The CAT exam is now just 10-12 days away! It’s time to speed things up. CAT 2025 will not only evaluate your knowledge, but also test your speed and accuracy. The CAT exam comprises three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Candidates will get 40 minutes to solve questions in each section. You cannot switch between the sections when answering the questions in the actual test. With the exam around the corner, students want to know how to master the 40-minute challenge per section. Once the time is up, you will move to the next section. You will not get the chance to go back or rectify any mistakes. Hence, you must be fully prepared to handle complex questions under extreme pressure. Keep taking mocks till those 40 minutes start working in your favour. Read on to know the complete guide to mastering the 40-minute challenge in each section.
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Why the 40-Minute Format Matters in CAT 2025?
The time allotted to each section in CAT 2025 is 40 minutes. Many aspirants find it difficult to solve all the questions in the CAT exam in such a short duration. But the truth is that the CAT tests how smartly you tackle questions while balancing speed and accuracy. The 40-minute structure benefits students who are focused on smart strategy and accuracy. Your goal is not to solve all the questions. It should be solving sufficient questions with full accuracy. We have shared below the proven tips to master the 40-minute challenge in each section.
How to master the 40-minute challenge in each section of CAT 2025?
You should know how to manage time wisely in each section of the CAT 2025 exam. This will help you skip unfamiliar questions and focus only on the questions you are sure of. This approach lets you avoid negative marking and maximise your chances of success. Here are the tips and tricks to master the 40-minute challenge in each section.
Section-Wise Strategy
You can’t use the same approach for every section. Each section tests different skills, so you require a strategy that works. Here is the section-wise strategy to master the 40-minute challenge:
- VARC comprises lengthy RC passages and verbal ability. The options for each question are also confusing. Hence, you should first attempt RC passages and 3-4 VA questions. Aim to maintain accuracy above 80%. Do not spend more than 2 minutes on any RC passage or VA questions. Move on to the next question and return later if time permits.
- DILR may look challenging, but it all depends on your question selection strategy. You should not immediately start solving the paper as soon as the timer starts. Go through all the sets in the first 2-3 minutes. Identify and solve the easy and less time-consuming DILR sets first. The more accurate your answers, the higher your percentile.
- Spend the first 1-2 minutes scanning all the QA sections. Start solving questions from the Arithmetic and Algebra subjects. Begin with familiar areas first. Focus on accuracy rather than solving the entire paper.
Ace the first 5-minute rule
Use the first 5 minutes strategically to maximise the next 35 minutes. In the first 5 minutes, you should go through all the questions and identify the easy, moderate, and challenging ones. You should create an order of attempting questions. Keep the time-consuming questions for last. Practice mastering the 5-minute rule when solving mocks. This approach helps you get used to exam pressure and boost your confidence.
Build a Question-Selection Approach
You must develop a question-selection approach before the CAT exam. It lets you work smart, avoid misleading options, and helps you skip tough questions quickly. But you need to know which questions to skip and when to do it. For instance, don’t spend over 2 minutes on a question. You can skip it and come back later if you have time.
Practice with a Timer
You need to improve your familiarity with 40 minutes per section. This will help you avoid anxiety or excessive exam pressure when solving real exam questions. Hence, you should attempt reliable mocks like iQuanta CAT test series that mimic the actual exam. They offer both sectional and full-length mock tests. It is based on the CAT exam pattern and difficulty level. After every mock, analyse your performance to review your mistakes and improve accuracy.
Train Your Brain for Fast Recovery
It is normal to make mistakes or lose 2-3 minutes in the CAT exam. You may fail to understand the question in the first reading or misread any option. So, it’s important to be mentally prepared for these blunders. Recover quickly from errors and don’t let them impact the next question or entire performance. Staying on track is a skill, and it needs to be practised in every mock.
CAT 2025 is not about solving the entire paper. You must make smart decisions in a 40-minute window. Practice mocks, improve your selection strategy and solidify your recovery skills. You must know how to manage time across all the sections. A 40-minute window can become your playground to perform well.
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