It is really a tough task to prepare for the CAT examination, but it can be done quite easily with an appropriate CAT preparation schedule accompanied by the right strategy. Most of the aspirants start preparation for CAT around 9-12 months before the exam so that they get enough time to build up concepts and skills pertaining to the subjects. But that’s definitely going to test your patience, motivation, and self-discipline. Whether you target IIMs or other top B-schools.
In this blog we will discuss how to build a strong CAT study plan for 2025 and will also give you an effective CAT preparation plan followed by some tips for CAT 2025. Keep reading to get the full information!!
Why Start Early Preparation?
Well-timed preparation gives a huge advantage to a candidate over his peers in CAT preparation. When you start early you have sufficient time to understand the basic concepts deeply. Early preparation also gives you time to take enough mock tests and analyse them so that you leave no room for mistakes and can plan your strategy in a better way. Starting early and having a proper CAT study plan leaves you stress free, as you have ample time for preparation, and will not burn out.
Essential Tips for CAT Preparation:
-
Equal Time for all the Sections:
There are mainly three sections in CAT: VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) and QA (Quantitative Ability). And it is compulsory to clear sectional cut-offs in each one of them. Not clearing even one section, even if your overall percentile is pretty good, can jeopardise your admissions chances. Hence, it is very essential to have an effective CAT study schedule and a dedicated CAT study plan to invest equal time and equal effort to all the sections.
-
Focus on content pertinent to the exam
Instead of studying everything, try following your dedicated CAT study plan concentrating exclusively upon the CAT syllabus, and particularly on those topics which are given the most weightage. Reading irrelevant topics will merely waste your time and energy. Also understanding the syllabus deeply and focusing on the pattern of the exam is very crucial for strategic preparation.
-
Consistency is the Key
Consistency is regarded as the backbone of CAT preparation. Instead of an irregular schedule, aim to build a proper CAT study plan and routine, even if it’s just 30 minutes to an hour initially. After a few months you will start to notice drastic improvement in your performance.
-
Join a Coaching Institute
While self-study is also very effective, joining a coaching institute can make things simpler and easier. You will get professional guidance, quality study material, and regular mock tests that keep your performance on track. In addition to that, you will also get a motivational boost which is required and necessary at the critical times of preparation.
CAT Study Plan for 2025
Here is just a sample of the daily CAT study plan that will help you stay on track.
- Morning Hours: Reserve your morning hours exclusively for memorising the important concepts and formulas for 30 minutes. Further for 1-2 hours practise questions from the weaker areas from all the sections. Then take a break of 15 minutes and recharge yourself.
- In Afternoon: Further plan your CAT study plan in a way that you can dedicate 1-2 hours practising stronger areas from each and every section. Make a habit of reading the newspaper or any book or novel of your choice at least for an hour in order to improve vocabulary as well as understandability. Thereafter, take a lunch break for about 30 minutes, to refresh your mind.
- In Evening: Dedicate 1-2 hours in solving mock tests or practice questions in the replicating the exam scenario. Afterwards utilise the last hour of the day for refreshing the concepts and formulas that have been done that day. Ensure good hydration, nutrition, and proper level of sleep for sustaining both psychological and physical energy during the preparation schedule.
Also learn – Top 5 Tips for Effective CAT Exam Preparation
Time Management Tips in CAT 2025
Effective time management is the most important facet of your CAT preparation. Here are some practical tips:
- Quality Over Quantity: Always focus on solving 20-25 easy to medium questions in an hour rather than filling your head with heaps of multifarious problems. Do not focus on solving more questions without understanding the concepts. Solving more questions is going to help you build your concepts that will help you nail the exam.
- Mock Tests and Practice: Make a habit of regularly attempting the mock tests and time-based exercises. This would help you develop the habit of solving questions within the allotted time. Also when you set time limitations you develop a habit of performing under pressure.
- Analyse: When you review your performance in mock tests, it helps you to identify weak areas,work according to that. Hence self analysis is very crucial for yourself.
Step-by-Step CAT Preparation Guide- CAT Study Plan
Follow this step-by-step CAT study plan and start your CAT preparation in this way:
- Step 1: Understanding the Exam Pattern and Analysing Past Years Papers: Before starting your preparation, it is very essential to familiarise yourself with the CAT exam pattern and understand previous years’ question papers. This helps in identifying frequently asked topics and also your strengths and weaknesses in which area you have to focus more.
-
- CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
Sections: Get familiar with all the sections and understand the CAT exam pattern carefully. It is categorised in three sections mainly VARC (34 questions), DILR (32 questions) and QA (34 questions).
Time: 3 hours, 1 hour per section.
- Step 2: Mock Test
Start taking mock tests as soon as possible. This would help you determine the areas where you are weak and take up those sections seriously.
- Step 3: Take a Mock Test Series
Joining a mock test series is important to keep track of your progress. Mocks closely reflect the real exam environment and give a feeling of readiness. So analyse each and every mock to make your strategy stronger and bridge over the weaknesses.
- Step 4: Develop your CAT study plan
Plan out your week in the strength and weak areas. For instance,
- Quant: 16 hours (4 weekday + 1 weekend day).
- DILR: 12 hours (over 4 days).
- VARC: 15 hours (which includes reading practice).
- Mock Test Analysis: 3 hours every fortnight.
CAT Study Plan & Section-Wise Preparation Strategies
-
VARC/ Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
In VARC, 70% questions are related to Reading Comprehension. So it is advisable to have a comprehension ability rather than focusing on vocabulary or grammar only. Start Reading Daily Newspapers, Magazines, and Articles to develop Comprehension Ability focus on developing Grammar and Vocabulary These are not tested directly, but having these qualities improves your efficiency in reading Comprehension passages which only concentrate on – RCs and VA From one RC in the beginning, start increasing the count.
Take as many sectionals tests as you can this will ultimately help build your time management skills and nail down a strategy for your DILR portion of VARC.
-
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
CAT DILR tends to bring all topics together under one roof, so to speak-it becomes complex. Knowledge of the various types of puzzles and datasets is of prime importance. Start practising logical games and simple games such as Sudoku and Kakuro. Start mastering basic logical skills. Build basic understanding of DILR Topics and get familiar with basic concepts in DILR topics. Try simple sets and make a habit of solving PYQs from previous years. The kind of questions asked will be less complex than recent ones and help the students in building concepts. Make a habit Daily Practice Solve 4-5 DILR sets at the level of CAT on a daily basis. Use sectional mocks to practise choosing the right sets to solve.
-
Quantitative Ability (QA)
QA is often challenging for non-engineering students, requiring consistent practice. Prioritise understanding the basics before tackling advanced questions. Work on laying a proper foundation for key concepts like algebra, arithmetic and geometry. Aim to solve 20 to 25 questions every day from easy and medium-to-tough level questions. Keep practising the basic concepts and formulas. Also Practise time-based sectional tests to enhance your speed and accuracy.
How to Analyse a Mock Test
Mock tests are the backbones of CAT preparation. They make you accustomed to the overall examination environment and train you to think so that you are adequately equipped. But the real treasure of knowledge comes from the analysis of such mock tests that helps you to analyse your Strengths and weaknesses, teaches you effective time management skills and optimises your question selection strategy.
Review all those mistakes which you committed as well as those which you avoided Note any and every recurring error. Adjust your CAT study plan to focus on weaker areas.
Conclusion
This CAT journey is long, so staying motivated makes all the difference. Develop a consistent CAT study plan Acclaim small wins e.g. breaking a tough set or gaining great scores in mocks. Take plenty of breaks so as not to get exhausted. Keep reminding yourself of the end goal is to get admission into a prestigious B-school. Preparing for CAT 2025 also requires sustaining a healthy mix of consistency, time management, and self-control. So, follow a structured CAT study plan, spot your weak areas, and use the resources like coaching, mock tests, and extra study material to utilize to qualify with flying colours.
Start today, as every single effort counts toward the dream of cracking CAT and joining one of India’s premier B-schools!
All the best your preparation!
