Free plan
CAT study plan: 6 months, built around a job or college
CAT rewards steady practice more than long weekends of cramming. This plan spreads about 12–15 hours a week across the three sections, then moves you to mocks and analysis in the last two months.
For working professionals and final-year students starting about 6 months before the exam (CAT is usually held in late November; check the official notice for the date).
Your week
| When | Time | What |
|---|---|---|
| Mon–Fri | 1.5 h a day | Quant or DILR on alternate days, plus 20 minutes of reading for VARC |
| Saturday | 3–4 h | One sectional test, then a full review of every mistake |
| Sunday | 3–4 h | Weak topics from the week, and a timed reading-comprehension set |
The plan, phase by phase
Months 1–2
1. Foundations
- Quant basics: arithmetic (percentages, ratios, time-speed-distance), then algebra
- DILR: two sets a day, untimed, to learn the common set types
- VARC: read one long article a day and write a two-line summary
Months 3–4
2. Practice
- Geometry and number systems; revisit arithmetic every week
- Timed DILR sets (aim for 2 of 4 sets right in 40 minutes)
- Weekly sectional tests; keep a mistake log
Months 5–6
3. Mocks
- Two full mocks a week; spend as long analysing a mock as taking it
- Fix the top 3 recurring mistakes each week
- Last 10 days: light revision, one mock every 2–3 days, steady sleep
What makes it work
- Analyse every mock: which questions you should have left, not just which you got wrong.
- Protect a fixed daily slot (for example 8–9:30 pm after work). Consistency beats long weekends.
- Reading daily is the cheapest way to improve VARC.
Let PIA keep you on it
This plan, fitted around your real day.
PIA turns a goal like this into one thing to do next, every day, around your work, classes and sleep. Free on Android.
Questions
- How many hours a day do I need for CAT while working?
- About 1.5–2 hours on weekdays and 3–4 hours on each weekend day is enough for most people over 6 months, if it's steady.
- When should I start mocks?
- Take one early to see where you stand, then start regular full mocks about 2–3 months before the exam.
- Is 6 months enough for CAT?
- For most people with a job or college, yes, if the plan is followed weekly and mocks are analysed properly.