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.
Daily routine for CAT Preparation
One of the most common questions CAT aspirants ask is, “What should my daily routine look like?” Many students start preparation with enthusiasm but lose consistency after a few weeks. Not because they lack capability, but because they lack a realistic routine.
The truth is, CAT preparation is rarely about studying for extremely long hours. It is about building a routine that you can follow every single day without burnout. Over the last few years, preparation patterns have changed. Students who perform well usually follow structured, flexible, and balanced routines rather than rigid timetables.
This guide explains how a practical daily routine for CAT preparation should look in today’s preparation environment.
How Many Hours Should You Study Daily?
A sustainable daily schedule usually includes:
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2–3 focused hours for early-stage preparation
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3–4 hours during mid-preparation phase
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4–6 hours during the final months before CAT
Consistency is far more valuable than occasional long study sessions.
Prepare a Study Plan:
Whether you are a working professional or a fresher, make it a habit to study for at least 2 hours a day. As a working professional, it would be difficult for you to balance your studies with your work but it’s not impossible. All you need to do is to make a plan on how you will manage things. Those who are either students or not employed should consider themselves lucky as they can spend more time on their studies.
Attempt Mocks:
If you ask any of the CAT toppers what is the most important part of their preparation the most common answer you’ll get – is MOCK TEST. Mocks play a very important role in your preparation you’ll get familiar with the exam pattern revising concepts, and formulas, and at the same time, you’ll also improve your speech and accuracy.
Consolidate your basics :
Start working on your fundamentals. Devote your initial days only to your basics. Start with vocabulary, formulas, mathematical concepts, puzzles, or all the areas where you don’t feel confident enough. Make your weakness your strength. Generally, Non- engineering students are good with verbal parts whereas engineering students are more familiar with quants. Working on your weak area is the key to scoring good marks in the exam.
Evaluate your performance :
Do a quick SWOT analysis to know your Strengths and weaknesses so that you can work on those areas. This will help you to work more on the weak areas and also try to convert them into your strengths. Keep track of your mock scores and analyze whether your score is improving or not. This will help you to identify the problem and make sure you keep practicing in such areas.
Practice :
‘Practice makes a man perfect, to succeed in life in any particular field or subject, one needs to practice regularly with full commitment and planned strategies. So, instead of studying at the last moment why not practice daily? After SWOT analysis you are aware of your weak and strong areas. CAT is a competitive exam so speed plays a very important role so make sure you practice mock to get an idea on how to deal with the exam.
How to Stay Consistent With Your Routine
Consistency is often a mental challenge rather than an academic one. A few practical ways to maintain discipline include:
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Setting small daily goals
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Tracking progress weekly
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Taking short breaks to avoid fatigue
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Accepting slow but steady improvement
CAT preparation is a marathon, not a sprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many hours should I study daily for CAT?
Most aspirants study 2–4 focused hours daily, increasing closer to the exam.
2. Should I study all three CAT sections every day?
Yes, balanced daily exposure helps maintain consistency.
3. Is morning study better for CAT preparation?
Morning sessions are usually effective for concept learning and focus.
4. How often should I take mock tests?
Once basics are covered, weekly mocks are recommended.
5. Can working professionals follow a CAT routine?
Yes, with shorter but consistent daily study sessions.
Hope these strategies will help you
All the best!
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