7 days, 30 days or 60+ — the honest answer depends on your starting level. Sprinters with solid foundations polish pacing; everyone else needs a full diagnose-drill-mock cycle. Take the diagnostic first: its gaps decide your timeline, not your exam date.
The 7-day sprint (foundations solid)
One full mock every other day, mistake clearing between sessions, formulas only in the final 48 hours. This works only if you can already solve the content untimed — otherwise seven days buys panic, not points. The Sprint week of the 30-day plan is this mode in detail.
The 30-day plan (foundations, no pacing)
Week 1 diagnose, weeks 2–3 drill weak high-weight topics timed, week 4 full mocks. This is the default recommendation for students who know the math but have never sat a timed paper — and it is exactly what the 30-day study plan schedules day by day.
60+ days (rusty or new topics)
Learn every chapter first — untimed, concepts before speed — then layer timed sets and mocks on top. Rushing this stage is the most common way strong students fail: pacing without knowledge collapses under real papers.
| Starting point | Timeline | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Solid Grade-12, some timed practice | 7 days | Mocks + mistake clearing |
| Foundations, no pacing | 30 days | Diagnose → drill → mock |
| Rusty or new topics | 60+ days | Learn chapters, then timed work |
Is 30 days enough for CSCA?
Yes, with foundations: diagnose week 1, drill timed weeks 2–3, mock in week 4. From zero, allow 60+ days.
What matters more: study hours or mocks?
Neither alone — the loop matters: diagnose, drill weak high-weight topics, mock timed, clear errors. Hours without the loop are just reading.
When should I stop learning and start mocking?
When untimed accuracy on weak topics holds above ~85%: switch the remaining time to timed sets and full mocks.
