Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
Cracking CAT in 6 Months – It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Preparing for CAT in 6 months might sound intimidating, but thousands of aspirants crack the exam every year with the right strategy, consistency, and mindset. The key thing to remember? CAT is a marathon, not a sprint. You don’t need to study 12 hours a day — you need to study smart every single day.
Whether you’re a working professional, a final-year student, or someone restarting their CAT journey, this guide will help you build a realistic, structured, and stress-free CAT 6-month preparation plan.
Why 6 Months Is Enough for CAT Preparation
CAT doesn’t test how much you know — it tests how well you think under pressure. With 6 months in hand, you have enough time to:
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Build strong conceptual clarity
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Practice sectional strategies
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Analyse mocks deeply
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Improve speed & accuracy
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Develop exam temperament
Consistency beats intensity here. Even 2–3 focused hours daily can take you far if used correctly.
Month-Wise CAT Preparation Strategy (6 Months Plan)
Month 1 & 2: Build the Foundation
Focus on concept clarity.
Quantitative Aptitude
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Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratio, Time & Work, SI-CI)
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Number System basics
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Learn formulas + apply immediately
VARC
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Daily reading (editorials, opinion articles)
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RC basics: tone, inference, main idea
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Vocabulary through usage, not memorisation
DILR
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Tables, charts, bar graphs
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Basic puzzles & logical sets
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Learn how to approach, not solve fast
Goal: Comfort with basics, not speed.
Month 3 & 4: Practice + Sectional Tests
This is where preparation becomes serious.
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Start sectional tests weekly
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Increase question variety
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Identify weak vs strong areas
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Begin mixed practice (CAT-level)
Tip:
Spend more time analysing questions than solving them. That’s where improvement happens.
Month 5: Full-Length Mocks & Analysis
Mocks are non-negotiable now.
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2–3 full-length CAT mocks per week
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Analyse each mock for:
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Wrong answers
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Time mismanagement
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Question selection mistakes
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Focus Areas:
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Accuracy > Attempts
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Choosing the right questions
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Sectional cut-off safety
Month 6: Fine-Tuning & Revision
This is not the time to learn new topics.
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Revise formulas & concepts
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Redo mock mistakes
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Practice high-yield areas
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Maintain calm & confidence
Reduce mock frequency if anxiety increases — quality over quantity.
Common Mistakes Aspirants Make in 6-Month CAT Prep
Starting mocks too late
Ignoring DILR thinking it’s unpredictable
Over-focusing on Quant only
Comparing scores with others
Studying without analysing
Remember: CAT is a percentile game, not a marks game.
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Daily Study Routine (Working + Non-Working Aspirants)
Weekdays (2–3 hrs):
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1 hr concept/practice
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30 min VARC reading
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30 min revision
Weekends (5–6 hrs):
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Sectional tests
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Mock + deep analysis
Consistency > Motivation.
Mindset Required to Crack CAT in 6 Months
CAT rewards:
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Patience
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Discipline
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Smart decision-making
You will have bad mocks. Everyone does. What matters is learning from them and showing up again the next day.
This is why CAT is called a marathon — you win by lasting till the end, not by starting fast.
How to prepare for CAT Section-Wise?
FAQs – Cracking CAT in 6 Months
Is 6 months enough to crack CAT?
Yes, 6 months is sufficient if you follow a structured plan, practice consistently, and analyse mocks properly.
How many hours should I study daily for CAT?
2–3 hours on weekdays and 5–6 hours on weekends are enough with focused study.
Can working professionals crack CAT in 6 months?
Absolutely. Many toppers are working professionals. Time management and smart planning are key.
When should I start giving mocks?
Start light mocks by Month 3 and full-length mocks regularly from Month 4–5.
Is coaching necessary for CAT preparation?
No. Coaching helps with structure, but self-study with the right resources can also lead to top percentiles.
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