Preparing for CAT 2025 is a lot like training for a match. You need a game plan, consistent practice, and enough stamina to go the distance. Many aspirants start strong but lose the motivation halfway because they don’t have a clear timetable. Without a structured study plan, even the most dedicated student can feel lost or overwhelmed.

If you dream of acing CAT and entering a top B-school, this guide will help you craft a timetable and study strategy that works—step by step.

Firstly Evaluate

Before starting any journey, you need to know where you’re heading. CAT 2025 is likely to be held in November 2025. That gives you a generous amount of time, almost 8-9 months, if you’re starting now. But the key is to value this time as it will fly by faster than you think.

Phase 1: Build a Strong Foundation 

Think of these first few months as laying the foundation of a house. If the base isn’t solid, the entire structure can collapse under pressure. Focus on understanding the basics of all three sections.

• If Quant isn’t your strong suit, this is the time to fall back in love with numbers. Start slow, revise school-level maths, and gradually increase the difficulty level. 
• For VARC, build a reading habit. Reading editorial articles from newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express can sharpen your comprehension skills and introduce you to complex ideas and vocabulary. 
• Logical reasoning, on the other hand, is like solving puzzles. Start with simple ones and challenge yourself with tougher problems as you go.

Make a habit of studying for at least two hours every day. Think of it like going to the gym. You don’t get fit by lifting weights once in a while; you need to show up regularly.

Phase 2: Pick Up  Pace

By now, you should have covered most of the basic concepts. This is the time to challenge yourself and pick up speed. Shift your focus from learning concepts to applying them under pressure.

Start attempting tougher problems. Solve questions from previous years’ CAT papers and spend time on advanced puzzles. Reading should now include more complex and diverse topics like philosophy, psychology, economics or anything that pushes your comprehension ability. The more comfortable you are with unfamiliar topics, the easier the exam will feel.

Phase 3: The Final Lap (October to November 2025)

This phase is all about testing, analysing, and refining your strategy. Start taking full-length mock tests under exam-like conditions. Sit at your desk, no phone, no distractions, just you and the clock ticking away. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but this practice will make you battle-ready.

Your revision should be smart, not panicked. Keep a notebook of formulas and shortcuts handy. Brush up on your weak areas, but don’t neglect the sections you’re already good at. Accuracy is more important than speed at this point, and one incorrect answer will cost you more than an unanswered one. Remember, in CAT, knowing when to leave a question is just as important as knowing how to solve one.

Consistency Over Intensity

If there’s one piece of advice to remember, it’s this: small, consistent efforts will help you win the race. Two or three focused hours every day are better than marathon study sessions once a week. 

Also, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Sleep well, eat right, and take breaks. A tired mind won’t help you crack CAT, no matter how many hours you study.