CAT 6 months preparation strategy: With merely two months ahead of the CAT 2025 announcement, aspirants are looking for the best CAT preparation strategy for six months and CAT online coaching. A six-month preparation timeline for the CAT exam is perfectly achievable for the aspiring student and working professional. With laser focus, strong dedication, and the right set of resources, one can aim to score good.
Here is a detailed 6-month study plan for the CAT, which includes actionable tips and answers to common questions, such as "Is 6 months enough for CAT preparation?" This information is based on expert advice and Cracku's proven track record.
Is 6 months enough for CAT preparation?
Yes, six months is enough to prepare for CAT provided a disciplined and methodical approach is followed. The CAT syllabus includes mostly concepts taught to pupils at school level in mathematics and English, the tricky bit is applying these concepts under time pressure and fast in an exam scenario, for which regular practice and mock tests are key.
Most CAT trainers advice to follow a dedicated plan of 2 to 4 hours every day, amounting to nearly 70 to 80 hours each month, increasing intensity as the day nears. Now, whether six months is enough does depend on so many factors such as your starting baseline, awareness on the topics that appear in the exam, and also whether you can really commit time daily to CAT preparation. A person who has recently taken the CAT or has an excellent academic record will require much less preparation than a beginner may find adequate in such a period.
CAT 6 Months Study Plan
A phased method is considered best for CAT preparations. The ideal way to structure the preparation plan is to have three phases consisting of two months each. It is in the first two months in which basic concepts have to be built, the next two in which intensive practice has to be done, and the last two dedicated to revisions and self-testing.
Phase | Focus Area | Key Activities |
Phase 1 (Months 1-2) | Build Basics | Learn concepts, daily reading, basic practice |
Phase 2 (Months 3-4) | Practice & Strengthen | Sectional tests, topic-wise practice, start mocks |
Phase 3 (Months 5-6) | Revise & Test | Full-length mocks, revision, analyze weaknesses |
CAT 6 Months Section-Wise Preparation Strategy
1. Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Starting with Arithmetic and basic Algebra, watch the recorded lectures from the batch schedule.
- Focus on concepts instead of just mugging up formulas. Though, certain formulas and tricks if you keep in mind they helps in solving questions faster.
- Work on questions topic-wise and keep on increasing the level of difficulty with time. CAT Study room is an excellent source if you want to practice good quality questions.
- Take sectional tests to measure your level of progress. People generally underestimate the sectional tests but they are very important when it comes to practicing under time pressure.
2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- The best way to start preparing for DILR is to download CAT previous year papers in the PDF and start solving every single DILR set from every slot.
- Then move to different types of sets focusing largely on arrangements and puzzles
- Solve the previous years' CAT DILR sets, as these are the best of resources.
- Keep practicing all sorts of sets (tables, graphs, puzzles). Try to diversify the level of sets you are solving and build logic. Don't just solve questions of one type.
- Use several logical games like sudoku to keep your thinking sharp.
3. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Read daily: newspapers, online articles (Aeon, Smithsonian), and books. Cracku provides CAT Daily Articles where they add 3 free articles daily from the CAT previous year RC sources.
- Be an active reader. That means, summarize every paragraph you read. It helps in comprehension. Try to make 1 line main point of every paragraph you read.
- Build vocabulary, though it is not very important as per CAT exam is concerned but a decent understanding is necessary to do well in RCs. practice parajumbles, odd-one-outs, and RCs to boost your scores.
- Take sectional VARC tests regularly to test yourself at each stage.
Important Note: Solving questions from all the three sections daily is very important if you want to do well in the exam. For that, Cracku offers CAT Daily Targets to keep you consistent in all the three sections.
CAT 6 Months Preparation Strategy: Month-wise
Month-1 Start your preparation
- The Hindu editorial/Aeon Essay section (to be read till the last day)
- LR (Puzzles, Games and Tournaments, Einstein Puzzles, Arrangements)
- QA (Arithmetics, Geometry and Mensuration, Probability, Number System and Algebra)
Month-2 Continue with QA, LR and Verbal
- QA (Time and Work, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Set theory)
- VARC (Reading Comprehension, basic grammer rules, Paragraph completion)
- LR (Data Interpretation, Graphs, Table with Missing Values)
Month-3 Complete QA
- QA (Simple and Compound Interests, Progression, Logarithms, P&C;, Inequalities, Equations, Functions)
- LR (Coins, Truth-Lie Concept, Quant based puzzle)
- VA (parajumbles, sentence completion and odd one out parajumbles)
Month-4 Complete LR
- LR (Tables, Charts and Maxima- minima, Venn diagram)
- VA (Fill in the blanks, Critical Reasoning, RCs)
Month-5 Complete DI
- Tables, Pie-chart, Line chart, Bar chart, caselets and Data sufficiency
Month-6 The last lag
- Revise and Practice as much as possible
- Solve CAT Previous year papers to get an idea of actual CAT level questions
- Solve and Analyse CAT mock tests (Headstarts and DashCATs)
- Memorize math formulas and keep a CAT formula book handy
- Revise the weaker topics while simultaneously revising the stronger ones
- Attempt 1 CAT Mock Test in every 4-5 days
- Analyze the performance in the mock test.
- Focus on improving score in each test and accuracy.
CAT 6 Months Preparation Strategy for Working Professionals
Taking a crack at the work-prep balance truly is hard but still possible. Working professionals can:
- Use a flexible daily or weekend routine.
- Keep at least 2 to 3 hours every day for CAT prep, while revising during commute or when on breaks.
- Make use of CAT online coaching and recorded sessions to save your time.
- Learn to prioritize 'quality' over 'quantity' by concentrating on your weak areas and taking regular CAT mocks.
CAT 6 Months Preparation Strategy for Beginners
If you’re a beginner diving into CAT prep without any background knowledge about the exam:
- Spend the first month understanding the syllabus and the pattern of the exam.
- Use Cracku’s everyday schedule or its day-wise 6-months planning for staying on track.
- The plan must be to focus on basic problems and then gradually move to tougher ones.
- Give your first mock at the end of the first month to know what your strengths and weaknesses are.
CAT 6 Months Preparation Strategy: Mock Tests and Revision
- Start taking mock-early; please do not finish the syllabus first.
- Try to do at least 30 full-length mocks and 50-60 sectional tests in six months.
- In all the mocks, perform analysis to know the weak areas and work on those weak areas to improve score.
- Use Cracku DashCATs and Headstart mocks for an actual exam environment..
CAT 6 Months Preparation Material
- Daily/Weekly Schedule: Day-wise topic tests to cover so you will never be in a dilemma of what to study/test.
- Live & Recorded Classes: Interact with CAT toppers to get your doubts clarified and anytime revisit the sessions.
- Practice Material: 18,000+ questions, 1,000+ concept videos, adaptive quizzes.
- Mock Tests: Closest to actual CAT, with detailed analysis and benchmarking.
CAT 6 Months Preparation Strategy 2025: Conclusion
A six-month CAT preparation plan might seem tough but is absolutely achievable. It would be a lot if you are beginner or a working professional not able to invest adequate time. Concept clarity, practice, and regular assessment with good quality mocks are the key.
The success lies in structured and expert curated resources, daily schedules, and all expert guidance that Cracku provides to keep you on track and help you score better in CAT.
Be disciplined, trust the plan, and success will follow you!