Every CAT dropper has a story. Maybe things didn’t go as planned last time—quant got the best of you, or perhaps the pressure on D-day messed things up. First things first, you don’t have to drown yourself in self-doubt. Instead, focus on self-analysis. Feeling nervous getting cold feet is completely normal; what’s not helpful is dwelling on past mistakes without a plan to improve. 

Give yourself the fair chance you deserve.

This time, you’re going to ace the exam wisely with a better strategy. So without further ado, let’s get to business and discuss the game-plan for CAT 2025.

1. Self-Analysis 

Think of your CAT preparation as a battle. Last time, you entered the arena, and fought bravely, but got hit somewhere—maybe in VARC, DILR, or Quant. The first step before fixing a mistake is to identify and acknowledge the mistake. Was it a lack of conceptual clarity? Poor time management? Overconfidence? Or simply a bad day? 

A detailed post-mortem of your last attempt is crucial. Identify where you lost marks and why. This isn’t about self-criticism; it’s about strategising for victory.

2. Customize Your Study Plan 

You’re no longer a beginner; you know the basics. So, ditch the generic “XYZ Study Plan” you find online. Instead, tailor your preparation according to your strengths and weaknesses.

• If Quant was your weak area – Focus on conceptual clarity before diving into problem-solving.
• If DILR felt like a puzzle – Solve different types of sets daily. Identify patterns in past CAT papers.
• If VARC was your enemy– Read extensively, analyse RCs, and focus on inference-based questions.

At this stage, efficiency matters more than effort. Don’t just study harder—study smarter.

3. Mock Tests – Your Reality Checks

Imagine training for a marathon but never running a full-length practice race. Sounds absurd, right? The same applies to CAT. Mocks are the closest thing to the real deal, and as a repeater, they should be your best friends.

• Start giving mocks early and consistently.
• Analyse them thoroughly—don’t just check your scores, look at accuracy, speed, and question selection.

Mocks aren’t just tests; they’re learning tools. Use them wisely.

4. Change Your Approach

One of the biggest traps repeaters fall into is the ‘plateau phase.’ You keep practicing, but your scores refuse to improve. If this happens, change something—maybe your problem-solving approach, the way you analyse mocks, or even the sequence in which you attempt sections. Try experimenting with different strategies early on. Sometimes, a small tweak can make a huge difference.

5. Time Management 

Droppers often feel they must study 12-14 hours a day to make up for last time. But here’s the truth—quality beats quantity. Overloading yourself will only lead to burnout. Instead, maintain a disciplined yet flexible schedule.

• Set daily and weekly goals.
• Take breaks—your brain needs them.
• Stay consistent rather than overloading on certain days and slacking off on others.

6. Mindset Matters

One of the biggest advantages repeaters have is experience. You’ve been through the process before, which means you know what to expect. However, self-doubt can creep in. Remind yourself why you started this journey in the first place. Keep a strong, positive mindset. Some days will be tough, but as long as you keep moving forward, progress is inevitable.

You’ve already walked this path once, and now, you’re walking it again with more wisdom, more experience, and a sharper mindset. The difference between last year and this year? You know what works and what doesn’t. So, use that to your advantage.