1. Why Begin Now?
If you are staring at an empty notebook wondering how to begin CAT Preparation from Scratch, take heartโyou still have a comfortable runway before the paper on Sunday,โฏ30โฏNovemberโฏ2025. The official notification will drop on 30โฏJulyโฏ2025, registration will run earlyโฏAugโฏโ midโSepโฏ2025, and admit cards will be out in Octoberโฏ2025. (mbauniverse.com, Careers360 Bschool)
Starting early lets you:
- Build strong fundamentals instead of chasing shortcuts.
- Experiment with different strategies before locking into a routine.
- Finish at least 12 fullโlength mocks with thorough analysis.
2. Key CATโฏ2025 Dates at a Glance
| Milestone | Tentative Window* | Action Item |
|---|---|---|
| Notification | 30โฏJulyโฏ2025, 5โฏp.m. | Download PDF & read eligibility |
| Registration | 01โฏAugโฏ2025โฏโโฏ13โฏSepโฏ2025 | Fill form on iimcat.ac.in |
| Admit Card | Third week of Octโฏ2025 | Print 2 copies |
| Exam Date | 30โฏNovโฏ2025 (Sun) | Arrive 90โฏmin early |
| Answer Key Objection | 1st week Decโฏ2025 | Raise objections (โน200/q) |
| Result | 2nd week Janโฏ2026 | Download scorecard |
*Dates derived from trends & media reports, subject to official confirmation. (IMS India, PW Live)
3. Understanding the TestโPattern & Scoring
| Section | Questions | MCQ | TITA* | Time (min.) | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 21 | 3 | 40 | 72 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 14 | 6 | 40 | 60 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 14 | 8 | 40 | 66 |
| Total | 66 | โ | โ | 120 | 198 |
*TITAโฏ=โฏTypeโInโTheโAnswer (no options, no negative mark).
A clear view of the pattern prevents panic and sets guardrails for your CAT Preparation from Scratch.
4. Syllabus Snapshot
VARC
- RC passages (modern, abstract, science)
- Paraโsummary, paraโjumbles, oddโsentenceโout
DILR
- 4 DI sets (tables, graphs, caselets)
- 4 LR sets (arrangements, networks, games)
QA
- Arithmetic (ratio, TSD, mixture)
- Algebra (quadratic, inequalities)
- Geometry & Mensuration
- Number Theory & Modern Maths
Keep this checklist pinned above your study desk; it will guide daily topic picks.
5. 6โMonth Macro Plan (MayโฏโโฏNovโฏ2025)
| Month | Goal | Deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| May | Diagnostics | Take 1 past paper; identify strongest/weakest 30โฏ% topics |
| Jun | Foundation | Finish NCERT/Arun Sharma Arithmetic + basic RC daily |
| Jul | Expansion | Add Algebra, Geometry, DI sets every two days |
| Aug | Synchronise | Start timed sectional tests; tweak strategy |
| Sep | Simulation | Full mocks every Sunday + midโweek topic tests |
| Oct | Fineโtune | Alternateโday mocks; deepโdive error logs |
| Nov (1โ20) | Taper | 5 final mocks, sleep cycle adjustment |
| Novโฏ21โ29 | Revise | Flashโcards; light sectional drills |
| Novโฏ30 | Exam Day | Relax; execute gameโplan |
This timetable is built for someone truly beginning CAT Preparation from Scratch now.
6. Daily/Weekly Micro Routine
- Weekdays (2โฏhrs after work/college)
1 RC passage โ 6 QA concept Drills โ 1 DI/LR set - Weekends (4โ5โฏhrs)
Full mock Saturday a.m. โ Analysis p.m. โ Concept revision Sunday
Tip: Analysis > Attempt. Spend 2ร mockโtime on diagnosis: What went wrong? Could you solve faster? Where did you guess?
7. MustโHave Resources (2025 Edition)
| Area | Book/App | Why |
|---|---|---|
| QA | Learncrew Books | Exhaustive levels of difficulty |
| VARC | GMAT Official Guide Verbal Review | Highโquality RC |
| DILR | CAT DILR 2025 โ Nishit Sinha | Sectionโwise sets |
| Mocks | Learncrew, IMS, TIME, Career Launcher | Closest to actual difficulty |
| Free | Last 10 CAT papers (PDF) | Real pattern & scaling |
| Official | Application form โ iimcat.ac.in | Only authentic portal |
Bookmark the page and check for updates once the July notification lands. (MBA Hitbullseye)
8. Strategy Nuggets for Each Section
VARC
- Skim passages first, note key nouns.
- Attempt paraโjumbles last (TITA; no penalty).
- Read nonโfiction dailyโThe Guardian, Aeon, LiveMint editorials.
DILR
- Practice visualsโset labelling and colourโcoding.
- Target 2 easy + 1 medium set first; skip killer sets.
- Make your own template scratch sheets to save drawing time in mocks.
QA
- Arithmetic gives 40โฏ% of QA marksโmaster it early.
- Maintain a formula diary; revise fortnightly.
- Attempt questions in two passes: (i) sureโshots, (ii) calculated risks.
These hacks keep CAT Preparation from Scratch focused and efficient.
9. Working ProfessionalsโSpecial Hacks
- Pomodoro sprints on commuteโuse apps like AnkiDroid for formula flashโcards.
- Weekend powerโstudyโlock 6โฏa.m.โ11โฏa.m.; evenings are flexible buffers.
- Peer accountabilityโjoin a small WhatsApp / Discord group; share mock scores every Sunday.
Remember, consistency beats cramming; even 90โminute weekday sessions compound quickly.
10. Tech & Tools to Track Progress
| Tool | Purpose | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Notion / Trello | Study Kanban board | notion.so |
| Google Sheets | Mock score tracker (autoโgraph) | sheets.new |
| Anki | Spaced repetition for formulae & words | apps.ankiweb.net |
| Forest App | Beat phone distraction | forestapp.cc |
Integrating such tools into your CAT Preparation from Scratch journey quantifies growth and keeps motivation high.
11. Common Pitfalls & How to Dodge Them
| Pitfall | Reality Check | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| โIโll finish syllabus then start mocks.โ | Mocks teach you testโtaking, not just theory. | Start lowโstakes mocks by July. |
| โSkipping RC because Iโm bad at reading.โ | RC is 1/3rd of the paper. | Read daily; start with topics you enjoy. |
| โBuying every book/coaching.โ | More material โ more marks. | Stick to 1 trusted source per section + mocks. |
| โNeglecting health & sleep.โ | Fatigue ruins accuracy. | 7โฏhrs sleep + simple workouts. |
Avoiding these traps is integral to successful CAT Preparation from Scratch.
12. Frequently Asked Questions
Qโฏ1. Can a nonโengineer crack CATโฏ2025 starting today?
Absolutely. The arithmeticโheavy QA and equal section weightage level the field. Focus on concepts, not background.
Qโฏ2. Ideal number of mocks?
Aim for 15โ18 quality mocks. But spend more time analysing each than adding raw count.
Qโฏ3. How important is sectional timing?
CrucialโCAT is a speedโplusโaccuracy game. Practise 40โminute sectional tests from August.
13. LastโMonth Playbook (OctโฏโโฏNovโฏ2025)
- Frequency: 2 mocks/week.
- Revision slots: 30โminute formula & vocabulary drills every morning.
- Examโday rehearsal: Replicate slot timing, breakfast, travel route.
- Stressโbusting: Light cardio, meditation apps like Headspace.
- Document check: Admit card, original ID, nameโmatching.
Your CAT Preparation from Scratch journey culminates hereโtrust your process.
14. Final Pep Talk
Starting CAT Preparation from Scratch might feel like assembling IKEA furniture without the manual. Treat this article as that missing manual. Break the daunting goal into digestible daily tasks, iterate ruthlessly after every mock, and watch your percentiles climb. By Novemberโฏ2025 youโll thank the Mayโversion of yourself for taking the first, slightly scary, but decisive step today.
Ready? Open a fresh sheet, write Dayโฏ1, and begin.
All the bestโsee you in an IIM classroom soon!
Disclaimer: Dates are based on publicly available reports and past CAT calendars. Always verify on the official CAT portal before acting.
