CAT isn’t just about speed or accuracy. It’s about smart decision-making under pressure.
One of the least talked-about but most powerful strategies that CAT 99%ilers swear by is knowing when not to attempt.
In fact, some of the best scores come not from solving more, but from skipping better. This blog explores the art of strategic skipping, how toppers like those from FundaMakers mastered it, and how you can too.
How to Boost Score By Avoiding the Ego Trap
CAT doesn’t test your pride. It tests your prioritization.
A common mistake students make is refusing to skip a question they think they should be able to solve. The result? Wasted minutes, panic, and often a wrong answer. Toppers break this habit early. They approach each section with ruthless objectivity, if a question feels long, twisted, or unfamiliar, they move on. No second-guessing.
The 40-out-of-66 Rule That Works
Let’s talk numbers.
Most 99 percentilers don’t attempt all 66 questions. Instead, they target 38–42 high-accuracy attempts, deliberately skipping one-third of the paper. Not because of fear but because of smart resource management.
In FundaMakers’ mock tests, students who adopted this method consistently beat those who tried to attempt everything. The takeaway? Success in CAT is about efficiency, not exhaustion.
In mock tests from FundaMakers, students who focused on solving what they were confident in consistently outperformed those who tried to do everything.
Real Mock Test Insights
Here’s what mock analysis tells us:
| Attempt Style | Accuracy | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 66 attempts | 50–60% | High negative marks, low percentile |
| 40–45 attempts | 80–90% | High accuracy, better percentile |
Top performers track their “trap zones” areas where they consistently waste time or lose accuracy and then consciously skip such questions in future mocks and the actual exam.
Section-Wise Skipping Strategy
VARC
- Skip dense RCs with abstract/philosophical tones on the first read.
- Don’t get stuck on inference-based questions with close options.
- If two options feel “equally right,” skip and revisit only if time permits.
DILR
- Always scan all 4 sets before attempting.
- Skip sets with excessive conditions or unclear visuals.
- Pick sets with linear data flow or familiar formats.
QA
- Don’t waste time on length-heavy arithmetic questions upfront.
- Skip if you can’t solve it in under 90 seconds.
- Mark and revisit only if you’re ahead of your time budget.
Practice Saying No: It’s a Skill
Strategic skipping is not instinctive, it’s learned through practice. That’s why our top mentors at FundaMakers emphasize mock test simulations that recreate real pressure.
One useful habit: Set a mental timer. If a question takes more than your average solve time and you’re not close to the answer, skip it. Build this reflex in mocks, so it comes naturally on D-Day
Skipping Isn’t Weakness: It’s Strategy
The real toppers know this: Your percentile depends less on the 5 questions you attempted, and more on the 15 you wisely skipped.
The art of saying “No” is what separates a good attempt from a great one.
Next Step? Practice This with Purpose
Explore FundaMakers’ expert mock series designed to train you in real-time decision-making where every mock is a lab for building strategy, not ego.
Read more: What toppers didn’t study and still scored 99%ile
