3 Months to CAT Study Plan

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Stage Duration Start
Date
End Date Activities
Identify
Where You
Stand
1 week 16-Jul 22-Jul

Identify the most important chapters (and key concepts)
from the 3 key areas QA, VA and DILR in the Skill Builder.

Attempt 3 iCATs in 3 days to get a feel of the attempt level,
accuracy level and scores that you get. Then, analyse the
tests together to get a feel of where you stand.

Analyse the tests in detail to check:

A) Where have you gone wrong?
Check this at the following levels in the sequence given
below
1) Section I v/s II
2) QA v/s DI and VA v/s LR
3) Chapter level
4) Specific question type level

B) Why have you gone wrong?
1) Conceptual errors
2) Incorrect/incomplete understanding of question
3) Calculation mistakes

C) Solutions to questions that you did not attempt 1) To
identify the questions that you could have attempted but
missed.

Now, based on your analysis of these 3 tests together,
classify each chapter using a 2-2 Matrix explained below:

a) High Speed High Accuracy Q4
b) Low Speed High Accuracy Q3
c) High Speed Low Accuracy Q2
d) Low Speed Low Accuracy Q1

Create such a matrix after each test.
A sample matrix is shown after the table.
Go from
Good to
Great
3.5 weeks 23-July 15-Aug

Now you can begin using the analysis done till date.

Q2 and Q3 can be converted into strong points at this stage.

Q2:

1) These are areas where you either have a partial
understanding of the concepts or question types.
2) You could be going wrong because you
partially/wrongly interpret the question or make
solving errors because you have missed out on some
cases.
3) Study the Concept Builder and CP/CT of the important
chapters thoroughly to ensure that you have a firm
grasp of the concepts.
4) When you solve questions from this area, see whether
your understanding of the question is the same as that
given in the explanation.

3 Months to CAT Study Plan
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Q3:

1) These may be chapters where you are conceptually
strong but take time to solve questions.
2) This may happen as you focus on solving the question in
a linear (or conventional or algebraic) manner rather
than on smart ways to arrive at the answer.
3) Brush up the concepts of these chapters and identify
time saving tips using the Concept Builder.
4) When you solve questions from this area, see whether
your solving technique is different from the one given
and how yours could have been improved.
5) Apply these strategies on the CP/CT and then re-
evaluate.

Attempt two iCATs equally spaced through this period.

Analyse these tests in detail and recreate the matrix. Observe
the movement of chapters within the matrix to plan for the
next stage.

Cover Your
Flanks Well
3.5 weeks 16-Aug 10-Sep

Work on multiple areas to ensure that you maximize your
preparation time.

Work on Q1 to minimize your weaknesses and on Q4 + Q3 to
maximize your strengths

Q1:

1) These could be chapters where you are conceptually
weak. Improving your speed AND accuracy in these
areas may be difficult.
2) Classify these chapters into critical and non-critical
(based on their relative importance in CAT).
3) Go through the Concept Builder of the critical chapters
in detail and practise the CP/CT of these chapters
thoroughly.
4) You will need to focus on both understanding of
questions as well as solving techniques for these
chapters
5) However, do not spend too much time trying to master
this area.

Q4 and Q3:

1) Q4 is your strong point. However, if ignored it may lead
to mistakes arising from complacency.
2) Capitalise on your strengths, and challenge yourself by
re-practising problems in these two quadrants.
3) Look at increasing speed in these areas by practicing
different solving techniques. See how your accuracy gets
affected.

Attempt three to four iCATs equally spaced out

Analyse these tests in detail and recreate the matrix. Observe
the movement of chapters within the matrix to plan for the
next stage.

3 Months to CAT Study Plan
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Move Up
Another
Level
2.5 weeks 11-Sep 27-Sep

Q4:

Revise the concepts of the important chapters quickly and
re-practice.
Target Area: Speed + Accuracy
Q1 and Q2:

Build on the theory that you have learnt by having a relook
at problems.
Target Area: Accuracy

Q3:

Work on strengthening your solving techniques while
retaining accuracy levels
Target Area: Speed

Attempt four iCATs in this period along with the topic tests
(Algebra, Reading Comprehension etc)

Analyse these tests in detail and recreate the matrix. Observe
the movement of chapters within the matrix to plan for the
final stage.

Start experimenting in terms of how you want to attempt
each iCAT i.e. scan the test and then attempt or start
attempting directly or attempt easiest questions first or
attempt QA followed by DI and LR followed by VA and so on.

Last Lap 2.5 weeks 28-Sep 15-Oct

Attempt the module tests (i.e. at the QA or VA or DILR level).

Ignore the non-critical chapters where you are still
conceptually weak.

Attempt all the remaining iCATs now while fine-tuning your
attempt strategy.