If you’ve ever prepared for the CAT while dealing with a health condition or disability, you’re not just navigating quant formulas and VARC traps; you’re managing flare-ups, medications, fatigue, and doctor visits. 

While most aspirants worry about percentile cut-offs, your reality includes pain thresholds and energy levels. It's a different kind of resilience, one that deserves its guidebook.

You’re Already More Disciplined Than You Think

Let’s pause the prep-talk and just acknowledge this: managing a chronic illness or disability requires discipline. The kind of discipline others try to build with Pomodoro timers or habit-tracking apps, you’ve already been practicing out of necessity. The way you listen to your body, and bounce back after setbacks? That’s a form of mental strength no mock test can measure. So no, you're not behind. You're training harder than most.

Rewrite the Study Schedule 

Standard prep advice says “4–6 hours a day” or “30 mocks minimum.” But here’s the thing: that doesn’t work if you physically can’t sit for more than an hour straight, or if fatigue creeps in halfway through a DI set. Instead of adhering to a rigid timetable, begin with a flexible framework. Maybe you study in 25-minute pockets, four times a day. Maybe your mock schedule includes strategic breaks and recovery days. This isn’t about lowering standards, it’s about creating a system that honours your reality.

More Empathy, Less Criticism

The self-talk of most aspirants is brutal: “Why can’t I focus?” “Why did I mess up that mock?” But if you're already navigating health struggles, this inner voice needs a rewrite. Start asking different questions. “What did I manage to do today despite the pain?” “How did I adapt when my energy dropped?” These are real wins. Celebrating them isn’t indulgence, it’s fuel. And on bad days, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s persistence.

Navigating the Mock Trap 

Mocks can be terrifying when your body betrays you mid-way. You start strong, then halfway through, your fingers tremble or your brain fog sets in. And suddenly, your accuracy drops, your timing collapses, and the analysis looks like a disaster. 

Here’s where you need context. That wasn’t a skill issue. It was a stamina issue. So, analyse differently. How long did you last before fatigue took over? Use that data to build endurance gradually, one mock at a time. Don’t just chase percentile, build sustainable performance.

Creating Your Version of “Peak Hours”

Most productivity gurus love to talk about “morning productivity” or “5 AM club.” But if your condition means you’re groggy in the morning or dependent on a specific medication schedule, your peak hours might look different. Track when your mind feels most clear, even if that’s at 11 PM. Then guard that time fiercely. Slot your most demanding tasks and new concepts into that window. Let your body dictate your study clock, not some Instagram productivity reel.

If You Need Accommodation: Ask

This is practical, but important: if your condition requires it, apply for accommodations through the CAT portal. This could mean extra time, a scribe, or special seating arrangements. Many students are unaware of these options, or they hesitate to ask due to fear of stigma. Don’t. You’re not taking an unfair advantage. You’re levelling the field.

Your Journey Is Valid, and Your Effort Is Enough

Preparing for CAT while managing a health condition or disability isn’t just a motivational story. It’s messy. It’s slow. But it’s also real, courageous, and deeply inspiring, even if no one else sees it.

You’re writing a different kind of CAT story- the one of courage and resilience. So, every brave attempt you make along the way is praiseworthy.