What 99 Percentilers Did Differently in CAT Prep: Strategies That Worked

Introduction

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the toughest and most competitive MBA entrance exams in India. Every year, over 2 lakh aspirants appear for CAT, but only a handful manage to break into the 99th percentile club. Scoring in this elite bracket almost guarantees calls from the most prestigious IIMs and other top B-schools like FMS, SPJIMR, and MDI.

But here’s the key question: What exactly did the 99 percentilers do differently compared to others?

It wasn’t just about studying harder. These toppers approached the exam with strategy, discipline, and smart execution. By following proven CAT 99 percentiler strategies, they focused on accuracy, time management, and mock test analysis to maximize their scores.

In this blog, we decode the most effective CAT 99 percentiler strategies that helped toppers ace the exam and explain how you can adopt them in your own preparation journey to move closer to your IIM dream.

What 99 Percentilers Did Differently

1. Started Early with a Structured Plan

Most 99 percentilers began their preparation 8–12 months before the exam. They broke down the syllabus into phases:

• Phase 1: Building strong basics in Quant, VARC, and DILR.
• Phase 2: Practicing sectional tests.
• Phase 3: Full-length mock tests and adaptive strategies.

This ensured they weren’t rushing in the last 2–3 months, which is a common mistake.

2. Focused on Conceptual Clarity

Instead of memorizing shortcuts, toppers built a deep understanding of concepts. For example:

• In Quant, they practiced why formulas worked, not just how.
• In VARC, they focused on comprehension skills rather than speed reading.
• In DILR, they built pattern recognition through daily practice.

3. Mock Tests as the Core of Preparation

Mock tests were the game changers. 99 percentilers didn’t just give mocks—they analyzed them extensively.

• Step 1: Identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Step 2: Track time spent per section.
• Step 3: Revise incorrect attempts.

On average, toppers attempted 40–60 mock tests before the exam and spent 2–3 hours analyzing each one.

4. Time Management: The Real Differentiator

While most students panic during the exam, 99 percentilers excelled at time allocation. Their approach:

• VARC: Scan questions, attempt the easiest passages first.
• DILR: Pick the 1–2 doable sets quickly, avoid traps.
• Quant: Solve sure-shot questions first, skip difficult ones.

This ensured they maximized accuracy and didn’t waste time on unsolvable problems.

5. Consistency Over Intensity

A common myth is that toppers study 12–14 hours daily. In reality, most of them studied 2–4 hours daily consistently, ramping up only closer to the exam. Small, consistent efforts built lasting retention.

6. Balanced Weaknesses and Strengths

99 percentilers did not ignore weaker sections. Instead, they worked gradually on them while making their strong areas their score boosters. For instance:

• A student strong in Quant aimed for 99+ accuracy there.
• They still ensured 80–85% accuracy in VARC and DILR to balance scores.

7. Mindset and Stress Management

CAT is as much a test of nerves as it is of knowledge. Toppers:

• Practiced mindfulness to stay calm.
• Didn’t overanalyze one bad mock test.
• Treated CAT day as just another mock, avoiding panic.

Daily Routine of a 99 Percentiler

Here’s a sample daily schedule many toppers followed in the last 3–4 months before CAT:

Note: The focus wasn’t on long hours but on quality and consistency.

Key Differences: Average Aspirant vs 99 Percentiler

How Career Plan B Can Help You Crack CAT Like a 99 Percentiler

At Career Plan B, we understand what it takes to move from an average attempt to a 99th percentile performance. Our services are designed to give aspirants a competitive edge:

• Personalized Career Counselling: Build a prep plan tailored to your strengths and target percentile.
• Psycheintel and Career Assessment Tests: Understand your aptitude and optimize preparation strategies.
• Admission & Profile Guidance: Ensure your post-CAT journey leads to calls from top IIMs and B-schools.
• Career Roadmapping: Plan your MBA journey from preparation to placements with expert guidance.

With structured mentorship, you can follow the path of 99 percentilers and turn your CAT dream into reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How did people in the 99th percentile prepare for the CAT?

Ans. People in the 99th percentile for CAT prepared by building strong conceptual clarity in all sections—VARC, DILR, and QA—while following a disciplined study plan with daily practice and focused reading. They emphasized taking numerous full-length mock tests (15–20 or more), analyzing mistakes carefully, and managing time effectively during the exam. Consistency, smart practice, and avoiding burnout were key to their success.

Q2. How tough is it to get 99 percentile in CAT?

Ans. Scoring 99 percentile in CAT is very challenging, as it requires near-flawless accuracy, speed, and smart question selection across all sections. With around 2.5 lakh aspirants competing, only the top 1% achieve this benchmark, demanding strong fundamentals, focused preparation, and excellent time management. Even minor mistakes can impact the percentile, making it a highly competitive and rigorous target.

Q3. What is the best strategy for cracking the CAT?

Ans. The best strategy to crack CAT involves building strong fundamentals in all sections (VARC, DILR, QA), practicing regularly with mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Focus on time management, smart question selection, and analyzing mistakes to continuously improve. Consistency, disciplined study routine, and maintaining a calm, positive mindset are crucial for success.

Q4. How did 99+ percentilers approach each section of the CAT?

Ans. 99+ percentile scorers approached CAT sections with tailored strategies: in VARC, they focused on strong reading comprehension skills and accuracy; in DILR, they practiced diverse problem types and honed logical reasoning with time-conscious solving; in QA, they prioritized conceptual clarity and shortcut techniques for faster calculations. They balanced speed and accuracy, avoided guessing, and adapted their strategy based on sectional difficulty. Regular practice of mocks simulates exam conditions to build confidence and identify weaknesses.

Q5. If I dedicate 6 months to the CAT, can I get a 99.9 percentile? 

Ans. Yes, dedicating 6 months to a focused and disciplined preparation plan can help achieve a 99.9 percentile in CAT. This requires consistent daily practice, mastering concepts, taking multiple mock tests, and thorough analysis of errors. A strong strategy, time management, and mental resilience are essential to reach this top percentile within 6 months.

Conclusion

Scoring 99 percentile in CAT is not about studying endlessly—it’s about studying smartly, analyzing effectively, and staying consistent. The difference between average aspirants and toppers lies in discipline, strategy, and mindset.

If you aspire to join the 99 percentile club, follow these proven approaches: build strong fundamentals, prioritize mocks, and manage time wisely. And with expert guidance from Career Plan B, you can replicate the strategies of toppers and secure your dream B-school admission.