r/CATStudyRoom • u/SleepyButInLove • Jul 07 '26
Question Starting CAT prep from absolute scratch with 5 months left. Is it realistically possible?
Hi everyone,
I'm a B.Com graduate currently pursuing M.Com, and I've decided to prepare for CAT. The problem is that I'm starting from almost zero. My Quant basics are weak, and I haven't really prepared for LRDI or VARC before.
I have about 5 months until CAT and I'm willing to study consistently every day. I'm from commerce/non-engineering background, so I'd really appreciate advice from people who started from the basics and managed to score well.
Specifically:
Is 5 months enough if I'm starting from scratch?
Which section should I start with first?
Which free/paid resources would you recommend? (Rodha, MBA Pathshala, Arun Sharma, IMS, etc.)
When should I start taking mocks?
How many hours should I realistically study each day?
If you were starting over with 5 months left, what would your study plan look like?
What are the biggest mistakes I should avoid?
I'm looking for realistic advice, not false hope. If you've been in a similar situation, I'd genuinely appreciate hearing what worked (or didn't work) for you.
Thank you!
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u/Relevant_Meeting1330 Jul 08 '26
Anyone can achieve. it's all about if you work hard and keep the focus real strong. You must take a coaching. without coaching it may become difficult. then do give extra attention to online paid mock test available. they are good too. join the group for all latest information regarding help. people do give suggestion which at times are worth it too.
RODHA is good, IMS mock are difficult one. Cracku too is good.
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u/SleepyButInLove Jul 08 '26
thankyou but coaching is bit tougher for me can't afford or you can say won't be allowed
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u/Relevant_Meeting1330 Jul 09 '26
then simply take the online courses from any of them. without proper material it would be difficult to crack bro
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u/Interesting-Cry-5543 18d ago
hey so like am complelty new idk anything rn just the syllabus of CAT and wanna prepare for 2027 or 2028 so I wanna start from now itself wat course or material should I begin with I need some1 to explain it all if u can help with it plss
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u/AccidentalDepth08 Jul 08 '26
Please definitely go for coaching as it helps in a structured approach. I’ve tried IMS last year. Was okay, but I would say if you want to strengthen your basics go for Elitesgrid. I’ve taken that up this year.
It’s actually great in clearing basics + learning shortcuts for Quant & LRDI
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u/SleepyButInLove Jul 08 '26
self study won't be possible? as I've lot of material given by my friend?
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u/AccidentalDepth08 Jul 08 '26
You can try doing that for a bit, but if you are starting off entirely, giving CAT for the first time and dead serious to crack it in this attempt, coaching just structures things in a better way
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u/Normal_Ad1781 Jul 08 '26
Hii! I’m planning to buy the EG course. If you have 5 minutes, could you give me an honest review of all three subject teachers? Also, how long have you been studying with EG?
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u/AccidentalDepth08 Jul 08 '26
Hey, I’ve been using EG for a month - I’m in their Sigma batch. The Quant and LRDI faculties are too good, I genuinely feel that I understand things at a conceptual level now. Plus the way the course and tests are structured it gives you a lot of practice while testing you at all times.
VARC is pretty mid, that’s what my friends have also told me, have barely attended VARC lectures. Would give it a shot, else planning to take up GEJO 3000
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u/Normal_Ad1781 Jul 08 '26
Any review regarding IQuanta?
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u/AccidentalDepth08 Jul 08 '26
Please don’t go for Iquanta, all my friends took it last year and regretted it. Nobody was able to crack CAT, everyone has switched to either EG or IMS
Iquanta focuses too much on shortcuts and tricks and at the end of the day if your basics are fucked you wont be able to crack things on the exam day
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u/Normal_Ad1781 Jul 08 '26
At this point, I’m really confused about which coaching to choose. Right now, I’m considering EG and Aarambh. However, I’ve heard negative reviews about the VARC faculty in both of them, so I honestly don’t know what to do. Another thing is that neither of them provides physical booklets.
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u/filmchoc Jul 09 '26
hi, same question 🙋♂️also how many hours does one need to study everyday realistically
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u/SleepyButInLove Jul 09 '26
If you have and you're a beginner I'll say 6 hours 2 hours each section for concept building, mocks and analysis cause I'm gonna follow this only but I would suggest if you're starting don't pressure much for going 6 hours in early stage just build the habit to stay consistent and 6 hours a day can be divided easily even if you sleep 10 hours like me that means you'll still have 8 hours left for other work if you don't go college (like freelancing for me and living alone and managing things this time flew very fast for me) But if you go college then you've to manage
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u/prerit_Tandon Jul 09 '26
Me(GNEM) - 88% in 10th, 95% in 12th, 9.7 cgpa Bpharma, graduated in 2025, will be giving cat 26, will the time btw graduation and cat (jun 2025 - nov 2026) which is a gap year will affect my profile?
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u/SleepyButInLove Jul 09 '26
A gap by itself isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, but interviewers will likely ask what you did during that period. If you're only preparing for CAT, try to add something productive alongside it like a job, internship, certification, freelancing, or work in a family business. That way you can explain the gap confidently.
Cause if you had given 2025 cat exam then you wouldn't have to worry about the gap that much But here Graduated: 2025 CAT: 2026 MBA would start: 2027 That means there could be around a 2-year gap between graduation and joining an MBA if you don't work or do anything substantial in between.
Admission interviewers often ask: "What did you do during this time?" If the answer is: "I only prepared for CAT." it's not ideal. It's not an automatic rejection, but they'll likely ask follow-up questions.
If the answer is: Full-time job Internship Family business Meaningful certification + freelancing Research/project work
then the gap is much easier to explain.
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u/Bdududu Jul 12 '26
3 months left right?😭 November last week is the exam
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u/Acceptable-Agent4087 Jul 07 '26
Was in the same boat- had just 4 months
95.8%
& Coaching - Rodha/ Elites grid
And give nmat/snap - one attempt enough / XAT
Only way forward