With the results for most IIMs now available, aspirants can confidently look forward to their future. Whether joining their dream B-school or giving CAT 2025 a chance again, now is the time to start their preparations. Based on their goals and flexibility, it is the best choice for first-timers and repeaters.
This blog covers a detailed comparison between CAT Online Coaching for First Timers and Repeaters. We will see what common mistakes aspirants make that need to be avoided to ace the CAT 2025. This section also covers CAT preparation tips for first-timers and repeaters.
CAT Online Coaching for First Timers vs Repeaters: What to Expect?
First-timers generally need a detailed and foundation-forming approach to help them build confidence and cover the entire syllabus easily.
The repeaters focus more on their weaknesses and take a targeted improvement approach. They generally need guidance from toppers and expert mentors to help them understand their mistakes based on their experience from previous attempts to boost scores.
While
enrolling in a CAT online coaching isn't necessary for some, both groups benefit from structured study plans, mock tests, and expert guidance. Repeaters often benefit more from analysis of past performance and personalised mentorship to avoid previous mistakes and optimise preparation strategy.
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Aspect
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First Timers
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Repeaters
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Course Structure
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Basics are covered from scratch, making it ideal
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Since most repeater aspirants have already covered their basics, targeted preparation focusing on concept gaps and practice is important
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Focus Areas
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Build a strong base with conceptual clarity, holdover vocabulary, and reading skills for VARC
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Special focus on weaknesses and shortcuts for already known concepts.
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Mock Tests
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Regular mock tests to check current level, understanding and progress
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High-level CAT mock tests with analysis of past mistakes and performance
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Personalised Guidance
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Proper mentorship with one-on-one discussions and personalised feedback is a must.
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Mentorship from experts and doubt resolution is a priority
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Study Material
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Structured study material covering basics to advanced topics of the CAT syllabus
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Updated study material focusing on exam pattern changes and short tricks.
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Motivation & Mindset
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Focus on consistency, building confidence and motivation
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Maintaining high motivation and ambition for better scores
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Time Management
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Strong focus on a disciplined study schedule
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Better time management based on previous experience and changes in strategies used in previous attempts
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Strategy & Approach
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Learning new strategies and exam patterns
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Refining strategies and avoiding past mistakes
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Doubt Resolution
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Live doubt-solving sessions and peer interaction
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Quick doubt resolution by experienced mentors
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Experience Level
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Often straight out of college, new to the exam environment and need support for base formation
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Know the CAT exam pattern and focus on improving your score
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Goal Setting
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Setting clear goals and a step-by-step preparation plan
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Revised goals based on previous attempt analysis
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Avoiding Common Mistakes in CAT Preparation
If there's one thing that every aspiring candidate must keep in mind during their preparation journey is avoiding common mistakes in CAT prep. Among the various errors that the CAT aspirants make, some of the most common ones that can make or break their future are given below:
Not Clearing the Basics & Skipping the Topics
For non-engineering background aspirants, it is essential to get the mathematical base right. For engineers, VARC is usually the section they struggle at. They should start solving the problems after clearing the basics. Also, it is essential not to skip any topic/ sections unless the CAT is just one month away.
Not Having a Strict Study Schedule
Candidates must have a consistent study schedule. Before starting CAT 2025 preparation, they should analyse the syllabus and understand the strong and weak topics. They must then make a schedule covering all the topics and stick to it. For initial self-analysis, candidates can take a previous year's paper or a CAT mock test to understand their level of skills in each section.
Starting Late/Procrastination
Many aspirants delay their preparation, which leads to last-minute hassle and an incomplete syllabus. Starting early (ideally 9-12 months before the exam) allows enough time for systematic learning and practice for the D-day.
Not Evaluating the Mock Tests
Many aspirants, especially first-timers and those who lack proper support, skip analysis for mocks and end up making the biggest mistake of their preparation journey. Taking good-quality mocks is important, but their analysis is equally crucial. By evaluating these tests, one can easily determine one's level of preparation and weaknesses. It is also important to work and strategise after evaluation.
Poor Time Management
Spending too much time on challenging questions or frequently checking the timer during the exam can cause panic and loss of focus. To maximise scoring, it is important to practise time management from the start and learn to skip difficult questions. One can also meditate or do focus-building activities to improve concentration.
Neglecting Health and Sleep
While this may be the routine for most aspirants, sacrificing sleep or neglecting physical and mental health impairs concentration and performance. Maintaining a healthy routine, including adequate sleep and stress management, is vital. Aspirants should try to find a balance between their studies and health.
These are the most common mistakes that CAT aspirants make, and despite their hard work, they often reduce their final scores. Avoiding these mistakes is important to performing well and ace the exam.
CAT Preparation Tips for First Timers
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Make a study strategy:
Aspirants should make a study plan based on their flexibility and schedule.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey should start by studying last year’s CAT question paper to understand the type and level of questions. Based on that, they should make a study strategy.
2. Check the syllabus and paper pattern:
The candidates must know the latest CAT exam pattern and syllabus to plan a study strategy. Additionally, knowing the paper pattern helps you understand the marking scheme. This lets you focus more on high-weightage topics and keep low-weightage issues for last.
3. Enrol for CAT online coaching: College students or working professionals should consider CAT online coaching for disciplined study sessions. CAT online coaching helps build focus while at one's convenience.
4. Finding a peer group: Peer groups at coaching or friends with similar goals can be beneficial for clarifying doubts, motivating, and tracking progress. CAT aspirants can discuss and learn shorter ways to solve problems here.
CAT Preparation Tips for Repeaters
Preparation Focus for Repeaters
> CAT repeaters should prioritise solving a high volume of practice questions to build confidence and familiarity with the exam format. Unlike first-time test-takers, repeaters often have a baseline understanding of concepts, making it crucial to apply this knowledge through active problem-solving rather than mere revision. Emphasising hands-on practice helps identify weak areas and improve performance in specific question types.
Building Consistency
> Consistency is vital for repeaters; establishing a daily study routine can significantly enhance preparation effectiveness. Cracku's daily targets motivate students to maintain their study streaks, rewarding commitment with incentives such as T-shirts for consistent performance. A strong habit of daily practice can lead to improved scores.
Structured Learning Approach
> It is essential always to have a personalised study schedule and a self-structured learning approach. Paying more attention to problem-solving and improving scores is necessary for repeating candidates.
Long-Term Planning
> With 11 months available until the next CAT exam, repeaters have more than enough time to improve their scores through consistent effort and structured study. Focusing on a mix of video learning and problem-solving can help average students aim for high percentile scores. This approach makes a significant score boost possible.
Practice, Practice and Practice
> Practice is very important for acing this exam. You should be consistent in practising high-quality questions for all three sections. Focus more on the weaker section and don’t forget to praactice questions for other sections also.
Which CAT Online Coaching Should I Choose?
Popular and trusted options for CAT online coaching include Cracku, TIME, and Career Launcher. Each offers different features depending on the aspirants' needs.
Cracku
> Expertise and Faculty: Co-founded by Maruti Sir, a 5-time CAT 100 %iler, and alumnus of IIM-A and IIT-Bombay, Cracku offers live classes by expert faculty consisting of toppers, including Sayali Ma’am, the XAT topper and 2-time CAT 99.97 %iler.
> CAT online course features:
> Complete the CAT 2025 course with the daily live classes, video lectures, and many adaptive practice questions.
> The study material already contains unique AI-powered and topic-wise tests that adjust the difficulty level of the questions based on the student's performance.
> There is an extensive mock test series called DashCATs, which are slightly tougher than the actual CAT regarding exam temperament.
> Daily schedules and targets to ensure consistent and structured preparation.
> 1-on-1 mentorship for doubt solving and counselling.
T.I.M.E.
> TIME is a well-established coaching brand known for its classroom and online CAT coaching.
> It offers structured courses, test series, and expert faculty guidance.
> TIME’s online coaching includes live and recorded sessions, comprehensive study material, and regular mocks.
> It is popular for its large student base and extensive experience in CAT coaching.
Career Launcher
> Career Launcher is a pioneer in CAT coaching with over 29 years of experience and 100+ centres across India.
> It offers flexible online coaching with 100+ instructor-led sessions covering the CAT syllabus.
> Career Launcher provides hybrid batches combining online and offline elements for personalised doubt resolution and peer interaction.
> Their courses are updated according to the latest exam pattern and include AI-driven tools to enhance preparation.