Quick answer: many serious aspirants take somewhere around 20 to 40 full mocks in total, ramping from one every week or two early on to two or three a week in the final six to eight weeks. The real limit is review: if you cannot analyse a mock properly before the next one, you are taking too many.
A realistic range
The right number depends on when you start, how much time you have each week, and how fast you review. A rough guide:
- Fewer than about 15: often too few to learn your exam temperament and test different section strategies.
- About 20–40: a common range for students who review each mock properly.
- Much more than 40: can work for experienced repeaters, but for most people review quality starts to drop.
A useful rule: one mock is a three- to five-hour commitment, two hours to take and at least as long again to review. Count your mocks in those hours, not in tests.
A month-by-month schedule
This assumes CAT is in late November and that you are studying alongside college or work. Shift it if your exam date or start date is different.
| Time to CAT | Full mocks | Sectionals | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6+ months | 1 a fortnight | 1–2 a week | Concepts, baseline |
| 4–6 months | 1 a week | 2 a week | Fix weak topics |
| 2–4 months | 1–2 a week | 1–2 a week | Section strategy |
| Last 6–8 weeks | 2–3 a week | As needed | Exam temperament |
| Final week | 1–2 | None | Rest and revise |
Added up, this lands around 25 to 35 full mocks for someone starting about six months out. Starting later means fewer total, but the same principle: review every one.
Where sectionals fit
Sectionals are 40-minute tests of a single section. They are the best tool for working on one thing at a time, for example DILR set selection or QA accuracy, without spending two hours. Use them:
- Early on, to practise a section under time pressure while concepts are still being built.
- Midway, to test a specific fix you found in a full mock review.
- Late, sparingly, when one section is clearly lagging the others.
Our DILR set-selection guide and QA accuracy guide both include drills that work well as sectionals.
Signs you are taking too many or too few
Too many
- You skip or rush analysis to fit in the next mock.
- The same mistake tags repeat week after week.
- Your scores are flat and you have little time left for concept practice.
- You feel tired or anxious before every mock rather than curious.
Too few
- You have not tried different section strategies yet.
- Mock day still feels unfamiliar: timing, nerves, or the interface surprises you.
- You have weeks of practice but no recent data on where you stand.
A sample mock week (two to three months out)
One week, alongside college or work
- Saturday: full mock in the morning, at the same time as your exam slot if you can.
- Sunday: full analysis using a mock analysis template; pick one fix.
- Mon–Wed: concept and practice work on the weakest topic from the review.
- Thursday: a sectional to test the fix.
- Friday: light revision; rest.
In the last six to eight weeks, add a midweek mock and shorten the concept block, but keep the review. The full mock analysis guide shows how to keep it fast.
Frequently asked questions
Is 50 mocks too many for CAT?
Not automatically, but it is only useful if each one is reviewed. For most students, 20–40 well-analysed mocks teach more than 50 rushed ones.
Should I take mocks from different test series?
One main series gives you comparable scores over time. Adding a few from another series can help you get used to different styles, but do not read too much into percentile differences between series.
When should I take my first full mock?
Earlier than most people think. One baseline mock in the first month shows you where you stand, even if the score is low.
