3-Month Strategy to Crack CAT: Realistic Plan, Timetable & Time Management Tips

3-Month Strategy to Crack CAT: Realistic Plan, Timetable & Time Management Tips

Preparing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) with just three months left might feel like a mountain to climb — but with the right approach, even 90 days are enough to perform exceptionally well.

In this blog, we’ll break down a complete 3-month CAT preparation strategy, including:

• A weekly timetable

• Section-wise focus plans

• Time management tips

• Mistakes to avoid

• Free tools and resources you can use

Let’s get you closer to your dream B-school!

🎯 Who Is This Strategy For?

This 3-month CAT plan is ideal for:

• Final-year students juggling college and prep

• Working professionals short on time

• Repeat aspirants who need structure

• Anyone starting late but willing to stay consistent

🧠 Step 1: Know the CAT Syllabus and Pattern

Before you dive in, make sure you clearly understand the 3 sections:

1. VARC – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

2. DILR – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning

3. QA – Quantitative Aptitude

📌 Tip: Spend 2-3 days reviewing the latest CAT syllabus and solving a few previous year questions to understand question types.

📥 Download CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF here (Internal link to your resources section)

📅 Month-Wise Strategy Breakdown

🔵

Month 1: Build Concepts + Test Basics

• Primary Goal: Strengthen basics in all 3 sections.

• Time Split: 3 hours/day (1 hour per section)

Resources:

• Books: Arun Sharma for QA and DILR, Word Power Made Easy for VARC

• Free Mocks: Cracku Free CAT Mocks (outbound)

• YouTube Playlists: 2IIM, Unacademy CAT

🔵

Month 2: Start Mocks + Analyze

• Primary Goal: Apply concepts + improve speed and accuracy

• Start full-length mock tests: 1 mock every 5 days (6 total this month)

• Analyze errors, not just scores

✅ Time tip: Use the Pomodoro technique (25-min study blocks) with focus apps like Forest or StayFocusd.

🔵

Month 3: Test Strategy + Revise Smart

• Primary Goal: Go full throttle — polish weak areas and revise

• Take 2 mocks per week (8 total)

• Focus on solving under time pressure

• Practice 2 VARC RCs + 1 DILR set + 20 QA questions daily

⏰ Time Management Tips That Actually Work

1. Set “anchor hours” daily: same time for CAT prep.

2. Study 25 minutes, break for 5 — use Pomodoro playlists.

3. Use Google Calendar to time-block your CAT slots.

4. Avoid “mock burnout” – don’t take a test daily.

❌ Mistakes to Avoid in 3-Month CAT Prep

• Skipping mock test analysis

• Ignoring VARC (just reading novels won’t help)

• Switching prep materials constantly

• Not tracking time spent on weak areas

📚 Must-Have Tools & Resources

• Mock Test Platforms: Cracku, IMS, Career Launcher

• Doubt-Solving Tools: ChatGPT, Reddit CAT Prep, Telegram groups

• Time Management: Todoist, Notion, Google Sheets

🧾 Weekly Sample Timetable (3 hrs/day)

Final Words

Yes, cracking CAT in 3 months is hard. But not impossible. If you focus on quality over quantity and avoid the common mistakes, your dream of IIMs is still alive.

Consistency + smart work = result.