Common Admission Test (CAT) is the ticket to the IIMs and best MBA colleges in India. For CAT 2026 preparation plan for beginners is the mantra to clear the exam. This guide provides a simple CAT 2026 preparation plan specifically for beginners with section-wise strategy, resources, and month-by-month schedule.
CAT Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Frequency | Once a Year |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes |
| Tentative Exam Date | Last Sunday of November 2025 |
CAT 2026 Preparation Timeline for Beginners
| Month | What to Do |
| May – June 2025 | Understand exam pattern & syllabus. Begin building basics in all 3 sections. |
| July – August 2025 | Practice concept-based questions daily. Start solving beginner-level mocks. |
| Sept – Oct 2025 | Increase difficulty level. Take topic-wise and section-wise mock tests. |
| Nov 2025 | Focus on full-length mocks, time management & revision. Avoid new topics. |
Section-wise Preparation Strategy
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
| Focus Areas | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Grammar, Vocabulary |
| Tips | Read newspapers daily (The Hindu, Indian Express), solve 2 RCs/day |
| Tools/Books | Word Power Made Easy, Arun Sharma VARC, Editorials, Novels |
2.Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
| Focus Areas | Bar Graphs, Tables, Logical Puzzles, Arrangements |
| Tips | Start with simple puzzles, gradually take timed DILR sets |
| Tools/Books | Nishit K. Sinha’s DILR, CAT previous year sets, Puzzle apps |
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
| Focus Areas | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Maths |
| Tips | Build strong basics first; practice 15–20 QA questions daily |
| Tools/Books | Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma, RS Aggarwal, NCERTs |
Mock Test Strategy
| Stage | Frequency | Goal |
| Foundation (May–Aug) | 1 full mock every 2 weeks | Understand pattern, evaluate weak areas |
| Practice (Sept–Oct) | 1–2 mocks/week + sectionals | Improve accuracy, reduce timing errors |
| Final Phase (Nov) | 3 mocks/week + analysis | Maximize score, fine-tune exam temperament |
Daily Study Routine for Beginners (Suggested)
| Time Slot | Activity |
| Morning (1 hr) | Reading (editorials/RCs) |
| Midday (2 hrs) | QA practice (concepts + daily sets) |
| Evening (1.5 hrs) | DILR sets / puzzles |
| Night (1 hr) | VARC / Revision / Vocabulary |
Useful Online Resources
- YouTube Channels: Cracku, 2IIM, Unacademy CAT
- Mock Platforms: IMS, TIME, Career Launcher, TestFunda
- Apps: Daily Vocabulary Builder, Puzzle Baron, WordUp
Final Thoughts
Starting CAT 2025 preparation as a beginner requires consistency, patience, and smart planning. Master the fundamentals, gradually level up your speed, and make mock analysis your strength. With disciplined practice and proper strategy, anyone can aim for a 95+ percentile or even a 99+ with dedication.
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