Now that we have covered how many mock tests you should take before the CAT exam, it is time to select the best mock test series for CAT. Keep in mind the relevance of the content and how closely it follows the CAT exam 2025 pattern.

Get the most relevant CAT-level questions that are comparable to the CAT exam.

Yes, a year can be enough to study for the CAT exam, provided that one has a systematic schedule and consistent study habits.

How to prepare for CAT in one year

Start preparing early: Securing at least one year in advance for preparations will be of utmost help.

Plan out: Draw a study plan and abide by it.

Practice: Extensive practice will enhance your problem-solving.

Mock tests: Take a few mock tests and analyze your performance.

Fundamental focus: In the first month, ensure you focus on laying the groundwork for your preparation.

Complete the syllabus: The next important thing is to become familiar with the CAT syllabus.

Improve your verbal ability and reading comprehension. Verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC) must be honed.

Time required for CAT preparation

An important factor that determines the time will be your entire academics.

If your grades are average, preparations will take more than a year.
If you are average, then it may take 6 to 8 months.
If you are a brilliant student, preparing for the CAT will take about 3 to 4 months.

Final Thoughts
How many mocks should a candidate give depends on various factors like his background, whether he is a repeater or a fresher etc. However, giving 30+ mocks will get you that confidence and calm your nerves.


Sambhavi Prakash