Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an apparatus and methods capable of pre-correcting reacquisition slew of pilot signal timing when a mobile device operates in a slotted mode or discontinuous reception (DRX) mode. In one aspect, a mobile device is operated in slotted mode. The mobile device wakes up to perform a pilot reacquisition corresponding to a slotted mode and detects a slew of a pilot timing relative to a pilot reference timing. The mobile device adjusts a subsequent pilot reference timing by an amount corresponding to the detected slew, to be utilized during a subsequent wake-up cycle. The mobile device returns to a sleep state to wait for the subsequent wake-up cycle. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.