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CAT Preparation Stratergy in 5 months: Check Month Wise Detailed Study Plan

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

February 12, 2026

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Quick answer: Yes a focused, month-by-month CAT preparation stratergy in 5 months is achievable if you prioritise concepts → practice → mocks. Follow a tight plan: build/revise core concepts first 2–3 months, intensify sectional practice + timed mocks next 1–2 months, and use the final month for full-length mocks & revision. 

Key Takeaways

  • Months 1–2: Build concepts in QA, VARC reading, and basic DILR.
  • Month 3: Start advanced practice + weekly full mocks.
  • Months 4–5: Mock-heavy phase, CAT PYPs, and revision.
  • Mock analysis matters more than mock scores.
  • Focus on accuracy, speed, and smart question selection.
  • Revise formulas and strategies in the final month.
  • Consistency > long study hours.

What will you get in this blog: CAT preparation strategy in 5 months + detailed month-wise actions+ mock-test strategies and more!

Is it possible to complete a CAT preparation strategy in 5 months?

Quick answer: Yes, with a strict schedule, focused topic prioritisation, and disciplined mock-analysis, you can reach a competitive percentile for CAT 2026  in 5 months. It’s more intensive than a year plan but doable for committed aspirants. 

What is the overall approach for the CAT preparation strategy in 5 months?

Quick answer: Phase 1 — Build/revise core concepts (Months 1–2). Phase 2 — Sectional practice and start mocks (Month 3). Phase 3 — Timed mocks, PYQ and revision (Months 4–5). 

Phase

Duration

Objective

What You Must Do

Phase 1

Month 1–2

Build strong fundamentals

Cover core QA topics, start RC reading habit, solve easy–medium DILR sets

Phase 2

Month 3

Strengthen accuracy & speed

Advanced topics, mixed practice, start full-length mocks

Phase 3

Month 4–5

Maximise score via mocks

Full mocks, PYQs, revision, exam strategy

What should I do in Month 1 for the CAT preparation strategy in 5 months?

Quick answer: Take a diagnostic mock, list weak topics, and build a daily routine that covers fundamentals: arithmetic, basic RC habits, and simple DILR puzzles. Aim 2–4 hours/day (more if you can). 

Section

Focus Areas

Daily / Weekly Tasks

Quantitative Ability

Arithmetic basics

Percentages, Ratios, Profit & Loss, Averages, Number System

Verbal Ability & RC

Reading habit

2 RCs/day, vocabulary building, sentence correction basics

DILR

Easy sets

Tables, bar graphs, simple arrangements

Mock Strategy

Diagnostic

1 full mock to identify weak areas

Study Time

2–4 hours/day

What should I do in Month 2 for the CAT preparation strategy in 5 months?

Quick answer: Complete intermediate topics (algebra, geometry, permutations & combinations basics, probability) and begin medium DI/LR sets. Keep reading habit for VARC. Increase practice time to 3–5 hours/day. 

Section

Focus Areas

Practice Level

Quantitative Ability

Algebra + Geometry

Linear equations, inequalities, basic geometry

Verbal Ability & RC

Accuracy improvement

RCs with inference questions, para jumbles

DILR

Medium difficulty sets

Caselets, missing data sets

Mock Strategy

Start assessment

1 full mock + sectional tests

Study Time

3–5 hours/day

What should I do in Month 3 for the CAT preparation strategy in 5 months?

Quick answer: Move to advanced topics and mixed practice; start a regular mock schedule (weekly full-length or alternate full + sectional mocks) and track trends in mistakes. 

Section

Focus Areas

Key Goal

Quantitative Ability

Advanced topics

P&C, Probability, advanced Arithmetic

Verbal Ability & RC

Speed + selection

Timed RC practice, summary questions

DILR

Tough sets

Multi-table DI, logical reasoning sets

Mock Strategy

Consistency

1 full mock every week

Study Time

3–5 hours/day

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What should I do in Month 4 for the CAT preparation strategy in 5 months?

Quick answer: Prioritise timed practice, reduce new learning, fix recurring weak areas, and increase mocks to 1–2 full tests per week. Start revising PYQs. 

Area

Focus

Action Plan

Revision

Weak topics

Revise formula sheets & mistake logs

Practice

Timed questions

Sectional tests with strict timing

Mocks

High priority

1–2 full mocks per week

PYQs

Begin seriously

Solve last 7–10 years CAT papers

Study Time

4–6 hours/day

What should I do in Month 5 (final month) for the CAT preparation stratergy in 5 months?

Quick answer: Final month = mock-dominant + revision. Keep solving PYQs, limit new topics, polish exam strategy and time allocation per section. 

Area

Focus

What to Do

Mocks

Exam simulation

2 full mocks/week under exam conditions

Analysis

Score improvement

Identify repeated mistakes & fix fast

Revision

Final notes

Formulas, shortcuts, RC strategies

PYQs

Final run

Re-solve important CAT questions

Study Time

3–6 hours/day (taper in last week)

Complete Five-month study plan 

Month

Focus (Goal)

Weekly targets (what to practise)

Daily time (suggested)

Mocks cadence

Month 1: Diagnose & Foundations

Diagnostic + basics in QA & daily RC habit

Basics: Arithmetic, Fractions, %; 3 easy LR puzzles; 2 DI sets; 30–40 min reading + vocab

2–4 hrs

1 diagnostic full mock (start), 1 sectional end of month

Month 2: Complete Core Concepts

Finish core QA topics & steady DILR practice

Algebra basics, coordinate geometry, basics of P&C & Probability; medium DI sets; RC practice

3–5 hrs

1 full mock (mid) + 1 sectional

Month 3: Advance & Sectional Strength

Advanced QA topics + complex DILR; RC comprehension speed

P&C, probability, advanced geometry, caselet DI; 4–6 RCs/week

3–5 hrs

Weekly: 1 full OR 2 sectionals; detailed analysis

Month 4:  Timed Practice & Fix Weakspots

Timed sets, strong mock routine, start heavy PYQ revision

Timed QA sets, mixed DI+LR, timed RC sets; fix recurring errors

4–6 hrs

1–2 full mocks/week (or 1 full + 2 sectionals)

Month 5: Final Revision & Exam Simulation

Mock-dominant: polish strategy, PYQs & quick revision

Full mocks, PYQ re-solving, last-minute formula/notes

3–6 hrs (mock days higher)

2 full mocks/week (or 1 full + 2 sectionals); taper 3 days before exam

(Adapt daily time to your current commitments — working students may prefer 2–3 longer evening sessions; full-time aspirants should target the higher end.) 

How many mocks should I take and how do I analyse them?

Quick answer: Start with 1 mock/month in Month 1 → progress to 1/week in Month 3 → 1–2/week in Months 4–5. Analyse every mock with a template: Error type, Time lost, Root cause, Fix plan. 

  • Score & sectional scores — record.
  • Question-level log — mark attempted, correct, wrong, skipped + time spent.
  • Error classification — careless / conceptual / time-management / silly mistake.
  • Action plan — 3 corrective actions (e.g., revise concept, do 10 similar problems, practice timed sets).
  • Trend tracking — after 4–6 mocks, look at recurring patterns and adjust study hours accordingly. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to prepare for CAT in 5 months?

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What should my study plan look like for CAT preparation in 5 months?

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What are the key topics to focus on for each CAT section?

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How important are mock tests in CAT preparation?

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Are 5 months enough to prepare for CAT exam?

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How many hours should I study each day to prepare for CAT in 5 months?

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Which topics should I focus on for CAT preparation in 5 months?

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About the Author

Faculty
Lalita Vishwakarma

Content Writer

Lalita Vishwakarma is a professional content writer with 3 years of experience, distinguished by her ability to transform raw ideas into polished, high-impact content. She masterfully combines creative storytelling with strategic execution, ensuring that her work not only captures attention but also drives desired outcomes.... more

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