CAT 2025 Tips: Don't Have Time For Mocks? Try THIS!

'If you don't do timed practice, you won't realise your speed and accuracy during the actual day of exam'
In Part 11 of Rediff's MBA preparation series, CAT expert and IIM-Lucknow alumnus Aashish Sood explains how to make the most of your mock tests.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is scheduled Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Your performance in the MBA entrance examination will determine admission into some of the top business schools in the country, including the Indian Institutes of Management.

With just a few days remaining, there will be times when you may lose your motivation to study.

During conversations, you may even compare your preparation with your peers and get discouraged.

"This is not the time to give up," urges Aashish Sood, a CAT expert and IIM Lucknow alumnus.

This is the time to revise smartly, improve your weak areas and strengthen your confidence.

In Part 11 of Rediff's MBA preparation series, Aashish Sood suggests aspirants to do the following:

1. Don't have time for a full mock? Don't skip the test. Do sectional tests instead. Or give half mocks.
2. Customise your approach on solving problems.
3. Remember that mock scores are volatile, and they only provide you an indication of your current performance, not your final outcome.
4. When you are doing mocks -- even if you are spending 10 minutes, you have to time it. If you don't do timed practice, you won't realise your speed and accuracy during the actual day of exam.
5. If you see any mock paper, there is an option to 'view paper'. Utilise this feature to understand which questions to answer first.

Still confused between self study and coaching?

"Self study works best for people who are disciplined. But coaching will help you prepare with a better peer group and challenge," Sood explains in the video below.

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