CAT, GMAT, GRE & GATE Preparation Plan : Small daily improvements create massive success over time.
(A) CAT PREPARATION PLAN
Preparing for the CAT (Common Admission Test) is a long-term, disciplined journey. A “good college” (IIMs, FMS, XLRI, SPJIMR, MDI, etc.) demands not just hard work but smart, structured preparation.
Below is a complete daily self-study plan, plus strategy for the full year.
1. Understand the CAT Exam Pattern
CAT has 3 sections:
– VARC – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
– DILR – Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
– QA – Quantitative Aptitude
Duration: 2 hours
Each section: 40 minutes
Questions: 66 approx
2. Overall Preparation Phases
Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1–3)
Build basics of Maths, English, Logic
Focus on concepts, not speed
Phase 2: Practice (Months 4–7)
Section-wise tests
Improve accuracy and speed
Phase 3: Test & Improve (Months 8–10)
Full-length mock tests
Analysis + weak area repair
3. Ideal Daily Self-Study Schedule (6–8 Hours)
You can adjust timing, but keep the structure.
Morning Session (2.5 Hours) – Fresh Mind
1. Reading + VARC (1 Hour)
Read 2–3 articles daily:
Editorials (The Hindu, Indian Express)
Business, psychology, philosophy, science
After reading:
Write summary in 5–6 lines
Note 5 new words and meanings
Practice:
1 RC passage (timed: 10–12 min)
5 VA questions (para jumbles, sentence correction)
2. Quantitative Aptitude – Concepts (1.5 Hours)
Rotate topics:
Arithmetic: Percentage, Profit-Loss, SI-CI, Ratio, Time & Work
Algebra: Linear, Quadratic, Inequality
Geometry: Triangles, Circles, Mensuration
Number System
Daily:
Learn concept (30 min)
Solve 20–25 questions (1 hour)
Mark mistakes in a “mistake notebook”
Afternoon Session (2 Hours)
3. DILR Practice (1 Hour)
Solve 2 sets daily:
Tables, graphs, case lets
Puzzles, seating, games, routes
Method:
Spend max 20 min per set
If stuck, learn the solution method
4. Revision + Error Analysis (1 Hour)
Revise:
Yesterday’s QA formulas
New words from VARC
Analyze:
Why wrong?
Concept gap or calculation mistake?
Evening Session (2 Hours)
5. Mixed Practice (1 Hour)
15 QA questions
1 RC passage
1 DILR set
Simulate exam pressure:
Timed practice
6. Mock / Section Test / Strategy (1 Hour)
On different days:
Mon–Wed–Fri: Section test (VARC/DILR/QA)
Sat: Full mock test
Sun: Mock analysis only
4. Weekly Structure
Day. Focus
Mon–Fri. Daily routine
Saturday. Full Mock Test
Sunday. Deep analysis + weak area repair
5. Monthly Targets :
Month 1–3: Basics
Finish all concepts once
No pressure on speed
Accuracy > 70%
Month 4–6: Practice
Daily timed practice
1 mock every 10 days
Month 7–9: Testing
1 mock every week
Focus on percentile improvement
Last 2 Months:
2 mocks per week
Strategy finalization
No new topics
6. Important Habits for CAT
Read daily – makes VARC strong automatically
Maintain:
– Formula notebook
– Mistake notebook
– Vocabulary diary
– Sleep well (6–7 hours)
– No social media while studying
– Small breaks after every 60–90 minutes
7. Example Daily Timetable
Time. Work
6:00 – 7:00. Reading + Vocabulary + RC
7:00 – 8:30. QA Concept + Practice
9:00 – 10:00. DILR Sets
10:00 – 11:00. Revision + Error Analysis
4:00 – 5:00. Mixed Timed Practice
7:00 – 8:00. Section Test / Mock / Analysis
8. Final Advice
CAT is not about studying more—it’s about:
– Consistency
– Analysis
– Smart selection of questions in exam
If you follow this daily plan seriously for 8–10 months, you will be ready for a top MBA college.
( B ) A Complete Preparation Program for GMAT. How To Score at the Top and Enter the World’s Best Universities.
1. First, Believe This Truth
GMAT is not a test of intelligence.
It is a test of:
– Discipline
– Strategy
– Emotional control
– Consistency
Thousands of average students score 700+ every year.
2. Set Your Dream Target
Top universities usually want:
* 700+ GMAT = Very strong
* 730+ = Elite
* 750+ = World-class
Write this clearly:
* My Target GMAT Score: _______
* My Exam Date: _______
* Put this on your wall.
3. The 6–9 Month Success Program :-
Phase 1: Foundation (Month 1–2)
Goal: Strong basics, zero fear
Focus:
– Quantitative basics: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, word problems
– Verbal basics: grammar rules, sentence correction, reading
– Learn how GMAT questions are designed
Daily:
– Learn concepts slowly
– Accuracy more important than speed
Build confidence
Mindset:
“I am building roots, not rushing to fruits.”
Phase 2: Strength & Speed (Month 3–5)
Goal: Turn knowledge into power
Focus:
– Timed practice
– Data Sufficiency mastery
– Critical Reasoning skills
– Reading Comprehension depth
Daily:
– Practice mixed questions
– Time-bound sets
– Analyze every mistake deeply
Mindset:
“Every mistake is a teacher, not an enemy.”
Phase 3: Test Warrior Mode (Month 6–7)
Goal: Dominate the exam pattern
Focus:
– Full-length mocks weekly
– Section strategy
– Time management
– Stress control
– Weekly:
– 1–2 full mocks
– Deep analysis after each test
Mindset:
“I train harder than the exam will ever test me.”
Phase 4: Final Sharpening (Last 4–6 Weeks)
Goal: Peak performance
Focus:
– Only revision
– No new topics
– Fine-tune strategy
Mindset:
“I am not preparing. I am ready.”
4. Daily Power Routine (5–7 Hours)
Morning: Brain Sharp (2 Hours)
– Quantitative concept + 20 questions
– Focus on accuracy
Midday: Verbal Mastery (1.5 Hours)
– Sentence Correction rules
– 1 RC passage
– 10 CR questions
– Evening: Mixed Practice (1.5 Hours)
– Timed set of Quant + Verbal
Night: Analysis & Mindset (1–2 Hours)
– Analyze mistakes
– Write lessons learned
– 10 minutes visualization of success
5. Weekly Discipline
* Monday–Friday: Daily routine
* Saturday: Full mock test
* Sunday: Only analysis + weak area repair
6. The Golden Rules of High Scorers
* Consistency beats talent
* Analysis is more important than practice
* Weak areas give the biggest score jump
* Calm mind = sharp brain
* Health is part of preparation
* Sleep well. Eat clean. Walk daily.
7. Mental Training
Daily affirmations:
– I am disciplined.
– I am improving daily.
– I handle pressure calmly.
– I deserve top universities.
Visualization: Every night, see yourself:
– Clicking “End Test”
– Seeing a 730+ score
– Reading admission letters
8. On Tough Days, Remember
– You are not studying for an exam.
– You are building a future.
When tired, say:
“This effort is temporary. My success is permanent.”
9. Final Promise
If you:
– Follow this program honestly
– Respect your daily routine
– Learn from every mistake
Then one day you will say:
“GMAT did not defeat me. It revealed my strength.”
( C ). What is GRE? GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination.
It is an international entrance exam required for admission to:
– Master’s programs (MS, MA, MBA in some countries)
– PhD programs
Universities mainly in USA, Canada, Europe, and some Asian countries
GRE Tests Three Skills:
– Verbal Reasoning
– Vocabulary
– Reading comprehension
– Text completion
– Sentence equivalence
– Quantitative Reasoning
– Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Data Analysis
– Analytical Writing
– Issue essay
– Argument essay
Score Range:
Verbal: 130–170
Quant: 130–170
Writing: 0–6
How to Prepare for Success in GRE
Success in GRE needs:
– Daily study
– Smart planning
– Strong mindset
– Regular testing
– Day-to-Day Study Plan (4–6 Hours Daily)
– Morning – Strong Start (2 Hours)
– Quant Practice (1 Hour)
– Learn one topic
– Solve 20–25 questions
– Note mistakes
– Vocabulary (1 Hour)
– Learn 15–20 new words
– Make sentences
-Revise old words
“Every morning I build my future.”
Afternoon – Verbal Power (1.5 Hours)
– Reading Comprehension
– 1–2 passages
– Find main idea, tone, inference
– Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence
10–15 questions
“I understand what others miss.”
Evening – Test Mode (1–1.5 Hours)
Timed mini test:
– 10 Quant
– 10 Verbal
– Follow GRE timing
“I train like it’s exam day.”
Night – Review & Growth (30–45 Min)
– Analyze mistakes
– Revise formulas
– Revise vocabulary
– Write what you learned today
“Today I am better than yesterday.”
Weekly Plan
Monday–Friday: Daily routine
Saturday: Full-length mock test
Sunday: Only analysis + weak area repair
Monthly Targets
Month 1: Learn all basics
Month 2: Improve accuracy
Month 3: Timed practice
Month 4: First full mocks
Month 5: Regular mocks
Last month: Only revision
Habits of Successful GRE Students
Read daily (articles, essays, science)
Keep:
* Vocabulary diary
* Formula notebook
* Mistake notebook
* Sleep well
* Exercise lightly
* Avoid distractions
GRE is not difficult.
It only respects discipline.
If you study daily, even slowly, you will succeed.
Say daily:
– I am disciplined.
– I am improving.
– I am ready for success.
( D ) GATE Preparation Plan (General for all Engineering Streams)
(ECE, ME, CSE, EE, CE, IN, CH, etc.)
A) 12-MONTH STUDY PLAN
Phase 1 — Foundation Building (Months 1–4)
Goal: Learn concepts deeply. No shortcuts.
1. Finish 2–3 subjects per month.
2. Start with core high-weightage subjects of your branch.
3. Use standard textbooks + one coaching material (Made Easy/Ace).
4. After finishing each chapter:
– Read theory
– Make short notes
– Solve all examples
– Attempt basic level questions
Daily schedule (ideal):
– 3 hrs concepts
– 2 hrs practice
– 1 hr revision
– 1 hr formula notebook updating
End of Month-4 Goal:
* 6–7 subjects completed
* A formula book ready
* Basic problem-solving confidence
Phase 2 — Strengthening concepts + Practice (Months 5–8)
Goal: Increase accuracy & speed.
1. Solve chapter-wise practice sets.
2. Start solving previous 15 years GATE papers (very important).
3. Begin online test series (topic-wise tests first).
4. Improve weak subjects gradually.
Weekly routine:
* 5 days: study + practice
* 1 day: test series
* 1 day: error analysis & revision
End of Month-8 Goal:
* All subjects completed once
* Previous years solved
* Test series started
* Weak & strong subjects clearly identified
Phase 3 — Test Series + High-intensity Revision (Months 9–12)
Goal: Maximize marks through smart exam strategy.
1. Take full-length mock tests twice a week.
2. After each test, do an error analysis:
– Why wrong?
– Concept missing?
– Calculation mistake?
– Time mismanagement?
3. Revise formula notes daily.
4. Attempt GATE level mixed subject mocks.
5. Reduce negative marking by focusing on accuracy.
Final Month:
– Daily revision of formulas
– Final 10 mock tests
– Improve speed in aptitude & maths
– Fine-tune 3-hour exam strategy
B) 6-MONTH GATE PREPARATION PLAN
(For students with basic background or partial preparation)
Phase 1 — 2 Months
Finish high-weightage subjects first.
Solve PYQs of these subjects.
Start the test series (topic-wise) immediately.
Phase 2 — 2 Months
Complete remaining subjects quickly.
Begin full-length mock tests (once a week).
Phase 3 — 2 Months
– Intensive revision + mock tests
– Solve all PYQs (10–15 yrs)
– Strengthen aptitude & engineering maths
– Eliminate silly mistakes
Goal: Strong fundamentals + speed + accuracy.
C) 3-MONTH CRASH PLAN
(Only if the basics are already strong)
Month 1
– Finish important subjects
– Solve previous years’ papers
– Start topic-wise tests
Month 2
– Revise + solve 2 full-length mocks/week
– Focus on high-yield areas
– Improve accuracy
Month 3
– Give 10+ final mocks
– Memorize formulas perfectly
– Focus on exam strategy
What Every GATE Topper Follows (Common Rules)
1. Formula Notebook
Write all formulas in one place. Revise daily for 20 minutes.
2. Previous Year Papers are GOLD
In GATE, 40–60% questions repeat concepts.
Solve at least last 10–15 years.
3. Mock Tests = Success Engine
Take at least :
* 30–40 topic wise tests
* 15–20 full-length mocks
4. Revision Strategy
* 40% time studying
* 60% time revising + practicing
5. Remove Weakness Early
Identify weak areas in the first 3 months, not in the last month.
Subject-Wise Importance (for all branches)
– Engineering Maths (15%)
– Linear Algebra
– Calculus
– Differential Equations
– Probability & Statistics
– General Aptitude (15%)
– Reasoning
– Verbal Ability
– Data interpretation
– Speed & accuracy focused
– Branch Core subjects (70%)
Choose according to your stream — focus highest weightage ones.
Daily Routine (Ideal for Serious Aspirants)
If studying full-time (6–8 hrs/day)
– 3 hrs subject theory
– 2 hrs numerical practice
– 1 hr previous year questions
– 1 hr revision
– 1 hr test series (alternate days)
If doing college/job (3–4 hrs/day)
* 1.5 hrs theory
* 1 hr practice
* 30 mins PYQs
* Weekend full-length tests
Tools & Resources
Best Books (branch-wise)
ECE/ME/CSE/EE/CE
Best Online Test Series
– Made Easy
– Ace Academy
– GateForum
– Unacademy (mocks only)
Best YouTube Channels
– Neso Academy
– Gate Academy
– Knowledge Gate
– Gate Smashers / Easy Engineering (CSE)
RAJEEV VERMA 