CAT Final 2 Months Checklist: Do’s and Don’ts for Success

Introduction

Two months to CAT—are you feeling excited or anxious? For most aspirants, the last 60 days bring a mix of hope and nervousness. You’ve covered a bulk of your syllabus, attempted mocks, and yet a voice inside asks: “Am I really ready?”

This is exactly why the final two months are crucial. Many candidates see a 40–50% jump in their scores during this phase because the focus shifts from learning new concepts to mastering test-taking strategies. Think of it as the last lap of a marathon—your performance here decides whether you finish strong or burn out midway.

Why the Last 2 Months Matter for CAT

The final 60 days before CAT are game-changing. By now, most aspirants have at least touched the full syllabus. What makes a difference isn’t covering more topics but refining accuracy, speed, and mental stamina.

Think of CAT toppers—many of them openly admit they didn’t know everything. What they did know is how to maximize their attempts, cut down errors, and keep composure during those 120 minutes. The last two months are about:

• Reinforcing concepts you already know
• Practicing under exam-simulated conditions
• Eliminating recurring mistakes
• Building endurance for three back-to-back sections

This is your golden window to transform preparation into performance.

CAT Final 2 Months Checklist (What to DO)

1. Stick to a Focused Study Plan

It’s tempting to create long to-do lists during this crunch period. Instead, simplify your plan:

• Daily targets: At least 2 RC passages, 1 LRDI set, and 20–25 Quant problems.
• Weekly targets: 2–3 mocks plus revision of 2–3 topics.
• Allocate 40% of your time to your weakest section and keep polishing your strongest areas in short bursts.

A topper from CAT 2022 revealed that his boost came not from studying more hours but from planned distribution between sections.

2. Take Mock Tests Like the Actual CAT

Mocks can either be your best friend or your biggest enemy. In this phase, focus on quality over quantity.

• How many? 2–3 full-length mocks per week.
• Post-mock analysis: Minimum 2–3 hours reviewing each mock to identify mistakes, missed shortcuts, and time drains.
• Exam simulation: Attempt mocks at the same time slot as your actual exam—if your slot is morning, don’t attempt late-night tests.

This simulation builds psychological conditioning to stay sharp on exam day.

3. Revise Formulas and Key Concepts

In Quant, 80% of questions revolve around standard concepts in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Numbers.

• Maintain a formula sheet and revise it once every 3–4 days.
• VARC tip: Practice RCs of increasing difficulty but don’t neglect para-summary and odd-sentence questions.
• LRDI: Revisit old puzzles. Often, the trick is not reinventing but recognizing familiar logical structures.

4. Maintain a Daily Routine

Discipline is underrated. Late-night studying, erratic meals, and inconsistent sleep can sabotage even great prep.

• Fix your sleep cycle in sync with the exam slot.
• Add short physical breaks—10 minutes of stretching or a brisk walk boosts concentration.
• Stick to a daily schedule, even on weekends.

Remember: exam readiness is not just mental, but physical and emotional too.

CAT Final 2 Months Checklist (What to AVOID)

1. Don’t Start New Topics Blindly

One of the biggest mistakes students make is diving into untouched advanced topics like Permutations or Trigonometry in the final month.

If it’s completely new, it’s better to skip. Instead:

• Double down on topics you’ve already covered.
• Improve accuracy in high-frequency topics like Averages, Percentages, Time-Speed-Distance, and Reading Comprehension.

Efficiency beats desperation every time.

2. Avoid Mock Marathon Without Analysis

Some candidates take pride in saying they attempted 40+ mocks. But the real question is: Did they analyze them?

Without analysis, mocks become repetitive practice. Always:

• Track time wasted on tough questions.
• Rework unsolved problems without time pressure.
• Maintain an error log (common mistake notebook) and review it twice weekly.

3. Stop Comparing with Others’ Prep

Scrolling through social media or Telegram groups can create FOMO. One peer cracked 99th percentile mock scores, while another completed 8-hour study marathons—so what?

Your preparation journey is unique. Comparing benchmarks only fuels anxiety. Instead, focus on personal progress graphs, not others.

4. Don’t Burn Out

Remember: over-preparation can be as harmful as under-preparation. Common symptoms: brain fog, irritability, declining mock scores.

Prevent burnout by:

• Scheduling one light day each week (light review + mental relaxation).
• Avoiding mock tests on consecutive days.
• Practicing mindfulness or short meditation before study sessions.

Energy saved = energy converted to better percentile.

CAT Mock Test Strategy in the Last 2 Months

Mocks are the heart of this phase. Let’s break it down:

• Number of mocks: 12–15 full-length CAT mocks in two months are ideal.
• Sectional tests: 2–3 weekly, targeting pain points (like Geometry or RCs).
• Environment: Sit in a quiet room, timed setting, no distractions.
• Post-analysis: Review not only errors but also time spent on correct answers—could you have solved them faster?

Keep a performance-tracking sheet:

• Sections attempted
• Accuracy %
• Time spent per question
• Top 3 recurring errors

This data-driven prep will reveal your improvement objectively.

Two-Month CAT Revision Plan

Phase1 (Day 1–30): Consolidation

• Cover all core concepts again through notes and formula sheets.
• Take 6–8 mocks, space them out for analysis.
• Build an error-log repository.

Phase2 (Day 31–60): Exam Simulation

• Increase mocks frequency but balance with energy.
• Revise old notes instead of starting fresh study sources.
• Last 10 days: taper mock frequency—2–3 light mocks max, focus mainly on confidence-building revision.

Think of this phase as a sports team’s practice sessions before a final—focus isn’t on hard workouts, but smart, tactical readiness.

Time Management Tips for D-Day

Even in the final 2 months, your biggest weapon is strategy.

• On-screen calculator: Use only when essential—mental math is faster for small numbers.
• 40-minute sections:
  • VARC: Skim all RCs first, pick easy ones.
  • DILR: Scan all sets, prioritize solvable.
  • QA: Start with your comfort zones—Arithmetic/Algebra—before tricky Geometry.
• Rule of thumb: If you get stuck for more than 2 minutes, skip and return later.

CAT rewards speed+accuracy, not stubbornness.

How Career Plan B Helps

Most students struggle with two things in the last 60 days—clarity and confidence. That’s exactly where Career Plan B steps in:

• Personalized Career Counselling: Experts help you identify your weak links and design a 60-day plan that maximizes strengths.
• PsycheIntel and Career Assessment Tests: For aspirants struggling with stress or focus issues, these tools give deeper insights into mindset blocks and suggest practical ways to overcome them.
• Admission & Profile Guidance: CAT is important, but not the only exam. We help with SNAP, NMAT, XAT strategies and guide on B-school profiles.
• Career Roadmapping: Beyond CAT, we design career clarity so you enter B-school with purpose—not just a percentile.

Think of Career Plan B as your personal coach during crunch time—keeping you on track, motivated, and confident.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is 2 months enough to crack CAT 2025?
   Yes, if you already covered the basics. With focused revision, mocks, and strategy, many toppers have cracked CAT in the final 60 days of serious prep.
2. How many mocks should I take in the last 60 days?
   12–15 full-length mocks plus sectional practice are enough—provided you analyze them in detail.
3. Should I focus on accuracy or attempt count?
   Accuracy first. A safe attempt strategy is 70–80% accuracy with 12–15 good attempts per section.
4. Can I improve my VARC percentile in 2 months?
   Absolutely. Daily RC practice (2–3 passages) and consistent analysis can easily boost performance.
5. Should I prepare for other MBA exams alongside CAT?
   Yes—but keep CAT as top priority until November. After that, shift energy towards SNAP, NMAT, and XAT with adjusted strategies.

Conclusion

The final two months before CAT aren’t about adding more and more to your plate—they’re about refining, revising, and practicing under real conditions. Stick to a focused daily plan, attempt mocks strategically, revise key concepts, and protect your mental stamina. Avoid new distractions, over-prepping, or negative comparisons.

Remember: Smart planning beats endless studying. If you feel confused about structuring your final 60 days or are struggling with consistency, Career Plan B can help design a personalized approach that works for you.