Cracking CAT isn’t just about knowing the syllabus — it’s about training your mind to think analytically, read sharply, and apply logic under time pressure. Most aspirants study daily, but not everyone studies strategically. The difference lies in routine: a well-planned, subject-wise daily practice schedule can elevate performance faster than random studying ever will.
If you’re preparing for CAT or any MBA entrance test (XAT, SNAP, NMAT, IIFT), this blog will help you structure your day intelligently. Below is a proven daily practice routine, broken subject-wise — Quant, DILR, and Verbal Ability, along with tips, weekly targets, accuracy goals, and revision methods.
Why a Subject-wise Routine Matters?
Because CAT is unpredictable — one year Quant is tough, another year DILR breaks patterns. A balanced routine ensures you are never over-reliant on one section. You build consistency, stamina, and exam temperament, which are exactly what toppers swear by.
Your daily schedule must ensure progress in:
✔ Speed
✔ Accuracy
✔ Concepts
✔ Application
✔ Reading Stamina
Now, let’s construct the routine that works.
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
Recommended Daily Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
Quant is conceptual. You don’t score by shortcuts alone — you score by understanding fundamentals and applying them fast.
Daily Flow
| Time | Task | |
| 30–45 mins | Concept Revision (one topic per day) | |
| 60–75 mins | Practice 25–30 questions of mixed difficulty | |
| 30 mins | Timed sectional/mini-test | |
| 15–20 mins | Error review + formula revision | |
How to Study Quant Effectively?
- Break syllabus into micro-topics:
Example — Ratio & Proportion → Mixtures → Alligation → Profit & Loss — one topic per day keeps it light and digestible. - Maintain a Formula Diary:
Every new shortcut, formula, identity — note it. Re-read it before sleeping. - Targeted Practice
- Every day, pick 1 concept area and solve:
- 10 basic Qs
- 10 moderate Qs
- 5–10 great difficulty Qs
This ensures depth + speed building.
- Every day, pick 1 concept area and solve:
- Solve under constraints:
Try solving 10 questions in 20 minutes. Push accuracy to 80%+.
What to cover weekly in Quant:
- Arithmetic (must be the strongest area)
- Algebra & Functions
- Geometry + Mensuration
- Numbers
- Modern Math
Weekly Target for Quant:
150+ questions
5 timed sectional tests
Accuracy 70%+ initially → 85%+ later
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Recommended Daily Time: 2 – 2.5 hours
DILR isn’t about syllabus — it’s skill. You don’t memorize it — you train your brain.
Your goal is to become comfortable with pressure, puzzles, and patterns.
Daily Flow
| Time | Task |
| 20–30 mins | Solve 1 Logic Set (basic) |
| 60 mins | Solve 2 DI/LR sets timed |
| 30 mins | Attempt 1 mixed timed quiz |
| 15–20 mins | Review mistakes and alternate approaches |
How to Practice DILR Like a Topper
- Start with logic building sets:
- Arrangements
- Distribution
- Venn Diagrams
- Games & Tournaments
- Gradually include DI Tables & Graphs
Work with pie charts, bar graphs, and double tables. Learn to extract data fast. - Timer Always On
If you solve a set in 15 mins today, aim for 12 next time.
DILR is all about improvement in processing speed. - Mistake Review is Gold
Maintain a “DILR Error Notebook”:- Which step confused me?
- Did I make a wrong assumption?
- Could I have eliminated cases faster?
Weekly Goals for DILR
- Solve 12–15 quality sets
- 3–4 sectional mock attempts
- Improve speed by 10–15 seconds per set per week
Remember:
DILR doesn’t need 500 sets — it needs understanding of patterns.
Quality > Quantity.
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Recommended Daily Time: 2 hours
VARC rewards readers. If you read, think, and infer, you conquer.
Most students only practice questions, but toppers read daily.
Daily Flow
| Time | Task |
| 30–45 mins | Reading (editorials, long articles, non-fiction) |
| 45 mins | 3–4 RC passages (varied difficulty) |
| 20–30 mins | VA Practice — Para jumbles, Odd Sentence Out, Summary |
| 10–15 mins | Vocabulary + grammar mini-revision |
How to Build VARC Strength
- Diversify Reading
Read articles on science, economy, philosophy, and history — CAT passages often draw from these. - Solve 3 RC Passages Daily
Focus not on speed first, but accuracy → then push time boundaries. - Learn to skim
Identify the main idea, the author’s tone, and keywords like however, although, hence, etc. - VA Target Practice
- 5 para-jumbles a day
- 5 odd-sentence-out
- 3 paragraph summary Qs
Weekly Targets for VARC
- 15–20 RC sets
- 80+ VA questions
- 5 long-form articles or 50–60 pages of reading
How to Structure Your Day? (Ideal Daily Combine)
| Section | Time |
| Quant | 2.5–3 hours |
| DILR | 2–2.5 hours |
| Verbal | 2 hours |
| Mock/Revision (optional) | 30–60 mins |
Total Active Study Time: 6.5–7.5 hours/day
You can break it into morning + evening shifts for better alertness.
Weekly Strategy to Track Improvement
To ensure your daily routine actually works, follow this weekly cycle:
Monday–Friday:
Concept learning + daily practice + mini tests
Saturday:
1 full CAT mock (even if scores are low — keep giving)
Sunday:
Mock analysis + error fixing + revision
Mock analysis is where growth happens.
Spend 2 hours reviewing errors, find out why mistakes happened, and correct the approach.
Final Words — Consistency Beats Intensity
Most CAT aspirants study hard when motivated. The toppers study even when they’re not.
A good daily routine is not about an aggressive 10-hour grind —
It’s about the same 6–7 hours every day, smartly distributed across Quant, DILR, and Verbal.
If you follow this subject-wise routine with discipline, weekly mock analysis, and a mindset to improve slowly, you will see progress within weeks.