How to Prepare for CAT 2025 Using Arun Sharma Books

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Sahaj Anand

Content Writer | Journalism Graduate | Updated on - Jul 17, 2025

CAT 2025 Preparation using Arun Sharma CAT Books helps the students grasp an idea about what to expect in the exam. Choosing the correct study material makes a lot of difference. Some CAT 2025 Books are more trusted and popular among students than others, making them the most recommended books by both CAT Toppers and experts. 

Arun Sharma CAT Books
 

One of the highest recommended authors by experts and toppers is Arun Sharma. His work revolves around Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation helping aspirants prepare for CAT 2025. 

  • Arun Sharma CAT books are regularly updated with new chapters, aspects, topics, exercises, and replica questions along with the new approach to answering these questions.
  • Conceptual clarity on each topic is the prime focus along with fundamentals explained. All the books by Arun Sharma include topic-wise quizzes and practice questions. Check CAT Syllabus
  • All the books also include previous year topic-wise CAT questions for practice and better understanding.

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Arun Sharma CAT Books

CAT 2025 Preparation Books by Arun Sharma

Listed below are the books authored by Arun Sharma with the ISBN number:

Book Name  Publication
How to Prepare Quantitative Aptitude for CAT McGraw Hill Publication
How to Prepare Logical Reasoning for CAT  McGraw Hill Publication
How To Prepare For Data Interpretation for CAT  McGraw Hill Publication
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT McGraw Hill Publication

Also Check CAT 2025 Preparation Books by Nishit K Sinha

As a graduate from IIM Bangalore himself, Arun Sharma has been in the role of training CAT aspirants for about two and a half decades. His record of clearing CAT exam 16 times in a row with a 99.99 percentile makes him an expert on the matter of clearing this entrance exam. With an advanced knowledge on each topic and years of expertise in teaching, his method of explaining all CAT-related topics is to this day the most reliable.

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CAT Preparation

Arun Sharma’s insights on setting your Score Target for CAT 2025:

  • The CAT exam is score-oriented, and aiming for a certain number of marks is crucial to achieve a good percentile. Arun Sharma advises that at the beginning of your CAT preparation, preferably within the first week, you should determine the number of marks you aim to score in each of the three sections.
  • To attain 80 to 99 percentile in CAT, you need to establish the following score targets and plan your preparation strategy for either 150 days or 120 days, depending on the available time.
  • For scoring 99%tile in CAT, you would need to aim for marks ranging from 85 to 100. To reach 100 marks, the sectional breakdown requires scoring 14 marks in Verbal, 13 in DILR, and 13 in QA.
  • On the other hand, if your CAT target is 80 to 85%tile, your score target will be comparatively lower. Consequently, your preparation strategy for each section will differ from that of a target aiming for 99%ile.
  • Similarly, the strategy for preparing in the three sections will be distinct if your target is 13 marks in Verbal, 25 in DILR, and 45 in QA, as opposed to aiming for 30 marks in the Quant section.
  • In conclusion, Arun Sharma emphasizes the significance of setting clear score targets and tailoring your preparation strategy accordingly for different percentiles and section-wise score goals. This approach will help you stay focused and efficient throughout your CAT preparation journey.

CAT 2025 Preparation: Benefits of Using Books by Arun Sharma

Every CAT 2025 aspirant especially a beginner will find his texts to be very useful. His books should be used by you if you are:

  1. Looking for simplistic material: Students who are looking for an easy-to-understand book with a rather simplistic approach should find Arun Sharma’s book rather easy to absorb. This is because every problem is explained with a step-by-step solution that caters to students who are yet to reach an advanced level. 

  1. Beginners: Chapters in books by Arun Sharma are divided into 3 levels of difficulty. While writing, the author keeps 3 types or levels of students in mind - those who are i) weak at the subject, ii) have moderate or average knowledge, and iii) are strong/ have solid knowledge. 

  1. Struggling with time management: All the basic concepts, formulas, and tricks are explained well in his texts. As basic concepts are of vital importance in this exam, these levels have proven to be of great help to gradually move from the easiest level to the hardest. 

It has been noticed that about 10 - 20% of CAT questions over more than a decade have been taken directly from Arun Sharma. Apart from CAT, educational resources by him can also be used by students who are preparing for the MAT (Management Aptitude Test) examination. 

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CAT 2025 Preparation: Best Features of Arun Sharma Books

The components of a book are perhaps the most important factor that contributes to the overall content quality and helpfulness to the students. Arun Sharma structures his books in a manner so that readers can understand every chapter without external help. 

Listed below are some of the key components that make Arun Sharma’s CAT preparation books stand out:

  1. Comprehensive solutions: Each chapter has comprehensive solutions for all three levels of difficulty. Instead of just putting the answers in the answer section after each chapter, step by step solution helps students understand how a particular type of question should be approached. 

  2. Training ground: This additional helpful feature according to the author is probably the biggest differentiator. This is because the training ground is one area through which students are taught real-time higher-end problem-solving methods. 

Arun Sharma also makes a student's experience in the exam hall stress-free by discussing how to think and tackle questions of any given difficulty. He advises every management aspirant not to miss the training ground sections. 

  1. Additional exercises: In the case of some chapters, an entire additional exercise has been added based on its concepts. This is meant to help students get important concepts that would help them solve other similar problems fully clarified. These block-wise practice sessions are included to ensure that students do not miss out on any probable questions.

  2. Introductory write-ups: Arun Sharma has written an introduction to both Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation. This introduction is meant to help all CAT aspirants get a better understanding or a holistic view of the exam. Students can expect to have a fair idea of how to approach the online CAT from the perspective of an examinee. This section gives readers an idea on what has changed in the CAT exam pattern over the years and the preparation process students should embrace to succeed. 

  3. Practice tests: At the end of each chapter, questions according to the level of difficulty along with answer keys are given. Students can practice from these sections based on how advanced their knowledge is on that chapter. These questions cover all possible types of problems one can expect in the exam. 

Worked out problems are also given before the question section from which students can get an understanding on how to approach these problems.

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CAT 2025 Section-wise Preparation by Arun Sharma’s Books

Most students prefer to follow more than one author or different sections in CAT. Some students even follow more than one book for each given section. Different authors have different styles of explaining a topic and one particular style might be more appealing to some. A method that works for a particular student might not necessarily work for others. 

Arun Sharma has written extensively for all sections of the CAT exam but to this day his most popular works are his books on Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation. This is based on the feedback of students who chose to refer to multiple books for each section and provided their analytical insights on the same. 

Preparing for CAT takes meticulous preparation on a regular basis, especially for students who are preparing all by themselves without help from coaching centers. Before we get into how to tackle these sections, let us understand the question pattern for each of these sections. The time limit for each section is 40 minutes.
There will be 24 questions from VARC, which means this section is for 72 marks (24 x 3). Candidates can expect about 15-16 MCQs and 8-9 non MCQs. 
There will be 22 questions from Quantitative Aptitude, which means this section is for 66 marks (22 x 3). Candidates can expect about 14-15 MCQs and 7-8 non MCQs. 
There will be 20 questions from DILR, thus this section is for 60 marks (20 x 3) in total. Candidates can expect about 15 MCQs and 5 non MCQs. 

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Difficulty Level of Books by Arun Sharma for CAT 2025 Preparation

Students who want to avoid coaching or tuition classes altogether can rely on Arun Sharma for preparation for CAT exam. Here’s how:

  1. Assess where you stand: Arun Sharma has employed the learning curve methodology which can be used by students to evaluate themselves in terms of how much knowledge they currently have. The levels he used are:

    1. LOD 1: Level of difficulty one is for beginners or students who do not have a strong mathematical background. A number of questions falling under this category range between 8 - 10.

    2. LOD 2: Level of difficulty two mainly consists of where formulas are used but vastly involves the application of the analytical aspects. Problems in this section are unique in nature and do usually have a trick is the key to solving it. 

    3. LOD 3: Candidates may avoid this level. Questions in LOD 3 are complex in nature and required a lot of thinking. Candidates can expect about 2 - 5 questions from this level. 

  2. Make use of the explanations: Each chapter is well explained with examples and step-by-step solutions. Understanding these basics is the first step to solve complex problems. Do not get bogged down if you are unable to solve level 3 questions. Arun Sharma himself suggests that LOD 3 questions should rather be used to learn how complexities can be created from a particular chapter. 
  3. Back to school: This is an assessment test section to help you understand where you currently stand on a particular topic from that particular block. You can try to solve questions from this section after you have brushed up on your basics. Students can also use the solved questions for reference if they want as many would argue that it is not a good idea to jump to problem-solving before understanding the basics. Nevertheless, the approach is up to the student to decide based on what works for them. 

Know Colleges in India that Accept CAT Results

CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Preparation Using Arun Sharma Books

For CAT 2025 QA section preparation, the success in Arun Sharma's Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2025 depends on two crucial factors: your Target Marks and your Understanding of key topics from this section.

Here are some essential details to consider:

  • Total number of questions in this section: 22
  • Marks for each correct answer: +3
  • Total Marks available in this section: 66
  • Target Marks for achieving 99%tile: 40+
  • Number of questions to attempt: 18-19 (Accounting for 10-15% errors)
  • Required Accuracy Level: 85-90%
  • Time taken per question: 2 Minutes

To achieve the desired percentile, you must focus on specific topics:

  • Arithmetic (Choose from 8-10 Questions)
  • Algebra (5-8 Questions)
  • Geometry (3-5 Questions)

For a comprehensive preparation, it is recommended to thoroughly study CAT Quant Preparation Book by Arun Sharma: "How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude." This book contains replica CAT questions and will help you cover the entire CAT Quant syllabus.

Arun Sharma advises pacing your Quant preparation for CAT wisely. He suggests that rather than trying to improve speed right from the beginning, focus on learning and practicing the concepts first. Master the basics before attempting to increase your speed. Remember, learning to walk before you run is essential for success in CAT Quant.

Check CAT QA Preparation Tips

CAT 2025 Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Preparation Using Arun Sharma Books

For CAT 2025 Data Interpretation (DI) and Logical Reasoning (LR) section preparation, Arun Sharma offers valuable tips and a systematic approach. Here are the key points:

Data Interpretation (DI) Tips:

  • DI preparation relies on problem-solving skills, as there is no specific theory or chapters for this section.
  • The more you practice, the more proficient you will become in handling DI questions.
  • Total number of questions in this section: 20
  • Marks for each correct answer: +3
  • Total Marks available in this section: 60
  • Target Marks for achieving 99%tile: 30+
  • Number of questions to attempt: 13-14 (Considering 10-15% mistakes)
  • Required Accuracy Level: 85-90%
  • Time taken per problem set: 12-14 Minutes
  • Topics to cover for scoring 99% marks: DI Table sets, Pie Chart Problem sets, Data calculation sets, Graph-related problems, etc.

Logical Reasoning (LR) Tips:

  • Similar to DI, LR preparation requires problem-solving skills and a systematic approach.
  • There are no specific theory chapters in this section.
  • Focus on practice to enhance your LR abilities.
  • Time management is crucial in this section.

Recommended Study Material:

  • For DILR problem sets, refer to Arun Sharma's books: "How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT" and "How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT."
  • Read these books to learn how to approach and solve DILR problems effectively.

Arun Sharma's Preparation Strategy:

  • Initially, aim to solve the problem sets within a 12 to 15-minute time frame.
  • As you progress, gradually reduce the time taken and strive to become a 10-minute solver for each problem set.
  • Keep improving your efficiency, similar to a sportsman honing their skills.

By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your performance in the DILR section and achieve your target percentile in CAT 2025. Remember that consistent practice and efficient time management are the keys to success in this section.

Check CAT DILR Preparation Tips

CAT 2025 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Preparation Using Arun Sharma Books

For CAT 2025 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section preparation, Arun Sharma offers essential tips that emphasize a simple approach to solving questions effectively:

Verbal Ability (VA) Tips:

  • Focus on building your skills to comprehend complex passages and articles on intricate topics.
  • Train yourself to understand the main idea even if it is slightly above your comfort level.
  • Total number of questions in this section: 24
  • Marks for each correct answer: +3
  • Total Marks available in this section: 72
  • Target Marks for achieving 99%tile: 45-50
  • Number of questions to attempt: 18-20 (Considering 10-15% errors)
  • Required Accuracy Level: 85-90%
  • Time taken per VA question: 2-3 minutes

Reading Comprehension (RC) Tips:

  • For RC passages, aim to grasp the meaning of large sentences efficiently.
  • Remember that paragraphs are simply composed of sentences, and RC is essentially a few paragraphs.
  • Time management is crucial during RC passages.

Recommended Study Material:

  • To cover the complete CAT VARC syllabus and practice questions, refer to Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay's book: "How to Prepare for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension for CAT."

Time Allocation:

  • Allocate about 5-6 minutes per RC passage.
  • For VA questions, aim to spend 2-3 minutes per question.

By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can improve your performance in the VARC section and achieve your target percentile in CAT 2025. Focus on developing your comprehension skills for complex passages, and remember that RC passages are made up of interconnected sentences that carry the central idea of the passage. Consistent practice and understanding the main ideas will help you excel in the VARC section.

Check CAT VARC Preparation Tips

CAT 2025 General Preparation Tips

Understand and familiarize yourself with each type of question from this section such as tables, pie charts, graphs, data sufficiency, and so on. 
Memorize the tricks and shortcuts to convert fractions to decimals in order to tackle large or lengthy calculations faster. Avoid over approximations for the sake of simplification.
Read questions more than once in order to understand them correctly. Do not make any assumptions on something if the data is not clearly stated.
Pay close attention to terms such as only, if, apart from, other than, unless, and so on. You may note down the conclusions or facts established from each statement to avoid making factually incorrect errors. 
Many students make the mistake of trying to memorize each step for all common problems. This should be avoided at all costs and effort must be made to understand the basic concepts so that you can solve a question even if you are not familiar with it.
While revising, start with the simpler chapters like the number system and move to the complex ones such as algebra or permutations and combinations later. 
Learn all tables at least till 20, squares, and other common numerical values. Maintain these in a notebook along with all tricks and shortcuts you learn. 
While solving mock question papers, practice time management. Try not to spend more than one and a half minutes on each problem as you will get only 2 mins for each question in the hall.
Tip: Work your way from the problems you find easiest to the hardest ones. Solve the easy ones first, then the moderate ones, and finally the tough questions

CAT Previous Year Question Paper: How to use them by Arun Sharma

Arun Sharma explains the importance of using CAT previous year question papers and how to make the most of them during your CAT preparation journey:

  1. Significance of CAT Previous Year Question Papers: CAT previous year question papers provide valuable insights into the actual types of questions and the overall exam composition. They are a reliable guide to understand the CAT pattern and difficulty level. By going through these papers, you can get a real feel for the CAT exam.

  2. Using Previous Year Papers as CAT Question Banks and Diagnostic Tests: Arun Sharma recommends using CAT previous year question papers as CAT question banks. These papers serve as a vast repository of questions from different sections—Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension. They can help you practice and improve your skills in each section.

    Additionally, these previous papers can be utilized as diagnostic tests. Analyzing your performance in these papers can identify your strong and weak areas, helping you plan your preparation more effectively.

  3. CAT Previous Year Papers 1999 to 2008: The question papers from CAT 1999 to 2008 are essential resources for your CAT preparation. You can treat these 10 papers as question banks for Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension.

  4. CAT Previous Year Papers 2017 to 2022: CAT exams from 2017 to 2019 were conducted in two slots, and from 2020 to 2022, they were held in three slots, making a total of 15 previous papers available. These papers are even more valuable as they come with official answer keys. You can use them as replica tests to simulate the actual CAT exam experience.

  5. How to Use CAT Previous Papers:

    • Analyze Question Types: Identify the various question types that frequently appear in CAT from the previous year papers.
    • Difficulty Level: Observe the difficulty level of questions in different sections to gauge your preparedness.
    • Time Management: Practice solving the previous year papers within the allotted time to improve time management skills.
    • Mistake Analysis: Review your mistakes and areas of improvement by thoroughly analyzing your performance in the previous papers.

By utilizing CAT previous year question papers in the ways recommended by Arun Sharma, you can gain a deeper understanding of the CAT exam pattern, enhance your problem-solving skills, and ultimately boost your chances of success in CAT 2025.

CAT Preparation Tips for Beginners Using Arun Sharma’s Books

As mentioned before, Arun Sharma can be used by students of all levels. If you are a beginner, here are some tips on how to use his books to prepare for CAT:

  1. Basics are your friend: One cannot score well in the CAT exam if they are not familiar with the basics. So make sure that you have gone through the explanations and examples for trying to solve any problem. 

  2. Understand the core concepts: Arun Sharma has discussed a few concepts both before the beginning of a block and the chapters before each exercise. Maintain a separate notebook for all the new formulas and tricks you learn them or simply highlight those with a marker for references. 

  3. Go through the solved questions: before you try to solve the questions at the end of each chapter, go through the solved questions. Alternatively, students can also try to solve these examples on their own. Do not look at the answer before you are done. 

  4. Work your way through each level: Arun Sharma’s books are divided into levels of difficulty to help readers learn according to their knowledge and capacity. Experts suggest that students may skip the third level of difficulty completely as CAT does not set questions that tough. But beginners however must complete at least level two after clearing the first one. 

  5. Memorize the easier methods: For any management or entrance exam, experts recommend hearting the shortcut methods, tricks, and formulas to increase the speed of solving complex problems. Arun Sharma’s books have many sections that are dedicated to giving students an easier way out of complex problems with simple tricks. 

Arun Sharma vs. Sarvesh K Verma - A Comparative Analysis

Many students who are new to the CAT exam or preparing for the first time, are often at a loss when it comes to choosing the right resources. Though both are eminent authors, students should choose books that are better suited for them. The comparison below will help you make the right choice:

Arun Sharma Sarvesh K Verma
  • A bestseller for years, it has helped students prepare not just for CAT, but other management exams as well such as MAT, XAT, GMAT, and so on. 
  • It covers three levels of difficulty to help students of all levels of knowledge. 
  • Arun Sharma provides strategies based on the type of question with the types of commonly made errors. 
  • It is not recommended for students who do not want to remember a plethora of shortcuts which might be overwhelming for some. 
  • His books have mainly been used by students who are from a non-mathematical background. 
  • His chapters are divided into three levels where each topic is also covered in depth. It is mostly recommended for its simplicity. 
  • Several examples and practice questions are provided. 
  • Many students find the number of practice sessions and information in this book to be overwhelming. 
  • It is recommended for students who have at least six months of preparation time before the CAT finals. 

Arun Sharma’s use of easy language combined with exemplified explanations makes it the right guide for students who do not have a good command of the English language and students who are new to the CAT exam. 

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