Section-wise Preparation Tips for CAT 2025: Quant, Verbal, and DILR

The CAT Exam is an MBA entrance test which is divided into three sections, which are Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).

Each section assesses a different set of skills which range from understanding and reasoning to calculations and solutions to various problems thereby making it necessary to prepare very well.

In this blog we will understand the detailed breakup of the Section-wise Preparation Tips for CAT 2025 for CAT Quant preparation, CAT Verbal preparation and CAT DILR preparation. By focusing on these preparation CAT section-wise tips will highlight the potential core areas in every section along with the tips on how to prepare for those sections, enabling you for a smooth exam experience.

CAT Exam Syllabus 2025 Detailed Breakup

The CAT exam syllabus 2025, is divided into three major sections each with a different set of topics. Let’s break down each section in detail and explore CAT section-wise tips in detail:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

This section tests your ability with the English language, reading comprehension skill combined with verbal reasoning is put to test. It is one of the most important sections since it tests the candidate’s reading, understanding, and inference from the written matter.

Key Topics

Reading Comprehension (RC)

• Types of passages that appear in the section: Business, Economics, Sociology, History, Science and Literature
• Types of Questions: Main Idea, Inference, Tone, Summary, and Fact vs. Opinion

Verbal Ability

• Sentence Correction
• Para jumbles (ordering paragraphs logically)
• Fill in the blanks
• Odd sentence out from a jumbled set

 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Preparation Tips for CAT  :

• Start your Verbal preparation mainly with reading comprehension.
• It is advisable to thoroughly memorise the syllabus and essential to remember the basic grammar rules and definitions.
• Get vocabulary books and an English dictionary to increase the knowledge bank about new words and phrases.
• Since RC holds more than 50% weightage in VARC, do speed reading practice through books, novels, magazines, or data-heavy reports.
• Read as many genres as possible  to extend knowledge.
• Take CAT mock tests regularly in order to enhance your knowledge or understanding and to increase the speed of choosing the right answers.
• Complete tens of practice sets on Practical Grammar components that have come in the subjects of the CAT 2025 syllabus.
• Go through the past 10 years of CAT question papers so you know what kind of RC and parajumble questions are commonly asked.
• Focus on CAT section-wise tips and follow this with improving your knowledge of English grammar, word usage, and idioms and phrases to score better in RC and parajumbles.

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

This section tests your ability as a candidate for being able to interpret data from more than one source and then use that logic to tackle problems.

Important Topics

Data Interpretation (DI)

• Tables, Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Line Charts
• Caselets
• Venn Diagrams
• Data Sufficiency

Logical Reasoning (LR)

• Seating Arrangements, Linear and Circular
• Blood Relations
• Syllogisms
• Clocks and Calendars
• Puzzles
• Series and Sequences

DILR Preparation Tips for CAT

Some effective CAT section-wise tips for DILR includes:

• Table, graph, chart and series are dealt in the DILR section of CAT.
• Build strong mathematical reasoning ability and attention to detail in your studies.
• Focus on both the DI and LR in equal levels of 20, so both have to be given attention.
• Similarly, in order to count quickly, develop a habit of memorising the tables up to 20 and squares, roots, cubes, cube roots and several other mathematical values.
• Data Interpretation does not solely depend on the calculations and numbers as you believe.
• Make the most of the free materials available, keep solving sample questions and sectional mocks CAT tests when it comes to Logical Reasoning as there are no such universal concepts that can be applied while guessing patterns and solving puzzles.
• The more you practise to interpret charts and tables quickly the better your chances of getting a good score in the DILR section.

3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

The section is designed to test your mathematical ability. Skill development in the realm of problem-solving is kept under the spotlight. This section consists of problems related to a wide variety of mathematical domains hence with the CAT section-wise tips you are all set to ace it.

Important Topics

Number System

• Divisibility rules, HCF and LCM, Prime numbers

Arithmetic

• Few important topics are Percentages, Profit and Loss, Time Time-Speed-Distance, Ratio and Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest

Algebra

• Linear and Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Logarithms

Geometry and Mensuration

• Circles, Triangles, Polygons, Coordinate Geometry

Modern Mathematics

• Probability, Permutations, Combinations, Set Theory, Functions

CAT QA Preparation Tips:

Important CAT section-wise tips for QA includes:

• Quantitative Aptitude of CAT is entirely about clarity and practice.
• In Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry and Trigonometry make sure to know all the formulas and theorems.
• First study each area of your CAT exam syllabus in a stepwise manner and ensure all the areas are clearly covered and then try solving out some questions from each area in order to assess understanding of application of each area.
• Divide your practice sessions into easy, moderate, and difficult levels. Start with easy questions, then go gradually to moderate and then to difficult ones.
• Time yourself for every question you attempt; ensure you solve every question three times: the first time you are solving to understand, the second time with 100% accuracy, and the third time with accuracy and speed.

Also, learn – How to Apply for CAT Exam 2025

Section-Wise CAT Preparation Tips for 2025

Here are additional CAT section-wise tips to boost your readiness:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: To do well in this section make sure you read and improve your comprehension ability by practising enough. Pay attention to the author’s tone and logically make sense of the passages.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: This particular section requires a rational and systematic method in order to arrive at the solution to the question. It is necessary to practise all the different kinds of questions in order to tackle the complex data very well.
3. Quantitative Aptitude: In this section the enhancement of calculation speed as well as mastery of the mathematical areas comes in the forefront. As expected, time again is of the essence in this one too.

General Preparation Tips for CAT 2025:

1. As there are sectional time limits, you ought to have a habit of solving the problems in the stipulated time frame.
2. Solving regular mock tests strictly can help you analyse your performance and helps you in identifying the weak areas you need to work on.
3. Work on TITA Question Types: As there is no penalty associated with the non-MCQ questions, feel free to use the available time for practising TITA questions. Although it is advisable to ensure that it is done properly by taking into consideration the question’s demands.

Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing for CAT 2025

Based on these CAT section-wise tips avoid the following mistakes while preparing for CAT 2025:

• In case you have answered all questions in a single section within the time taken, then you cannot go back to it. You have to manage time correctly for the sections.
• Try not to rely on inaccurate guesswork. With regards to TITAs, it is possible for you to score all the possible marks without considering the negatives as you have quite enough chances.
• Because there is no set syllabus for the CAP Test, it becomes an exam with great scope of speculation. So, it is advised that students should be careful in committing the following mistakes.
• Procrastination is perhaps the most prevalent blunder committed by the students every semester. This however leads to cramming when the examination period approaches.
• Not Knowing the Basic Requirements of an Exam is also a frequent mistake encountered in the journey of a CAT applicant. One should know enough about the exam and its pattern and what it entails about the questions in the examination.
• Also, Not Planning Your Preparation is another error one must not make. Planning for the CAT Exam which is like any other examination does demand an organised preparation that is timely given to every section.
• Not Doing Frequent Revisions can waste one’s efforts. Being an aptitude based exam, there are certain key topics in the CAT that one should always keep in mind. Each candidate is recommended to make a plan to revise weekly.
• Another frequent error which many CAT aspirants make every year is that they do not take and analyse their mock tests. One of the most important things that students should do when getting ready for the CAT exam is to solve many mock tests.
• Ignoring Subjects / Failing to Cover the Whole Syllabus is one of the mistakes that everyone sitting CAT should avoid.

Conclusion

To summarize the above illustration, CAT 2025 exam preparation has to cover all three sections―― VARC, DILR, and QA in an integrated manner. Using these Cat section-wise tips by doing Regular practice and Time management skills, you are able to create a strong base to face the examination with assurance. Also, make good use of test series, past years question papers, and address any areas of weakness in order to boost your speed and accuracy.

Following a structured schedule based on Cat section-wise tips will maximise your performance and help you with time management and you will be in a position to harness your full potential in the exam and achieve the score you desire in CAT.

All the best for your preparation!