6 Months Left for CAT 2025? Here's the Only 169-Day Study Plan You'll Need
CL Team May 23 2025
Preparing for the CAT (Common Admission Test) is a journey of discipline, strategy, and self-awareness. As one of India's most competitive MBA entrance exams, CAT acts as the gateway to top-tier B-schools like the IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, and many more.
One of the most common questions among aspirants is:
“Are 6 months enough to crack the CAT Exam?”
The honest answer: It depends on YOU - your starting point, current preparation level, availability, and dedication.
In this article, we’ll cover:
lTime required based on your current level
lIdeal strategies for students & working professionals
lSection-wise timeline & focus areas
lA sample weekly study plan
lA ready-to-follow checklist to get started
Step 1: Know Where You Stand
Start your journey by taking a diagnostic mock test - even if you haven’t prepared. This gives you a baseline score and answers the all-important question:
"Where am I today?"
Time Required Based on Diagnostic Test Score:
|
Score Range |
Time Needed |
Focus Area |
|
Less than 40 |
6–8 months |
Build concepts from scratch |
|
40 to 60 |
4–6 months |
Balance concepts & practice |
|
Above 80 |
2–4 months |
Sharpen accuracy & strategy |
Time Required Based on Profile
lFinal-Year Students / Recent Graduates
Ideal Time: 6-8 months
Tip: Dedicate 3-5 hours daily. Build momentum early and stay consistent.
lWorking Professionals
Ideal Time: 4-6 months
Tip: Study in early mornings, late evenings, and weekends. Prioritize mocks and smart revision.
Section-Wise Focus Timeline
|
Section |
Ideal Timeline |
Core Focus Areas |
|
VARC |
3–4 months |
Reading Comprehension, vocabulary, parajumbles |
|
DILR |
4–6 months |
Puzzle-solving, sets, previous year Qs |
|
QA |
3–5 months |
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems |
Sample Weekly Plan (Balanced Preparation)
|
Day |
Study Plan |
|
Monday |
QA Concept Practice (2 hrs) + RC Reading (1 hr, 2-3 RCs) |
|
Tuesday |
DILR Set Solving (2 hrs, 1–2 sets) + QA Arithmetic Practice (1 hr) |
|
Wednesday |
VARC Practice (2-3 RCs) + Mock Test (alternate weeks) |
|
Thursday |
QA Advanced Practice (20-25 Qs) + DILR Puzzle Sets |
|
Friday |
Revision + Error Analysis |
|
Saturday |
Full Mock Test (2 hrs) |
|
Sunday |
Mock Analysis (3 hrs) + Light Reading (editorials/novels) |
6-Month Checklist to Kickstart Your Prep
1. Take a diagnostic test to identify your starting score.
2. Assess your strong and weak areas.
3. Build a realistic 6-month plan (or 4-month if already started).
4. Choose your prep mode: Self-study, Coaching, or Hybrid.
5. Set weekly targets: 2 topics + 1 DILR set + 1 RC + 1 mini mock.
6. Track your progress monthly and adjust your plan after each mock.
7. Don’t ignore mental fitness - avoid burnout and stay consistent.
8. Aim to complete your syllabus by end of October. November = full mock phase.
lExpert Tips to Crack CAT 2025
1. Mocks are your best teachers—take at least 25-30 full-length mocks.
2. Focus on accuracy before speed—time management comes with practice.
3. PYQs are GOLD - analyze them deeply.
4. Analyze every mock like a detective - why you got questions right or wrong.
5. Read daily - editorials, articles, and books help improve VARC naturally.
6. 3 hours of deep study > 6 hours of distracted study.
What Should You Do Right Now?
l Take your first mock today - even without preparation.
lReflect: “How many hours can I give consistently for 169 days?”
lBuild a simple weekly routine and stick to it.
lFeeling lost or overwhelmed? Join a coaching program to save time and get expert guidance.
The journey to your dream B-school begins with one step: a mock test.
Start today. Stay consistent. Show up every day - and thank yourself in November.
For further queries, fill the attached form to kickstart your Journey :
Fill this form and kickstart your CAT journey with us:
https://www.careerlauncher.com/delhi-preet-vihar/
