Daily Study Plan for CAT Aspirants

Preparing for the CAT exam can feel overwhelming without a clear plan. Whether you’re a college student, working professional, or full-time aspirant, having a structured daily study plan will help you stay consistent and focused.

Why Do You Need a Daily Study Plan?

• • CAT is a time-bound competitive exam.
  • Consistency matters more than random long study sessions.
  • A balanced plan keeps you motivated and reduces burnout.

How Many Hours Should You Study Daily?

• • Beginners: Start with 2-3 hours per day.
  • Intermediate Level: Target 4-5 hours per day.
  • Final 2-3 Months: Aim for 5-6 hours per day, including mock test analysis.

Sample Daily Study Plan for CAT Preparation

Here’s a daily schedule you can follow or customize based on your availability:

Morning (6 AM to 8 AM) – Focus: Reading + Vocabulary

• • Read newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) or business articles.
  • Practice 5-10 new vocabulary words daily.
  • Solve 1 Reading Comprehension passage.
  • Why? Improves your reading speed, comprehension skills, and vocabulary for the VARC section.

Mid-Morning (10 AM to 12 PM) – Focus: Quantitative Aptitude

• • Learn 1-2 concepts (e.g., Percentages, Algebra).
  • Solve 15-20 practice questions.
  • Revise important formulas.
  • Tip: Rotate topics daily – Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems.

Afternoon (2 PM to 3 PM) – Focus: Short Break / Light Revision

• • Watch concept videos or short tutorials.
  • Revise yesterday’s mistakes.
  • Keep it light to avoid mental fatigue.

Evening (5 PM to 7 PM) – Focus: DILR Practice

• • Solve 2-3 DI sets (graphs, tables, charts).
  • Solve 2-3 LR sets (puzzles, arrangements).
  • Focus on understanding patterns and improving speed.
  • Tip: Time yourself while solving sets to simulate exam pressure.

Night (9 PM to 10 PM) – Focus: Mock/Sectional Test + Analysis

• • Attempt one sectional test daily from VARC, DILR, or QA.
  • Spend 30 minutes analyzing your mistakes.
  • Note down shortcuts, errors, and concepts to revise.

Weekly Targets

• • 5 Full-Length Mock Tests (Initially 1 per week, then 2-3).
  • 1-2 Full Revision Days every week.
  • Set aside one day for analyzing mock tests and taking rest.

Working Professionals: Special Daily Plan

• • Morning (1 hour): Reading + RC Practice
  • Lunch Break (30 min): Solve QA problems
  • Evening (2 hours): Practice DILR or take a sectional test.
  • Weekends: Full-length mock tests + deep revision (4-5 hours)

Tips to Follow This Daily Plan

• • Study in fixed time slots every day.
  • Track your time using a planner or app.
  • Revise formulas every Sunday.
  • Focus on quality practice, not quantity.
  • Take short breaks every 60 to 90 minutes to stay focused and avoid tiredness.

Importance of Mock Tests in Daily Plan

• • Begin attempting sectional tests after 1 to 2 months of preparation.
  • Analyze your mock tests daily or at least weekly.
  • Focus on accuracy and question selection skills.

Conclusion

A daily study plan will help you stay consistent and productive during your CAT preparation. Focus on all three sections equally and keep improving step by step. Remember: even 2-3 productive hours daily can give great results if used wisely.
Stick to your plan, stay positive, and success will follow.
All the best for CAT 2025!