CAT rewards speed, accuracy and choosing the right questions, not just knowing formulas. Build basics first, then move to timed sectional tests, then full mocks with deep analysis.
6 months out
- Take one full past CAT paper untimed to see where you stand.
- QA: spend 6 to 8 weeks on arithmetic and algebra first (they are about two-thirds of QA), then geometry and number system.
- VARC: read one long editorial or essay daily (Aeon, The Hindu, The Guardian long reads) and summarise it in 3 lines.
- DILR: solve 2 sets a day from past CAT papers, starting with arrangements and tables.
- Keep an error notebook from week one.
3 months out
- Take one full mock a week, then two a week from 8 weeks out.
- Spend at least as long analysing a mock as taking it: list questions you should have skipped and easy ones you missed.
- VARC: 3 RC passages a day under time; practise para-jumbles and odd-one-out as TITA (no options).
- DILR: in each mock, scan all sets for 2 to 3 minutes and pick the 2 easiest before solving.
- QA: do 20 to 25 mixed timed questions daily; fix weak chapters from mock analysis.
Last 30 days
- Solve all CAT papers from 2020 onward in timed, slot-like conditions.
- Freeze your section strategy: target number of attempts and order of attack in each 40 minutes.
- Stop learning new topics in the last 10 days; revise formulas and your error notebook.
- Take mocks at your slot time to fix your energy cycle.
- Use the response sheet and answer key after the exam to estimate your score.
Books and resources
- Past CAT papers (2017 onward) — The best guide to real difficulty, question style and DILR set types.
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT - Arun Sharma — Graded practice by chapter, from basic to CAT level.
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT - Sarvesh K. Verma — Large question bank for arithmetic, algebra and geometry.
- How to Prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT - Arun Sharma — Many sets for building puzzle-solving speed.
- Word Power Made Easy - Norman Lewis — Builds vocabulary that helps with dense RC passages.
Mistakes to avoid
- Taking many mocks without analysing them.
- Spending too long on one hard DILR set and leaving no time for the easier one.
- Guessing MCQs blindly: each wrong MCQ costs 1 mark. TITA has no penalty, so always attempt it if you have a reasonable answer.
- Ignoring a weak section; IIMs apply sectional cut-offs.
- Starting VARC practice late. Reading speed takes months to build.