Hello Aspirants! Deciding to prepare for this entrance exam can be tough, and you’ve likely weighed the challenges ahead. So, grab your notebook or iPad as we are about to enlist your goals and timelines for the next few months until CAT.

Remember, the goal isn’t about creating a rigid timetable; it is about developing a flexible study plan.

Let’s break it down

Step 1: Analyse Your Starting Point

Before diving headfirst into preparation, take a mock test—right now. No excuses like I’m not ready yet! It’ll give you an honest assessment of where you stand. Are you great at Quant but shaky with Verbal? Or perhaps Logical Reasoning is your Achilles’ heel? Identifying your strengths and weaknesses is like opening your Google Maps—you need to know where you’re starting from before setting a route.

Step 2: Create a Timeline

The CAT exam is usually on the last Sunday of November. Let’s say you have 6 months left. Here’s how you can divide your time:

Month 1 & 2: Building Foundations

• Focus: Strengthen your basics. No fancy shortcuts here!
• Tools: Pick the right study material. Whether it’s coaching institute books or trusted names like Arun Sharma, make sure it’s comprehensive.
• Schedule: Allocate 3 hours a day—an hour each for Quant, Verbal, and DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning). Oh, and make sure weekends are for mocks.

Month 3 & 4: Intermediate Stage

• Focus: Fine-tune problem-solving skills and increase your speed.
• Tools: Add sectional tests to your routine. Don’t just aim to solve questions; aim to solve them faster.
• Schedule: Push it to 4 hours daily. Break it into:
• 90 minutes Quant
• 90 minutes Verbal
• 60 minutes DILR
• 1 mock test every weekend (and analyse it thoroughly).

Month 5 & 6: Test-Ready Mode

• Focus: Practice full-length mocks, strategy-building, and revising weak areas.
• Tools: Analyse mocks ruthlessly. Why did you miss that DILR set? Could you have saved time in Quant?
• Schedule: Shift to taking mocks twice a week. Spend as much time analysing as you spend attempting.

Step 3: Set Goals That Actually Work

Here’s a simple truth: vague goals like “I’ll study harder” never work. Your goals need to be SMART:

• Specific: “I’ll complete 2 chapters of Geometry this week.”
• Measurable: “I’ll solve 50 RC questions by Friday.”
• Achievable: Don’t aim for 10-hour study marathons if you can barely manage 3.
• Relevant: Focus on weak areas, but keep polishing your strong suits.
• Time-bound: "Finish all CAT PYQs (past year questions) by August".

Pro Tip: Stick to weekly goals. Daily targets can make you feel boxed in, while monthly targets might be too broad.

Step 4: Keep Motivation Levels High

Preparation burnout is real, folks. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Celebrate small wins: Nailed an RC passage? Treat yourself to your favourite coffee. Finished a difficult mock? Watch an episode of Friends guilt-free.
2. Find a study buddy: Not only for accountability but also for discussing those seemingly impossible Quant questions.

Step 5: Stick to the Plan

Life happens, and so does procrastination. It’s okay if you skip a day. What matters is consistency over time. If you fall off track, don’t spiral. Just get back up and keep moving.

So, go ahead and start drafting your plan. We suggest you stay flexible and adjust it as and when needed, keeping the end goal in sight. Consistency, hard work, and regular assessments are key to mastering the CAT. Embrace the process, stay motivated, and remember that each day of preparation brings you closer to your dream IIM!