The Psychology of CAT Toppers: Habits and Mindset for 99+ Percentile

The Psychology of CAT Toppers: Habits and Mindset for 99+ Percentile

Every MBA candidate hopes to gain admission to an Indian Institute of Management (IIM). The newcomers to this field are unaware that most IIMs use sectional cut-offs in addition to the overall CAT cut-off for admission. However, every aspirant wonders what strategy should be used to achieve high scores in the CAT examination.

So here are some section-wise strategies for getting a 99.5+ percentile in the CAT Exam.

Preparation Strategy For VARC Section

Make an effort to dedicate one hour per day to reading. This practice will help you develop a broad perspective on various issues. In the early stages of your preparation, aim to solve at least one Reading Comprehension (RC) passage daily.

Preparation Strategy For LRDI Section

Given that CAT has moved away from traditional LRDI sets, it is critical to focus on practicing non-traditional sets. The sets that are now appearing are logic-based and contain relatively few data-intensive elements. Set aside one hour daily to improve your understanding of DI/LR concepts. Furthermore, aim to complete two sets per day, one DI set and one LR set.

Preparation Strategy Quant Section

A solid foundation in Quantitative Basics is essential for success in the Quantitative Ability section. It is recommended that aspirants devote at least 1-2 months to understanding the quantitative fundamentals. Unfortunately, many candidates overlook this aspect of their preparation.

Remember

• Don’t spend more than three minutes on any question.
• Do not let anyone make fun of your ego. For example, suppose you spent a lot of time practicing 'Remainders,' but your answer on the exam differs from the available options.
• Students waste time by answering similar questions. On the contrary, we should disregard such questions and return to them once we have finished the entire question paper.
• Avoid silly mistakes by working neatly. Remember that each error costs you money and can lower your QA score by two to three percent.
• Take QA sectional tests regularly, ideally once every two days. You could also do it another way. Allow at least 2.5 hours per day (1 hour of testing and 1.5 hours of analysis).
• Make a habit of reviewing your notes before each mock. This will improve your mental state and help you score in the 99 percentile in the QA section.
• Every new concept you learn, regardless of where it came from, should be written down and revised.
• After a while, you will realize that more than 95% of the questions come from your notes.

Avoid these common mistakes

Cracking CAT 2025 isn’t just about hard work, it’s about smart strategy. Many aspirants fall into common traps like skipping topics, relying on memorization, or delaying prep. Avoiding these mistakes can make a huge difference in your score and confidence.

Not understanding the detailed syllabus for each section

Before you begin preparing, make sure you understand the syllabus. It will not help to know it vaguely. You should also review a few papers from previous years. For example, the VARC syllabus states that you must study grammar, but a thorough analysis reveals that there are no direct grammar questions; however, grammar is important indirectly for reading comprehension, sentence rearrangement, and so on.

Don't Delay Preparation

It is better to start early. The syllabus is extensive, and there is intense competition. You must first understand the concepts before practicing them. You cannot afford to waste time.

The syllabus is diverse, and all topics must be completed.
Even if a topic is not particularly important or is rarely asked about, there is no guarantee that it will not appear on your exam paper. So, avoiding such topics during preparation would be risky. However, pay special attention to the questions that are asked repeatedly.

Do not rely solely on memorization

Don’t just do rote learning; concentrate on understanding. If you do not understand the concepts, your ability to retain information may be limited. Acquire shortcuts and formulas while fully comprehending them.

Avoid rote learning

Do not overwork yourself with lengthy study sessions.
Even if you only have a limited amount of time, it is more important that you study with focus than the number of hours. Furthermore, studying for several hours at a time is not sustainable in the long term.

Wind-Up

It is recommended that all aspirants answer the CAT exam questions with confidence. Before arriving at the exam center, they should read all of the instructions on the CAT admit card 2025.

Sambhavi Prakash