CAT 2025 Last 20 Days Preparation Strategy: Smart Preparation Tips for the Final Stretch

Did you know that almost 30% (20 out of 68) of the questions on CAT 2024 did not have negative marking?
This is how it was:

CAT 2025 Non-MCQs (TITA)

We should try all of these questions since there is no negative marking. We can dedicate some time to this category to ensure no question is left unattempted. If you are running out of time, just type in one of the possible numbers as your answer.
For example, these were the instructions for the non-MCQ questions of the VARC section of CAT 2024:
Five jumbled-up sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd sentence and key in the number of that sentence as your answer.
If you mark just any of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, there is a 20% chance of you scoring +3. More importantly, you don’t lose anything if you get it wrong!

How many mocks in the last 20 days?

The answer to this depends on your level of preparedness.
You may practise 5-6 mocks per week, provided you analyse each of them thoroughly.
If you got stuck while attempting a question or couldn't get the correct answer, you must review your approach thoroughly. You must ask yourself if you could use the options to get the correct answer. Many of us, especially in the QA and the DILR sections, start solving a question immediately after reading it. Develop a habit of reading all options before you start solving a question.
Also, the CAT is not a single test; it is a series of three tests administered without any breaks. When practising a mock at home, allocate exactly 38 minutes (NOT 40) for each section.
In addition to mocks, one should also practise 1-2 sectional tests (again, in just 38 minutes) daily. The maximum number of these sectional tests should come from the section in which you are weakest.
Please bear in mind that you tend to avoid practising the section you are weakest at.

What content should be done?

IIM Kozhikode is conducting CAT 2025. They last conducted the CAT in 2019. Please practise the CAT 2019 questions from both slots. CAT 2019 was conducted in just 2 slots. IIM Kozhikode conducted a test for its BMS programme this year. That paper is available on their site. Please solve that paper as well.
The best practice for CAT is to review questions from previous years. All CAT papers from 1990 to 2008 (20 papers) are available in the public domain. In 2003, two papers were conducted because the first paper was leaked!
All CAT papers from 2017 to 2024 (21 papers) are also available in the public domain.
You must have done many of these questions already. Please do as many actual CAT questions as possible.

‘>’, ‘<’ and ‘Question Paper’ format

A mock CAT with sample questions will be available on the official CAT website from November 12. The questions on this mock are mostly from previous years’ CATs. It is important for you to spend time practising this mock to familiarise yourself with the exact interface that awaits you on the C-Day.
The ’>’ function hides the answer panel but increases the font size of the questions and passages. This makes the questions easier to read.
The ‘Question Paper’ format helps you to see all questions in a section by simply scrolling up and down, eliminating the need to click the ‘next’ button multiple times.
You must practise all these features of the CAT while practising mocks. Also, please practise on the on-screen calculator to familiarise yourself with it.

Please ensure that you do not start reading an RC passage when less than 5 minutes remain in the VARC section. In fact, you should know what to do during the last 5 minutes of each section. The final 5 minutes can be tricky, and that is very human. 

By this time, you already know your slot for November 30.

If your test is not in the first slot, you must watch the analysis (by a reputable person) of the first and second slots (if applicable) to understand the number of questions in each section and the level of difficulty. The difficulty level remains fairly consistent across slots. 

Please take care of your health during the preparations. Stay hydrated on the test day, but regulate your fluid intake to avoid needing breaks during the test. Some people eat chocolate just before entering the test arena to prevent hypoglycemia and improve thinking. 

Bell the CAT well!