60-Day CAT Preparation Strategy: Daily Study Plan for November Exam

CAT 2026 is scheduled to be held on November 29. Those who are yet to start preparing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) must follow the 60-day CAT preparation strategy below for improved efficiency. 

60-Day CAT Preparation Strategy

60-Day CAT Preparation Strategy: IIM Indore will be conducting the CAT 2026 exam on November 29 across three slots. Candidates who have applied for the CAT 2026 exam but are yet to start their preparation must follow this 60-day preparation strategy for improved efficiency and a structured roadmap. With the CAT 2026 exam date approaching, using the remaining time efficiently is important. This guide divides the two-month period into distinct preparation phases to balance concept revision, sectional practice, and full-length CAT mocks. Aspirants must adapt the daily schedule to match their individual strengths, weaknesses, and current preparation level. Refer to the article below for a 60-day CAT preparation strategy, how to analyse mocks and more.

Is 60 Days Enough to Prepare for CAT?

Whether 60 days are enough for CAT or not depends entirely on the strengths and weaknesses of a candidate. For candidates who have a basic understanding of the concepts, a two-month period is sufficient to practice an adequate number of mocks, revisit weak topics, and practice exam-day strategy. Those who have already finished the syllabus can focus almost entirely on sectional mocks, past CAT exam analysis to devise CAT 2026 exam-day strategy.

For complete beginners, preparing in 60 days is challenging but possible. Beginners should not try to cover every topic in depth. Instead, they must prioritise QA topics based on CAT Quant topic-wise weightage, core DI sets and CAT Reading Comprehension questions. Applying a focused, realistic CAT preparation strategy consistently matters more than simply counting days.

How to Structure 60 Days of CAT Preparation?

Following the same routine for 60 consecutive days may not deliver an effective outcome. As the test date draws closer, candidates must shift from learning about the concepts to regular practice sessions. Candidates should understand the expected CAT exam pattern, consisting of three timed sections: VARC, DILR, and QA, to allocate the study hours.

60-days of CAT preparation can be split into five distinct phases:

• Phase 1 (Days 1-14): Build or refresh basic concepts, spot knowledge gaps, maintain regular reading, and establish a score with an early mock to know where you stand.
• Phase 2 (Days 15-28): Target weak topics, introduce timed sectional tests, and build basic speed and accuracy.
• Phase 3 (Days 29-42): Shift towards mixed-topic practice, step up mock test frequency, review errors, and prepare to choose questions and set selection.
• Phase 4 (Days 43-52): Focus on full-length CAT mock tests, time management across sections, and CAT 2026 formula revision.
• Phase 5 (Days 53-60): Dedicate the final week to CAT 2026 revision, light practice, and mental rest, avoiding any unfamiliar topics.

This phase-based CAT preparation prevents early burnout.

60-Day CAT Study Plan 2026

With only 60-days for CAT preparation, candidates must focus on all three sections simultaneously. Check the table below for phase-wise 60-day CAT preparation:

NOTE: Aspirants can also practice with official CAT previous year papers alongside this schedule to understand the difficulty level of questions.

Practice CAT Mock Tests by Shiksha

Candidates preparing for CAT 2026 November exam must target full-length mocks. Shiksha has curated CAT mock test series which goes live until the exam with a bi-monthly frequency. Practice CAT full length mocks by Shiksha below:

A 60-day preparation timeline requires disciplined execution and realistic topic selection. Candidates must tailor this plan to match their current skill level, monitor their progress through detailed mock reviews, and maintain consistent daily practice until the final week.