This is one of the most common questions every CAT aspirant has: “Can I really crack CAT if I start now?” The answer is YES — and in fact, this is the ideal time to begin your preparation.
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Starting too early can lead to burnout, and starting too late may not leave you with enough time for revision. So, if you’re starting now, you’re right on track. All you need is a structured approach, consistency, and a clear strategy. Let’s break it down section-wise:
1. VARC
VARC consists of 4 Reading Comprehensions with 4 questions each (16 questions), and 8 Verbal Ability questions — a total of 24 questions. Your preparation strategy should involve solving at least 4 RCs every day with a timer. In the initial phase, don’t stress if you can’t solve them within 15 or 20 minutes — the focus should be on building accuracy rather than speed. Over time, once your accuracy improves, you can work on increasing your pace. For Verbal Ability, practice 5 questions of each type daily — that will be sufficient to build consistency and comfort with the section.
2. DILR
This is often considered the trickiest section in the CAT exam because there’s no defined theory or formula that guarantees a solution. Developing a logical bent of mind takes regular practice. Solve any kind of puzzles daily for the next 7 months — at least 2–3 sets per day — and always use a timer. Never skip practice; showing up every day is what makes the difference. On exam day, you’ll see 5 sets with around 4–5 questions each. Smart selection of the right sets is key. During your preparation, identify the types of sets you’re most confident with and aim to solve those first in the exam.
3. QA
Quantitative Aptitude requires more effort since the syllabus is vast. You can divide the section into Number Systems, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Modern Math. Start with Number Systems and move sequentially. Understand the weightage of each topic and plan your time and efforts accordingly. In the exam, this section will have around 22 questions — and solving 12–14 of them correctly is usually enough to score 99 percentile and above.
All the best! Let us know if you’d like a detailed analysis or a personalized study plan for each section. You’re starting at the perfect time — just stay consistent, and you’ll crack it!
8 Replies
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@SurjaMaity
Replied 14 hours ago
Cracking CAT requires consistency , starting late isn't a problem if the student is ready to dedicate and mange his/ her time correctly , no matter if they are a working professional or a current graduate
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@abhigyaamittal_scmhrd737
Replied 14 hours ago
Yes Def, As a student of symbiosis pune, doing MBA in marketing, I can say that this is the right time to start CAT and OMETs preparation. Giving the student ample amount of time to understand the topics and learn in depth about it, not only this but analysing his/her mocks and working on the shortcomings as well. 7 months gives us right amount to time to plan out our prep for not just cat but as well as omets also and to ace the exam.
Bte, my SNAP percentile for 99.4% and I am saying this from experience that if you want to ace the exam, make sure you choose the right faculty, and practice, practice and practise! -
@ayush
Replied 14 hours ago
For QA, solving around 9-10 questions will get you 99 percentile.
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@Anupama
Replied 14 hours ago
Indeed, this is the perfect time to begin. The key now lies in consistent effort and focused preparation. Establish a structured routine, regularly assess your progress, and revisit challenging areas to strengthen your foundation. Most importantly, remain motivated and proactive in seeking support or clarification whenever needed — effective preparation blends discipline with smart strategy.
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@harshitag742
Replied 14 hours ago
Absolutely, this is the ideal moment to start. What matters most now is staying consistent and maintaining focused preparation. Create a clear, organized study schedule, track your progress frequently, and keep revisiting the topics that challenge you the most to build a solid foundation. Above all, keep your motivation high and don't hesitate to ask for help or clarification when needed — successful preparation is all about combining dedication with a smart, strategic approach.
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@iamakkar
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@aswinraj
Replied 13 hours ago
If you start your preparation now, you'll have plenty of time to cover everything thoroughly. The key is to establish a solid routine and stick to it consistently. Cracking the CAT isn't about overnight success—it's all about steady, focused effort over time.
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@SentimentalCAT
Replied 13 hours ago
Follow your mentor, keep practicing and be consistent. Simple key to success