Given the changing nature of CAT (which at a fundamental level has remained more or less the same) and the preparation required to 'crack' an exam of this kind, planning becomes extremely important in addition to the natural skillset.
Considering you have taken CAT 2015, you are now aware of three things:
1. Verbal preparation is not really prep prep but something that needs to be done over a long period
2. Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation requires vast exposure to different kind of questions and logic(s)
3. A simple formula based approach and sticking to level of difficulty 1-2-3 in Quant is good enough
When you are taking a secon
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Given the changing nature of CAT (which at a fundamental level has remained more or less the same) and the preparation required to 'crack' an exam of this kind, planning becomes extremely important in addition to the natural skillset.
Considering you have taken CAT 2015, you are now aware of three things:
1. Verbal preparation is not really prep prep but something that needs to be done over a long period
2. Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation requires vast exposure to different kind of questions and logic(s)
3. A simple formula based approach and sticking to level of difficulty 1-2-3 in Quant is good enough
When you are taking a second attempt at a test like this, your preparation strategy is quite different from your first attempt strategy.
First attempt is like learning how to swim. You flounder, you need help, your strokes are without finesse and you somehow manage to stay afloat. And unless you do that, you don't reach the next level. But once you have learned what's required, you become better. Then you focus on cutting the water at a certain angle, perfecting your strokes, increase your lung capacity and strength, and finally, you become a good swimmer.
Coming back to your question, let's start planning your day:
Work day:24 hours - (9 hours of work, 2 hours of travel, 7 hours of sleep, 2 hours of food, 2 hours of buffer time spent on in-between activities & fun) = 2 hours
Non-work day:24 hours - (10 hours of sleep, 2 hours of food, 5 hours of buffer time spent on in-between activities & fun) = 7 hours
Assuming you are dedicated enough, you will roughly have about 24 hours per week for preparation. This time can be divided as (Strong section: 7 hours, Moderate section: 8 hours, "I-am-not-good-at-this" section: 9 hours)
Preparation means:Understanding concepts + solving questions without time limit/with time limit.One of the biggest mistakes before the second attempt is confusing familiarity and conceptual clarity. In the first six months of the calendar year, focus on preparation. In the remaining five months, focus on mocks and test taking strategy and practice.
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Given the changing nature of CAT (which at a fundamental level has remained more or less the same) and the preparation required to 'crack' an exam of this kind, planning becomes extremely important in addition to the natural skillset.