How to Score 99+ Percentile in CAT 2025

How to Score 99+ Percentile in CAT 2025: Learn from a Topper’s Journey, Yash Lohia

Scoring a 99+ percentile in the CAT exam isn’t just about being brilliant — it’s about strategy, consistency, and mindset. To help you crack CAT 2025, we’re bringing insights from someone who did it — Yash Lohia, a B.Tech student from Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, who scored 99.02 percentile in CAT 2024. Let’s break down his approach, step-by-step.

Step-by-Step Plan to Get 99+ in CAT

1. Start Early with Proper Calendar

One of the greatest ways to score a 99+ percentile in CAT, as recommended by Yash Lohia, is to start preparing early and build up the momentum slowly. Instead of waiting until your last year of college, he advises you to start your preparation in your third or second year. This practice will accustom you with the syllabus and develop a proper study habit. Yash's plan was to create strong fundamentals and improve his study schedule gradually. Here's how you can start preparing for CAT early:

- Start with NCERT Maths (Class 6–10) to establish a strong Quantitative Aptitude foundation.
- Add reading habit on daily basis. Include some reputed Indian journals and newspapers editorials. Yash used to follow Indian Express, The Hindu, and Economic Times. They are suitable for enhancing comprehension ability and vocabulary building to tackle VARC.
- Exercise CAT exam sections. Maths known as Quantitative Ability (QA), Reasoning known as Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation, and English known as Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability (RCVA).

By viewing CAT preparation as a long race and not a short race, you will be setting yourself up for consistent improvement, as Yash did.

2. Construct Conceptual Knowledge – The Pillar of 99+ Success

Yash Lohia clarifies that it is extremely important to understand concepts while preparing for CAT. He believes that just memorizing formulas or quick reading of chapters will not work — true talent is in knowing why the answer is correct. This is how he was able to solve even the toughest questions confidently.

- Get to know the fundamentals of Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Modern Math — they form the foundation of QA and must be solid.
- To strengthen your brain for DILR, play puzzle games. Play on Puzzle Baron websites or play logic games on your phone for logical thinking.
- To break VARC, read with speed and inference ability — read editorials and opinion pieces regularly to improve recognizing author tone, purpose, and implicit assumptions.

By prioritizing depth over speed, Yash made his knowledge an advantage — and you can too.

3. Take Mock Tests — Regularly

For Yash Lohia, the turning point in his CAT experience came when he began giving himself regular mock tests — twice a week. He explains, "Mocks are not for testing knowledge — they make you experience exam pressure and develop stamina." These tests are not just tests; they are training camps for time management, strategy formation, and mental toughness.

- Start with 1 practice test per week in April and increase to 2 or 3 per week as the exam gets closer.
- Select popular mock test providers such as IMS, TIME, Career Launcher, or VerbalHub to get the actual feel.

Don't just try the mocks — break them down. After every test, review:
- Where you fell short
- Which parts took too long
- How was your accuracy level in various sections?

Yash made the most of each mock test as a learning experience. With every attempt, he improved and gained confidence.

4. Revise Smarter, Not Harder

One major Yash Lohia secret to success with a 99.02 percentile was his intelligent study regimen. Rather than going over all of the material repeatedly, he focused on his errors and failures. Yash had a list of errors in a "Mistake Notebook," in which he documented each error he made during test practice. This served to track patterns and avoid making the same errors.

- Have a separate Mistake Notebook wherein you record wrong answers, confused ideas, and challenging questions.
- Practice spaced repetition for the review of crucial formulas, concepts, and lessons from your error log — this keeps your memory in the loop in the long run.
- Concentrate on your weaknesses — don't simply keep answering questions mechanically. Return to where you're vulnerable and work on them seriously.

By this method, Yash utilized each mistake as a learning experience. Keep in mind, real improvement starts where most stop — the practice review.

5. Build the Right Mentality – CAT's Inner Game for Success

For Yash Lohia, cracking the CAT wasn't merely about becoming good with numbers and logic — it was also about getting his head in the right space. He feels that 70% of CAT success is due to the way you think, and only 30% due to the way you prepare. On tough days, he kept telling himself: "One hour of concentrated effort is better than four hours of passive prep." This sharp thinking kept him steady, strong, and calm when things were difficult.

- Don't get burned out by adding regular breaks and downtime to your routine — your brain needs a rest to remain sharp.
- Be around motivated people. Join CAT prep groups, Telegram groups, or local study groups so that you remain motivated and disciplined.

By exercising discipline, patience, and belief in himself, Yash turned his thought process into an enormous asset — and so can you. Having a positive mindset not only allows you to learn BETTER — it allows you to be the best version of yourself on exam day.

Section-Wise Tips from Yash – Learn Each Part of CAT Like a Pro

Yash Lohia's 99.02 percentile was not a coincidence — it was the result of intelligent strategies for every section. He adjusted his strategy to suit the particular requirements of every section of the CAT exam. Here's how he tackled every section:

VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)

- VARC requires good understanding and critical thinking skills — not just grammar skills.
- Read daily — books, newspapers, and magazines expose you to new words and difficult writing.
- Try 3–4 RCs per week using past CAT questions to get familiar with the exam's tone and style.
- Be careful of inference questions — CAT prefers to check your skill at reading between the lines rather than just knowing surface information.

LRDI (Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation)

- DILR is beyond anticipation, thus patience and flexibility are required.
- Work mixed sets frequently — CAT prefers variant, unconventional caselets.
- Bypass sets confidently — do not hesitate to bypass a set if it seems to be time-wasting or confusing.
- Keep an eye on time — keep your first set to 10 minutes so you don't waste valuable time.

QA (Quantitative Ability)

- Quant is all about precision, basics, and timing.
- Master Arithmetic and Algebra — they form the majority of the questions in CAT.
- Practice 15–20 quant questions daily to create muscle memory and speed.
- Avoid chasing tougher questions — emphasize getting it correct first, then have confidence build from simpler ones.

By making his study schedule separate for each section, Yash was able to sit for the exam clear-headed and confident. You can do the same thing — one section at a time.

Tools & Timeline: Yash's CAT Tools for Success

To perform well in the CAT, Yash Lohia did not leave it to fate — he acquired the proper tools, resources, and a definite strategy that enabled him to work diligently and in a systematic, organized way.

Tools Yash Used to Get Ready

Books:
- Arun Sharma (QA) for clarity in concept and practice.
- Word Power Made Easy builds vocabulary.
- Verbalhub materials for complete coaching assistance.

Mocks:
Practiced consistently with TIME, VerbalHub, and IMS — all of which are well-known for high-quality mock tests that closely match CAT's difficulty level.

Apps:
- Anki: For spaced repetition with flashcards.
- Headspace: For prolonged concentration and low pre-examination stress.
- Forest: To keep it distraction-free during studying.

Timeline for CAT 2025 Aspirants

To help you plan your prep accordingly, here's the monthly plan based on Yash's journey:

Month	Focus Area
April–June	Work on foundation concepts and do 1 light mock per week.
July–August	Identify and improve weak areas + increase mock frequency.
September–October	Complete practice tests, diligent study, and correcting errors.
November	Final strategy refining, focus on speed, accuracy, and calm state of mind.

Yash's Last Words of Wisdom

"C.A.T. is not about talent, it's about training. You train your brain to solve problems, manage time, and stay calm when you're under stress."

These are the words that define Yash's journey — discipline over drama, consistency over chaos. If you are a working professional, a final-year student, or a beginner, remember this — you don't have to be extraordinary, just extraordinarily committed.

Conclusion

Scoring more than 99 in CAT 2025 is no longer a fantasy — it is a reachable target with proper planning, patience, clarity, and focus. Yash's journey is definite proof that regardless of how hectic your college timetables and internships are, there is always hope with the right strategies.

This is where you begin:
- Build your base
- Practice sensibly
- Analyze smartly
- Trust fully

Your CAT 2025 success story starts here — work hard, set your goals high, and believe in the process.