{"id":41403,"date":"2021-07-02T20:03:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-02T14:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/?p=41403"},"modified":"2026-04-23T06:04:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T00:34:35","slug":"cat-preparation-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"CAT Coaching 2026: Top Preparation Tips &#038; Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.kopykitab.com\/blog\/blog-images\/2026\/04\/mba_cat\/cat-coaching-1776904456.webp\" alt=\"CAT 2026 Exam Preparation\" class=\"wp-image-575194\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" loading=\"eager\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Article\",\n  \"headline\": \"CAT Coaching 2026: Top Preparation Tips & Strategy\",\n  \"description\": \"Comprehensive CAT preparation tips and strategies for the CAT 2026 exam. Learn how to prepare with or without formal coaching and maximize your chances of admission to top B-schools.\",\n  \"author\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n    \"name\": \"KopyKitab\"\n  },\n  \"publisher\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n    \"name\": \"KopyKitab\",\n    \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\"\n  },\n  \"datePublished\": \"2026-04-23\",\n  \"dateModified\": \"2026-04-23\"\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"freshness-block\" style=\"background:#e8f5e9;padding:15px;border-left:4px solid #4caf50;margin:20px 0;border-radius:4px;\">\n<strong>Last Updated:<\/strong> April 23, 2026 | This article has been updated with the latest information for 2026.\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>CAT Preparation Tips 2026:<\/strong> Are you an MBA aspirant? Applying for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-exam\/\"><strong>CAT 2026 Exam<\/strong><\/a>? CAT is one of the topmost entrance examinations for admission into an MBA degree. There are just a few months left to prepare for the CAT 2026 Exam. This test creates fierce rivalry for admission to IIMs and other top B-schools. Candidates must have the best cat coaching strategies and preparation tips. So, we are providing comprehensive CAT Preparation Tips in this article for those preparing with or without formal cat coaching.<\/p>\n<div class=\"key-takeaways\" style=\"background:#e3f2fd;padding:20px;border-left:4px solid #1976d2;margin:20px 0;border-radius:4px;\">\n<h3 style=\"margin:0 0 12px;color:#1565c0;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"key-takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:20px;\">\n<li>How to Prepare for the CAT in 2026?<\/li>\n<li>When to Start CAT Preparation?<\/li>\n<li>Effective CAT Coaching Strategies for 2026<\/li>\n<li>Section-Wise CAT Preparation Tips 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_47_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\" id=\"ez-toc-container\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a aria-label=\"ez-toc-toggle-icon-1\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" href=\"#\"><label aria-label=\"Table of Content\" for=\"item-69e9688b95b23\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg class=\"list-377408\" fill=\"none\" height=\"20px\" style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"20px\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg baseprofile=\"tiny\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" height=\"10px\" style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" version=\"1.2\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"10px\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input id=\"item-69e9688b95b23\" type=\"checkbox\"\/><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav>\n<ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-visibility-hide-by-default\">\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#how-to-prepare-for-the-cat-in-2026\" title=\"How to Prepare for the CAT in 2026?\">How to Prepare for the CAT in 2026?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#when-to-start-cat-preparation\" title=\"When to Start CAT Preparation?\">When to Start CAT Preparation?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#cat-preparation-tips-2026\" title=\"CAT Preparation Tips 2026\">CAT Preparation Tips 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#section-wise-cat-preparation-tips-2026\" title=\"Section-Wise CAT Preparation Tips 2026\">Section-Wise CAT Preparation Tips 2026<\/a>\n<ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\">\n<li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#quantitative-ability\" title=\"Quantitative Ability\">Quantitative Ability<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#data-interpretation-and-logical-reasoning\" title=\"Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning\">Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#verbal-ability-and-reading-comprehension\" title=\"Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension\">Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#faqs-related-to-cat-preparation-tips-2026\" title=\"FAQs Related to CAT Preparation Tips 2026\">FAQs Related to CAT Preparation Tips 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#what-is-the-optimal-amount-of-time-to-prepare-for-the-cat\" title=\"What is the optimal amount of time to prepare for the CAT?\">What is the optimal amount of time to prepare for the CAT?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#what-should-i-do-if-i-don%e2%80%99t-have-access-to-cat-coaching\" title=\"What should I do if I don't have access to CAT coaching?\">What should I do if I don&#8217;t have access to CAT coaching?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#how-many-mocks-should-you-take-before-the-cat-exam\" title=\"How many Mocks should you take before the CAT exam?\">How many Mocks should you take before the CAT exam?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#what-function-does-rc-play-in-cat-what-can-i-do-to-make-things-better\" title=\"What function does RC play in CAT? What can I do to make things better?\">What function does RC play in CAT? What can I do to make things better?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#is-there-enough-time-now-to-start-preparing-for-the-cat-in-2026\" title=\"Is there enough time now to start preparing for the CAT in 2026?\">Is there enough time now to start preparing for the CAT in 2026?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/#what-are-the-cat-preparation-tips-for-logical-reasoning\" title=\"What are the CAT Preparation Tips for logical reasoning?\">What are the CAT Preparation Tips for logical reasoning?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-to-prepare-for-the-cat-in-2026\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-to-prepare-for-the-CAT-in-2026\"><\/span><strong>How to Prepare for the CAT in 2026?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">CAT 2026 follows the same pattern as previous years \u2014 66 questions across three sections with 40 minutes each. The total marks are 198, and each section has sectional time limits. Understanding this pattern is crucial whether you&#8217;re preparing with cat coaching or going solo.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The three sections are VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability). Here&#8217;s what makes CAT challenging \u2014 you need to clear sectional cutoffs AND overall cutoffs. For IIM-A, you typically need 99+ percentile, while IIM-B and IIM-C require 98+ percentile.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div style=\"overflow-x:auto\">\n<table>\n<caption>cat coaching Dates 2026<\/caption>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Change in CAT Exam 2025<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Required Change in CAT preparation<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Number of questions to go up from 76 to 100<\/td>\n<td>Test-taking strategy to be tweaked. Selection of questions becomes important<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Increased Overall CAT duration to 3 hours and Sectional duration to 60 minutes each<\/td>\n<td>Students should focus on preparation. The exam could prove more beneficial with a better scoring opportunity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Difficulty Level may go up<\/td>\n<td>Improve your skills in each section, IIMs may decide to have stronger skilled students<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Change in Mock Test-Taking Strategy<\/td>\n<td>Increase the total number of questions and duration for your mock test. This will give you a real feel of the new CAT pattern<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"table-source\" style=\"font-size:0.9em;color:#666;margin-top:5px;\"><em>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shiksha.com\/mba\/articles\/cat-2026-exam-blogId-214088\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">shiksha.com<\/a> | Data as of 2026 | Verified April 23, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Many serious CAT aspirants take 2-3 attempts before cracking their dream college. This isn&#8217;t failure \u2014 it&#8217;s strategy. Each attempt teaches you something new about the exam and your preparation gaps.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Don&#8217;t put all your eggs in one basket. Consider backup options like XAT, SNAP, NMAT, and IIFT. These exams have different patterns and can open doors to excellent B-schools like XLRI, SIBM, and NMIMS.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"when-to-start-cat-preparation\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"when-to-start-CAT-preparation\"><\/span><strong>When to Start CAT Preparation?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Well for proper CAT exam preparation, one must require 6-9 months. With complete dedication and hard work, candidates can crack the CAT exam with a high score.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-exam-day-instructions\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Do&#8217;s and Dont&#8217;s for CAT 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Below is the time frame required for CAT preparation<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Learning concepts and knowing the foundation: 3-4 months<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/tips-to-rev-up-your-cat-preparation-in-the-last-two-months\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Revision and Practicing: 2-3 months<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Attempting Mock Tests: 1-2 months<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">To become a master in any topic, knowing the basics is a must. Candidates must be thorough with the basics and know their strong and weak areas.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The CAT exam dates for 2026 will be announced by IIM on the <a href=\"https:\/\/iimcat.ac.in\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">official CAT website<\/a>. Typically, the exam is held in November-December. Keep checking the official portal for updates on registration dates and exam schedule.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 24px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kopykitab.com\/CAT\/Study-Packages\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: auto; padding: 18px; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 10px; text-decoration: none; color: #fff; background: #0000ff; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 2px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25); -moz-box-shadow: 0px 2px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25); box-shadow: 0px 2px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.25);\" target=\"_blank\">Unlock Ultimate CAT Study Materials<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"effective-cat-coaching-strategies-for-2026\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CAT-preparation-tips-2026\"><\/span><strong>Effective CAT Coaching Strategies for 2026<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Wondering how to start CAT Preparation? Well, one must follow a dedicated preparation plan to score more in the upcoming CAT Exam 2026. Here, we have listed out detailed CAT Preparation Tips for candidates who are appearing for CAT Exam 2026.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">You have to create a proper preparation strategy to crack the CAT exam. By following these CAT Tips and Tricks candidates can score more without any expensive cat coaching institutes.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>The first and foremost important tip is to know the detailed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-exam-pattern\/\"><strong>CAT Exam Pattern<\/strong><\/a> and Syllabus. Make sure you are aware of the topics which are asked in the CAT Exam.<\/li>\n<li>Make a list of topics in which you are strong and weak separately.<\/li>\n<li>Start studying regularly with the right CAT Books available online. Make sure you have the right preparation materials which will help you to score more.<\/li>\n<li>Start learning the concepts of each topic. The CAT syllabus mainly includes Class X and XII level mathematics, logical reasoning, and English.<\/li>\n<li>Practice with a timer and do not use a calculator, especially while practicing Data Interpretation.<\/li>\n<li>Practice each topic properly. This will help in assessing your strengths and weakness.<\/li>\n<li>Instead of solving 20 questions of one type, solve 4 questions of 5 types from each topic.<\/li>\n<li>Start taking up CAT Mock Tests after completion of studying the topics. Don&#8217;t lose hope if you are scoreless. Mocks are for you to recognize the areas you need to put more effort in.<\/li>\n<li>Analyze each mock test you have taken. The more mocks you take, the better the strategy you will be able to form. It is recommended to take a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 3 mock tests in a week.<\/li>\n<li>Once you finish the entire syllabus, focus primarily on mock tests and sectional tests.<\/li>\n<li>In the <strong>last 2 months, do not prepare for any new topics<\/strong>. Work on strengthening the ones you are good at.<\/li>\n<li>Attempt <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-previous-year-papers\/\"><strong>CAT Previous Year Question Papers<\/strong><\/a>. Question papers will help you to know different types of questions.<\/li>\n<li>Take adequate breaks, and get enough sleep while preparing for CAT.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Here&#8217;s a reality check \u2014 most students who crack CAT with 99+ percentile take around 40-50 mock tests. That&#8217;s roughly 2-3 mocks per week in the final 4 months. But quality matters more than quantity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Time allocation strategy is crucial. In each 40-minute section, spend the first 2-3 minutes scanning all questions. Identify easy ones first. In VARC, RC passages form about 70% of the section \u2014 master this to secure good scores.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-articles\" style=\"background:#fff3e0;padding:20px;border-left:4px solid #ff9800;margin:24px 0;border-radius:4px;\">\n<h3 style=\"margin:0 0 12px;color:#e65100;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"you-may-also-like\"><\/span>You May Also Like<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul style=\"list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;\">\n<li style=\"margin-bottom:8px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/category\/cat\/\" style=\"color:#1565c0;text-decoration:none;font-weight:500;\">\u2192 CAT Preparation Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom:8px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/category\/cat\/\" style=\"color:#1565c0;text-decoration:none;font-weight:500;\">\u2192 MBA Entrance Exams<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom:8px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/category\/cat\/\" style=\"color:#1565c0;text-decoration:none;font-weight:500;\">\u2192 Management Exam Tips<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom:8px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/category\/exam-preparation\/\" style=\"color:#1565c0;text-decoration:none;font-weight:500;\">\u2192 Exam Preparation Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cta-box\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,#e8f5e9,#c8e6c9);padding:24px;border-radius:8px;margin:24px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid #a5d6a7;\">\n<h3 style=\"margin:0 0 8px;color:#2e7d32;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"explore-study-materials\"><\/span>Explore Study Materials<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 16px;color:#333;\">Get comprehensive study materials, practice tests, and expert guides for your exam preparation.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/competitive-exam-books\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#2e7d32;color:#fff;padding:12px 32px;border-radius:6px;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;\">Browse Study Materials \u2192<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"section-wise-cat-preparation-tips-2026\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"section-wise-CAT-preparation-tips-2026\"><\/span><strong>Section-Wise CAT Preparation Tips 2026<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">As you are now aware of how to prepare for the CAT exam with detailed tips and tricks provided above, here is the section-wise preparation plan.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"quantitative-ability\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"quantitative-ability\"><\/span><strong>Quantitative Ability<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Quantitative Ability mainly covers the following areas of mathematics:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Algebra<\/li>\n<li>Arithmetic<\/li>\n<li>Geometry<\/li>\n<li>Trigonometry<\/li>\n<li>Mensuration<\/li>\n<li>Modern Mathematics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">While preparing for QA, candidates must follow these CAT Preparation Tips mentioned below to score more:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Set the foundation and brush up on the concepts. If you don&#8217;t know the basics of any topic, you cannot solve complex questions. So, make sure you are strong in basics.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-time-management-tips\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Learn time-saving techniques or tricks<\/strong><\/a> like tables till 40, squares up to 30, cubes up to 20, and percentage equivalent of fractions till 25.<\/li>\n<li>Maintain a <strong>formula book<\/strong>. Note down all the essential and direct formulas and go through them regularly.<\/li>\n<li>Practice solving questions within 2 minutes. This is the average time you get to spend on each question in Quantitative Ability.<\/li>\n<li>When you attempt QA in mock tests, break the entire section into three parts as per the difficulty level of the question: easy, moderate, and difficult.<\/li>\n<li>You need to solve more questions in less time. It is better to solve 3 easy questions than 1 difficult question.<\/li>\n<li>Lastly, <strong>practice a lot<\/strong>. The more you practice, the more you can be master in this section.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">QA is often the make-or-break section for engineering students. Don&#8217;t get overconfident just because you have a technical background. CAT QA tests speed and accuracy under pressure, not just conceptual knowledge.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"data-interpretation-and-logical-reasoning\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"data-interpretation-and-logical-reasoning\"><\/span><strong>Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">For the last few years, this section is proved to be the toughest of all. The absence of a fixed syllabus makes this section difficult. So, practice is the only way to ace this section. Here are tips to score more in this section.<\/p>\n<ol style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Be familiar with all kinds of graphs and charts in DI and puzzles in LR.<\/li>\n<li>Practice quick calculation. Learn the percentage equivalent of fractions which are a big time saver<\/li>\n<li>Solve puzzles like Sudoku and crossword to sharpen your grey cells.<\/li>\n<li>Attempt 20 questions or 4 sets each of DI and LR daily. Each set usually takes 10-15 minutes to solve. Try to solve them within 8-12 minutes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">DILR is unpredictable. In the **previous year** (2025), many students found this section extremely tough. The key is to identify doable sets quickly. If you&#8217;re stuck on a set for more than 12-15 minutes, move on.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Practice different types of LR sets \u2014 seating arrangements, blood relations, scheduling problems, and games &amp; tournaments. For DI, focus on bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, and tables with multiple variables.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"verbal-ability-and-reading-comprehension\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"verbal-ability-and-reading-comprehension\"><\/span><strong>Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">This section is designed to mainly test the English skills of a candidate. The English section mainly involves the following topics<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Critical Reasoning<\/li>\n<li>Grammar &amp; Usage<\/li>\n<li>Sentence Correction<\/li>\n<li>Word usage<\/li>\n<li>Fill in the blanks<\/li>\n<li>Para Jumble<\/li>\n<li>Para completion<\/li>\n<li>Para Summary<\/li>\n<li>Idioms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Go through the below CAT Preparation Tips for English and Verbal to score more.<\/p>\n<ol style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Reading is the best way to get better in this section. Read fiction and non-fiction novels, newspapers, business magazines, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Learn the basics of grammar like articles, adjectives, tenses, modifiers, etc., and practice them as well.<\/li>\n<li>Prepare cue cards. Put down all the new words, you come across, along with their meaning. Revise these cards regularly.<\/li>\n<li>Get in the habit of reading questions first instead of passages. Just give a glance at these questions and get an idea of the difficulty level.<\/li>\n<li>Then sweep through the passage quickly and assess how easily you understand it.<\/li>\n<li>Make a combination of both. Attempt the ones with more straightforward questions first.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Remember, RC passages make up about 70% of the VARC section. You&#8217;ll typically see 3-4 RC passages with 3-5 questions each. The passages can be from diverse fields \u2014 economics, sociology, science, literature, or philosophy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Non-RC questions include para jumbles, para completion, and odd sentence out. These require different skills \u2014 logical flow, contextual understanding, and elimination techniques.<\/p>\n<p>So, we hope these tips can help you to kickstart your preparation for CAT without expensive coaching institutes. Stay tuned to our site for the more latest information regarding the <a href=\"https:\/\/iimcat.ac.in\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>CAT<\/strong><\/a> exam. For any doubts or sharing your feedback, you can comment in the below comment box.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"faqs-related-to-cat-preparation-tips-2026\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"faqs-related-to-CAT-preparation-tips-2026\"><\/span><strong>FAQs Related to CAT Preparation Tips 2026<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-block\" id=\"rank-math-faq\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list-item\" id=\"faq-question-1625238385510\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-is-the-optimal-amount-of-time-to-prepare-for-the-cat\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-is-the-optimal-amount-of-time-to-prepare-for-the-CAT\"><\/span>What is the optimal amount of time to prepare for the CAT?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n<p>As per the CAT Preparation Tips, although there is no hard and fast guideline, CAT toppers advise CAT 2026 candidates to stay consistent and regular in their CAT preparation and to keep in mind that the CAT test is just around the corner. Ideally, 6-9 months of dedicated preparation works well for most aspirants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rank-math-list-item\" id=\"faq-question-1625238594062\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-should-i-do-if-i-don%e2%80%99t-have-access-to-cat-coaching\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-should-i-do-if-i-don%e2%80%99t-have-access-to-CAT-coaching\"><\/span>What should I do if I don&#8217;t have access to CAT coaching?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n<p>As per the CAT Preparation Tips, first, familiarise yourself with the CAT test structure and curriculum, then acquire the best preparation books and CAT study materials and begin your CAT preparation section by section, leaving no stone unturned. Many successful candidates clear CAT without formal cat coaching by following a disciplined self-study approach.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rank-math-list-item\" id=\"faq-question-1625238614952\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-many-mocks-should-you-take-before-the-cat-exam\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-many-mocks-should-you-take-before-the-CAT-exam\"><\/span>How many Mocks should you take before the CAT exam?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n<p>As previously stated, the CAT toppers took about 40-50 Mock exams before the CAT exam. It is not enough to simply take Mocks to prepare for the CAT; it is also necessary to analyze your mistakes and improve for the future. Quality analysis matters more than the sheer number of mocks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rank-math-list-item\" id=\"faq-question-1625238640750\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-function-does-rc-play-in-cat-what-can-i-do-to-make-things-better\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-function-does-rc-play-in-CAT-what-can-i-do-to-make-things-better\"><\/span>What function does RC play in CAT? What can I do to make things better?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n<p>As per the CAT Preparation Tips, most CAT toppers struggled with RC preparation, but with constant reading and practice, they were able to get the best percentile in the CAT. RC forms about 70% of the VARC section, so mastering it is crucial. Focus on diverse reading materials and practice different question types.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rank-math-list-item\" id=\"faq-question-1625238657969\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"is-there-enough-time-now-to-start-preparing-for-the-cat-in-2026\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"is-there-enough-time-now-to-start-preparing-for-the-CAT-in-2026\"><\/span>Is there enough time now to start preparing for the CAT in 2026?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n<p>Since the CAT exam dates for 2026 will be announced by IIM later this year, there is still plenty of time to prepare for it. If you utilize it well, you may shift the tables in your favor according to the CAT Preparation Tips. Start early and maintain consistency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"rank-math-list-item\" id=\"faq-question-1625238677914\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-are-the-cat-preparation-tips-for-logical-reasoning\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-are-the-CAT-preparation-tips-for-logical-reasoning\"><\/span>What are the CAT Preparation Tips for logical reasoning?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer\">\n<p>As per the CAT Preparation Tips, read and practice a variety of CAT Logical Reasoning Questions with answers. Try to answer as many LR questions as you can on all difficulty levels. Focus on different types of sets like seating arrangements, blood relations, and scheduling problems. Time management is crucial in LR.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"official-source-cta\" style=\"background:#e3f2fd;padding:15px;border-left:4px solid #1976d2;margin:20px 0;border-radius:4px;\"><strong>Latest Updates:<\/strong> For the most current data, visit the official website: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iimcat.ac.in\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">iimcat.ac.in<\/a>. Data on this page was last verified on April 23, 2026.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated: April 23, 2026 | This article has been updated with the latest information for 2026. CAT Preparation Tips 2026: Are you an MBA aspirant? Applying for the CAT 2026 Exam? CAT is one of the topmost entrance examinations for admission into an MBA degree. There are just a few months left to prepare &#8230; <a title=\"CAT Coaching 2026: Top Preparation Tips &#038; Strategy\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/cat-preparation-tips\/\" aria-label=\"More on CAT Coaching 2026: Top Preparation Tips &#038; Strategy\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":238,"featured_media":575194,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.kopykitab.com\/blog\/blog-images\/2026\/04\/mba_cat\/cat-coaching-1776904456.webp","fifu_image_alt":"CAT 2026 Exam Preparation"},"categories":[3187,2926,2923],"tags":[115447,3044,115351,115352],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41403"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/238"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41403"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41403\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":575195,"href":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41403\/revisions\/575195"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/575194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41403"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41403"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kopykitab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41403"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}