Beginners Guide to CAT Preparation: Students in the final year of an undergraduate degree mostly wonder about college placements or a master’s degree. Most students prefer an MBA degree from a top B-school. To fulfil this dream, students appear for the competitive exams like the CAT, which has only a few thousand seats. The full form of the CAT is the Common Admission Test. Top IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore accept 99+ Percentile to grant admission into an MBA course. A well-planned CAT preparation is the major factor to crack the CAT exam with a 151+ score. If you’re still clueless about the CAT 2026 & preparation strategies, then put a full stop to your dilemma.
This comprehensive guide is crafted with a unique vision to guide a complete beginner about the CAT 2026 preparation. From answering the most popular question, “What is a Common Admission Test?” to sharing the complete syllabus, marking pattern, and weightage, we have shared a complete breakdown for you. Clearly, it’s a detailed 12-month roadmap for someone who strives to complete the CAT syllabus for MBA from an absolute zero level. We will now proceed further to eliminate your confusion and enhance your clarity about cracking the CAT exam in 2026 with a 99%ile.
What is a Common Admission Test 2026?
IIMs conduct the CAT exam across 170 cities in India. Approximately 300,000+ candidates register every year for the CAT exam. The syllabus mainly includes 3 different sections,i.e, VARC, DILR and QA. It’s an online test with a time duration of 120 minutes. There’s also a sectional time limit of 40 minutes for every section. It’s mandatory to answer questions in a section-wise manner. You cannot skip any section in the CAT. The total number of questions in the CAT exam will be 68.
The question paper will be a mix of MCQ and TITA questions. The distribution of questions across each section is: VARC (24 questions), DILR (22 Questions) and QA (22 Questions). The CAT exam marking pattern includes +3 marks for every correct response. Only a -1 negative marking scheme is applicable for every incorrect response. There is no negative marking for the wrong TITA questions. The CAT score remains valid for one year from the declaration of the results.
CAT Syllabus For MBA Overview: VARC, DILR and QA
A proper understanding of the section-wise syllabus is necessary to start the CAT preparation. You can go through the section-wise syllabus breakdown below. Further, we will also share the weightage for important topics from QA, VARC and DILR separately. This additional information will help you to proceed in the right direction.
VARC Syllabus of CAT 2026
| VARC Topics | Key Topics Covered |
| RC Passages | Science and Technology History, Arts and Literature Economy and Business Philosophy Culture and Politics Abstract Topics |
| Para Jumble | Arrange the sentences in a logical manner |
| Para Summary | Choose the correct summary that matches the exact idea of the paragraph |
| Vocabulary | This topic will involve questions related to assumptions, contextual meaning, conclusions and spot the error |
| Odd One Out | Determine irrelevant sentences that logically look different from the available options |
CAT QA Syllabus 2026: Topic-Wise Weightage
| VARC Topics | Number of Questions | Approximate Weightage (%) |
| RC Passages | 16 Questions – 4RCs – Each RC will have 4 different types of questions. | 55-60% |
| Correct the Sentences | 2 | 10-15% |
| Critical Reasoning | 2 | 5-10% |
| Vocabulary | 2 | 5-10% |
| Para Jumbles | 2 | 15-20% |
CAT DILR Syllabus: DI & LR Important Topics
| DI & LR Topics | Key Topics Covered |
| Tables and Charts | Tabular Data Mixed Sets Bar Charts Line Charts Pie Charts |
| Games and Tournaments | Scoring-System Round-Robin Knockout |
| Scheduling and Blood Relations | Direct Reasoning Task Allocation Family Trees |
| Venn Diagrams & Hybrid Sets | Logical Deduction Set Theory |
| Puzzle and Seating Arrangements | Linear Arrangements Circular Arrangements Grid-Based Arrangements Complex Arrangements |
Topic-Wise Weightage For DILR Syllabus
| DI & LR Topics | No. of Questions | Approximate Weightage (%) |
| Tables and Charts | 4-6 | 40–50% |
| Games and Tournaments | 4-5 | 10-20% |
| Scheduling and Blood Relations | 3-4 | 5-10% |
| Venn Diagrams & Hybrid Sets | 2-3 | 5-10% |
| Puzzle and Seating Arrangements | 3-4 | 50-60% |
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2026
| Most Important QA Topics | Quantitative Aptitude Sub-Topics |
| Arithmetic | Percentages Profit and Loss Simple Interest and Compound Interest Ratio and Proportion Averages Mixture and Alligations Time and Work Pipes and Cisterns Time, Speed and Distances Races Trains and Boats |
| Algebra | Linear Equations Quadratic Equations Polynomials Indices and Surds Logarithms Inequalities Modulus Sequence Series Functions Graphs |
| Geometry and Mensuration | Triangles Quadrilaterals Polygons Circles Mensuration – 3D Co-ordinate Geometry |
| Number System | Properties of Integers Divisibility Remainder Theorem Factors LCM & HCF Factorial Trailing Zeroes Last Digits |
| Modern Maths | Set theory Probability Permutation and Combination |
Section-Wise Weightage for QA Topics
| Most Important QA Topics | Approx Number of Questions | Approximate Weightage (%) |
| Arithmetic | 7-9 | 35–50%. |
| Algebra | 5-8 | 25-35% |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 2-3 | 10-15% |
| Number System | 1-2 | 5-10% |
| Modern Maths | 1-2 | 5-10% |
CAT Exam Structure 2026: Total Questions
| Section | Total Questions |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 24 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 22 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 |
CAT Exam Pattern: MCQ and TITA Questions
| Section | Total Number of MCQ Questions | TITA Questions |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | 12 | 2 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 12 | 10 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 14 | 8 |
CAT Exam Duration and Difficulty Level
| Name of the CAT Section | Sectional Time Limit | Level of Difficulty |
| VARC | 40 Minutes | Easy to Moderate |
| DILR | 40 Minutes | Moderate to Difficult |
| QA | 40 Minutes | Moderate to Difficult |
| Total | 120 Minutes | Moderate to Difficult |
CAT Marking Scheme 2026
| Type of the Question | Per Correct Response | Every Incorrect Response |
| MCQ | +3 | -1 |
| TITA | +3 | 0 |
| Unattempted | 0 | 0 |
CAT Preparation: 12 Months Step-by-Step Study Plan
| Month | Core Objective |
| Month 1 | Analyse the syllabus properly from VARC, DILR and QA. Take one full-length mock test to bridge the gap between the strong and weak topics. |
| Month 2 | Master important topics from QA, VARC and DILR. Form regular reading habits and beginner-level LRDI sets. |
| Month 3 | Complete basic conceptual knowledge about Arithmetic and Algebra. Boost your reading speed. Start your sectional test practice under a time limit. |
| Month 4 | Advanced-level preparation for Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry. Switch your practice to intermediate-level LRDI sets and RC passages. |
| Month 5 | Finalise your fundamentals for the VA & RC. Search and learn new words with meaning and examples. Start daily formula revision. For QA and DILR, choose medium-level questions. |
| Month 6 | By April, your CAT QA syllabus must be completed. This month should also be all about building speed and accuracy. |
| Month 7 | Prioritise solving topic-wise sets for every section. Commence your revision for each section separately in a fixed time slot. Revise weak concepts. Attempt 1-2 sectional tests in a week. |
| Month 8 | Start your full-length mock test practice journey. Track your errors with a comprehensive mock analysis.Watch the right techniques to solve every incorrect question. |
| Month 9 -12 | Complete Revision and Practice |
Top 10 CAT Preparation Mistakes To Avoid
For a few thousand seats, lakhs of candidates register and appear every year. This year, around 2.95 lakh candidates filled the CAT registration form online. This number is expected to rise in the CAT exam 2026. It means you must 2x your preparation with zero mistakes. One single wrong strategy can cost you your entire career. Note down these common mistakes in advance, which you must avoid throughout the journey of CAT preparation.
- Mistake 1: Lack of information about the CAT syllabus for MBA from every section will lead to an incomplete strategy. Missing out on important topics will result in endless struggles. As a result, you will score low in every section. Also, avoid picking up any random topic. This will disbalance your preparation.
- Mistake 2: The Right preparation resources can help you climb the stairs of success. If you opt for irrelevant resources, it will limit your preparation for the CAT exam. You will also encounter endless challenges like weak conceptual knowledge and poor classification of questions. Choosing the right study material will develop proficiency in repetitive questions.
- Mistake 3: Clearing the sectional cut-off is mandatory in the CAT exam. Focusing on Quants and neglecting VARC, DILR, or vice versa will be your biggest mistake. This exam is not about scoring an overall high CAT percentile; you must pay equal focus to every section to clear the sectional cut-off.
- Mistake 4: After completing the syllabus, attempting mocks will be your next stage of CAT preparation. Another important thing, a detailed mock analysis is highly essential for a comprehensive performance evaluation. By not analysing your mocks properly, you will have no scope for improvement.
- Mistake 5: Comparing your mock scores with peers is going to be another significant mistake. This approach will demotivate you. Meanwhile, you will also lose confidence. This will result in more mistakes in comparison to earlier mocks. Focus more on identifying your mistakes and keep a track of your progress every day.
- Mistake 6: Not practising the art of effective time management. Candidates appearing for the CAT exam will get only 40 minutes for every section. Solving questions without a set time limit will reduce your speed and accuracy rate. You won’t be able to solve maximum questions with 85-90% accuracy and quick speed. As a result, it will affect your mental endurance.
- Mistake 7: Quants and DILR are extremely important. Amidst this, you cannot ignore the VARC section. It’s the first section with 36% weightage. Poor reading or minimal VARC preparation will hamper your performance. Comprehending RCs or solving VA questions will look like a rollercoaster ride.
- Mistake 8: Many candidates ignore maintaining an error log of their mistakes. If you don’t note down your mistakes from the sectional and mocks, you’ll continue making the same mistakes repetitively. CAT aspirants must develop a regular habit of monitoring their progress and spot the weak concepts to strengthen them.
- Mistake 9: Blindly following a random preparation strategy will land you in trouble. Self-assessment of strong and weak topics is the right approach to develop a preparation plan. A customised plan will stimulate your performance, resulting in a good CAT score.
- Mistake 10: Practising less PYQ will not help you gain understanding about the type and pattern of questions that appear in the CAT. It’s seen that similar types of questions are repeated often in the CAT exam. If you don’t solve PYQs, you will lose out on good scores and time.
CAT Preparation Strategy For Beginners: Everything You Must Know
Being a CAT aspirant, you must know that it’s a marathon and not a sprint like the SNAP exam. Throughout the CAT preparation, your main objective should be to strengthen your theoretical knowledge and boost accuracy. Study important topics with the right strategy and practice questions regularly to become a 99%iler. As there are 3 different sections in the CAT, you will have to follow a preparation strategy to study each of them. Henceforth, we will now break down the step-by-step guidelines to smooth your CAT preparation for VARC, DILR and QA Section.
How to start CAT preparation from the basics for the QA section?
Amongst all, the QA section is predictable. It’s a sure shot that Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry will have maximum weightage. We suggest giving major emphasis on vigorous practice and remembering important formulas to excel in the Quants section in the CAT 2026. Below, we are sharing some important tips from the previous CAT toppers that you can follow as a complete beginner to score 99%ile in the first attempt.
- In the initial phase, focus on gaining conceptual clarity about the important topics like Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry.
- Create a formula notebook for every chapter. Choose a time slot for daily revision of the crucial formulas from each topic.
- Attempt one sectional test every week. Analyse your mistakes after every test and note them down in an error logbook.
- Your daily CAT preparation routine should involve practising nearly 25-30 questions from the most important topics from the QA section.
- Take full-length mocks on alternate days. Check your accuracy and weak topics. Improve your weak concepts with more practice and enhance your basics.
CAT preparation tips to score 99%ile in VARC section
RC Passages mainly dominate the VARC section. Other than that, there will be 8 different questions from Para Jumbles, Para Completion, Odd One Out and more. Strong reading comprehension skills and vocabulary is necessary to crack the VA section with a smart approach. Here are some useful tips to accelerate your CAT preparation 2026 for the VA & RC section in the simplest manner.
- Pick and practice at least 4-5 RCs daily from different genres. Upon taking this challenge, you will master the art of solving RC passages with 100% confidence.
- Reading continuously from top editorials, newspapers and other diverse sources will strengthen your command of reading comprehension. Dedicate 30-40 minutes daily from your schedule.
- There are different types of questions in RC passages. Don’t stick to one section only. Generally, RCs are dense and heavy, so practice a huge variety of questions.
- While preparing for the RC, focus less on factual information. Your main goal should be to comprehend the viewpoint of the author, inference and tone.
- Build a habit to learn and understand new words. Strengthen your VA section by practising Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks and other types of important questions.
How to prepare DILR for CAT 2026?
CAT DILR questions are unpredictable, tricky and challenging. Logical analysis and a strong presence of mind are important to solve DILR questions effortlessly throughout the CAT preparation. Check out the tips below for effective DILR preparation.
- Learn how to choose sets in the DILR section. Practice regular assignments and mocks to develop proficiency in selecting 2-3 good sets.
- Aim to solve 1 easy, 1 moderate and 1 complex set each day. Analyse your attempt strategy and mistakes (if applicable).
- Scan a DILR set in the first 30 seconds. Mastering this art requires regular practice. With regular practice, you’ll easily scan and solve more questions.
- Create clean and simple diagrams, tables from every text. This will benefit from quick execution with 100% accuracy.
- Your practice should involve maximum questions from the most common topics like Games and Tournaments, Venn Diagrams, Caselets, Arrangements, etc.
Signing Off – CAT Preparation
Starting your CAT preparation from zero, but with the right guidance, will definitely make you reach amongst the top 1% candidates. Experts state that it’s mainly a test of intelligence and strategy and not rote memorisation. With this statement, it’s evident that a powerful study plan is necessary to succeed in the CAT exam. From the beginning, you’ll have to segregate the high-weightage topics from QA, VARC and DILR.
If you follow a 12-month roadmap, it’ll be easier for you to cover essential topics from every section. Moreover, prior understanding of the section-wise topics and regular practice will help you achieve an 85-90% accuracy rate. Remember – It’s never TOO late. Start now! In 2026, deep preparation, regular revision and practice will open the doors to a bright career. Take the first step now and lead to victory in the next year.
iQuanta CAT Course 2026
People Also Ask about CAT Preparation
Is the CAT exam necessary for an MBA?
Appearing for the CAT exam is a must if you aim to achieve your dream goal of pursuing an MBA degree from an IIM, ISB Hyderabad, etc. Top MBA colleges in India will shortlist those candidates who qualify for the CAT exam with a 99+Percentile. You can also appear for other MBA entrance exams like XAT, NMAT and SNAP.
Which is the best coaching institute for CAT preparation 2026?
iQuanta is India’s No.1 coaching institute to prepare for the Common Admission Test. Our experts follow a dual-pedagogy approach to strengthen the conceptual understanding of the enrolled students. CAT Toppers from our institute also appreciate our 24*7 doubt-solving feature and a free student community with 4.1 lakh+ members.
How to prepare for the CAT exam 2026?
Firstly, it’s important to break down the complete syllabus of the CAT exam. Analyse your strengths and weaknesses in every section. Create a timetable to start your CAT preparation. Follow a routine to finish the significant topics and practice daily. Be extremely mindful while selecting the best resources for practice and mocks.
What is the CAT syllabus for 2026?
The CAT exam syllabus will have 3 subjects: VARC, DILR and QA. The question paper will consist of 68 questions. The weightage and number of questions will differ for every section. The highest weightage (36%) is given to the VARC section.
What will be the difficulty level of CAT 2026?
Predicting the level of difficulty for the CAT 2026 will be uncertain. However, the CAT 2025 exam was extremely tough across the Slot 1, Slot 2 and Slot 3. Depending on the current circumstances, it looks like the CAT 2026 exam will be easy to moderate level. Still, it’s recommended to start your CAT preparation early to score 99+ Percentile.
