Scoring 90+ percentile in CAT 2025 may seem like a challenge, but with the right strategy and hard work, it is achievable. Scroll through to find out how to score 90+ percentile in CAT 2025.
How to Score 90+ Percentile in CAT 2025:
To score a 90 percentile in the
CAT 2025
exam may seem like a daunting task, especially if you want to pursue an
MBA course
from a top-tier B school. But this goal can be achieved with the right guidance and strong determination. Getting a 90+ percentile in CAT 2024 takes a well-thought-out strategy, time management, and test-taking skills. The first step is to understand the CAT exam pattern and weightage in each section. The CAT has three sections: Language and Reading Skills (VARC), Data and Logic abilities (DILR), and Quantitative Ability or math skills (QA).
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How to Score 90+ Percentile in CAT 2025?
To achieve a 99 percentile, you need to consider more than just attempting a specific number of questions. Check out the primary steps you need to take to score a 99 percentile:
Strategy Area | What It Means | How to Do It (Action Steps) | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
Understand CAT 2025 Pattern & Syllabus | Know the weightage of VARC, DILR & QA; understand question types and difficulty levels. | Analyse previous papers, check official CAT mock, and list high-frequency topics. | Clear roadmap of what to study and how much time to devote to each section. |
Build Strong Basics | A solid understanding of fundamental concepts improves accuracy. | Strengthen arithmetic, algebra, geometry; improve grammar rules and reading ability; practise logical patterns. | Faster problem-solving with fewer mistakes. |
Section-Wise Preparation Plan | Balanced preparation across VARC, DILR, and QA is essential for sectional cutoffs. | VARC: read daily & practise RCs. DILR: Solve 2–3 sets daily. QA: practise arithmetic + time-bound drills. | Steady improvement in sectional scores. |
Daily Practice & Mock Tests | Regular testing helps identify weaknesses and measure progress. | Start with 1 mock every 10 days → increase to 2–3 weekly; analyse each mock thoroughly. | Higher accuracy, better time management, and reduced negative marking. |
Learn Shortcuts & Time-Saving Techniques | Faster calculation boosts total attempts. | Learn Vedic maths, approximation techniques, mental calculation shortcuts, and logical grouping in DILR. | Ability to solve more questions within a limited time. |
Improve Speed & Accuracy Together | High percentile requires both speed without accuracy to reduce scores. | Practise timed sectional tests, maintain accuracy above 80%, and revise errors regularly. | More attempts with consistent correctness. |
Focus on High-Weightage Topics | Cover topics that appear frequently across years. | QA: Arithmetic & Algebra; VARC: RCs; DILR: Arrangement + Logical Networks. | Maximum score gain in minimum time. |
Revision & Error Log Maintenance | Tracks mistakes and prevents repetition. | Maintain a notebook of repeated errors, weekly revision of formulas, and practice weak areas. | Gradual score improvement and error reduction. |
Mental Preparation & Exam Strategy | Calmness and smart strategy matter on exam day. | Choose the right order of attempting sections, skip tough questions early, and avoid guesswork. | Increased confidence and better percentile performance. |
Healthy Routine & Consistency | Long-term preparation requires discipline. | Follow a fixed study timetable (2–3 hours daily), take breaks, and maintain a sleep cycle. | Sustained performance throughout preparation. |
Number of Good Attempts for 90+ Percentile
According to experts, in order to aim for a 99 percentile score, it's recommended to accurately answer at least 75 percent of the questions. Achieving this level of accuracy is crucial because both the sectional percentile and overall percentile are important for admissions into IIMs. For CAT 2025, here's a breakdown of the number of good attempts based on the CAT previous year paper :
- In the VARC section, with 24 questions, it's advisable to aim for 18 accurate attempts.
- In the DILR section, which has 20 questions, targeting 13 accurate attempts is a good strategy.
- For the Quantitative Aptitude section with 22 questions, aiming for 16 accurate attempts is recommended.
In total, the CAT exam consists of 66 questions, and achieving approximately 47 accurate attempts across all sections can help you work towards a 99 percentile score.
Study Plan to Score 90+ Percentile in CAT 2025
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Scoring a 90+ percentile in the CAT requires dedicated preparation, time management, and a well-structured study plan. To score 90+ percentile you should have some study plan. Here are some tips to create a study plan for scoring 90+ percentile in CAT 2025:
- Understand the CAT Exam Pattern: CAT usually consists of three sections- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Develop a familiarity with each section's examination scheme, marks system, and time limits.
- Assess Your Current Level: Take a CAT 2025 mock test or a practice test to gauge your initial level of proficiency and Identify your strengths and weaknesses in each section.
- Time Management: You should Allocate specific time slots for study, practice, and revision and you should Stick to a consistent study schedule to build a study habit.
- Concept Clarity: In each of the sections, focus on building a strong foundation. Review basic concepts and principles to ensure a clear understanding.
- Practice Regularly: You Should start Solving a variety of CAT-level questions from different sources and Take sectional and full-length mock tests regularly to simulate exam conditions.
- Analyze Mock Tests: After each mock test, thoroughly analyze your performance. Then Identify your mistakes and areas for improvement. Work on strategies to solve questions more efficiently.
- Revision: Set aside time for regular revision of concepts and formulas and Review your notes and mistakes from previous mock tests.
How Many Questions to Attempt in CAT to Score 90+ Percentile?
Here's a rough estimate as to how many questions you should attempt in CAT to score 90+ percentile:
- CAT typically consists of around 66 questions in total.
- You may need to aim for a raw score in the range of 24-26 questions in each section correct from the total to achieve a 90+ percentile.
- Consideration must also be given to the fact that, depending on the general difficulty of the exam, there may be different numbers of questions required for correct answers.
- In some years, you might need to answer fewer questions correctly, while in other years, you might need to answer more.
In conclusion, the answer to the question of ' How to score a 90+ percentile in the CAT 2025 exam' may seem challenging, but it's an achievable goal with the right approach. Pursuing an MBA program from a top-tier B-school is a significant ambition, and this journey demands unwavering dedication, strategic planning, and effective time management. Typically, you may need to answer around 24-26 questions correctly in each section to reach your goal. However, the specific number can be influenced by the exam's overall difficulty level. Achieving your target percentile requires a robust strategy and a keen understanding of the CAT exam pattern and marking scheme.
A well-structured study plan is your ally in this endeavor. You should begin by understanding the CAT exam pattern and assessing your current level. Time management, concept clarity, regular practice, and thorough analysis of mock tests are all integral to your preparation. Best of luck in your CAT journey!
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FAQs
The lowest CAT percentile for an IIM admission call typically falls within the 85-90% range for some of the newer IIMs and the reserved categories.
A "CAT safe score" refers to a CAT exam percentile which is high enough to ensure admission into a specific MBA college or IIM. For the top IIMs (such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta), a safe score is generally considered to be 99+ percentile, requiring a raw score over 100.
Yes, a 90 percentile is generally considered good enough to get a call from a few IIMs, especially the newer and less competitive ones
Cracking CAT in the last 90 days can be tough but not totally impossible with the appropriate strategy and approach. By following a study plan customized to your needs and areas of improvement, you can definitely ace your CAT preparation within months.
To achieve a 90 percentile in the CAT exam, you generally need to answer around 25-30 correct questions across all the sections, depending on the difficulty of the exam paper and your accuracy.
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