Is 3 Months Enough to Score 99 Percentile in CAT Exam ?

Is 3 Months Enough to Score 99 Percentile in CAT Exam: Getting ready for the Common Admission Test (CAT) is often described as a marathon, not a sprint. Many aspirants begin their preparation a year in advance which gives enough time on practicing concepts, practice tests; test strategies. But also there are many success stories where candidates have achieved 99 percentile or higher with 3 months of preparation. The critical question to ask is: is 3 months enough time to score 99 percentile in CAT. The answer is a yes, depending on conditions. After reading this article, all your doubts regarding the CAT preparation time will be answered.

Is 3 Months Enough to Score 99 Percentile in CAT Exam

Unlike many competitive exams, CAT is not simply about knowledge, but time management, strategy and decision-making. It is possible for a person starting from scratch to complete the journey in 3 months provided there is quality guidance, and focus on high-weightage areas, and the ability to adapt based on the test-taking experience. CAT crash course can be a good option if you are starting you preparation as you don't want to spend time on looking for concepts on youtube. Three months are enough if the candidate ensures the following things:

• An understanding of fundamentals, basic concepts are of utmost priority.
• A commitment to preparation of 4-5 hours per day.
• A structured study strategy with speed and accuracy.
• Discipline to follow a study timetable without distractions.
• Get the most out of CAT mock tests by doing its analysis after completing the test.

Also Read, CAT Percentile Predictor 2025, Know Your Target B-School

How to get 99 percentile in CAT in 3 months

Reaching a 99 percentile in a mere 90 days is no easy task. It takes a combination of planning and execution. This is how aspirants can do it:

1. Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus - The CAT exam syllabus contains three sections. Each section has a 40-minute sectional time limit, so you must be both accurate and have a good speed.

• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - 24 questions
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) - 22 questions
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA) - 22 questions

2. Discover Strengths and Weaknesses - Before you start preparing, you should take a mock test so you can determine where you stand and locate the areas where you are strong, so you can put less effort into those areas. One also needs to identify areas where you are weak so that you can devote more effort to these areas.

3. Make a High-Intensity Study Plan - Study for 4-5 hours daily. Take at least one mock test every 3-4 days in the first month and increase the frequency to 2 mocks/week till the last month. Dedicate equal time to all three sections, while practising more in the weakest section.

4. Start by Focusing on Accuracy and Speed - For the first 4-5 weeks, you should be concentrating on increasing accuracy and then speed. In the last weeks, you should focus on practice sets and answering as many questions under pressure as possible.

5. Question selection - The difference between a 90 percentile and 99 percentile candidate is the choice of questions as leaving the time consuming questions is more important than attempting the right one. So, master the art of leaving questions.

Overall Score Needed for 99th Percentile in CAT:

Also Read, How To Score 100%ile in CAT 2025? Section-wise Strategy

3-month CAT preparation plan for 99 percentile

Here is a detailed 12-week schedule for CAT aspirants:

Month 1 (Weeks 1-4): Foundation

• Quantitative Aptitude(QA): Revise arithmetic (percentages, ratios, averages, time-speed-distance, profit-loss) and get moving on number systems, basic algebra, and geometry.
• DILR: Solve a minimum of 2-3 sets each day. Start with easier sets, and steadily progress to moderate sets.
• VARC: Read editorials every day from CAT Daily Articles. Solve 3 RC passages every day; work on para jumbles as well as sentence rearrangements.
• Mocks: You should be doing 1 mocks weekly, and then performing an in-depth analysis.
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Month 2 (Weeks 5-8): more Practice and build Strengths

• • QA: Spend time on advanced topics: Algebra, modern math, higher geometry. You should also be doing sectional tests 3 times a week.
  • DILR: Aim for 2-3 sets a day, consisting of unusual (or hard) sets. Get used to working under a timer.
  • VARC: Aim for 4-5 different genre RCs daily (business, philosophy, science, etc). Complete daily VA questions.
  • Mocks: Physically aim for 2-3 mocks a week, and begin simulating exam conditions.

Month 3 (Weeks 9-12): The final Preparation

• QA: Focus on your strong areas, revise formulas, only attempt good problems - don't waste time on topics that come very rarely in the exam.
• DILR: Continue regular practice on tough (hard) sets - and create a strategy for selecting sets (2 easy, etc).
• VARC: Improve your reading speed, keep practising RC, and get to sit for accuracy over sitting the maximum number of questions.
• Mocks: 4-5 mocks weekly, also a mock after completing your preparation is important. Don't forget to analyse those mock tests.

Also Read, How To Improve CAT Score From 90 to 99 Percentile, Check Now

CAT sectional score targets for 99 percentile

To achieve the CAT 99 percentile, one does not have to answer every question. It's better to choose wisely and be accurate. It is unnecessary to solve all 66 questions. The 99 percentile can be achieved by answering maybe 40–45 questions accurately. From last year's data, here is an approximate score distribution (CAT 2023–2024 trends):

Time management tips for CAT 99 percentile

Effective time management heavily impacts your chances of success in the CAT. With only 40 minutes per section, aspirants must utilize every minute.

1. Time Management per Section - Here are the techniques to manage every section.
- VARC: Allocate 25 - 27 mins for RCs (3 passages), 13 - 15 mins for VA questions.
- DILR: Identify 2 easy to moderate sets in the first 5 mins. Complete these two sets, and then decide if you can attempt a third set.
- QA: Identify the easy topics to give you some confidence, and don't waste much time on one question; only go back to it at the end.

2. Mock Tests - Practice the full-length mocks in conditions as close to the exam as possible. Work on developing your own order in which you attempt an exam. Then, after taking your mock, spend 2 - 3 hours going over the errors you made, counting the number of possible questions you got "correct," and the time you spent on each question.

3. Daily Schedule - Follow a daily schedule and stay consistent.
- Morning: QA practice (need a fresher mind for quantitative).
- Afternoon: DILR practice.
- Evening/Night: VARC reading and mock analysis.

4. Accuracy vs Attempts - Many students make the mistake of attempting too many questions with low accuracy. Once you reach the 99 percentile, it's more important to get the answers correct than just attempting loads of questions.

5. Mental Conditioning - Consistent deep breathing or meditation helps in lowering anxiety, no matter how you feel. You can also reduce test pressure at home by taking mocks at the same time as the CAT exam is scheduled.

Also Read, CAT Percentile Required for Top 5 IIM Colleges, Check Now

Is 3 Months Enough to Score 99 Percentile in CAT Exam: Conclusion

Achieving a 99 percentile in CAT in just 3 months is achievable if you have ultra-focus, effort, and a proper plan. While the rest of the students have been preparing for a year and have the option of steady revision, an aspirant within a 3-month timeline should identify high-value areas, sectional balance, and complete analysis of mock tests.

It might be a difficult journey, but many CAT toppers have proven that a 99 percentile is possible if you are disciplined, clear on your goals, consistent in your efforts, and practice a lot.