How to Prepare for CAT in 7 Months: Complete Preparation Strategy, Timetable & Expert Tips

Q: Is it realistic to crack the CAT exam with only 7 months of preparation?

Absolutely. If you start in May, you have approximately 210 days. The blog emphasizes that with a consistent routine, the right study materials, and a structured plan (Fundamentals $ ightarrow$ Practice $ ightarrow$ Mocks), scoring a high percentile is entirely achievable.

Q: How should I begin my 7-month journey in the first month?

Your first month (May) should be about setting the stage. Start by taking a "diagnostic" mock test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on school-level basics for Arithmetic and Algebra, and begin a daily reading habit with editorials like The Hindu or The Economist.

Q: What is the recommended daily study schedule?

A balanced and realistic daily routine suggested is 4 hours total: 2 hours for Quantitative Aptitude (QA), 1 hour for Verbal Ability &amp; Reading Comprehension (VARC), and 1 hour for Data Interpretation &amp; Logical Reasoning (DILR).

Q: Which topics should I prioritize in the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section?

You should focus heavily on Arithmetic and Algebra, as these two areas typically make up nearly 60% of the QA section in the CAT exam.

Q: How can I improve my performance in the DILR section?

Start with light puzzles in the first month to develop a logical mindset. By Month 4, you should solve at least 1–2 sets daily. The key skill to master is "set selection"—learning to identify which sets are solvable and which should be skipped.

Syllabus Exam Pattern PYQs Books Exam Date Study Plan Cut Off For IIM Subjects Short Tricks Registration Eligibility Study Material

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

February 10, 2026

Quick Answer: How to prepare for CAT in 7 months? If you are also looking for the right answer and strategy to these questions, then be happy to know it is possible. With expert guidance and detailed study plan you can achieve 99%ile in CAT 2026 in just 7 months.

Key Takeaways

CAT 2026 can be cracked in 7 months with a clear plan and daily consistency.
Start by building a strong foundation in QA, VARC, and DILR before moving on to advanced questions.
Regular mock tests and deep analysis are crucial for improving accuracy and speed.
Focus more on weak areas, but keep practising strong sections to maintain confidence.
Section-wise practice and smart time management make a big difference in the final score.
Revision and previous year question practice help boost percentile in the last months.

Continue reading to know “How to prepare for CAT in 7 months” with us!

Learn More | How to Prepare for CAT Exam in One Year?

How to Prepare for CAT in 7 Months?

Answer: Can I crack CAT 2026 in 7 months? The CAT exam is likely to be on November 29th this year, which is the last Sunday of November. If you start preparing for it in the first week of May, you'll have about 210 days, or roughly 7 months, to prepare.

If you really commit to studying for the CAT, you can score well in that time. The most important things are to have a good plan, use the right study materials, and stay consistent and dedicated to your study routine.

Here is the detailed Study plan for CAT preparation in 7 months:

Explore: Want to score 99 percentile in CAT? Check here for expert strategies

Phase 1: Foundation & Basics (Months 1-2)

Focus: Concept clarity and developing a reading habit.

Section	Month 1: Foundation	Month 2: Core Arithmetic & Verbal
VARC	Read 1-2 editorials daily (The Hindu/Aeon). Start Word Power Made Easy.	Solve 2 RCs daily. Focus on identifying the "Main Idea" and "Tone."
DILR	Learn basics of Percentages, Ratios, and Tables. Solve 1 simple puzzle daily.	Start Linear & Circular Arrangements and basic Bar/Pie charts.
QA	Number Systems: Divisibility, Remainders, LCM/HCF. Basic Calculation tricks.	Arithmetic (60% of CAT): Percentages, Profit & Loss, SI-CI, Ratios, and Averages.
Mock/Test	Take a "Diagnostic Mock" to see your starting level. No score pressure.	Take 1 Sectional Test per week to assess your speed in Arithmetic.

Phase 2: Advanced Concepts & Syllabus Completion (Months 3-4)

Focus: Moving to complex topics and increasing practice volume.

Section	Month 3: Algebra & Logical Sets	Month 4: Geometry & Reasoning
VARC	Practice Para-jumbles and Para-summary. Diversify reading (Philosophy, Science).	Solve 3-4 RCs daily. Practice "Critical Reasoning" (Assumptions/Strengthening).
DILR	Advanced Arrangements, Seating with Multiple Variables, and Team Formation.	Games & Tournaments, Venn Diagrams (3-4 variables), and Routes/Networks.
QA	Algebra: Linear/Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Logarithms, and Functions.	Geometry: Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles, and Mensuration (2D/3D).
Mock/Test	Take 1 Full-length Mock every 15 days. Spend 3 hours analyzing each.	Take 1 Full-length Mock every 10 days. Focus on "Question Selection."

Phase 3: Intensive Practice & Strategy (Months 5-6)

Focus: Speed, accuracy, and "The CAT Funda" (Concepts, Applications, Tests).

Section	Month 5: Modern Math & Mixed Sets	Month 6: Strategy & Speed
VARC	Solve RCs from Previous Year Papers (2017-2023). Focus on "Elimination."	Timed Sectionals. Limit yourself to 40 minutes for the entire section.
DILR	Solve 3-4 "unseen" mixed sets daily. Master Caselets and Missing Data DI.	Focus on "Set Selection"—knowing which sets to skip is as important as solving.
QA	Modern Math: P&C, Probability, Sequences & Series. Revise Arithmetic.	Practice "Mixed Drills." Stop solving topic-wise; solve random QA sets.
Mock/Test	1 Mock per week. Start an "Error Log" for every mistake made in mocks.	2 Mocks per week. Experiment with different section-attempting strategies.

Phase 4: The Final Lap (Month 7 - November)

Focus: Revision, confidence, and exam-day simulation.

Activity	Week 1 - 2: Final Assessment	Week 3 - 4: Peak Readiness
Revision	Revise your "Formula Book" and "Error Log." Do not start any new topics.	Daily revision of short notes. Re-solve the best 5 mocks you took.
Practice	Solve 2 Previous Year Papers (PYPs) under actual exam conditions.	Practice "Low-hanging Fruits" (Easy QA/DI questions) to boost confidence.
Mocks	2 Mocks per week. Take them in the actual CAT time slot assigned to you.	Stop taking mocks 3-4 days before the exam to avoid burnout.
Mental Prep	Analyze patterns of "Silly Mistakes" and consciously avoid them.	Focus on sleep, hydration, and maintaining a positive mindset.

Conclusion

Preparing for the CAT 2026 exam in just 7 months is entirely achievable with the right strategy and dedication. By breaking your preparation into clear phases focusing on fundamentals, completing the syllabus, and revising thoroughly, you're setting yourself up for success.

Remember to practice regularly, take mock tests, and analyse your performance to identify areas for improvement.

Stay consistent, and don’t hesitate to seek help when needed. With commitment and a structured approach, you'll be well-prepared to tackle the CAT and achieve your desired score. Good luck on your journey to acing the exam!

Find Out Here: Is It Possible to Crack CAT in Just 6 Months?

Smart Prep for CAT: Join Our Free Demo Class

Fill your details

Recently Published

CAT Seating Arrangement Questions and Answer Download PDF