To score a 99+ percentile in the CAT exam, you need the right preparation, mindset, guidance, tools, resources, and encouragement. Yet, after so much, many aspirants struggle to score good marks, all thanks to speed and accuracy. Choosing speed often leads to mistakes; focusing too much on accuracy eats up valuable time. It’s a frustrating cycle. Every year, thousands fall into this trap, stagnating in mock scores despite consistent effort. If you’re reading this, you probably relate and you’re looking for a way out.
So, the question remains: speed or accuracy? Some aim for more attempts with lower accuracy; others play safe with fewer, accurate ones. Yet, aspirants like you often face the same problem—low scores in CAT mock tests.
Speed vs Accuracy–Which one is better to score a 99+ percentile?
Before diving into the speed vs. accuracy debate in CAT 2025 prep, let’s clarify what both terms mean. Speed is your ability to attempt as many questions as possible within the limited time, even if it involves guesswork or rushing through problems without proper thought. Accuracy, on the other hand, is your ability to solve questions correctly, even if it means spending more time on each one to ensure precision.
To better understand the trade-off, let’s consider an example. Three CAT aspirants—X, Y, and Z—each followed a different strategy. X focused on speed, Y prioritized accuracy, while Z adopted a balanced approach. On exam day, they stuck to their respective strategies. Then, the results came in.
| Particulars | X | Y | Z |
| Attempt (Total Question–66) | 55 | 21 | 44 |
| Result Breakdown: Correct Questions (CQ) Incorrect Questions MCQ (IQM) Incorrect Questions TITA (IQT) | 24 27 4 | 19 _ 2 | 34 6 4 |
| Score Calculation | CQ: 24 X 3 = 72 IQM: 27 x (-) 1 = (-)27 IQT: 4 X 0 = 0 | CQ: 19 X 3 = 57 IQT: 2 X 0 = 0 | CQ: 34 X 3 = 102 IQM: 6 x (-) 1 = (-)6 IQT: 4 X 0 = 0 |
| Total Marks (Total Marks–204) | 45 | 57 | 96 |
| Expected Percentile | 82 | 90 | 99+ |
Conclusion: Only Z achieved the 99+ percentile due to his balance between speed and accuracy.
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What do iQuanta CAT 99+ percentilers have to say? Speed or Accuracy?
At the iQuanta CAT Toppers Meetup, several 99+ percentilers shared their key insight: the real secret to a high CAT score lies in striking the right balance between speed and accuracy. Both are essential, and mastering that balance comes only through smart preparation and consistent practice.
They highlighted two key lessons that every CAT aspirant should remember.
First, iQuanta’s dual pedagogy helped them apply concepts creatively. After each conceptual class, they practiced CAT-level questions posted in a special group by iQuanta’s top faculty of around 20–25 questions with a strict time limit. This regular timed practice revealed something simple yet powerful. Everyone takes less time on easy questions and more time on tough ones. The takeaway? No one is a prodigy—it’s all about how well you manage your time across questions.
Most toppers first tackled easy-to-moderate questions, then moved to tougher ones or skipped them strategically.
Second, they discovered their ideal attempt-to-accuracy ratio through repeated mock tests. By taking enough iQuanta CAT 2025 mock tests, they learned to attempt fewer questions in tough papers and more in easier ones, adjusting their strategy based on the difficulty level.
Solution to Speed and Accuracy–iQuanta Dual Pedagogy
Almost all iQuanta CAT toppers shared that the dual pedagogy approach played a crucial role in helping them find the right balance between speed and accuracy. Many aspirants struggle with this on their own, but iQuanta’s top CAT faculty, combined with the support and encouragement from the online community, kept them motivated. Through consistent practice and targeted guidance, they gradually discovered their ideal balance, allowing them to stop wasting time and start steadily improving their mock test scores.
