Top tips to prepare for cat exam 2015: Complete guide

Identify easy, average and typical questions

The paper of CAT is set in a very smart way. It is the technique of students that how they identify easy, average and typical questions of the paper. There are many questions that can be answered by solving up to two or three steps.

These questions always raise your percentile and saves times for other questions that are typical. If you have analyzed difficult questions then don’t just waste your precious time on them, leave them and move to the other questions.

When you are sure that you have completed all these questions then it is a good time to solve difficult questions. Also your raised confidence will help you to solve them easily.

Apply different methods

As there may be some situations where you will not be able to solve problems by your learnt method. So don’t just stick to a single method, try all the methods you can apply for the question. Few questions are not method based so for then use hit and trail method to crack them.

Applying all possible methods will raise your chances of solving any problem.

Optimize your time

I am not joking but problems of CAT exam is not that much tough. If you spend some time on them, you will easily find their solution. So what is the key ingredient that creates so much difference in your percentile and toppers percentile.

It is your optimization of time. You will be given specific time for doing complete test and how you use your time? How quickly you solve problems is all what we call CAT EXAM?

Elimination of odd choices

Sometimes we find stupid options for few problems. These stupid options are kept there to waste your time because you will think about them for few seconds surely. Try to be mature (Not over mature) in the exam.

You should be at least this much smart that you don’t waste your time in thinking about these options. As you find these options in the problem, just eliminate them and start focusing on the rest ones.

Use shortcuts

You should memorize all the general and shortcut formulas of mathematics so that you can quickly answer any question by using them. With shortcuts you can save lots of you precious time.

Source: Top tips to prepare for cat exam 2015: Complete guide

 

[Simran Rai]

This article gives a solid and practical overview for CAT aspirants, especially in mastering time management and smart selection. The emphasis on identifying easy, average, and typical questions early in the paper is key—this alone can significantly boost your percentile. I also liked the point about using multiple methods when stuck—flexibility in problem-solving often opens new doors. The section on eliminating odd choices is a great reminder that sometimes success comes from eliminating the wrong answers just as much as finding the right one. And yes, shortcuts and formula fluency in math are absolute game-changers. CAT is not just a test of knowledge—it’s a test of strategy under pressure. Your ability to optimize time, stay calm, and think smartly will define your edge. These tips are timeless and relevant well beyond 2015. A must-read for anyone serious about cracking CAT or any high-stakes competitive exam.​