I have just started my CAT preparation and would really appreciate some guidance.

Asked by Anonymous on 2026-07-14 in CAT Prep

My profile:

* 9/9/7
* One drop year after 12th
* General, Female, Engineering background
* A few internships(DRDO), no work experience
* Target: Tier-1 B-schools

Current prep:

QA & DILR: MBA Pathshala (Udit Saini Sir & Vijay Sir)
VARC: Shabana Ma'am, The Hindu editorials, and Aeon essays

I have a few questions:

1. After finishing a topic, should I directly solve CAT PYQs or practice from other sources first?
2. Is self-study enough now, or should I join coaching? Is a test series sufficient?
3.When should I start sectionals and full mocks? (I've been studying for only 3 days.)
4. Am I already late to start? If I give my 100% from now, is it still possible to get into a Tier-1 B-school?
5. With my profile, what percentile should I aim for?
6.Can someone suggest a proper roadmap? I'm currently free and can dedicate my full time to CAT prep. I'm ready to study for long hours—I just need the right guidance.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

1 Answer

Varun · 2026-07-14 · 0 helpful

Definitely not late!
-Do practice topic wise qns like the one available here in this site under “Practice” or from 2IIM to build concepts, then CAT PYQs.
-Self-study if have ronaldo lvl🙂 discipline. Just make sure to buy 2 solid test series (like IMS/CL/TIME) for evaluation.
-Take one mock this week just to see where you stand.
Hmm, Start sectional tests in a month or by now if quants portions are covered by more than 40%, and start full-length mocks by Aug-end.
And yeah build daily habit by completing daily targets of this site & iquanta (add on cracku if needed).

The above is what i am trying to follow up-sourced frm below vid, watch it🙂
https://youtu.be/NYQvu35sF7o?si=pWY3RY3d06VTfvzS

Open this discussion on Percentyl Community →