CAT 2026 Exam Overview
Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is India's most prestigious MBA entrance exam. With 2.5 lakh applicants for 4,000 IIM seats, it's one of the most competitive exams globally.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
Duration: 2 hours | Sections: VARC, DILR, QA | Questions: 66 | Marking: +3/-1 | Mode: Computer-based
6-Month CAT Preparation Plan
Month 1-2: Foundation Building
Cover basics of all 3 sections. Start with QA (Arithmetic, Algebra). VARC reading habit — 2 articles daily. DILR — basic puzzles.
Month 3-4: Advanced Topics
QA advanced: Number Systems, Geometry, P&C. VARC: RC passages, Para-Jumbles. DILR: Complex sets, Caselets.
Month 5: Mock Tests
3 mocks per week. Analysis is more important than taking mocks. Identify weak areas from each mock.
Month 6: Revision & Final Prep
Daily mocks + analysis. Revise formula sheet. Work on accuracy over speed.
Best Books for CAT 2026
Quantitative Aptitude
Arun Sharma (Tata McGraw Hill), NCERT Class 9-10 Math for basics, CAT specific material from TIME/IMS/CL.
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Barron's Guide, The Hindu editorials (daily), Norman Lewis Word Power Made Easy.
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