Preparing for CAT 2025 without coaching? You’re not alone—and you’re absolutely capable. Whether you're a beginner starting from scratch or a repeater aiming for a higher percentile, this 6-month CAT preparation roadmap gives you everything you need to ace the exam—without spending a fortune.

Most importantly? It’s practical, disciplined, and designed to be followed using free and effective online resources.

What This Article Covers:

1. A structured study plan for Quant, VARC, and DILR

2. The best free and paid resources for each section

3. Importance of mocks and how to analyze them

4. Tips to stay consistent and avoid burnout

5. YouTube channels, books, and tricks that actually work

Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Build Your Structure & Stay Accountable

The biggest challenge in self-preparation is not lack of knowledge, but lack of structure and accountability. Here's how to overcome that:

• Set your own deadlines and stick to them strictly

• Create artificial urgency—don’t wait until the last 2 months

• Break the syllabus down into monthly goals

• Track progress weekly and adjust timelines realistically

Pro Tip: Start with a free mock test. This will help you understand your current standing and strengths/weaknesses.

Step 2: Quantitative Aptitude – Your Timetable & Tools

Quant can be intimidating, especially for non-engineers, but it's also the most structured section.

Resources:

• Books: Nishit Sinha or Sarvesh Verma

• YouTube Channels: Learn topic-wise from trusted CAT educators

• Practice: Use mocks, previous year papers, and coaching institute PDFs

A detailed Quant timetable is available in the video description. While you don’t need to follow it word-for-word, consistency is key.

Step 3: VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)

Many CAT aspirants overlook VARC thinking it’s just “English.” That’s a huge mistake.

Resources:

• Books:

  • GMAT Manhattan RC (advanced level, helps you improve rapidly)

  • RC99 (practical CAT-level RCs)

• Reading Practice: Editorials from The Hindu, Economic Times, The Economist, etc.

• Ananta’s free RC course with practice sets

Focus on reading speed, tone identification, and elimination techniques.

Step 4: DILR – The Game-Changer

CAT’s DILR section has no fixed syllabus, which is why most students find it unpredictable. But that’s also your chance to get ahead.

Resources:

• Best: Previous year CAT papers and mock questions

• Recommended Book: Oswaal 25 Years CAT Solved Papers – great for topic-wise segregation

• Practice Sets: Create your own from mocks and analyze different puzzle types

Key Tip: Solve 2–3 sets every day from now until the exam.

Step 5: Use YouTube for Teaching Videos

YouTube is your best friend for concept clarity and doubt-solving—if you know how to use it right.

Tips:

• Search topic-wise: e.g., “CAT Geometry Basics” or “CAT RC Strategies”

• Explore multiple teachers before picking one who suits your style

• Don’t binge-watch—watch, practice, apply, and then move on

Step 6: Master Tricks & Advanced Methodologies

As your foundation strengthens, start learning time-saving techniques and shortcuts for each section:

• Quant: Vedic math tricks, elimination methods

• VARC: Tone detection, paragraph summaries

• DILR: Visualization and set selection logic

These tricks can easily boost your percentile by 10–15%.

Step 7: Mocks – The Make or Break

Mocks are the most underrated goldmine of CAT prep.

How to Maximize Mocks:

• Take 1 mock every week for the first 3 months, then 2 per week

• Spend more time analyzing than attempting

• Create an error log for repeated mistakes

• Focus on sectional timing and strategy

Platforms like Cracku, CATKing, Career Launcher offer free mocks—use them smartly.

Final Thoughts

The CAT exam isn’t just about hard work. It’s about smart work, consistency, and clarity. You don’t need expensive coaching to crack it—you just need:

• A well-structured plan

• The right set of free resources

• And most importantly, the discipline to follow through

If you found this helpful, share it with a fellow aspirant and bookmark it for your weekly reviews.