Should I Quit My Job for CAT 2025 Preparation?

Akansha Sirohi

Updated On: May 01, 2025 03:03 PM | CAT

Are you asking yourself, " Should I quit my job for CAT 2025 preparation?" Before you make this decision, you need to consider several factors to ensure you do not regret your choice once the CAT exam is concluded.

Should I Quit My Job for CAT Preparation?

" Should I quit my job for CAT preparation ?" is one of the most common queries among individuals preparing for the exam while working full-time. Deciding to quit a job for CAT preparation is a significant decision that depends on various factors. It involves evaluating personal financial stability, the level of preparation required, and alternative plans if the desired outcome is not achieved. While dedicating time to preparation might enhance prospects, you must also consider the risk of a potential gap in the resume, the stress of financial insecurity, and other options, such as studying while employed or taking on part-time roles. It's crucial to carefully consider the pros and cons, taking into account your capacity for self-study and resource management, before making such a decision. In this article, we will take a look at the pros and cons of quitting your job for CAT 2025 exam preparation and attempt to answer this question.

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Should I Quit My Job for CAT Preparation 2025?

Before understanding the answer to the question, you must understand that CAT is an elimination round for admission to top MBA colleges in India . It is to select only the students who have the best scores and a commendable academic background. The rest of the students are eliminated. In this scenario, work experience can play an important role. This brings us to the answer to the question: No, ideally, you should not quit your job in order to prepare for CAT 2025.

To understand it better, let us take a look at the reasons why you should not quit your job for CAT preparation 2025.

Also Read: Top MBA Colleges that Accept CAT Percentile Below 90 Other than IIMs

What are the Disadvantages of Quitting Your Job for CAT Preparation 2025?

Leaving a job to study for CAT may seem like the best idea at first glance. However, dig a little deeper and you will find that it has several disadvantages.

  • Preparation Gaps Have Negative Impact: If you are aware of the selection procedure of the top business schools, you must know that most of the institutes are highly demanding when it comes to the proficiency of candidates. In this scenario, a gap in your resume for the preparation of CAT will not look so good. Also, weightage is given to the duration of work experience at the time of selection.

  • Additional Pressure: Quitting a job and preparing for CAT puts a lot of pressure on you in terms of performance. Not only are you expected to work harder to achieve your goals, but also required to get into good colleges as you have limited options in front of you.

Also Read: Importance of CAT 2025 in MBA Admissions

Why Should You Reconsider Quitting Your Job for CAT 2025 Preparation?

  • Keeps You Disciplined: Having a fixed occupation keeps you on a tight schedule, and you are more active and punctual. It also helps you to arrange your time proportionately and keep fixed time slots for preparation.

  • Gives Confidence: Having a job boosts your confidence and helps you maintain equilibrium. You learn a lot of important things while working, including networking and presentation skills that are valued in an aspiring manager.

  • It is Your Safety Net: Having a backup is a wise option. Many professionals keep attempting the CAT with their jobs to apply to colleges only after they secure their best score. You can always look forward to your job and move on with your work if you don’t achieve the desired score in CAT and apply again for the next session.

Advantages of Quitting Your Job for CAT 2025 Preparation

Leaving your job to study for the CAT has its own advantages as well. However, these must be viewed with caution, and you should exercise discretion when taking these into account.

  • It frees up all your time to invest in preparation. Giving your complete attention to CAT studies can yield better results. However, some people tend to get complacent, which may cause a waste of time.

  • The biggest advantage that you will get is decreased mental strain. A professional is often under stress in a work environment and the primary commitment is always the workplace. Leaving your job can have a positive effect here.

How to Prepare for CAT 2025 While Working?

It is true that preparing for CAT 2025 alongside a permanent job is tough, but it is not impossible. The first step would be to learn all about the CAT exam . You can also check some important CAT preparation tips for working professionals before you begin! Dedicated preparation of 6 to 7 months and 3 to 4 hours of studies every day can work a miracle for you. However, experts often say that it is not the time of study that a student should target on rather focus should be on the score that the student wants to achieve.

Also Read: Top 150+ Group Discussion (GD) Topics for MBA

The Final Verdict

When deciding whether to quit your job or not, it is important to assess your situation as an individual. Do not get influenced by somebody else's decision. Here are some things that you should consider before making the decision.

  • What are your strengths and weaknesses, and how much preparation time do you need?

  • Whether your work environment and requirements leave you with enough spare time to prepare?

  • Can you maintain a steady rhythm between switching from work mode to study mode?

Discipline and dedication will be your friends. Train yourself to focus on what is important and leave out anything that can be left out. In the end, it will be your call. Carefully arrive at a decision and then give it your best!

Everything About CAT Preparation 2025

In case you are willing to prepare for the CAT 2025, check out the handpicked articles by experts that can help in cracking the exam.

How to Prepare for CAT DILR 2025

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How to Approach CAT 2025 Question Paper?

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CAT 2025 Study Plan for Students in Final Year of Graduation

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Figuring out the colleges you want to apply to and the score that you need to achieve for top colleges is a difficult task. Plan your study schedule according to the score you are targeting. You can consider quitting if you are not able to cut out enough time to achieve your target score and think that you can do better without a job.

Related Links:

CAT 2025 Syllabus

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

CAT Sample Papers with Solutions

CAT 2025 Preparation Tips

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FAQs

Will I be able to get into IIMs with a job during CAT preparation?

Whether you will be able to get into IIMs with a job during CAT preparation depends on the effectiveness of your CAT preparation and your exam performance. If you are able to score a high enough CAT percentile with a full time job during preparation, then you will be shortlisted for IIMs, however, you will need to follow a definite exam strategy and leave no room for mistakes.

Do I need to study everyday to prepare for the CAT exam?

Yes, studying everyday and being consistent are the main key to prepare and ace the CAT exam.

How is quitting a job for CAT preparation beneficial?

Quitting a job for CAT preparation is advantageous as it provides a lot of time to focus on the exam preparation. Besides the aforementioned reason, it also erases a lot of stress and lifts up mental pressure from the mind of the applicant which enhances concentration.

What are the disadvantages of quitting a job for CAT preparation?

The major disadvantage of quitting your job for CAT preparation is that it puts a lot of performance pressure on the applicant. Another demerit is that it provides a gap in the resume of the candidate which might be of concern while applying for admissions in top business schools and institutes.

How long does it take to prepare for the CAT examination?

To prepare for the CAT examination, an applicant requires at least 6 to 7 months and 3 to 4 hours of regular studies.

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