Analysis of past CAT exam trends shows that a large number of candidates lose 10-20 marks due to avoidable mistakes, which directly impact their percentile. You need to answer the question with good accuracy, as a small error can cost the chances of reaching top B-schools.
To secure a 99+ percentile, you need 95-98 marks, which means solving around 48-55 questions with 85-90% accuracy. This also means that even 3-5 silly mistakes can push you out of the top 1,000 ranks.
In this article, we will discuss the most common mistakes candidates make in the CAT exam and share the proven strategies for each section so that you can improve your score.
Also Read:
Common Mistakes to Avoid on the CAT 2025 Exam
Every year, a lot of candidates lose 10 to 20 marks because they repeat small mistakes, which can be avoided if they are aware of them.
- Avoid attempting too many questions blindly; choose easier questions that are solvable with speed and accuracy.
- Don’t spend more than 2 - 3 minutes on a single question. If you can’t solve the question within that time frame, just flag it and move on to the next.
- RC has the highest weightage in VARC, so don’t ignore RC. Pick the shortest and easiest (readability and with a comfortable theme) first, and then move on to the tougher one.
- Count the number of questions in each passage or in each DILR set before you move on to the next question. You could have easily missed the questions.
| Mistake | Why does it hurt your score? | How to Avoid It? |
|---|---|---|
| Attempting too many questions blindly | Negative Marking kills the percentile. | Set a target of 70-80% accuracy instead of 100% accuracy |
| Spending more than 2 - 3 minutes on any question | You run out of time for easier questions later | Follow the 2-minute rule strictly |
| Ignoring Reading comprehension in VARC | RC Carries 60 - 70% weightage | Practice 3 - 4 RCs daily |
| Solving DILR in sequence instead of selecting sets | Some sets are extremely tough and time-consuming | Spend the first 5 minutes only selecting the easiest 2 - 3 sets. |
| Over-relying on shortcuts without understanding concepts | Shortcuts fail under pressure | Build strong basics first, then learn shortcuts |
| Not attempting Non-MCQs (TITA Questions) | No negative marking, yet many skip them | Attempt every TITA question - even 50% accuracy gives free mocks |
Also Check: CAT Repeater Strategy 2025: Why Focusing on One Section Leads to 99+ Percentile?
Ques. I always get stuck on one question for 5 - 6 minutes and then panic. How to break this habit?
Ans. Follow the strict “2-minute rule”. If you can’t solve it within 2 minutes, mark it for review and move on to the next. Most of the time, you will solve it in less time once you come back and do it later.
Ques. Are TITA questions really safe to attempt?
Ans. 100% safe. There is no negative marking. Even if you get only 50-60% correct, it's pure profit.
Check: CAT Topic Wise Weightage for QA, VARC and DILR, Check Previous Years’ Question
Section-wise Strategies to Score High Percentile in the CAT 2025
Here are the section-wise strategies students should follow to get a high percentile in CAT 2025.
Mistakes to avoid and smart strategies in the VARC Section
VARC is the first section of CAT, which often decides your confidence level and starting smart with strategies in VARC will boost your scores.
- Read the passages completely first without looking at the questions, which can break the flow.
- Attempt 3 - 4 easy RCs first to keep the momentum going after that, go for VA questions.
- Para jumbles are easily scorable if they are practised. Practice 50+ para jumbles questions before the exam
Pro Tip: Aim for 4 RCs (16 - 18 questions) with 85%+ accuracy. This alone can give you 45-50 marks.
Check: Last Month Strategy for CAT 2025 Section wise Preparation Tips
| Common Mistake | Impact | Smart Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Reading the questions first in RC | Wastes time, breaks the flow | Read the passage completely once in 3 - 4 minutes. Don’t read questions before you read the passages |
| Choosing Extreme answer options (Always/Never) | Usually wrong | Prefer moderate options (often/sometimes) |
| Spending time on VA questions first | VA is unpredictable | Attempt 3 - 4 easy RCs first then come to VA |
| Skipping Para jumbles/Summary | They are scoring if practised | Practice 50+ para jumbles before the exam |
| Overthinking tone questions | Confusion between neutral and critical | Trust your first instinct after reading the passage |
Check: CAT Topic Wise Weightage for QA, VARC and DILR, Check Previous Years’ Question
Strategy for DILR Section to score a High Percentile
DILR is the most unpredictable section in the CAT exam. The difficulty level of this section varies every year. With strong preparation and a smart strategy, you can beat the DILR section.
- Scan all the sets in the beginning to identify the easier sets to solve. Solve them first and then move to the difficult ones later.
- Pick reasoning or selection-based sets first, avoiding heavy calculation sets for later. While working in the rough sheet given, make proper spaces to make calculations, and avoid filling out paper randomly to avoid confusion.
Pro Tip: Target 2 easy + 1 moderate set. Even with 10 - 12 correct attempts, you can score 40+ marks.
| Common Mistake | Impact | Smart Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Trying to solve every set | Wastes 30+ minutes | Spend only 5 - 7 minutes scanning all sets. Pick the easier ones first. |
| Starting with calculation-heavy DI Sets | Gets stuck early | Pick reasoning-based or selection-based first |
| Not working out in the rough sheet properly | Recalculation wastes time | Make neat tables /trees/Venn diagrams |
| Ignoring pure LR sets (arrangements, tournaments) | Misses easy marks | These sets are often the most scoring |
| Leaving sets half done | Zero marks for partial attempts | Complete at least 2 - 3 sets fully |
Check: How to Manage Sectional Time in CAT 2025?
Strategy to Score High on the QA Section
QA is the section where most engineers dominate, but with practice and the right strategy, non-engineers can also dominate.
- Start with arithmetic since it has the highest weightage and is easier than algebra and geometry. While solving, instead of solving until the end, try to use the option elimination method to solve it faster (if you are confident about the options, solve fully).
- Do a quick second round inspection in the last 10 minutes, if you can solve any easier questions you missed earlier.
- Don’t miss number theory, probability and permutations and combinations questions; they are compulsory questions.
Pro Tip: Arithmetic + Number System + Algebra cover almost 70% questions. So master these three to win at QA.
| Common Mistakes | Impact | Smart strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting with algebra/Geometry | Tough questions will eat up your time | Start with Arithmetic- It has the highest weightage |
| Solving every question fully | Wastes time | Use option elimination in MCQs |
| Ignoring easy questions in the last 10 minutes | Misses easier questions | Do a quick second round in the last 8 - 10 rounds |
| Depending only on shortcuts | Fails when twisted questions come | Know the proper method first |
| Not practising number theory, P&C and Probability | These topics appear every year | Solve the previous 10 years’ questions topic-wise |
Ques. Are para jumbles really solvable without options in TITA?
Ans. Yes. 90% of the time, the correct order has a logic flow: problem → reason → solution → result/comment. Practice 100+ para jumbles, and you can see the pattern.
Ques. How much time should I give to the DILR section?
Ans. Ideal split → 5 - 7 minutes selection + 15 - 17 minutes per set X 2 sets = 35 - 40 minutes. Keep the last 5 minutes for the third set if possible.
Also Read
| CAT Mock Test | Mock Test Link |
| CAT QA Sectional Mock Test | Take the test |
| CAT VARC Sectional Test | Take the test |
| CAT DILR Sectional Mock Test | Take the test |
| CAT Free Mock Test 1 | Take the test |
| CAT Free Mock Test 2 | Take the test |
| CAT Free Mock Test 3 | Take the test |
Reddit’s Advice on Common Mistakes and Strategies for CAT 2025
- According to a Reddit user, while preparation is important, success in the CAT exam also requires remaining calm and focused.
- Another user wrote in the Reddit thread, their biggest mistake was to do “VA: Writing number sequence in odd one out, for Quant Leaving TITA (flukes) and for DILR spending more than 20 mins in one set.
- Another Reddit user suggested checking the questions properly, as they didn’t notice 2 questions in the sets.
When it comes to strategy, on the Reddit thread, users suggest skimming over questions to pick the easiest ones to solve and other suggestions, which we already discussed earlier.
So, success in CAT requires more than just knowledge; it demands strategy and discipline, and a willingness to learn from others’ mistakes. By avoiding the common mistakes and applying the strategies, you can significantly improve your chances of achieving a high percentile.
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