When I decided to write CAT, it was not a casual decision. It came from a phase where I wanted clarity, direction, and a future that gave me both purpose and financial strength. I wanted a chance to enter the best management institutes in the country, learn from brilliant minds, and build a career that would open doors for many years to come.
CAT became my way of challenging myself. It was a step toward building a strong foundation for my future, especially when I felt unsure about my next move. Preparing for it taught me consistency, patience, and the ability to stay calm even when things felt overwhelming. These lessons helped me far beyond academics.
As CAT 2025 approaches in just a few days, here is everything I sincerely want to share with anyone who is preparing right now. This is not generic advice. These are the things I learnt the hard way and the things I wish someone had told me.
What I Would Tell Anyone Giving CAT 2025
Do not change your entire strategy now
With only a few days left, the worst thing you can do is rebuild your method from scratch. Trust the efforts you have already put in. Make small corrections, not complete overhauls.
Stay calm. The exam rewards clarity more than speed
Every year, the real challenge is staying composed. A calm mind gives better accuracy and better decision-making.
Choose your questions wisely
CAT is not a test of solving everything. It is a test of solving the right things. One skipped question can save ten minutes and prevent panic.
Do not push yourself too hard these last days
Study, but avoid burning out. A tired mind performs poorly even if it knows everything.
Section-wise Advice for CAT 2025
VARC
Most aspirants panic here, but this is the section where a calm mind helps the most.
What to do now
- Read two or three good articles every day to stay in rhythm
- Focus on comprehension rather than speed
- Do a few previous year RC passages just to remind yourself of patterns
- Revise your approach for summaries and para jumbles instead of learning new methods
What to do in the exam
- Do not rush the first passage. If the tone or topic feels heavy, skip and return later
- Avoid overthinking answer choices. Go with the meaning of the passage, not assumptions
- Maintain a steady pace instead of rushing early and then freezing later
DILR
This section decides percentiles for many students because it can either calm you or shake you.
What to do now
- Solve three or four sets every day, not twenty
- Revise the types of sets you know you can confidently handle
- Focus on selection of sets rather than trying to master new ones
What to do in the exam
- Spend the first two or three minutes scanning all sets
- Pick the one that feels the cleanest and most structured
- Do not waste more than seven or eight minutes on a set that is going nowhere
- Your job is not to solve all sets. Your job is to secure marks
QUANT
This section feels scary for many, but it is predictable and rewards clarity more than tricks.
What to do now
- Revise all basic formulas, but keep it light
- Practice moderate-level questions that build confidence
- Avoid very tough questions because they will only drain your energy
What to do in the exam
- Begin with the topics you are strongest in
- Skip questions that look heavy or time-consuming
- Maintain accuracy
- Do not get stuck on algebra traps. Move quickly and trust your judgement
My Final Message to Anyone Writing CAT 2025
You still have enough time to stay steady and organised. Focus on small, consistent revisions and keep your approach simple. Do not let the pressure of the last few days affect your confidence. Walk into the exam with a clear mind and a practical strategy. A calm, balanced attempt often leads to a better score than an overly aggressive one. You have prepared for this, so trust your process and give your best in the time you have.
Likitha Erathuvathikal is currently pursuing the International Master in Business program at SDA Bocconi Asia Center. She is a B.Tech (Hons.) graduate in Computer Science Engineering with a specialization in Data Science, maintaining an 8.45 CGPA throughout her undergraduate studies. She achieved 9.2 CGPA in 10th class and 96% in 12th class, demonstrating consistent academic excellence.
In CAT, she scored an impressive overall percentile of 97.36, with standout performances across all sections: 83.92 in VARC, 98.82 in DILR, and 95.75 in QA. Beyond management entrance exams, she has also attempted the UPSC 2024 and TSPSC 2024 preliminary examinations, showcasing her diverse academic interests.
Professionally, Likitha worked as a QA Engineer at Bottle Technologies (2024) and has previously interned as an SDET at Frugal Testing (2022–2023) and as an SDE at HighRadius (2021), bringing valuable technical experience to her profile.