While preparing for CAT 2026, many of the candidates might feel confused, as it seems like a long journey since the exam is more than a year away. But starting early is the smartest move you can make for achieving your dream goal of pursuing an MBA from premier B-schools. The CAT exam is undoubtedly unique, not because of its vast syllabus, but because it is undefined. Unlike other competitive exams, there is no official CAT syllabus available. The CAT exam pattern can only be understood from past year papers, sample mocks issued by IIMs, and detailed analysis of recurring question types. If you are targeting admission into top IIMs and premier B-schools, the coming 12-15 months are very critical for you.
This blog will walk you through a complete roadmap and study plan for CAT 2026 preparation, i.e., from scratch to advanced level, including exam strategies, daily targets, and monthly timelines. Let’s understand the roadmap in the words of Mr. Abhishek Leela Pandey, iQuanta’s top faculty and a CAT 99.93%iler with years of academic experience.
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Things You Should Know Before Starting CAT 2026 Preparation
Before starting your CAT 2026 preparation journey, every candidate must keep in mind the following things so as to get an idea of what this journey will look like.
- CAT Exam Syllabus and Paper Pattern: One must understand that you won’t be finding the CAT syllabus officially. You have to rely on CAT paper trends, mock tests by IIMs, and the coaching material being provided.
- Basic Calculation for Quant & DI: Speed math techniques, Vedic math, and calculation techniques are must-haves for the Quant and DI sections.
- Target Percentile Based On Your Profile: The aspirants from different backgrounds, like engineers, non-engineers, freshers, and work experience professionals, are examined differently by IIMs and other top B-schools. Hence, you should decide whether you want to achieve 95 or 98 or 98+ percentile based on your profile.
- Coaching or Self-Study: While preparing for CAT 2026, self-preparation is possible and can be opted for, but candidates need to understand that CAT is a strategy-driven exam where guidance for syllabus, preparation strategies, mocks, mock analysis, and form-filling is crucial. Coaching or structured mentorship will give you a clear roadmap and will guide you when you take a wrong turn.
CAT 2026 Preparation Roadmap (Month-by-Month Plan)
Phase 1: Building Strong Foundation (September to December 2025)
The candidate should focus on strengthening basics for the first 4 months, i.e., from September to December 2025. The following should be included while working on the basics.
- Aspirants must improve their reading habits by targeting daily articles from The Hindu, The Guardian, Aeon Essays, and The Wall Street Journal to improve comprehension.
- Work on basic math by revising NCERT books from classes 6th to 10th. If you are a non-engineer, cover the “Non-Engineering Quant” modules provided with iQuanta’s CAT Online Course.
- Cover iQuanta Basic Modules, which includes Non-Engineering Quant, Engineers’ VARC, and LRDI Essentials.
- Solve LRDI puzzles daily, like sudoku, distribution puzzles, and simple seating arrangements.
- Your daily target from September to December should be set as 10 quant questions, 1 LRDI set, and 1 RC passage.
Following the above tips from September, you should become familiar and comfortable with the fundamentals of all three sections by December’s end.
- Solve LRDI puzzles daily, like sudoku, distribution puzzles, and simple seating arrangements.
- Your daily target from September to December should be set as 10 quant questions, 1 LRDI set, and 1 RC passage.
Following the above tips from September, you should become familiar and comfortable with the fundamentals of all three sections by December’s end.
Phase 2: Detailed CAT Syllabus Completion (January to June 2026)
This phase of CAT preparation is your real preparation stage, where you have to dive deep into CAT topics, covering all varieties of questions. Let’s understand how iQuanta will help you in completing the CAT syllabus in detail.
- Live Conceptual Classes: The live conceptual classes will happen between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for around 3 to 4 days in a week, wherein teachers will come in front of you and teach you the prescribed topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern math. RCs, DI, etc.
- Live Application Classes: Candidates will be having live application classes wherein they will be solving questions on the topics that have been discussed in live conceptual classes. Live application classes will happen 6 days a week.
- Your daily target from the month of January to June 2026 should be 20 QA, 2 LRDI sets, and 2 RC sets apart from classes.
- The sectional test should be started wherein the candidate must attempt 40-minute sectional mocks for VARC, LRDI, and QA.
By June, your entire CAT syllabus should be completed once, and you must start attempting full-length mocks by June itself. Do not delay more for mocks.
Phase 3: Mock Tests and Building Strategy (July to September 2026)
Aspirants should understand that mocks are the game-changer in CAT preparation.
- Mocks: Take 1 mock every 2 weeks in July, and after that 1 mock per week by September.
- Mock Analysis: Giving mocks is not just enough; mock analysis are equally important so as to know where you are lacking or what are the areas where you need more practice and stronger sections as well. iQuanta has an AI-based mock analysis platform wherein you can check the accuracy, time spent on each question, repeated mistakes, and weaker areas.
- Quant: Start solving Quant high-level practice sets in one sitting by combining concepts like algebra and arithmetic.
- VARC: Attempt 2 RC passages daily and learn to pace up the speed between RC and VA sections.
- LRDI: It is very important to attempt a 40-minute sectional test for LRDI with mixed difficulty sets.
By September, you should have attempted 15-20 mocks and refined a personal strategy for CAT 2026.
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Phase 2: Detailed CAT Syllabus Completion (January to June 2026)
This phase of CAT preparation is your real preparation stage, where you have to dive deep into CAT topics, covering all varieties of questions. Let’s understand how iQuanta will help you in completing the CAT syllabus in detail.
- Live Conceptual Classes: The live conceptual classes will happen between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for around 3 to 4 days in a week, wherein teachers will come in front of you and teach you the prescribed topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern math. RCs, DI, etc.
- Live Application Classes: Candidates will be having live application classes wherein they will be solving questions on the topics that have been discussed in live conceptual classes. Live application classes will happen 6 days a week.
- Your daily target from the month of January to June 2026 should be 20 QA, 2 LRDI sets, and 2 RC sets apart from classes.
- The sectional test should be started wherein the candidate must attempt 40-minute sectional mocks for VARC, LRDI, and QA.
By June, your entire CAT syllabus should be completed once, and you must start attempting full-length mocks by June itself. Do not delay more for mocks.
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Phase 3: Mock Tests and Building Strategy (July to September 2026)
Aspirants should understand that mocks are the game-changer in CAT preparation.
- Mocks: Take 1 mock every 2 weeks in July, and after that 1 mock per week by September.
- Mock Analysis: Giving mocks is not just enough; mock analysis are equally important so as to know where you are lacking or what are the areas where you need more practice and stronger sections as well. iQuanta has an AI-based mock analysis platform wherein you can check the accuracy, time spent on each question, repeated mistakes, and weaker areas.
- Quant: Start solving Quant high-level practice sets in one sitting by combining concepts like algebra and arithmetic.
- VARC: Attempt 2 RC passages daily and learn to pace up the speed between RC and VA sections.
- LRDI: It is very important to attempt a 40-minute sectional test for LRDI with mixed difficulty sets.
By September, you should have attempted 15-20 mocks and refined a personal strategy for CAT 2026.
iQuanta launches the IIM ABC Practice batch in the month of July, wherein students will get access to solve 7500 unique CAT-level questions before the CAT exam. Dynamic questions are those that iQuanta mentors will get you solved, and static questions are those that will be solved by the candidates themselves.
Phase 4: The Final Lap (October to November 2026)
The final phase, the last two months, should be all about polishing the syllabus and improving accuracy & strategy. Candidates must:
- Attempt 2-3 mocks per week with a strict exam-day timeline of 40 minutes per section.
- Focus on accuracy more than the number of attempts. For instance, if you solve 15 questions with 90% accuracy in each section, then you can surely cross 99 percentile in the CAT exam.
- Decide on your approach by building a personal strategy across sections like
- QA: Approach easy questions first and then attempt hard ones. Those questions that are time-taking—do not waste time on those ones.
- VARC: Attempt RCs first, and then VA
- LRDI: Scan LRDI sets first and solve only doable questions.
- Your daily routine during these last two months, i.e., October and November 2026, should be revise + mock + analysis.
Start Today, Stay Ahead
Aspirants who start early always stay ahead in the competition. CAT is not only about concepts; it’s about consistency, patience, practice, and strategy, which need refinement over and over in months.
Whether you are a fresher or a working professional, engineer or non-engineer, your CAT 2026 journey must start today, starting from basics, building the strong foundations, and then moving towards mocks while refining your personal strategy.
iQuanta’s CAT 2026 Early Batch
iQuanta’s CAT 2026 early batch will give its students a heads-on start for their CAT 2026 preparation journey with its structured modules, personalized guidance from CAT experts, 24/7 doubt-solving assistance, and dual pedagogy. Let’s know more about iQuanta’s offering to its CAT 2026 Early Batch.
- 400+ Hours of Live Interactive Classes
- 24/7 Instant Doubt Solving
- 35 Full-Length CAT Level Mocks
- Learn from India’s Top Mentors
- Live Application Classes
- Foundation Building Modules
- iCAT Mocks
- AI-Driven Mock Analysis
- IIM ABC Practice Batch
- CAT Preparation Online Community
Joining iQuanta’s CAT 2026 early batch will ensure that your CAT preparation for 2026 is not only consistent but also strategic with the right guidance and mentorship.
iQuanta CAT Course 2026
