Can I crack a CAT in 2 months? Strategies and Tips for Success
Every year, thousands of aspirants dream of securing admission into India’s top B-schools like IIMs, FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, and more. The CAT (Common Admission Test) is their gateway. However, life doesn’t always give everyone a perfect 6–12 month preparation window. Many aspirants—due to jobs, academics, or late realization—often ask:
Can I crack CAT in just 2 months?
The honest answer is:
YES, you can crack CAT in 2 months—if you have discipline, strategy, and laser-sharp focus.
Two months is an ideal timeframe for an intensive, high-impact preparation plan. While CAT is competitive and unpredictable, smart planning can help you significantly improve your performance and even achieve a remarkable percentile.
This article offers a comprehensive 2000-word strategy guide to help you prepare for CAT in two months with confidence. From daily planning to section-wise tips and mock-test strategies, here’s everything you need to know.
1. Understanding CAT Before You Begin Your 2-Month Plan
Before diving into preparation, aspirants must understand the CAT exam structure:
Sections in CAT
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VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
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DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
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Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Each section contains 40–50 minutes of sectional timing, meaning you must master time management as much as content mastery.
What Makes 2-Month Preparation Challenging?
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High competition
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Vast syllabus
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Need to maintain consistency
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Requirement of speed + accuracy
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Time pressure due to sectional limits
What Makes It Possible?
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A well-structured plan
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Strong focus
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Daily mock analysis
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Prioritizing high-impact topics
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Avoiding distractions
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Using strategic study materials
Two months is tight but achievable, especially if you are motivated and disciplined.
2. Who Can Crack CAT in 2 Months?
You have a strong chance if:
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You have basic math aptitude
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You are comfortable with English reading
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You can commit 5–6 hours daily
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You can keep distractions at bay
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You have the drive and reason to work hard
You’ll need extra effort if:
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You haven't studied math in years
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You struggle with reading comprehension
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You lack consistency
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You cannot devote enough time
Even then, a smart plan can dramatically improve your percentile.
3. Two-Month CAT Preparation Blueprint (Overview)
Your 2-month preparation plan must include the following:
Month 1 – Learning Phase (Foundation + Practice)
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Cover all essential topics
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Learn important shortcuts
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Build concept clarity
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Do daily reading
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Solve sectional tests
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Improve weak areas
Month 2 – Intensive Testing Phase
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Take mocks 3–4 times per week
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Analyze mistakes deeply
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Fix accuracy issues
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Focus heavily on DILR sets and RC passages
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Strengthen exam temperament
4. Weekly Breakdown for 2-Month CAT Preparation
Here is a suggested weekly plan:
Weeks 1 & 2 — Build Concepts and Focus on High-Weightage Topics
VARC
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Read editorials daily (The Hindu, Aeon, The Economist, Harvard Business Review)
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Practice 3–4 RC passages daily
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Learn para-jumbles, para-summary patterns
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Build vocabulary through context, not rote
DILR
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Begin solving basic LR sets
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Practice tables, bar graphs, arrangements
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Learn how to identify solvable DILR sets quickly
Quant
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Strengthen basics: arithmetic, algebra
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Learn percentage, ratios, TSD, profit-loss, numbers
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Start solving 20–30 QA questions daily
Weeks 3 & 4 — Start Sectional Tests and Build Speed
Focus Areas
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Sectional tests every 2–3 days
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Improve time management
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Start solving moderate-level problems
VARC
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Solve timed RCs
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Analyze wrong answers—why did you choose the wrong option?
DILR
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Solve moderate-level sets
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Focus on accuracy
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Develop pattern recognition
Quant
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Move from easy to moderate questions
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Solve topic-wise quizzes
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Learn shortcuts and alternative approaches
Weeks 5 & 6 — Deep Mock Test Phase
Take 6–8 full-length mocks
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Simulate real exam conditions
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Learn test temperament
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Increase stamina
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Identify weak areas
Mock Analysis is MORE important than the mock test itself.
Focus on:
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Why questions went wrong
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Where time was wasted
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Which sets were incorrectly chosen
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Accuracy gaps
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Topic weaknesses
Weeks 7 & 8 — Final Revision + Accuracy Boosting
VARC
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Solve 2 RCs daily
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Improve comprehension speed
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Practice para-jumbles and summary questions
DILR
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Attempt 2–3 sets daily
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Focus heavily on the right set selection
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Work on puzzles and unconventional sets
Quant
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Revise all formulas
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Solve mixed-topic tests
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Practice mental math
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Improve calculation speed
5. Daily Study Plan for 2-Month CAT Preparation
Here’s a sample daily routine:
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2 hours – VARC
Reading, RC practice, verbal reasoning -
2 hours – Quant
Concepts + problem solving -
1–1.5 hours – DILR
Set practice (quality over quantity) -
1 hour – Mock / sectional test
Total: 5–6 hours daily
6. Section-Wise Strategy for Cracking CAT in 2 Months
A. VARC Strategy
VARC is 70% reading comprehension, so the key is comprehension, not vocabulary.
Your VARC goals:
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Improve reading speed
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Understand tone, purpose, and inference
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Build logical reasoning for para-based questions
Top Tips:
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Read 30 minutes daily
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Do diverse topics (philosophy, economics, psychology, politics)
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Focus on accuracy first, speed later
B. DILR Strategy
DILR is considered the toughest section for many students. But with right practice:
You can master it by:
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Solving 4–5 types of sets repeatedly
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Learning patterns
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Improving analysis over brute force
Top Tips:
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Choose the right sets, don’t waste time
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Practice puzzles (Sudoku, grid puzzles, logic puzzles)
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Develop your ability to visualize patterns
C. Quant Strategy
Quant isn’t about memorizing formulas—it’s about applying concepts with speed.
Top Topics:
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Arithmetic
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Algebra
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Geometry
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Number systems
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Modern math
Top Tips:
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Focus on high-weightage topics
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Solve mixed question sets
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Maintain formula notebook
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Practice mental calculations daily
7. Importance of Mock Tests in the 2-Month CAT Plan
Mocks are your most powerful tool for last-minute improvement.
You must:
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Take 8–12 mocks in two months
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Analyze each mock thoroughly
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Identify weak areas
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Track progress
Mock Analysis Checklist:
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Which questions wasted time?
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Which questions should you have skipped?
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Where did accuracy drop?
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Which section needs more focus?
Mock analysis improves exam temperament, which is often the biggest differentiator between average and outstanding scores.
8. The Power of Set Selection in DILR and QA
In CAT, you don’t need to solve all questions. You need to solve the right questions.
Set Selection Rules:
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Avoid sets with missing data
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Skip overly complex puzzles
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Start with familiar structures
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Move on if a question takes more than 2 minutes to understand
Strategic selection is often the difference between a 70 percentile and 95 percentile score.
9. Focus on Accuracy More Than Attempts
In CAT, negative marking penalizes guesswork.
Aim for:
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75–85% accuracy
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Balanced speed and precision
Bad accuracy wastes your hard-earned marks. Good accuracy compensates even for fewer attempts.
10. Common Mistakes to Avoid in 2-Month CAT Prep
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Starting mocks too late
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Focusing only on weak areas
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Trying to solve all questions
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Not analyzing mock tests
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Ignoring reading practice
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Burning out due to poor scheduling
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Using too many resources
A disciplined strategy avoids these pitfalls.
11. Can a Beginner Crack CAT in 2 Months?
Yes—if the beginner:
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Has basic math skills
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Practices RCs daily
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Covers arithmetic thoroughly
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Solves 8–12 mocks
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Maintains consistency
Many aspirants with 2–3 months of preparation have achieved above 95 percentile.
12. Can a Working Professional Crack CAT in 2 Months?
Absolutely!
Working professionals have an advantage:
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Better discipline
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Better time management
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Stronger logical ability
Using early morning or late-night slots, CAT prep becomes manageable.
Sample working professional routine:
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1 hr: RC practice
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1 hr: Quant
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1 hr: DILR
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1 hr: sectional/mocks
Even 3–4 hours daily is enough with a strong strategy.
13. Final 15-Day Strategy Before CAT
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Take 5–6 mocks
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Revise formulas
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Solve previous CAT papers
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Focus heavily on reading
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Avoid new topics
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Sleep well
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Reduce stress, avoid burnout
Final 15 days are about stabilizing performance, not learning new concepts.
14. CAT Day Strategy
Before the exam:
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Stay calm
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Avoid last-minute revisions
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Trust your preparation
During the exam:
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Start with easy questions
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Skip questions that confuse you
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Maintain accuracy
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Avoid panic if one section goes bad
After the exam:
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Don’t discuss answers excessively
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Wait for official response keys
15. YES — You Can Crack CAT in 2 Months: The Inspirational Truth
Many aspirants think:
“CAT is too tough for a 2-month preparation.”
But the truth is:
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CAT rewards smartness, not memorization
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It rewards accuracy, not solving everything
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It rewards strategy, not hours spent
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It rewards confidence, not perfection
If you follow a structured plan, stay focused, and take responsibility for your learning—
Cracking CAT in 2 months is absolutely possible.
Conclusion
Can you crack CAT in 2 months? YES.
But only if you prepare with purpose, discipline, and the right strategy.
A 2-month intensive plan teaches you:
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Time management
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Smart question selection
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Deep focus
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Accuracy
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Confidence
Whether you're a student, beginner, or working professional—
Your determination and consistency decide your results—not the time you have left.
If you follow this strategic blueprint and give your best, you can achieve an excellent percentile and secure admission into India’s top B-schools.