Weekly Prep Schedule for a 6-Month CAT Strategy – 2025: Your Roadmap to 99%ile

Introduction

Cracking the CAT exam requires a strategic, disciplined approach spread over months. A 6-month preparation window is ideal for comprehensive revision, practice, and skill honing across varied sections—Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). This detailed, SEO-optimized blog offers a weekly prep schedule designed specifically for CAT 2025 aspirants, based on the official syllabus, analysis of past years’ papers, and expert mentorship from Career Plan B. Build a sustainable routine, avoid burnout, and treat each week as a focused milestone toward a high CAT percentile.

Understanding the CAT Exam Pattern 2025

• Sections: VARC (34 Qs), DILR (32 Qs), QA (34 Qs)
• Duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes per section, time-restricted)
• Question Type: MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer)
• Marking: +3 for correct, -1 for MCQs, no negative for TITA
• Syllabus: Includes English grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, puzzles, charts, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, and more.
• For detailed information about CAT2025[Click here]

Why 6 Months is an Ideal Timeline for CAT Preparation

• Balanced Learning Curve: Enough time to cover the full syllabus without rushing.
• Revision Window: Allows a dedicated 6–8 weeks for revision and mock test focus.
• Sustained Motivation: Shorter than a year-long prep, reducing chances of burnout.
• Multiple Mock Cycles: 25–30 mocks in 6 months = ample practice under exam conditions.

Weekly Prep Schedule for 6-Month CAT Preparation

Here’s a structured breakdown, month-by-month and week-by-week:

Months 1–2: Concept Building (Weeks 1–8)

This is your foundation phase, where you focus on basics across all three sections.

Weekly Focus:

• Quantitative Aptitude (QA):
  • Start with Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratios, Averages, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work).
  • Dedicate 4–5 days per week to solving 30–40 questions per topic.
  • Maintain a formula notebook.
• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC):
  • Read editorials, novels, and business articles for 30 minutes daily.
  • Practice 4–5 Reading Comprehension (RC) sets per week.
  • Revise para-jumbles and odd-sentence-out exercises weekly.
• Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR):
  • Begin with simple DI (tables, charts, bar graphs).
  • Practice 2–3 reasoning sets weekly (puzzles, arrangements, Venn diagrams).
• Mocks: Take 1 sectional mock per week (focus on accuracy, not speed).

Goal: Strong foundation + identify weak areas.

Months 3–4: Speed and Accuracy Phase (Weeks 9–16)

Now that the basics are in place, this phase emphasizes application under time pressure.

Weekly Focus:

• QA:
  • Move to Algebra, Geometry, and Numbers.
  • Solve mixed-topic question sets (timed).
  • Weekly target: 150–200 questions.
• VARC:
  • Increase to 6–7 RC sets per week (300–500-word passages).
  • Practice para-summary and inference-based questions.
  • Analyze mistakes deeply.
• DILR:
  • Focus on CAT-level puzzles (moderate to difficult).
  • Practice 4–5 mixed sets weekly.
  • Learn set selection skills (attempt the easiest first).
• Mocks: Take 1 full-length mock per week. Analyze for 3–4 hours after each.

Goal: Balance speed with accuracy, avoid over-attempting.

Month 5: Mock-Intensive Phase (Weeks 17–20)

This is where your preparation shifts to exam simulation mode.

Weekly Focus:

• QA:
  • Revise all topics; solve 40–50 questions daily.
  • Focus on shortcuts and alternative solving methods.
• VARC:
  • Practice 2 RC sets daily.
  • Analyze passage types you struggle with (philosophy, business, science).
• DILR:
  • Attempt 1–2 full sets daily.
  • Focus on time-bound practice.
• Mocks: Take 2 full-length mocks weekly. Track percentile trends.

Goal: Improve time allocation across sections, build stamina.

Month 6: Revision & Exam Simulation (Weeks 21–24)

The final stretch is all about refining strategy and exam readiness.

Weekly Focus:

• QA: Quick formula revision, error log review.
• VARC: Daily 2 RC sets, with speed focus.
• DILR: Daily 1–2 sets, prioritize accuracy.
• Mocks: Take 3 mocks per week in the same time slot as the CAT exam.
• Goal: Replicate exam conditions, minimize mistakes, and enter exam day with confidence.

Weekly Study Hours Breakdown

• Initial Phase (Months 1–2): 20 hours per week.
• Middle Phase (Months 3–4): 25–28 hours per week.
• Final Phase (Months 5–6): 30–35 hours per week.

Practical Study Tips for CAT 2025

1. Stick to weekly targets instead of obsessing over daily fluctuations.
2. Log every mistake in a notebook to revisit weekly.
3. Don’t ignore weak sections—they often make the difference in percentile jumps.
4. Take mocks seriously – treat each as the final exam.
5. Focus on accuracy over attempts—CAT rewards precision.

How Career Plan B Can Help You

At Career Plan B, we understand that every CAT aspirant has different strengths, weaknesses, and preparation timelines. That’s why we provide:

• Personalized Career Counselling: Helping you identify whether concept clarity, speed, or accuracy is your biggest challenge in CAT prep.
• Psycheintel & Career Assessment Tests: Discover your aptitude profile and how it aligns with the CAT exam structure.
• Admission & Profile Guidance: Guiding you in mapping your CAT percentile with the right IIMs and top non-IIM B-schools.
• Career Roadmapping: From creating a 6-month prep schedule to mock test analysis and GD-PI training, we ensure complete support.

Our mission is simple: to help you maximize your CAT score and secure admission into your dream MBA college with a structured and personalized preparation strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are 6 months enough to prepare for CAT?

Ans. Yes, 6 months are enough to prepare for CAT if you follow a structured weekly plan, focus on concept clarity, and practice regular mocks to build accuracy and speed.

Q2. What is the best way to prepare for CAT in around, say, 6 months?

Ans. The best way to prepare for CAT in 6 months is to divide your prep into phases—concept building, intensive practice, and mock test analysis. Focus on weaker areas early, build speed and accuracy through sectional tests, and gradually shift to full-length mocks with detailed analysis.

Q3. How do I prepare myself for CAT?

Ans. Prepare for CAT by mastering the basics of Quant, VARC, and DILR, practicing daily with timed quizzes, and analyzing mocks regularly to refine strategy and accuracy.

Q4. Should I focus more on Quant or VARC?

Balance all sections, but spend extra time on your weakest area.

Q5. Is it possible to crack the CAT without preparation? 

Ans. Cracking the CAT without preparation is highly unlikely, as the exam demands strong aptitude skills, speed, and strategy that require consistent practice and planning.

Conclusion

A 6-month CAT preparation using a disciplined, focused weekly schedule boosts confidence, improves skills, and enhances exam-day performance. The balance of conceptual learning, sectional drills, mock tests, and revision is key. Partner with Career Plan B for expert guidance, curated resources, and personalized support to maximize your CAT 2025 success.

Need custom plans or exam strategy consultations? Contact Career Plan B today and transform your CAT vision into reality.