Hey Reader,
If you’re preparing for CAT, you already know—each section has a mind of its own. And the secret to cracking it? Custom strategies. What works for Quant might fail miserably in VARC. And DILR? That’s a beast of its own.
So, instead of a one-size-fits-all, here’s a section-wise deep dive, straight from FundaMakers mentors and 99+ percentilers who’ve done it, lived it, and helped others do it too.
You’ll also find extra-ordinary question examples and step-by-step strategies for each section to make your preparation smarter.
VARC – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
VARC can be tricky for many students because it’s a test of both speed and understanding. But with the right approach, you can maximize your score.
Expert Tips from Our Mentors:
“Reading daily will help you grasp new vocab and increase reading speed—essential for tackling RCs in time.”
– Surya Sir, FundaMakers Mentor
“Stay calm with tricky para-summary questions. Eliminate based on tone, not word-for-word comparisons.”
– Rakshanda Ma’am, FundaMakers Mentor
Topper Insights:
“I increased my VARC score by 7% just by improving my strategy for skimming RCs and focusing on key ideas.”
– Karan Gupta, CAT 2023 99+ Percentiler
“Consistency in practice helped me in VA. In particular, para-summary questions can be tricky, but once you figure out the elimination trick, they’re manageable.”
– Rohit Raj, CAT 2023 99+ Percentiler
Tricky Question Examples:
The Surprise RC Set – Dense & Abstract
Example: A CAT 2020 RC passage revolved around philosophy—Derrida, semiotics, and postmodernism.
Tip to Handle: Focus on tone, argument structure, and don’t try to decode every technical term.
Practice: Practice RCs with abstract topics here
All Options Sound Right?
Example: In 2018, a para-summary question had 4 similar-sounding options, with only one being correct.
Tip to Handle: Eliminate by looking for scope shifts or tone mismatches.
Practice: Try confusing summary/OOO questions
DILR – Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
DILR is often a “make or break” section. Its combination of time pressure, tricky data sets, and logical puzzles requires both practice and strategy.
Expert Tips from Our Mentors:
“Solve one DILR set a day. Consistency is key.”
– Ratnesh Sir, FundaMakers Mentor
“Sometimes, it’s not about solving all the questions, but knowing which set to skip. Prioritize the ones with clear patterns.”
– Rakshanda Ma’am, FundaMakers Mentor
Topper Insights:
“I scored 99+ in DILR by focusing on caselets and practicing puzzles daily. Once I understood how to approach them, time management became easier.”
– Anurabha, CAT 2024 99+ Percentiler
“The key to DILR was keeping calm. I broke down complex caselets into simpler steps, which helped me score high.”
– Vedant, CAT 2024 99+ Percentiler
Tricky Question Examples:
The Puzzle with Too Many Variables
Example: A 2019 puzzle involved 4 people, 3 preferences each, and 7 clues. It was a time-consuming mess for most students.
Tip to Handle: Focus on definites first. Avoid trying to fill everything in one go—use mini-diagrams instead of one large table.
Practice: Try high-variable puzzle sets
Data Caselets Without Numbers
Example: A 2022 DILR set had logical inferences and no numbers.
Tip to Handle: Read the full set once to understand the logical structure. Solve easier questions first to open clues for others.
Practice: Practice logic-heavy caselets here
QA – Quantitative Ability
QA is where many aspirants get bogged down by speed and accuracy issues. While there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy, you can boost your performance by recognizing key types of questions that often trip students up.
Expert Tips from Our Mentors:
“Master basic concepts first, then move to advanced topics. But keep revising basics regularly.”
– Umesh Sir, FundaMakers Mentor
“It’s all about time management in QA. Don’t waste time on questions that feel tricky or unfamiliar.”
– Vishwa Sir, FundaMakers Mentor
Topper Insights:
“I saw the biggest improvement in QA by recognizing and skipping speed-breakers—questions that look simple but eat up time.”
– Rajeev, CAT 2023 100 Percentiler
“I used to spend too much time on tough problems until I started identifying speed-breaker questions and moving on.”
– Jagetha Charul, CAT 2024 99+ Percentiler
Tricky Question Examples:
Speed-Breaker Questions
Example: A time-consuming CAT 2020 question asked about the time to fill a tank with varying rates of flow—seemingly simple, but it involved multiple sub-steps.
Tip to Handle: Recognize these as time-sink problems and skip them when you’re under time pressure. Focus on easier questions first.
Practice: Explore speed-breaker questions here
Ready to Take the CAT Challenge?
Each section of CAT requires its own strategy, but with the right approach, you can master each one. Consistent practice, understanding tricky question types, and staying calm under pressure are key to scoring high.
Remember, FundaMakers is here to help you every step of the way. From personalized mentoring to the most accurate mock tests, we’ve got the tools and insights you need to ace CAT 2025.
Join FundaMakers’ CAT 2025 Preparation Program
Get smarter with your prep, and make it to your dream IIM!
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- CAT Preparation Strategy – Toppers’ Tips
- Mock Test Strategies for CAT 2025
- How to Manage Time During CAT Exam
