Last-Minute CAT Strategy 2025 by Jai Sajwan - Expert Tips, Common Mistakes & Smart Exam-Day Decisions

CL Team November 21 2025
8 min read

Every CAT aspirant reaches a point usually in the final 10-15 days where stress increases and confusion takes over.
"What should I revise now?"
"Mocks ya syllabus?"
"What if tough questions come first?"

To answer all these real doubts, we spoke with Jai Sajwan, one of India's most experienced CAT mentors with 25+ years of teaching and giving the CAT exam every single year.
His insights are practical, simple, and deeply experience-driven.

This blog captures his exact advice, mixed with structured tips to help every CAT 2025 aspirant.

Highlights: Jai’s Core Advice for CAT 2025

Key Area

Jai Sajwan's Suggestion

Mock Tests

Write mocks + analyze mistakes daily

Decision-Making

More important than knowledge

Strength vs Weakness

Attempt strengths first, leave weaknesses

Getting Stuck

Biggest mistake – do NOT get emotionally attached to a question

Exam Day Strategy

Round-wise approach: Easy → Moderate → Tough

Slot Rhythm

Take mocks in your actual exam slot

Non-Coaching Students

Must solve CAT PYQs from 2017–2024

Backup Exams

NMAT, SNAP, MICAT, XGMT, XAT etc.

 

1. Last-Moment CAT Tips: What Students Should Actually Do

Jai begins with a simple truth:

Last moment mein mock likhna aur uska analysis karna sabse important hai.”

Focus on 3 things:

  • Mock Tests
  • Self-Realization
  • Strength & Weakness Awareness

He explains:

"Aapko pata hona chahiye aap algebra me strong ho, arithmetic me strong ho, ya number system me weak ho. Exam mein decision yahi se banta hai."

What to do in last 7–10 days

  • Write 1 mock daily
  • Analyze errors for 30–40 minutes
  • Attempt only your strength areas first
  • Avoid new chapters completely

 2. Decision-Making > Knowledge (Jai's Signature Point)

One of the strongest lines from Jai:

"CAT is not just a knowledge exam. It is a decision-making exam."

He explains how even brilliant students lose marks simply because:

  • They get stuck in one question
  • They emotionally feel "ye toh easy hona chahiye tha!"
  • They waste 7–10 minutes on 1 question
  • They fail to understand the paper is about management

CAT tests:

  • Reading ability
  • Logical clarity
  • Ability to leave questions
  • Quick decisions under pressure

3. The Most Dangerous Mistake: Getting Stuck

Jai clearly warns:

"Jo ho raha hai usse karo, jo nahi ho raha usse chhod do."

95% students make this mistake:

  • Pick 1 tough question
  • Try again and again
  • Waste time
  • Panic
  • Lose other easy marks

Correct Approach:

Round 1 → Solve only easy questions

Round 2 → Moderate questions

Round 3 → Only if time permits, attempt tough questions

This one method alone can increase score by 15–25 marks.

4. Common Mistakes Students Must Avoid (As Per Jai Sajwan)

Mistake 1: Getting stuck in a question

Mistake 2: Not reading the question properly

Example: People miss words like

  • natural numbers
  • whole numbers
  • not / no / cannot

Mistake 3: Not identifying data properly in DILR

Mistake 4: Believing they must do questions in order

Mistake 5: Losing confidence if first 4–5 questions go wrong

Mistake 6: No plan / no structure

These mistakes ruin even good students' attempts.

5. How to Revise Entire CAT Syllabus in Last 10 Days

Here's the exact revision method Jai recommends:

Method:

  • Solve mocks in your actual exam slot
  • Revise all your formulas
  • Revisit your mock errors
  • Practice only strength topics

He explains beautifully:

"If your slot is morning, take mocks in morning. Build your rhythm."

This removes fear, improves energy, and reduces exam-day anxiety.

6. What if CAT Doesn't Go Well? (Real Backup Options)

Jai says:

"CAT nikalna ya na nikalna - dono same hai. Aage options hamesha hotay hain."

Top Backup Exams:

  • NMAT
  • SNAP
  • MICAT
  • XGMT
  • XAT
  • And more.

Even with:

85–90 percentile, you can get good B-schools.

Good profile + interview performance still opens doors.

7. Advice for Students Without Coaching

According to Jai Sir, students without coaching should:

Solve all Previous Year Papers

From 2017 to 2024 → total ~15–20 papers.

“Yeh papers public domain mein hain. Solve them for actual CAT feel.”

Write mocks

Even without coaching material, mocks + PYQs are enough to build real strategy.

8. No Age Limit, No Attempt Limit

Jai himself writes CAT every year:

“If I don’t score well, I have no right to teach my students.”

There is no maximum age or attempt limit for CAT.


9. Why CAT Is Worth Preparing For

According to Jai:

80–85% of Top MBA Colleges in India Accept CAT Score

Even B & C grade colleges conduct aptitude tests.

So preparing for CAT automatically improves:

  • DI
  • LR
  • Verbal
  • Aptitude skills
  • Interview performance
  • CAT prep is never wasted. 

FAQs About Last-Minute CAT Strategy (Based on Jai Sajwan’s Insights)

Q1. Should I learn new topics in the last 10 days?

No. Focus on mocks, revision, and strengths only.

Q2. How many mocks should I write daily?

1 mock + analysis is ideal.

Q3. Should I attempt tough questions?

Only after doing all easy & moderate questions first.

Q4. How to avoid getting stuck?

Have a rule: Leave after 90-120 seconds if it’s not moving.

Q5. What if I lose confidence in the exam?

Tell yourself:
“Maybe first 4 questions were tough; easy ones are coming.”

Final Motivational Note

CAT is not about perfection - it’s about smart decisions, calmness, and clarity.
As Jai Sajwan beautifully says:

Do what is working. Leave what is not. That is the real game.”

Believe in yourself.
You have everything it takes to win.
The last 10 days can change everything - if you use them right.