How to Start Early for CAT 2025: Month-by-Month Prep Guide

Introduction

Preparing for the CAT (Common Admission Test) is a journey that requires strategy, commitment, and consistency. If you are aiming for CAT 2025, starting early is your biggest advantage. With a well-structured long-term plan, you can avoid last-minute cramming, reduce stress, and steadily improve your performance.

This blog breaks down your CAT preparation month by month—right from now until the exam in November 2025. It also includes sample questions and detailed insights on how to tackle each section over time. Whether you're a college student or a working professional, this guide will help you align your schedule, study smarter, and aim higher.

Why Start Early for CAT 2025?

Starting early allows you to:

• Build strong conceptual foundations.

• Practice gradually and consistently.

• Analyze mocks deeply and revise effectively.

• Manage college/work-life balance without burnout.

• Attempt CAT confidently, with a strategic mindset.

Overview of CAT Exam Pattern (Latest)

Understanding the structure is critical to planning:

• Total duration: 120 minutes

• Sections:

  1. VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) – 40 minutes

  2. DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) – 40 minutes

  3. QA (Quantitative Aptitude) – 40 minutes

• Total questions: ~66 (varies year to year)

• Marking scheme: +3 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQs); no negative for non-MCQs

Phase-Wise Timeline (March 2024 – November 2025)

Let’s break it into four major phases:

1. Foundation Building (March – September 2024)

2. Skill Strengthening (October 2024 – February 2025)

3. Test Strategy & Mock Season (March – August 2025)

4. Final Stretch & Exam Readiness (September – November 2025)

🔹 Phase 1: Foundation Building (March – September 2024)

Goal: Build strong conceptual clarity in all three sections.

Focus Areas:

• Brush up Class 9–10 math.

• Read newspapers, editorials, and articles daily.

• Start solving puzzles, Sudokus, and basic reasoning sets.

Weekly Plan:

• Allocate 1.5–2 hours daily.

• Focus on 2 sections per week (rotate weekly).

• Use weekends for revision or timed sectional practice.

Sample Questions:

Quant (Basics):
If x + y = 10 and xy = 21, find x² + y².
Solution:
x² + y² = (x + y)² - 2xy = 100 - 42 = 58

VARC (Para Jumbles):
Arrange:
A. He always carried an umbrella.
B. He was an eccentric old man.
C. Even when the sun was shining.
D. Who lived in our neighborhood.
Correct order: B D A C

🔹 Phase 2: Skill Strengthening (October 2024 – February 2025)

Goal: Start sectional mocks and advanced problem sets.

Focus Areas:

• Timed practice sets.

• Focused grammar & vocab development.

• Attempt past CAT questions.

• Build stamina for 2-hour focused study blocks.

Monthly Targets:

• October: Arithmetic & RC deep-dive

• November: Algebra & Logical DI

• December: Modern Math + LR puzzles

• January: Reading speed + Data sufficiency

• February: Mixed topic timed tests

Sample Questions:

DILR (Arrangement Puzzle):
Five people—A, B, C, D, and E—are sitting in a row.

• A is not at the ends.

• C is to the right of B.

• D is at the end.
  Who is sitting in the middle?

Approach: Use elimination + arrangement = A sits in the middle

Quant (Algebra):
If f(x) = x² – 4x + 3, what is the minimum value of f(x)?
Vertex form: a = 1, b = –4 ⇒ x = 2
f(2) = 4 – 8 + 3 = –1

🔹 Phase 3: Test Strategy & Mock Season (March – August 2025)

Goal: Simulate the real exam with mocks and performance tracking.

Key Activities:

• Start taking full-length mocks (1 every 2 weeks initially).

• Analyze mocks for accuracy, time spent per question, and question selection.

• Build a data log: what types of questions are you missing? Why?

• Start experimenting with test-taking strategies (order of sections, skipping rules).

Weekly Plan:

• 2–3 hours/day, increase on weekends.

• Focus on weak areas identified from mocks.

• Sectional tests every alternate day.

Sample Questions:

RC (Reading Comprehension – Inference Based):
Passage: Talks about climate policy and global responsibility.
Q: The author would most likely agree with which of the following?
(a) Climate change is a localized issue.
(b) Global policies must be equitable.
Answer: (b)

DI (Tables & Graphs):
Table: Company profits over 5 years.
Q: What is the percentage increase in profit from 2022 to 2023?
Apply % increase = [(New – Old)/Old] × 100

🔹 Phase 4: Final Stretch & Exam Readiness (September – November 2025)

Goal: Peak performance, fine-tuning exam-day strategies.

Key Actions:

• Take 2–3 mocks per week.

• Simulate real test conditions (same time slots, screen format).

• Avoid learning new concepts—focus on revision.

• Sleep, health, and mindset management becomes key.

Strategy Tips:

• Create a “One Pager” formula sheet.

• Prioritize accuracy over speed.

• Don’t panic if mocks go wrong—focus on trend.

• Reduce screen time before mocks for better concentration.

Section-Wise Breakdown

1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

• RC Practice: Philosophy, Economics, Science, Fiction

• VA Focus:

  • Para jumbles

  • Sentence elimination

  • Odd-one-out

• Daily habit: Read for 45 mins. Variety is key.

Recommended approach:

• Don’t memorize wordlists—understand context usage.

2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

• Practice 3–4 sets per week early on.

• Identify 5 favorite puzzle types (arrangement, network, Venn, etc.)

• Improve approximation skills for faster calculations.

Golden rule:
You don’t need to solve every set—choose the right ones and solve them cleanly.

3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

• Start from Arithmetic (70% of CAT QA).

• Strengthen Algebra, Geometry, and Numbers next.

• Save Modern Math for later.

Study Tip:
Don’t skip basics — knowing formulas is useless without concept clarity.

Handling College & CAT Together (For Students)

• Use holidays and weekends wisely.

• Form peer study groups for motivation.

• Use short 30–45 minute study blocks daily.

Handling Work & CAT Together (For Working Professionals)

• Study during commute (reading, mental math).

• Use early morning or late-night slots.

• Prioritize efficiency over hours.

Tools to Track Progress

• Maintain a mock tracker (score, accuracy, attempts, analysis).

• Keep a notebook of mistakes & learnings.

• Use timers for practice drills.

Key Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Summary Timeline at a Glance

Final Thoughts

CAT 2025 may feel far away, but in a competitive exam like this, your edge lies in starting now. The earlier you begin, the more time you’ll have to refine your approach, learn from your mistakes, and pace your preparation intelligently.

Whether you're studying full-time, in college, or working a 9–5 job—you can crack CAT with the right mindset and strategy. At Career Launcher South Ex, we help students stay accountable, stay informed, and most importantly, stay confident.

Prepare now, and thank yourself later.