CAT 2025: Common mistakes aspirants make and how to avoid them

It happens with the best of the best. The following is the list of the most common mistakes aspirants make close to the CAT and how you can avoid them – walking into the exam with focus and confidence.

Taking too many mocks, too close to the exam

In the final stretch, many aspirants fall into the “more mocks = more improvement” trap. This happens especially with the ones who start their preparation late. Many of the aspirants start writing a full-length mock every day or worse, trying to attempt two mocks a day. This process does more harm than good. This leads to a drop in accuracy (result of inadequate post mock analysis), fatigue build up and drop in confidence.

What is the right course?

Reduce mock frequency to 2-3 per week and focus on deep analysis. Ask yourself questions like: Which questions did I choose wrongly? Did I waste time on a trap set? Did I panic midway? You need to chase understanding rather than scores and focus on exam attempt strategy.

Ignoring revision

In the process of trying to cover left over topics, strengthening certain topics, attempting more than required mocks – candidates often miss adequate revision. They keep taking tests without revising their basics – forgetting one small formula or concept mid-exam can cost valuable marks.

What is the right course?

Well, the right course is to create a formula/trick/revision book while you are covering the concepts. If that is not done, create one quickly. Spend 20-30 minutes, 3-4 days a week revisiting these notes and updating them. The goal isn’t to learn new things – it’s to make your brain recall old things (Formulas, patterns, logics) instantly.

Panicking over low mock scores

Aspirants need to understand that it is normal for mock scores to fluctuate. In the last 3-4 weeks, many students lose confidence because of this. They start doubting their preparation, changing strategies overnight, overanalyzing everything, lose sleep – which only worsens performance.

What is the right course?

Mocks are rehearsals for the D-day not the actual CAT. Every mock has its own difficulty and pattern. Your focus should be on consistency and not perfection in every aspect. If your accuracy and time management are improving, you’re doing well. Keep learning and revising – do not panic over fluctuating scores.

Treating DILR as a hit or miss game

DILR continues to be the most unpredictable section in the CAT. Many aspirants still treat it like a hit-or-miss game, hoping to get lucky with the right sets on exam day. This mindset leads to panic when the section turns tricky. This happens (knowingly or unknowingly) with many aspirants.

What is the right course?

Do not leave DILR set practice. Your practice time should compulsorily include 1-3 set practices (Depending on your mock scores) on a daily basis. This will help you stay in touch with the section. In every mock, aim to identify 2-3 doable sets quickly. Build your scanning habit – spend the first 2-3 minutes scanning all sets before attempting.

Stop Reading

In the rush to take mocks and revise QA, aspirants often drop reading practice altogether. Do not confuse RC practice with reading. Reading speed, comprehension, and tone detection can be dull if not maintained.

What is the right course?

Read 1-2 high-quality articles daily from a range of genres. Summarize each in 2-3 lines mentally to stay in touch with argument flow and structure. For RCs, practice timed reading and answer elimination — two skills that can add 10+ percentile points to VARC.

Not practicing the actual exam rhythm

CAT is a 2-hour, 3-section, and some students never simulate that rhythm. They take mocks in chunks or skip the sequence, losing stamina and mental pacing on D-day.

What is the right course?

It is important to replicate the exam–day pattern – same time slot, minimal interruptions. Please note that we are saying minimal instead of no, as there might be case you will get interrupted 1 or 2 times or disturbed due to some other candidate sitting in the same room. Do not expect an “all quite” room. The goal is to make the exam feel familiar, not formidable. Dedicate the last 2 mocks to this.

Last minute topic hunting

You may find yourself in a spot where you may feel like covering “that” topic which you have ignored till last – maybe probability, logs or games & tournaments. In the final days many aspirants rush to cover it. This leads to confusion and burnout.

What is the right course?

Focus on consolidating your strengths. Accuracy should be the priority. Rather than going all in for the topic, you should go through basic formulas and concepts and solve once just the PYPs (If the topic has good coverage over the years in CAT). This will help you to at least attempt and not leave easy level questions of that topic.

Neglecting mental health and sleep

In the final days, students push themselves to exhaustion – cutting sleep, skipping meals, or staying glued to screens. But CAT is a test of focus and endurance. And focus needs rest.

What is the right course?

In the last week, shift your focus from learning to well-being. Try to get 7+ hours of sleep, eat light and clean homemade food (You cannot afford to be sick) and practice meditation or a short walk daily. A calm, rested mind outperforms an anxious, overstressed one every single time.

The last leg of CAT prep isn’t about new chapters – it’s about strategy, mindset, and balance. Avoid these mistakes, trust your preparation, and focus on clarity over chaos. On exam day, your best asset won’t be the number of mocks you’ve taken, it’ll be your ability to stay composed when others panic.

(The author is the CXO and co-founder of Supergrads by Topranker)