
Daily Routine for CAT Preparation: Preparing for the CAT (Common Admission Test) can be stressful, especially when you don’t know where to begin. With so many topics to cover and only limited time, it's easy to feel lost. The key to cracking the CAT is not just hard work but smart planning and a proper daily routine. This blog will guide you through a simple and effective daily routine along with a week-wise study plan to help you prepare for CAT in a structured manner.
Before we dive into the routine, it is essential for candidates preparing to appear for the CAT Exam to understand the exam pattern and key details. This will help you plan better and stay focused on important details.
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Overview of Daily Routine for CAT Preparation |
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Details |
Information |
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Exam Name |
Common Admission Test (CAT) |
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Conducting Body |
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
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Exam Level |
National |
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Exam Mode |
Online (Computer-based test) |
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Exam Duration |
2 hours |
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Number of Sections |
3 (VARC, DILR, QA) |
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Total Questions |
66 |
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Section-wise Distribution |
VARC – 24, DILR – 20, QA – 22 |
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Question-type |
MCQs and TITA (Type in the Answer) |
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Marking Scheme |
+3 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQs only) |
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Exam Date |
November 30, 2025 |
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Official Website |
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A daily routine helps you stay consistent and avoid last-minute panic. Here’s a sample daily schedule that you can follow:
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Daily Routine for CAT Preparation |
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Time |
Activity |
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6:00 AM – 6:30 AM |
Wake up and freshen up |
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6:30 AM – 7:00 AM |
Light exercise or meditation |
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7:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
Study Session 1 – Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
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9:00 AM – 9:30 AM |
Breakfast |
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9:30 AM – 11:00 AM |
Study Session 2 – Data Interpretation & LR |
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11:00 AM – 11:30 AM |
Break / Light walk |
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11:30 AM – 1:00 PM |
Study Session 3 – Verbal Ability & Reading (VARC) |
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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM |
Lunch and rest |
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2:00 PM – 3:00 PM |
Mock Test Practice / Previous Year Questions |
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3:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
Analyze mock test / errors |
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4:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Reading time – newspapers, novels, editorials |
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5:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
Optional practice session / revision |
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6:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
Free time, hobbies, relax |
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8:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
Dinner and light revision |
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9:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Wind down and sleep |
A well-structured week-wise study plan is essential for building momentum and maintaining consistency throughout your CAT preparation journey. Here’s a comprehensive 12-week plan that will help you gradually strengthen your concepts, improve your speed, and fine-tune your strategy.
At the beginning of your preparation, it’s important to understand the syllabus, exam pattern, and your strengths and weaknesses. Start by taking a diagnostic mock test to get a feel of the CAT exam and identify your strong and weak areas.
Familiarize yourself with the exam pattern and marking scheme.
Start brushing up on basic concepts of Arithmetic in Quantitative Aptitude such as Percentages, Ratios, and Averages.
Begin simple puzzles and data sets in DILR to develop logical thinking.
Start reading editorials from newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express for VARC improvement.
Set a fixed daily study schedule and try to stick to it.
Now that you’ve identified your starting point, begin strengthening core concepts section by section. This is the time to lay a strong foundation for the more advanced topics to come later.
Dive deeper into Algebra and Number Systems in QA. Practice topic-wise questions for better understanding.
Practice structured DILR sets like bar graphs, pie charts, and basic arrangements.
Focus on Reading Comprehension with daily practice of long and short passages.
Learn and revise grammar rules, vocabulary, and sentence correction basics.
Take one mock test per week and spend time analyzing your performance.
With your basics in place, it's time to begin focused practice. The goal in these weeks is to start solving questions more accurately and to improve your understanding of complex problems.
Practice Geometry, Mensuration, and Time-Speed-Distance in QA. Create formula sheets and revise them daily.
Start solving slightly more complex DILR puzzles like games and tournaments, caselets, and mixed-type sets.
In VARC, practice para-jumbles, odd-one-out questions, and sentence rearrangement exercises.
Focus on improving accuracy rather than attempting maximum questions. Learn to solve carefully.
Take 1–2 mock tests each week and review all errors. Create an "error log" to track and avoid repeating mistakes.
This is the phase where you need to build your speed while maintaining accuracy. Regular mock tests become even more crucial now. Time management and the ability to select the right questions will be key.
Revise all previously covered QA topics and solve mixed question sets.
Push yourself with difficult DILR sets under timed conditions. Focus on selecting the right sets to attempt.
Read 2–3 RCs daily and try to complete them within a strict time frame.
Attempt 2 full-length mock tests each week and analyze them thoroughly. Work on your weak areas and revise those concepts.
Start practicing previous years’ CAT papers to understand the question style and difficulty level.
These are the most crucial weeks before the exam. Your goal should be to consolidate everything you’ve learned and practice staying calm under pressure. By now, your focus should shift to revision and confidence-building.
Revisit all the important concepts, shortcuts, and formulas. Don’t try to learn anything new—focus on strengthening what you already know.
Continue taking 2–3 mocks per week, but also spend quality time analyzing them and understanding your score trends.
Keep practicing your favorite DILR sets and RC passages to stay in touch with them.
Avoid burnout—get enough rest, eat healthy, and keep your mind fresh.
If needed, take one or two days off to relax and mentally prepare for the exam day.
Preparing for CAT isn’t just about studying more—it’s about studying smart. A proper daily routine and a realistic week-wise study plan will keep you on track and improve your confidence. Stick to the plan, keep revising, and practice mock tests regularly. Consistency is the real key to cracking the CAT.
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