1. Why Begin Now?
If you are staring at an empty notebook wondering how to begin CAT Preparation from Scratch, take heart—you still have a comfortable runway before the paper on Sunday, 30 November 2025. The official notification will drop on 30 July 2025, registration will run early Aug – mid‑Sep 2025, and admit cards will be out in October 2025. (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 full‑length mocks with thorough analysis.
2. Key CAT 2025 Dates at a Glance
| Milestone | Tentative Window* | Action Item |
|---|---|---|
| Notification | 30 July 2025, 5 p.m. | Download PDF & read eligibility |
| Registration | 01 Aug 2025 – 13 Sep 2025 | Fill form on iimcat.ac.in |
| Admit Card | Third week of Oct 2025 | Print 2 copies |
| Exam Date | 30 Nov 2025 (Sun) | Arrive 90 min early |
| Answer Key Objection | 1st week Dec 2025 | Raise objections (₹200/q) |
| Result | 2nd week Jan 2026 | Download scorecard |
*Dates derived from trends & media reports, subject to official confirmation. (IMS India, PW Live)
3. Understanding the Test—Pattern & 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 | — | — | 120 | 198 |
*TITA = Type‑In‑The‑Answer (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)
- Para‑summary, para‑jumbles, odd‑sentence‑out
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. 6‑Month Macro Plan (May → Nov 2025)
| Month | Goal | Deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| May | Diagnostics | Take 1 past paper; identify strongest/weakest 30 % 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 + mid‑week topic tests |
| Oct | Fine‑tune | Alternate‑day mocks; deep‑dive error logs |
| Nov (1‑20) | Taper | 5 final mocks, sleep cycle adjustment |
| Nov 21‑29 | Revise | Flash‑cards; light sectional drills |
| Nov 30 | Exam Day | Relax; execute game‑plan |
This timetable is built for someone truly beginning CAT Preparation from Scratch now.
6. Daily/Weekly Micro Routine
- Weekdays (2 hrs after work/college)
1 RC passage → 6 QA concept Drills → 1 DI/LR set - Weekends (4–5 hrs)
Full mock Saturday a.m. → Analysis p.m. → Concept revision Sunday
Tip: Analysis > Attempt. Spend 2× mock‑time on diagnosis: What went wrong? Could you solve faster? Where did you guess?
7. Must‑Have Resources (2025 Edition)
| Area | Book/App | Why |
|---|---|---|
| QA | Learncrew Books | Exhaustive levels of difficulty |
| VARC | GMAT Official Guide Verbal Review | High‑quality RC |
| DILR | CAT DILR 2025 – Nishit Sinha | Section‑wise sets |
| Mocks | Learncrew, IMS, TIME, Career Launcher | Closest to actual difficulty |
| Free | Last 10 CAT papers (PDF) | Real pattern & scaling |
| Official | Application form – 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 para‑jumbles last (TITA; no penalty).
- Read non‑fiction daily—The Guardian, Aeon, LiveMint editorials.
DILR
- Practice visuals—set labelling and colour‑coding.
- 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 40 % of QA marks—master it early.
- Maintain a formula diary; revise fortnightly.
- Attempt questions in two passes: (i) sure‑shots, (ii) calculated risks.
These hacks keep CAT Preparation from Scratch focused and efficient.
9. Working Professionals—Special Hacks
- Pomodoro sprints on commute—use apps like AnkiDroid for formula flash‑cards.
- Weekend power‑study—lock 6 a.m.–11 a.m.; evenings are flexible buffers.
- Peer accountability—join a small WhatsApp / Discord group; share mock scores every Sunday.
Remember, consistency beats cramming; even 90‑minute 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 (auto‑graph) | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| “I’ll finish syllabus then start mocks.” | Mocks teach you test‑taking, not just theory. | Start low‑stakes mocks by July. |
| “Skipping RC because I’m bad at reading.” | RC is 1/3rd of the paper. | Read daily; start with topics you enjoy. |
| “Buying every book/coaching.” | More material ≠ more marks. | Stick to 1 trusted source per section + mocks. |
| “Neglecting health & sleep.” | Fatigue ruins accuracy. | 7 hrs sleep + simple workouts. |
Avoiding these traps is integral to successful CAT Preparation from Scratch.
12. Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1. Can a non‑engineer crack CAT 2025 starting today?
Absolutely. The arithmetic‑heavy QA and equal section weightage level the field. Focus on concepts, not background.
Q 2. Ideal number of mocks?
Aim for 15–18 quality mocks. But spend more time analysing each than adding raw count.
Q 3. How important is sectional timing?
Crucial—CAT is a speed–plus–accuracy game. Practise 40‑minute sectional tests from August.
13. Last‑Month Playbook (Oct → Nov 2025)
- Frequency: 2 mocks/week.
- Revision slots: 30‑minute formula & vocabulary drills every morning.
- Exam‑day rehearsal: Replicate slot timing, breakfast, travel route.
- Stress‑busting: Light cardio, meditation apps like Headspace.
- Document check: Admit card, original ID, name‑matching.
Your CAT Preparation from Scratch journey culminates here—trust 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 November 2025 you’ll thank the May‑version of yourself for taking the first, slightly scary, but decisive step today.
Ready? Open a fresh sheet, write Day 1, and begin.
All the best—see 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.
