CAT 2026 Strategy for 99%ile: CAT (Common Admission Test) is one of the toughest management entrance exams in India which is accepted by almost every top IIM or B-School. Every year, there are 3 lakhs+ students competing with each other for securing prestigious seat of IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management). The students who are competing with each other are coming from a diverse background who are having different academic profile but 99%ile in CAT 2026 completely depends upon a proper preparation strategy across VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) as well as QA (Quantitative Aptitude).
There is always a misconception about the average students for scoring 99%ile because they didn’t carry good academic scores but this is actually not a fact. For getting 99%ile in CAT exam, it is important for candidates to work across every section and revising to get better percentile in the Common Admission Test 2026. In this blog, we will be talking about how starting early for CAT 2026 is beneficial for average students, checking the debate between the average students and toppers for getting 99%ile in CAT exam, can average students score 99%ile with the low academic score and checking the actual fact behind it, understanding CAT 2026 exam pattern and detailed syllabus, CAT 2026 section-wise study plan for average students to get 99%ile in CAT 2026 along with the common mistakes to avoid during CAT (Common Admission Test) preparation.
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Why Starting Early for CAT 2026 is Beneficial for Average Students?
CAT exam requires a proper preparation strategy, focused approach and time management. Starting early for CAT 2026 is beneficial for the average students because they will focus more on each and every topic rather running behind for completing the CAT syllabus 2026. The entire CAT exam syllabus comprises of three major sections including the VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), QA (Quantitative Ability) and LRDI (Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation). Getting started early as an average student for CAT 2026 helps in achieving proper revision time along with maximum practice of questions across section.
Time management and consistency is the key for the success in CAT 2026 and along with that covering a single topic and solving good amount of question on the same with revision gives candidate a sign of great CAT 2026 preparation strategy along with solving Previous Year Questions across sections or a particular topic. So, starting early for the CAT 2026 is definitely gonna be advantageous for the average students rather than worrying to start late!
Is CAT 2026 Only for Topper Students?
Toppers are carrying the excellent academic records in comparison to average students. But getting 99%ile in the CAT 2026 is not a completely dependent on the past academic scores or marks. CAT exam is a complete game of dedication, revision, maximum practice of questions across sections, solving Previous Year Questions (PYQs), working on time management while solving PYQs as well as mock test papers to get the reflection of the actual exam environment which is highly beneficial during the CAT 2026.
So, the misconception between the toppers and average students about getting 99%ile in CAT 2026 is completely depends upon individual’s handwork or proper CAT 2026 strategy which leads anyone towards success.
CAT 2026 Strategy: Can Average Students Score 99%ile?
CAT 2026 strategy for the average students to get 99%ile in the exam completely depends on various factors which is covering understanding the CAT exam syllabus 2026, solving PYQs (Previous Year Questions), practicing good amount of questions across each section whether it is VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), QA (Quantitative Ability) as well as DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning).
Understanding the CAT 2026 syllabus is one of the major tasks that candidates needs to perform in order to get in touch with the respective topics, so during the CAT 2026 preparation it is easy for them to cover practice. Once understanding the syllabus, start covering CAT exam syllabus section-wise and every week cover sectional tests or good amount of questions to get knowledge about the weaker section. Later, once completing the basic tasks for CAT 2026, candidate should start giving proper mock test papers which actually helps them to reflect the actual CAT 2026 environment.
Also Read: CAT Syllabus 2026
Understanding CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
This section covers the expected CAT 2026 exam pattern which candidate need to understand before starting their CAT 2026 preparation. The detailed table for the CAT 2026 exam pattern is mentioned in the table below.
| Particulars | Highlights for CAT 2026 (Expected) |
| Total Number of Questions (Expected) | 68 |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Total Duration | 120 minutes |
| Total Sections | 3 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
| Timings (Section-Wise) | 40 minutes |
| Type | MCQ (multiple choice questions) TITA (type in the answer) |
| Marking Scheme for CAT 2026 (expected) | +3 for Correct Answer -1 for Wrong Answer |
CAT 2026 Strategy for Average Students: Study Plan for 99%ile (Section-Wise)
CAT 2026 Strategy for QA (Quantitative Ability)
QA section is completely based on practicing the good amount of questions and especially across high-weightage topic which includes Arithmetic and Algebra which are non-negotiable and later move to other topics. Many students who are especially coming from the non-engineering background may face difficulties in the QA section and for the same iQuanta has designed the Non-Engineer’s QA module which helps them practice concepts and track their progress.
CAT 2026 Strategy for LRDI (Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation)
LRDI stands for Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation where different concepts covered like Tables, Charts, Caselets, Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations and more. LRDI is one the very important section for CAT 2026 and requires focusing on learning shortcuts and solving more sets of different patterns. To help you with the LRDI section, iQuanta has especially designed an amazing LRDI essential module which helps you build a solid CAT 2026 strategy to cover LRDI section so that you will get maximum percentile across Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation.
CAT 2026 Strategy for VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
VARC section is very important when it comes for building the CAT 2026 strategy and for the same candidate need to start daily reading of editorials, articles as well as fiction. Solving RCs of various genres and para jumbles regularly is important. Many candidates who are coming from the engineering background may fear from the VARC section and to tackle the same, iQuanta has built a perfect CAT 2026 strategy for preparing the VARC section with Engineer’s VARC module that help candidate in streamlining their VARC section.
| Section | Focus Areas | Study Strategy | Daily/Weekly Time Allocation |
| VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence, Vocabulary | – Daily reading of editorials, articles, and fiction. – Solve RC passages & para jumbles regularly. – Build vocabulary using flashcards. | Daily: 1.5–2 hours |
| DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) | Tables, Charts, Caselets, Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations | – Practice different puzzle types systematically. – Learn shortcuts for calculations. – Focus on high-yield topics like puzzles & charts. | Daily: 1–1.5 hours |
| QA (Quantitative Ability) | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Probability, Modern Maths | – Strengthen basic concepts. – Practice moderate to high difficulty level questions. – Focus on speed and accuracy. | Daily: 2 hours |
| Full-Length CAT Mocks | All Sections | – Take sectional and full-length mocks under exam conditions. – Focus on time management and strategy. | 2–3 Mocks per week (closer to exam) |
| Revision & Shortcuts | Formulae, Key Concepts, Common Tricks | – Maintain formula sheets and shortcut notes. – Revise every weekend. – Focus on weak areas identified in mocks. | Weekly: 4–5 hours |
CAT 2026: Common Mistakes to Avoid During Preparation
There are some common mistakes that candidates need to avoid while preparing for the CAT 2026.
- Not practicing good amount of questions across topics.
- Not practicing enough mock tests
- Not solving the PYQs (Previous Year Questions).
- Not understanding the CAT syllabus 2026 properly.
- Not strategizing the CAT 2026 preparation
- Not Starting the CAT 2026 preparation early
Conclusion: CAT 2026 Strategy for Average Students
CAT 2026 preparation for the average students completely depends on understanding the CAT exam syllabus, focused approach, as well as proper preparation strategy across the VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), QA (Quantitative Ability) as well as LRDI (Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation) to get succeed in CAT 2026 with 99%ile in the exam.
iQuanta CAT Course 2026
CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy FAQs
The best CAT 2026 preparation strategy for average student covers the complete understanding of CAT 2026 exam syllabus, preparing with proper time management strategies, mock test papers, sectional tests as well as practicing questions across VARC, LRDI & QA.
Yes, it is definitely possible for the average students to score 99%ile in CAT 2026 with the proper CAT strategy, revision, solving PYQs, practicing questions and more. Past academic records does not affect more to get good percentile in the CAT exam.
They need to practice good number of question across the weaker section and check the preparation by giving the sectional test across that section or topic.
There are some common mistakes that candidate will avoid during the CAT 2026 preparation to score 99%ile in the CAT 2026 exam.
Not practicing good amount of questions across topics.
Not practicing enough mock tests
Not solving the PYQs (Previous Year Questions).
Not understanding the CAT syllabus 2026 properly.
Not strategizing the CAT 2026 preparation
Not Starting the CAT 2026 preparation early
Yes, early preparation for the CAT 2026 exam help candidate to spend more time across completing the CAT syllabus 2026 with the proper preparation and time management.
Students needs to equally focused across VARC, QA and LRDI to score 99%ile in CAT 2026.
