75-day CAT Preparation Tips and Strategies

A 75-day CAT preparation plan requires a focused and strategic approach. In the first 30 days, concentrate on building a strong foundation in Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR). Allocate daily time slots for each section and practice fundamental concepts to strengthen your basics. From days 31 to 60, shift focus to intensive practice by taking sectional tests and topic-wise quizzes, while thoroughly analysing mock test performances to identify weaknesses. This phase is crucial for enhancing speed, accuracy, and time management. In the final 15 days, emphasise full-length mock tests and revision. 

Take a mock test every alternate day, review errors, and fine-tune strategies. Focus on revising important formulas, shortcuts, and key concepts. Ensure balanced preparation by maintaining proper rest and managing stress effectively to stay sharp and confident for the exam day.

75 day CAT preparation Plan: First things First- get sorted

Before diving into a 75-day CAT preparation plan, the first step is to make a clear decision: “Should I prepare for the CAT this year or wait until next year?” This is the crucial question you must answer before anything else. 

Many students who begin their CAT preparation around this time often find themselves uncertain about whether to commit to this year's exam or postpone it to the next. This indecision can severely impact your preparation and focus. Therefore, it’s essential to resolve this dilemma right at the start. Reflect on your current situation, readiness, and commitment levels, and give yourself an honest answer. Making a firm decision will help you focus your energy and time effectively, allowing you to build a structured plan and prepare with full dedication without any lingering doubts. Remember, clarity in your decision is the foundation of effective preparation.

Should you start with a Mock Test?

Starting your CAT preparation with a mock test can be a good strategy to understand the exam’s level and gauge where you currently stand. A mock test will provide a realistic picture of your strengths and weaknesses across different sections—Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. This insight is valuable for crafting a focused and efficient study plan. However, if you think that a low score on an initial mock test might demotivate you, it might be better to hold off on taking one right away.

The purpose of the mock test is not to discourage but to provide a clear starting point for your preparation. If you are mentally prepared to use the results constructively, then taking a mock test early on can be very beneficial. It will help you identify which areas need more attention and where you already have a strong grasp. Understanding this is crucial to devising a well-structured preparation strategy. Once you know your current standing, you can plan your preparation more effectively, focusing on both strengthening your weak areas and sharpening your strong points.

75 day CAT preparation Plan : Planning your preparation

To create an effective 75-day CAT preparation plan, start by dividing your preparation into distinct phases. Breaking your study plan into phases allows you to set clear goals for each stage and manage your time more efficiently. Given the limited time available, you can structure your preparation into two main phases:

Phase I: Basic Concepts

In this initial phase, focus on building a strong foundation by understanding the basic concepts across all three sections: Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. This phase involves studying core topics, practising fundamental problems, and strengthening your understanding of essential formulas, rules, and strategies.

Phase II: Revision, CAT-Level Questions, and Mock Tests

After laying a solid groundwork, move on to Phase II, where the focus shifts to revising all concepts, solving CAT-level questions, and taking regular mock tests. This phase is about fine-tuning your skills, identifying and addressing weak areas, and enhancing speed and accuracy. Regular practice with mock tests will help you develop effective test-taking strategies and time management skills, crucial for performing well on the actual exam day. 

By organising your preparation into these phases, you can ensure a systematic and comprehensive approach to the CAT exam.

75 day CAT preparation Plan: Possible Plan for phase I

Week 1

• For Quantitative Aptitude, focus on key arithmetic topics like Averages and Mixtures, Percentages, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratios and Variations, Time and Work, and Time and Distance. Strengthen these fundamental areas to build a solid foundation.
• For Verbal Ability, dedicate 30 minutes daily to enhancing your vocabulary. Additionally, practise Para jumbles by solving 15 to 20 questions each day to improve comprehension and logical reasoning skills.
• For Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI-LR), concentrate on mastering the basics of tables, graphs, and pie charts. Also, focus on logical reasoning topics such as Series, Family Relations, Directions, and Calendars. Building proficiency in these areas will help in tackling complex questions with ease. 

Week 2

• For Quantitative Aptitude, focus on key algebraic topics such as Polynomials, Linear and Quadratic Equations, Functions, Inequalities, and Sequences and Series. Building a strong understanding of these concepts is essential for solving complex problems efficiently.
• In Verbal Ability, dedicate 30 minutes daily to improving your vocabulary. Additionally, practice Para summaries by solving 15 to 20 questions each day to enhance your comprehension and summarization skills, which are crucial for the CAT exam.
• For Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI-LR), focus on solving Caselet-type DI and Mixed Graphs, which require interpreting and analysing data from different formats. Additionally, work on reasoning-based topics like Clocks, Arrangements, and Puzzles to strengthen your logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Week 3

• For Quantitative Aptitude, focus on topics like Geometry, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry, and the Binomial Theorem. These areas are essential for understanding complex mathematical concepts and solving a variety of problems efficiently.
• In Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI-LR), concentrate on Puzzles and Set Theory. These topics are crucial for enhancing your ability to analyse information, make logical deductions, and solve intricate problems under time constraints.
• For Verbal Ability, dedicate 30 minutes daily to expanding your vocabulary, which is key to improving comprehension and tackling various types of questions. Additionally, practice with short passages followed by questions to strengthen your reading skills and ability to quickly interpret and analyse text.
• In Verbal Ability, spend 30 minutes daily on vocabulary building, and practice 4 to 5 CAT-level reading comprehension passages each day to enhance comprehension skills. Remember, the focus should be on understanding the basics across all sections, not on solving the hardest questions.

The suggested topic breakdown is flexible; adjust it according to your comfort level and learning pace. Planning a weekly topic schedule will help you set achievable targets, which can be further divided into daily goals for a structured preparation approach.

75 day CAT preparation Plan: Possible Plan for Phase II

Phase II is crucial in your CAT preparation journey. By this stage, you should have realised that Quantitative Ability is the only section with a somewhat defined syllabus that requires thorough completion and revision. The other sections Verbal Ability and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DI-LR) have no clear boundaries, limits, or set topics, making their preparation more open-ended. Therefore, during Phase II, focus on revising Quantitative concepts thoroughly while continuing to practise a wide variety of questions for Verbal Ability and DI-LR. This approach will ensure comprehensive preparation across all sections for the CAT exam.

• LR-DI Practice: Solve 2 to 4 caselets of actual CAT LR-DI questions daily. If you exhaust all actual CAT caselets, switch to LR-DI caselets from previous years' test series for continued practice.
• Reading Comprehension (RC): Dedicate 40 minutes on four days a week to solving 4 to 5 actual CAT RC passages. On the remaining days, spend 40 to 45 minutes solving 20 to 25 questions from other types of CAT questions to diversify your preparation.
• Vocabulary Building: If vocabulary is a weak area, allocate 30 minutes daily to improve it through consistent practice with word lists, flashcards, or reading.
• Quantitative Aptitude Practice: Use the rest of your study time to focus on solving moderate to tough quantitative questions from standard CAT preparation books and old CAT question papers. This targeted practice will help reinforce concepts and improve problem-solving skills.
• For Pathfinder Students: Utilise the 60 to 120 section tests available (depending on your chosen course) that cover moderate to tough questions. Also, make use of class sheets that include CAT-level and more challenging questions to strengthen your preparation across all sections.

Mock tests

An important consideration for your 75-day CAT preparation plan is how to schedule your Mock CAT tests. Many students wait until they have completed the entire syllabus before attempting their first Mock CAT, but this approach is not advisable. Instead, start taking mock tests early on and space them out. This spacing allows you to develop and adjust your test-taking strategy and focus on improving weaker areas.