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CAT Books 2025: List of Best Books for CAT Preparation [Most Recommended CAT Books]

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

May 15, 2025

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Overview: Choosing the right CAT preparation books pdf targeting CAT exam 2025 is very important in your entire prep journey. Looking at the increasing competition in the CAT exam every year, having a list of the best CAT books PDF is what you need. This blog will deliver the exact list, so let's dive in!

  • One needs to understand that the correct way to proceed with CAT exam 2025 preparation is to use good study material combined with efficient strategies. 
  • An ideal material for CAT preparation should have all the theory in detail, lots of practice questions, detailed solutions and tips to help you ace the CAT exam

Read ahead to learn the CAT 2025 books, including various books like Quantum CAT books, LR book for CAT and CAT QA books which are popular among CAT aspirants. 

Best CAT Books to Crack 2025 Exam

Every CAT aspirant has the same query before starting their CAT prep journey - Which are the best books for CAT preparation?  Since the CAT Entrance Exam began, many publishers have published CAT 2025 books to help students achieve excellent scores. 

  • The best CAT preparation books pdf can help you in many ways. It can help you understand the CAT syllabus and exam structure, learn the exam pattern, and familiarize yourself with the questions asked in the exam.
  • The best book for CAT preparation should also provide strategies for tackling the exam, the right approach to solving questions, and time management tips.
  • Additionally, it can provide you with practice questions, mock tests, and sample papers to help you ace your CAT prep. 

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 CAT Online Coaching

CAT Books List 2025 - Data Interpretation Logical Reasoning 

Best books for CAT preparation​ PDF, This section has evolved over the years and has become challenging. Crack a case, and you hit the jackpot. Here is a list of CAT exam books PDF free download to help you prepare well for this section.

Refer to the list of CAT Exam preparation Books PDF for DILR below:

S.No CAT Books Name Author Resources PDF Link
1. How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT Arun Sharma  Amazon, Flipkart, Bookforest Not Available
2. Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT Nishit Sinha  Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit

PDF Part 1

PDF Part 2

3. Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT Pearson Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit

PDF Part 1

PDF Part 2

4. A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning R.S Agarwal Amazon, Flipkart Not Available

Check | How to Prepare for CAT Reading Comprehension?

 CAT Online Coaching

 CAT Online Coaching

Read More: CAT Geometry Questions with Answers

CAT Preparation Books For Verbal Ability 2025

Best CAT preparation​ books PDF, With CAT becoming more and more about comprehension, we suggest you read different genres. Here is a list of CAT Exam books PDF free download which can help you prepare well for this section: 

S.No CAT Books Name Author Resources PDF Link
1. How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
for the CAT
Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay Amazon, Flipkart

PDF Part 1

PDF Part 2

2. Word Power Made Easy Norman Lewis  Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Jain Agency Book

PDF

3. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT and
Other MBA Entrance Examinations
Nishit K Sinha  Amazon, Flipkart, Lucky Book Store Not Available
4. High School English Grammar and Composition Wren and Martin  Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Jain Agency Book

PDF

Check | Find CAT Registration 2025 Link here

 CAT Online Coaching

 CAT Online Coaching

CAT Preparation Books For Quantitative Ability 2025

Best CAT​ books​ for QA, At times CAT feels like it is all about QA as only this section has some syllabus around which to plan the preparation. Here is a list of CAT 2025 books PDFs which can help you prepare well for this section: 

CAT Exam Books PDF free download 2025 for the Maths section are as follows:

S.No CAT Books Name Author Resources PDF Link
1. How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude Arun Sharma  Amazon, Flipkart, Bookforest

PDF Part 1

PDF Part 2

2. Quantitative Aptitude for CAT Nishit Sinha  Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit Not Available
3. Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT Sarvesh Verma  Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit Not Available

Learn More | How to Prepare for CAT Data Interpretation?

Download Free QA Preparation Tips by Supergrads

Learn More| CAT Admission Process 2025

Essential Books for CAT Preparation for Beginners

For beginners preparing for the CAT (Common Admission Test) exam, it's crucial to have a strong foundation and the right study materials. Here's a detailed guide to essential CAT books for each section:

I. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

This section tests your mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities. Here are some essential CAT books:

  • "How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT” by Arun Sharma is a highly recommended title among Arun Sharma CAT books for building strong quantitative skills essential for the exam: This book is highly recommended for beginners. It covers fundamental concepts and progresses to more complex problems in a structured way. The book is divided into three difficulty levels, allowing you to build your understanding gradually. It also includes various solved examples and practice exercises.
  • "Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT" by Sarvesh K Verma: Another excellent book for building a strong foundation. It provides a comprehensive coverage of all topics with a large number of solved examples and practice questions. The book also offers helpful tips and tricks to solve problems faster.
  • NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 6 to 10): If you have a weak mathematical background, it's advisable to start with the NCERT books. These books will help you understand the basic concepts and build a solid base before moving on to more advanced books.
  • "Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations" by Abhijit Guha: This book is a comprehensive resource that covers a wide range of topics relevant to various competitive exams, including CAT. It offers detailed explanations and a large number of practice questions with varying difficulty levels.

 CAT Online Coaching

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II. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

This section assesses your English language skills, including grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Here are some key books:

  • "How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT" by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay: This book 1 provides a detailed approach to improving your verbal ability and reading comprehension skills. It covers grammar rules, vocabulary building techniques, and strategies for tackling reading comprehension passages. It also includes practice exercises and previous years' CAT questions.
  • "Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis: This book is invaluable for expanding your vocabulary. It uses a unique etymological approach to help you understand the roots of words, making it easier to learn and remember new vocabulary.
  • "High School English Grammar and Composition" by Wren and Martin: This book is considered a classic for mastering English grammar. It covers all the fundamental concepts of grammar with clear explanations and ample exercises for practice.
  • Reading Comprehension Materials: To improve your reading comprehension skills, it's essential to read regularly from diverse sources such as newspapers (e.g., The Hindu, Economic Times), magazines (e.g., The Economist), and online articles (e.g., Aeon, Politico). Focus on understanding the main idea, identifying key arguments, and inferring information.

III. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

This section tests your ability to interpret data presented in various forms and apply logical reasoning to solve problems. Here are some recommended books:

  • "How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for the CAT" by Arun Sharma: This book focuses specifically on data interpretation. It covers different types of data representations like tables, charts, and graphs, and provides strategies for analyzing and interpreting them effectively. It also includes numerous practice questions.
  • "How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT” by Arun Sharma is one of the most widely referred Arun Sharma CAT books for mastering logical reasoning concepts and practice: This book provides a structured approach to logical reasoning. It covers various types of logical reasoning questions, including arrangements, puzzles, and conditions, and offers techniques to solve them efficiently.
  • "A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning" by R.S. Aggarwal: This book offers a comprehensive coverage of logical reasoning concepts and includes a wide range of practice questions with varying difficulty levels. It is helpful for building a strong foundation in logical reasoning.
  • "Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency" by Ananta Ashisha: This book focuses on developing your calculation skills and provides strategies to tackle data interpretation and data sufficiency questions effectively.

 CAT Online Coaching

 CAT Online Coaching

Recommended CAT Books 2025 for Time Management Practice

While there aren't books specifically titled "Time Management Practice for Exams," several books focus on general time management and productivity techniques that can be highly beneficial for exam preparation. Additionally, some exam-specific study guides may include sections or tips on managing time during the exam itself.

Here are some recommended categories and specific books that can help you practice and improve your time management skills for exams in Ramganj Mandi:

General Time Management & Productivity Books (Apply these principles to your study schedule):

Book Title

Author

Key Concepts and Relevance to Study Management

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

David Allen

Introduces a system for managing tasks and commitments; adaptable for organizing study schedules; emphasizes breaking down large tasks into smaller, actionable steps to reduce overwhelm.

Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

Brian Tracy

Offers practical techniques to overcome procrastination and prioritize the most important tasks first; helps in effectively prioritizing study topics.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Stephen Covey

Emphasizes principles like prioritizing based on importance and urgency (Habit 3: "Put First Things First"); crucial for effective exam preparation and time management.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

Cal Newport

Advocates for focused, uninterrupted work sessions to maximize productivity; implementing "deep work" blocks in your study schedule can significantly improve learning efficiency.

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

James Clear

Provides a framework for creating and maintaining good habits; essential for building consistent study habits and sticking to your study schedule.

The Pomodoro Technique

Francesco Cirillo

(Not a book, but a technique explained in many resources) Emphasizes working in focused 25-minute intervals with short breaks to improve study focus and time management during study sessions.

 CAT Online Coaching

 CAT Online Coaching

CAT Preparation Books 2025 for Speed and Accuracy Improvement

While there isn't one single book guaranteed to magically improve your speed and accuracy, several resources and strategies can help you achieve this goal for your exams in Ramganj Mandi:

Books Focused on Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning (often key for speed and accuracy):

Book Title

Author

Focus Area

Key Benefits

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations

R.S. Aggarwal

Comprehensive coverage of quantitative aptitude topics.

Clear explanations, large number of practice questions, popular for various competitive exams.

Fast Track Objective Arithmetic

Rajesh Verma

Arithmetic.

Specifically focuses on arithmetic, provides shortcut strategies to improve calculation speed.

Magical Book on Quicker Maths

M. Tyra

Quantitative Mathematics.

Emphasizes smart techniques and shortcuts to solve mathematical problems quickly.

A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning

R.S. Aggarwal

Logical and Analytical Reasoning.

Helps build a strong foundation in logical and analytical reasoning, crucial for accuracy in these sections.

Objective Mathematics series (e.g., Vol 1 & Vol 2)

R.D. Sharma

Comprehensive Mathematical Concepts.

Offers a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts, practicing from them can improve fundamental clarity, indirectly aiding accuracy.

Best CAT Books 2025 for Solving Previous Years’ Papers

Dedicated Books for Previous Years' Papers:

Book Title

Publisher/Author(s)

Key Features

Past Years' CAT Questions

G.K. Publications

Focuses solely on providing a collection of previous years' CAT question papers.

CAT Previous Year Paper Book

Hitbullseye

Comprehensive compilation of past CAT questions with detailed solutions, emphasizes question types and topic-wise questions.

Oswaal CAT (COMMON ADMISSION TEST) \

10 YEARS' \

CHAPTERWISE & TOPICWISE \

Disha 18 Year-wise CAT Previous Year Solved Papers (2024 - 15) 5th Edition

Shipra Agarwal and Deepak Agarwal

Year-wise compilation of solved CAT papers for an extensive period.

Arihant Face To Face CAT 25 Years (1999-2023) Chapterwise & Topicwise solved paper

BS Sijwalii and Indu Sijwalii

Vast collection of solved papers (1999-2023) arranged by chapter and topic.

Arun Sharma \

CAT 15 Years Chapter-wise Solved Previous Years Papers (2001-2008 & 2017-2023) - Quant, VARC & DILR

Arun Sharma

Disha 40 Topic-wise CAT QA, DILR & VARC Previous Year Solved Papers (2024 - 1994) - set of 3 Books 18th Edition

Shipra Agarwal and Deepak Agarwal

Comprehensive set of three books providing topic-wise solved papers for all three CAT sections across a long period (1994-2024).

 cat toppers list 2024

 cat toppers list 2024

CAT Books for Building Logical Thinking and Analytical Skills

Here is the list of CAT books that will help you improve your logical and thinking ability:

Book Title

Author(s)

Key Features/Why it's Recommended

A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning

R.S. Aggarwal

Comprehensive coverage of logical reasoning topics with numerous examples and practice questions. Widely used for various competitive exams. Good for building a strong foundation.

Analytical Reasoning

M.K. Pandey

Focuses specifically on analytical reasoning puzzles and problem-solving. Helps develop the ability to analyze information and draw logical conclusions.

How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT

Arun Sharma

Specifically designed for the CAT exam, covering the latest patterns. Offers clear guidelines and a structured approach to various logical reasoning question types.

Shortcuts in Reasoning (Verbal, Non-Verbal & Analytical)

Disha Experts

Focuses on time-saving techniques and shortcuts for solving reasoning questions efficiently. Useful for improving speed and accuracy in exams.

501 Challenging Logical Reasoning Problems

Learning Express LLC

Provides a vast collection of practice questions of varying difficulty levels to test and enhance your logical reasoning abilities.

The PowerScore LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible

David M. Killoran

While geared towards the LSAT, this book offers an in-depth understanding of logical reasoning principles and argumentation, which can be beneficial for various exams.

Manhattan Prep LSAT Logical Reasoning

Manhattan Prep

Another excellent resource for LSAT preparation with strategies and techniques applicable to general logical reasoning skills.

A New Approach to Reasoning (Verbal & Non-Verbal)

B.S. Sijwali, Indu Sijwali

Covers both verbal and non-verbal reasoning with a focus on conceptual understanding and problem-solving strategies.

General Intelligence and Test of Reasoning

Vikas Experts

A comprehensive book covering various aspects of reasoning and general mental ability relevant to many competitive exams.

Logical and Analytical Reasoning: Useful for All Competitive Exams

A.K. Gupta

As the title suggests, this book aims to be a comprehensive resource for logical and analytical reasoning for a wide range of examinations.

Factors to Consider When You Choose the CAT Preparation Books for 2025

  • The books for the CAT exam must keep you updated and cover all the topics that can appear in the actual CAT exam.
  • Through the best CAT books PDF, you must look for practice questions with explanations, mock tests, and detailed strategies for tackling different questions. 
  • The CAT preparation books pdf must contain the previous year's CAT questions.
  • The set of questions in CAT 2025 books should be comparable to those on an actual exam, and the number of questions must be sufficient for all the sections.
  • Additionally, whichever CAT 2025 books you shortlist for CAT exam preparation, read online reviews to understand how well they prepare students for the exam.

Checkout | When to Start CAT Exam Preparation?

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 CAT Online Coaching

Find: CAT Arithmetic Question and Answers

In order to crack the CAT, it is important to pick comprehensive material that has been updated according to the latest CAT pattern. Apt for best CAT books will save you unnecessary time in reading and preparing, owing to their accuracy and good explanations.

Learn More| How to prepare for quantitative aptitude for CAT

So, the right material should provide the following: 

  • Section-wise comprehensive coverage 
  • Conceptual clarity on CAT-relevant topics 
  • A variety of questions based on the CAT pattern 
  • Topic-wise practice material and tests 
  • Mocks based on CAT pattern 
  • CAT prep strategies 
  • Understanding of the latest pattern 

Check | CAT Slot Timings

Before you pick the right CAT 2025 books, we suggest you have a well-thought-out study plan to help you achieve the goal of cracking CAT with a good percentile. Now, without stretching further, we present you the list of the Best CAT books that CAT aspirants refer to for their CAT prep.

Check: CAT Previous Year Question Papers

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 CAT Online Coaching

 CAT Online Coaching

Conclusion

With the right CAT exam books and dedication, anyone can score in a good percentile in the CAT 2025 exam.

The CAT books PDF you refer to for your CAT exam preparation will provide an in-depth understanding of the exam and its topics and give you the confidence to tackle the exam easily.

So, look for relevant content, the latest edition and a reliable publisher, and you will be ready. All the best. 

Read More | List of CAT subjects Category-wise

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of CAT exam preparation books are available?

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