Start early and don’t rush into advanced topics. I began with the basics in March, and I still revise them every week. For VARC, daily reading and solving parajumbles helped. I also maintain a ‘mistake notebook’ where I write down every silly mistake and concept I got wrong. It helps during revision. Surround yourself with people preparing seriously, it keeps you on track. 

Last year, I made the mistake of focusing only on speed. This time, I’m focusing on accuracy first. Also, avoid switching too many resources. Stick to one source for each section (e.g., Arun Sharma for Quant, past CAT papers for VARC, and Practice sets for DILR). Set a timetable and track progress weekly. And yes, take sectional tests in between mocks. 

I was scared of Quant at first since I don’t have a math background. But trust me, with regular practice and understanding basics from YouTube channels like CATKing, I am improving. Also, don’t ignore DILR, solve sets slowly but correctly. It builds confidence. VARC was easier for me, but RCs still need regular reading to improve accuracy.

Time is limited for working people like me, so consistency matters more than hours. I dedicate 2 hours daily, 1 hour Quant, 30 min LRDI, and 30 min VARC. I joined a weekend batch for structured learning and used apps like 2IIM for revision. The key is to not skip mock analysis. One mock is equal to 3 hours test plus 3 hours analysis. 

Start with the basics, especially in Quant. I began with Class 9-10 NCERT books for arithmetic and number systems. For VARC, read editorial articles daily and practice 3 RCs regularly. Also, do not wait too long to start mocks, take at least one mock per month early on just to understand where you stand. And remember, CAT is more about strategy than knowledge