Every year, thousands of MBA aspirants across India prepare for the Common Admission Test (CAT), the gateway to top‑tier management institutes – especially the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other leading B‑schools such as JIMS Delhi. If you’re targeting CAT 2025, you’re likely already aware of the key date: Sunday, 30 November 2025.
With the exam date fixed, the countdown is on. The good news? You still have time — and how you use this time will make all the difference.
Below, we’ll cover:
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The confirmed CAT 2025 exam date and related timeline
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What the remaining weeks and days should look like in your preparation plan
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Section‑wise strategy and last‑minute revision tips
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Typical mistakes to avoid
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A 4‑week countdown plan you can adopt
Key Date & Timeline You Must Know
Here are the important CAT 2025 dates you should bookmark:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | 30 November 2025 (Sunday) |
| Admit Card Download | 12 November 2025 onwards |
| Registration Window (Closed) | 1 August 2025 to ~13 September 2025 |
| Exam Slots | Three sessions (morning, afternoon, evening) |
What this means for you
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With the fixed exam date, you can now lock in a realistic study timeline.
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The admit card release is important – check your slot and test centre as soon as it is out.
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Your registration is done, so your focus must shift entirely to effective preparation and revision.
Why the Remaining Time is Critical
There are three phases in CAT preparation:
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Foundation build‑up (months earlier)
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Intensive focus and technique development
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Revision, polishing & simulation
Since we are now in Phase 3 (given the exam is just weeks away), the remaining time is crucial because:
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You must convert your preparation into performance under pressure (speed + accuracy).
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The difference between a good score and a great percentile often comes down to how you use this time.
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You’ll need to build momentum, sharpen weak areas, and avoid panic.
Also Read : How to Prepare for CAT: A Step-by-Step Guide to Cracking the Exam
Section‑Wise Strategy for the Final Stretch
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
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Prioritise reading 2‑3 articles a day (editorials, business, science) to improve reading speed & comprehension.
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Practice 1 full RC passage + 5 short RC / VA questions every day.
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For non‑RC VA, review grammar rules, para‑jumbles, sentence correction— but limit time‑wasting drills.
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In the final week, do timed mini‑mocks of 15‑20 minutes for VARC to build stamina.
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
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This section often makes or breaks candidacy — high variance in sets.
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Focus on 4‑5 “set types”: graphs/charts, tables, logic puzzles, arrangement, case‑lets.
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Every alternate day, attempt 1 full DILR set under timed conditions (35‑40 minutes).
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Drill at least one “high‑difficulty” set per week to push your threshold.
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In final 10 days, focus on accuracy over coverage— it’s better to solve fewer with high accuracy than many with poor accuracy.
Quantitative Ability (QA)
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The “muscle” section — speed + conceptual clarity count.
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Divide your practice: 60% basics + 40% advanced/application.
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Daily: do 20 mixed questions (across algebra, arithmetic, geometry, number‑system).
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Use short mocks with sectional timing (40 mins) to build pacing.
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Last 2 weeks: avoid learning new topics. Instead, consolidate, solve mistakes, memorise formulas and shortcuts.
4‑Week Countdown Preparation Plan
Here’s a weekly breakdown for the final month. Adjust based on your current level.
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| Week 4 (Days 30‑23) | Take full‑length CAT mock. Identify 3‑4 weak areas. Build 2‑hour discipline. Split each day: 1 section first half, another in second half. |
| Week 3 (Days 22‑15) | Section‑wise block practice: morning QA, afternoon DILR, evening VARC. Continue 1 full mock every 3‑4 days. Analyse each mock deeply (mistakes + time log). |
| Week 2 (Days 14‑7) | Revision + speed‑up mode. Focus on high‑yield topics; drop low‑yield ones. Take mock every 2‑3 days. Start simulation: get up at testing slot time, exam‑like schedule. |
| Final Week (Days 6‑0) | Light revision, formula recap, reading for VARC, set 1 daily mixed 30‑minute mini‑mock. Two days before: only one mock. Day before: rest, light reading, sleep early. Ensure logistics (centre, travel) are set. Exam day: warm up, calm mind. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid Now
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Starting new topics: Avoid branching out into fresh topics in the last 2 weeks that take time to master.
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Ignoring mock analysis: Taking mocks is good; analysing them is essential.
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Over‑focusing on one section: Many aspirants neglect one section (often VA or DILR) which costs them. Balanced performance wins.
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Neglecting physical readiness & sleep: Late nights and fatigue kill performance.
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Panicking over percentile/ranks: Focus on performance‑improvement, not speculation.
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Neglecting test‑day logistics: Centre, slot, travel, admit‑card – all must be confirmed in advance.
Test Day & Final Checklist
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Download your admit card as soon as it is released (from ~12 Nov 2025) and check slot & centre.
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Travel plan: Reach test‑centre well ahead, carry valid ID + admit card.
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Wear comfortable clothes, carry essentials (ear‑buds if allowed, water bottle, permitted stationery).
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On exam day: Quick warm‑up (10 minutes) with a reading passage, calm your mind.
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Time‑management: Each section ~40 minutes. Keep eye on timer. Don’t spend too long on 1 question.
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Avoid “panic mode” if you hit a tough patch — move on, return if time allows.
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After exam: Relax, avoid speculation. Post‐mortem your attempt but also give yourself a mental break.
Why This Effort is Worth It
With the exam date confirmed and final days ticking down, every hour you invest yields returns in your percentile potential. CAT 2025 is your ticket to top‑ranked MBA/PGDM programmes — and even a modest improvement in speed/accuracy can differentiate you.
Remember: It’s not just about how much you study, but how smartly you use the remaining time.
Final Word
The exam date – 30 November 2025 – is your deadline. From now on, shift gear from “learning mode” to “performance‑mode”. Adopt a structured countdown plan, do consistent timed practice, analyse every mistake, and keep your health and mind sharp.
You’ve done the groundwork. Now it’s time to convert that into your best performance. JIMS Kalkaji, the best MBA college in Delhi, offers the ideal platform for those who are ready to take their career to the next level. Let your preparation for CAT 2025 be a step toward achieving your dreams at JIMS Kalkaji, the best management college in Delhi NCR.
