FAQ's
CAT ONLINE COACHING 2025
How can I prepare for CAT exam?
Before starting CAT preparation, being aware of the CAT syllabus is essential. You will gain greater accuracy in less time with good conceptual clarity. Once you have mastered the basics, you can solve practice exercises and mock tests for each topic and chapter. Analyse the mock exams to understand your progress and further plans to prepare for the real exam.
For more assistance, you must sign up for a CAT online course such as the one provided by IMS India. The mentor-driven online CAT classes will help you solidify your concepts, gain confidence, improve accuracy, and devise a strategic approach for the upcoming CAT exam.
For more assistance, you must sign up for a CAT online course such as the one provided by IMS India. The mentor-driven online CAT classes will help you solidify your concepts, gain confidence, improve accuracy, and devise a strategic approach for the upcoming CAT exam.
What’s the CAT exam pattern?
Presently, CAT consists of 3 sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). In the CAT exam 2025, the number of questions in each section is expected to be as follows:
VARC: 24 questions to be solved over 40 minutes DILR: 20 questions to be solved over 40 minutes QA: 22 questions to be solved over 40 minutes
Overall, there will be 66 questions to be solved in 120 minutes. All the sections are presented in the order mentioned, and a candidate can go from one section to the next only after finishing the previous one.
You will get two types of questions in the CAT exam: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) that have four options, out of which one is the correct answer, and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions that have no options and require numerical input from the candidate.
The candidate gets three marks for each correct answer and a penalty of 1 mark for each incorrect answer. For the TITA questions, wrong answers do not invite any penalty. An online calculator helps candidates with basic calculations in the DILR and QA sections. A comprehensive CAT coaching can help you clear the CAT exam and get into the top MBA colleges in India.
VARC: 24 questions to be solved over 40 minutes DILR: 20 questions to be solved over 40 minutes QA: 22 questions to be solved over 40 minutes
Overall, there will be 66 questions to be solved in 120 minutes. All the sections are presented in the order mentioned, and a candidate can go from one section to the next only after finishing the previous one.
You will get two types of questions in the CAT exam: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) that have four options, out of which one is the correct answer, and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions that have no options and require numerical input from the candidate.
The candidate gets three marks for each correct answer and a penalty of 1 mark for each incorrect answer. For the TITA questions, wrong answers do not invite any penalty. An online calculator helps candidates with basic calculations in the DILR and QA sections. A comprehensive CAT coaching can help you clear the CAT exam and get into the top MBA colleges in India.
How to clear my doubts in the CAT online coaching?
You get one-on-one mentors who help you with your doubts and provide customised plans to prepare. You can connect with the mentors during the live CAT classes. If you miss a session, you can ask the mentors questions later.
What’s the ideal time to join the CAT online coaching?
There is no ideal time to join CAT classes. But the earlier the better is the perfect way to enter the CAT coaching. Depending on your time preference, you can join it while you’re in college or after your graduation.
Are CAT online coaching classes helpful?
Absolutely yes. If you aim to rank in CAT and secure a seat in the top MBA colleges, CAT coaching is a must. CAT online coaching is an easy and reliable access to all the expert resources and mentors, which can help you save a lot of time and energy. You can join the IMS CAT course; the mock tests are designed to help you pass the CAT exam.
How can I access my online resources?
All online content is accessible on myIMS portal. The new & improved myIMS 3.0 is your Ultimate Mastery-Based Learning Hub, where everything you need to master a topic is consolidated in one single platform.
What are the advantages of the CAT exam, and how is it useful in my career?
CAT is conducted primarily by the IIMs to evaluate and shortlist candidates for postgraduate programmes. IIMs provide high-quality research and management education. As a result, the CAT exam has many benefits. A key advantage of taking the CAT exam is the opportunity to study at the best management colleges in India. Candidates who pass the CAT exam will be considered valuable and knowledgeable. Graduating from a tier-1 college entitles one to high salaries and unparalleled respect. That’s why ensuring your CAT preparation remains on track with the right CAT coaching program is crucial.
What are the other tests I can take in addition to the CAT exam?
In addition to the CAT, the other tests that can be taken are:
The CAT classroom program offered by IMS covers the ground for all these exams. You will be given ADMATs, mock tests, practice questions, and lectures to help you prepare for exams other than the CAT exam.
- XAT: This test is conducted by XLRI, Jamshedpur, and occurs typically on the first or second Sunday of January every year. It consists of Verbal and Logical Ability, Decision-making, Quantitative Ability, and Data Interpretation. The test is considered by institutes including XLRI, XIMB, GIM, KJ Somaiya, Great Lakes Institute of Management, IMI, IMT, Praxis Business School, and SPJIMR.
- NMAT: Conducted by NMIMS over a window of 75 days between October and December, the test consists of Language Skills, Quantitative Skills and Logical Reasoning and is an adaptive test with a maximum possible score of 360. The colleges that accept the NMAT include NMIMS, XIMB, SDA Bocconi, KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, and IBS.
- SNAP: The test is conducted for admission to the post-graduation programs offered by the Symbiosis University institutes and typically occurs thrice between December and January. The colleges that accept the SNAP score include SIBM, SCMHRD, SIIB, SIOM, SSBF, SIMS, and SSSS.
- MICAT: MICA conducts its test for admissions to its PGDM (C) program. The sections at the MICAT include VA (Verbal Ability), General Awareness, QA and DI (Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation), Psychometric Test, Descriptive Test, and DCR (Divergent and Convergent thinking). The test typically happens twice in December and February.
- PGDBA: The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analytics (PGDBA) exam is jointly conducted by IIM Calcutta, IIT Kharagpur, and ISI Kolkata in India. It usually takes place in February and March.
- MAH MBA/MMS CET: The Maharashtra MBA Common Entrance Test (CET) is a state-level entrance exam conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell, Government of Maharashtra, for admission to various MBA and MMS programs in institutes across the state of Maharashtra. The exam is usually held in March.
- CMAT: CMAT stands for Common Management Admission Test and is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to MBA/PGDM programs in various management institutes across India. The exam is conducted in January every year, and the application process usually starts in November.
The CAT classroom program offered by IMS covers the ground for all these exams. You will be given ADMATs, mock tests, practice questions, and lectures to help you prepare for exams other than the CAT exam.
How much percentile do I need to get into IIM?
If you fall under the general category, you need a CAT percentile of 99 and above to get into a top IIM (such as IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta). For other IIMs, you will need a percentile within the range of 94 to 97. However, the required specific percentile can vary based on the B-colleges, the candidate's category (general, OBC, SC, ST, etc.), and their academic and work experience background.
