CAT 2025: How to Master the 40-Minute Race in Each Section

As CAT 2025 approaches, the pressure is mounting for aspirants aiming for seats in India’s top business schools. The exam, scheduled for November 30, follows the familiar structure of three sections — VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude — each strictly timed at 40 minutes. With no flexibility to switch between sections and the clock ticking relentlessly, CAT has evolved into a test that rewards composure, strategy, and time discipline as much as conceptual clarity.

Why the 40-Minute Rule Matters More Than Ever

Competitive exams are rarely lost due to a lack of knowledge. More often, they slip away because candidates fail to manage the limited time available. This pressure intensifies under CAT’s sectional time limit, where even a moment of panic can spiral into lost marks.

The challenge isn’t merely solving questions; it’s choosing the right ones quickly. With increasing normalization of difficulty and unpredictable patterns, CAT 2025 will demand the ability to stay calm under pressure and adapt dynamically, skills that extend well beyond the exam hall.

A Lesson from Experience: Pace Beats Panic

Education expert Swapnil Sahoo, reflecting on his own XAT 2011 journey, emphasises that his success — a 98.71 percentile — wasn’t about extraordinary tricks or sudden brilliance. Instead, it was the ability to stay steady, manage the clock wisely, and avoid emotional traps during challenging moments.

CAT aspirants often fall into the lure of trying to attack every question, but the real game begins when they learn to let go. Choosing battles thoughtfully is the hallmark of toppers. The 40-minute sectional framework rewards those who plan their moves like chess players—anticipating difficulty variations and maintaining rhythm.

Decoding the Three-Section Race

Each CAT section demands a distinct mindset and pacing strategy:

1. VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)

• Focus on accuracy over volume.

• Spend early minutes scanning RC passages to identify comfort areas.

• Avoid over-reading or overthinking tricky verbal questions.

2. DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)

• Don’t attempt all sets. Pick the two most solvable ones early.

• Invest the first 90 seconds per set to assess difficulty.

• Avoid the sunk-cost fallacy; if a set isn’t cracking in the first few minutes, move on.

3. QA (Quantitative Aptitude)

• Start with familiar topics—arithmetic, algebra, or number systems—based on individual strength.

• Use mental calculation shortcuts to reduce time wastage.

• Avoid getting stuck in algebraic traps or lengthy geometry figures.

Building the 'Calm Clock' Habit

Mastering CAT timing isn’t just about practice; it’s about conditioning your mind. Aspirants should simulate the 40-minute sectional format during mocks, track their emotional responses, and analyse moments where panic creeps in.

High performers often:

• Break the 40 minutes into micro-phases

• Set mini-goals (first 10 minutes: scan, next 20: solve, last 10: accuracy check)

• Keep a consistent mock test routine to build endurance

Over time, pacing transforms into a habit—one that helps far beyond CAT in academic, professional, and even personal decision-making environments.

Conclusion

As CAT 2025 draws closer, mastering the 40-minute sectional journey is the single most powerful preparation strategy. The exam no longer tests just intelligence; it tests emotional resilience, selective thinking, and the ability to stay focused under pressure. When you master the clock, you master the exam, and perhaps, a life skill that lasts well beyond it.