6 Months Strategy to Crack CAT: Study Plan, Schedule & Time Management Tips

If you’re starting your CAT preparation with just 6 months left, don’t worry—many toppers have done it, and you can too. What matters is not how early you start, but how efficiently you use the time you have.

This guide is your complete roadmap to preparing for CAT 2025 in six months. We’ll cover:

• Month-by-month planning

• Daily schedule

• Time management hacks

• Tools & resources

• Motivation to stay consistent

Whether you’re a college student juggling classes or a working professional balancing a job, this plan is realistic, practical, and 100% actionable.

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📆 Phase-Wise CAT Preparation Plan

We’ll divide the six months into three major phases: Concept Building, Practice & Improvement, and Mock Tests & Strategy Refinement.

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🟣 Month 1-2: Build Strong Basics

Goal: Understand CAT structure, master basic concepts, build a solid foundation.

Time Distribution: 60% Concept Learning | 40% Practice

What to Study:

• Quantitative Aptitude: Start with Number System, Percentages, Ratios, Averages, Time-Speed-Distance.

• DILR: Focus on basic logic puzzles, tables, bar charts, and Venn diagrams.

• VARC: Read daily from sources like The Hindu, Indian Express, Aeon, and The Guardian. Practice para jumbles and odd sentence out.

Resources:

• Arun Sharma books (Quant & DILR)

• Word Power Made Easy for vocab

• Online resources like 2IIM CAT YouTube or Cracku

🧠 Daily Goal:

• 2 Quant topics

• 1 DILR set

• 1 RC passage + 10 vocab words

📌 Time Tip: Use Google Calendar to block daily CAT prep time. (We’ve written a full guide on this: How to Use Google Calendar for Exam Prep).

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🟣 Month 3-4: Practice, Revise, Improve

Goal: Practice more, start mocks, and fill concept gaps.

Time Distribution: 40% Learning | 60% Practice

By now, you should be comfortable with the basics. It’s time to increase your speed, accuracy, and confidence.

Key Actions:

• Solve topic-wise tests (available in most coaching apps)

• Join a test series (like IMS, TIME, or Cracku)

• Continue reading and analyzing RCs

• Practice DILR sets from past year papers

🛠️ Tools You Can Use:

• Excel/Google Sheets to track progress

• Timer apps (Forest, Study Bunny, or TomatoTimer)

• Telegram groups or forums for doubt solving

🎯 Weekly Goals:

• 2 full-length sectionals (Quant, DILR, VARC)

• 3 hours of revision

• Daily review of mistakes

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🟣 Month 5: Mocks & Deep Analysis

Goal: Replicate exam-day pressure, learn from mistakes, refine your strategies.

Time Distribution: 20% Learning | 80% Practice

This is the most critical phase. You’ll start full-length mocks, simulate real exam environments, and track your performance in detail.

Must Do:

• 2-3 mocks/week (especially on weekends)

• Analyze each mock for:

  • Time spent per question

  • Accuracy vs Attempts

  • Weak topics

📝 Topper Tip:

“I spent more time analyzing mocks than taking them. That’s where real improvement happens.” — CAT 2023 Topper (99.5%ile)

🧠 Mindset:

• Don’t panic if scores are low initially.

• Work on question selection and speed, not just knowledge.

• Learn to let go of ego—skip time-draining questions.

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🟣 Month 6: Final Polish & Confidence Boost

Goal: Revise, fine-tune strategy, and stay calm.

Time Distribution: 10% Learning | 90% Practice

At this stage, less is more. Avoid new materials. Focus on:

• Daily RC + 1 DILR set

• 1 full-length mock every 3 days

• Revise all formulas, error logs, and shortcuts

Practice in the same time slot as your actual exam (2 PM – 5 PM) to build body-clock alignment.

🧘‍♂️ Mental Fitness:

• Try 10 minutes of meditation before mocks

• Eat light before tests to avoid energy crashes

• Reduce screen time outside of study

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📅 Ideal Daily Schedule for 6-Month CAT Prep

Time	Task
6:30 AM	Wake up, 10 min walk/stretch
7:00 – 8:30	Quantitative Aptitude
10:00 – 11:00	Reading + Vocabulary (VARC)
5:00 – 6:30	DILR practice or sectional mock
9:00 – 10:00	Mock analysis + revision

Weekend Routine:

• Full-length mock (3 hrs)

• 2 hours of mock analysis

• Rest + review of concepts

✅ Tip: Stick this schedule on your wall or phone lock screen!

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⏱ Time Management Tips

• Use the Pomodoro method: 25 minutes study, 5 minutes break

• Focus on peak productivity hours—usually early morning or late evening

• Plan each week in advance using digital tools or planners

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📌 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Don’t join too many courses or coaching apps

• ❌ Don’t ignore mocks

• ❌ Don’t underestimate DILR—this section decides CAT ranks!

Instead:

• ✅ Stick to limited, quality resources

• ✅ Practice mocks even if you’re not “ready”

• ✅ Keep improving your accuracy and question selection

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🎯 Final Thoughts: Make These 6 Months Count

Cracking CAT in 6 months is not about being perfect. It’s about showing up every day with consistency and intent.

Even if you study 2-4 focused hours daily with this plan, you’ll outperform many who start early but lack direction.

Remember:

• Stay off distractions

• Join forums for motivation

• Believe that you can reach your peak performance with smart work

📚 Need free CAT resources, PYQs, or study material?

👉 Visit our CAT Prep Resources Page