CAT 2026 preparation is entering its most critical window. With the official notification expected around July 26, 2026 and registration opening on August 1, 2026 at iimcat.ac.in, aspirants who begin their structured preparation now — in early July — will have a decisive edge by exam day on November 29, 2026. This gives you exactly five months: enough time to build genuine conceptual strength, not just surface-level familiarity.
This guide gives you a sharply structured, month-by-month CAT 2026 preparation plan — designed for aspirants who are serious about cracking the 99 percentile and earning a call from the IIMs.
CAT 2026 at a Glance: Key Dates and Structure
Before diving into the plan, every aspirant must know the exam’s fundamental architecture. CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted by IIM Indore (rotational basis), covering three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) — 24 questions, 40 minutes
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) — 20 questions, 40 minutes
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA) — 22 questions, 40 minutes
Total: 66 questions, 120 minutes. Marking: +3 for correct, −1 for wrong MCQ answers; no negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.
Key dates (as per expected trends — verify at iimcat.ac.in once official notification releases):
- Notification release: July 26, 2026 (expected)
- Registration window: August 1 – September 20, 2026 (expected)
- Registration fee: ₹2,500 (General/EWS/NC-OBC); ₹1,250 (SC/ST/PwD)
- Exam date: November 29, 2026 (expected)
- Result: Third week of December 2026 (expected)
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Final-year students may apply with provisional status. No age limit. No restriction on number of attempts.
Why a 5-Month Plan Starting Now Is Optimal
Many aspirants wait for the official notification before starting preparation. That is a strategic error. The notification only announces registration — it does not change what is tested. If you start today, you have roughly 150 days before November 29. That is enough to:
- Build all three sections from scratch or reinforce weak areas
- Attempt 20–25 full-length mock tests with thorough analysis
- Run two complete revision cycles of high-weightage topics
- Develop exam-day composure through repeated practice under timed conditions
Access our live classes and All-Access Pass to begin structured preparation immediately — without waiting for the notification.
Month-by-Month CAT 2026 Preparation Plan
Month 1 (July): Diagnostic + Conceptual Foundation
The first month is about honest self-assessment and building the conceptual base.
- Week 1: Take one full-length diagnostic mock (timed, no breaks). Do not worry about the score — focus on identifying your weakest sub-topics in each section.
- VARC: Begin daily reading — 2 editorials from The Hindu or LiveMint per day. Focus on argument structure and author’s tone, not just facts.
- QA: Cover Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit-Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Ratio-Proportion, Time-Work, Time-Speed-Distance). These are the highest-weightage topics and form the foundation of CAT QA.
- DILR: Start with Arrangements (Linear, Circular, Matrix) and basic Set Theory. These appear most frequently and are the most trainable.
Month 2 (August): Section-Wise Depth
- VARC: Begin formal RC practice — 4–5 passages per day. Work on Para-Jumbles and Para-Summary. Track your accuracy, not just your comfort with the material.
- QA: Move to Algebra (Linear and Quadratic Equations, Functions, Progressions) and Number Systems. These two topics together account for roughly 35–40% of QA questions in most years.
- DILR: Expand to Games and Tournaments, Networks, and basic Venn Diagrams. Focus on 20-minute set-solving — do not attempt to rush.
- Mocks: Attempt one sectional mock per section per week. Analyse every error; maintain an error log.
Register for CAT 2026 as soon as the window opens (August 1 — as per official expected timeline). Do not delay registration. Track your preparation milestones on our progress dashboard.
Month 3 (September): Complete Syllabus Coverage
- VARC: Complete Verbal Ability — Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction (if applicable), and advanced Para-Jumbles. Shift VARC practice to full 40-minute sectional tests.
- QA: Cover Geometry, Mensuration, Permutation-Combination, Probability, and Coordinate Geometry. These are relatively lower-weightage but can be high-scoring for prepared aspirants.
- DILR: Cover Caselet-based DI, Data Tables, Charts and Mixed Graphs. Attempt at least two full DILR sections per week under timed conditions.
- Mocks: Increase to one full-length mock per week. Spend 90 minutes analysing each mock — more than you spent taking it.
Month 4 (October): Mock Surge + Weak Area Reinforcement
- Increase mock frequency to 2 per week (8 mocks this month).
- Identify your 3 weakest sub-topics across all sections from your mock data. Dedicate the first half of each study day exclusively to these.
- Stop learning new concepts after October 20. Shift 100% to revision and application.
- Practise time allocation strategies: which set types to attempt first in DILR, how many RC passages to anchor on in VARC, when to skip versus attempt in QA.
Use our revision modules and study materials for structured high-quality practice in this phase.
Month 5 (November): Full Simulation + Peak Performance
- Attempt 2–3 mocks per week in the exact slot timing of your exam (morning, afternoon, or evening — as assigned).
- Analyse only the highest-leverage errors: wrong answers on questions you should have got right, and questions you skipped but could have attempted.
- Final week (November 22–28): No new mocks. Review your error log. Revise formula sheets. Sleep 7+ hours nightly. Arrive at the test centre 30 minutes early on exam day.
Section-Wise Strategy: The Non-Negotiables
VARC: Reading is the Skill
75–80% of your VARC score comes from Reading Comprehension. Build genuine reading speed and comprehension — not shortcut tricks. Read from diverse sources: economics, philosophy, science, history. Aim for 250–300 words per minute with 80%+ comprehension by October.
DILR: Set Selection is Everything
You cannot solve all DILR sets. The top scorers are those who identify 3–4 solvable sets in 2 minutes and go deep on those — not those who attempt everything shallowly. Practise set-triage ruthlessly from Month 2 onward.
QA: Accuracy Before Speed
A single wrong MCQ in QA costs you 4 marks (+3 to -1 swing). Build the habit of checking your answer before marking. Prioritise Arithmetic and Algebra; do not spend excessive time on Geometry or Modern Maths unless you are genuinely strong there.
Should You Take the CGSAT Scholarship Test?
If you are considering a structured coaching programme, take our CGSAT scholarship test — it gives you a diagnostic score, identifies your percentile benchmark, and makes you eligible for merit-based fee reductions. The test is free and takes 60 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does CAT 2026 registration open?
Based on official trends and expected schedules, CAT 2026 registration is expected to open on August 1, 2026 on the official website iimcat.ac.in. The notification is expected around July 26, 2026. Always verify dates directly on iimcat.ac.in once the official PDF is released.
Is 5 months enough to prepare for CAT 2026 from scratch?
Yes — five months is sufficient for a focused aspirant starting from scratch, provided the preparation is structured and consistent. The key is early mock exposure (from Month 1), disciplined section-wise coverage, and aggressive analysis of mock performance rather than just attempting tests. Aspirants who begin in July with a clear plan routinely reach the 90+ percentile range by November.
What is the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria?
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates) from a recognised Indian or foreign university. Final-year undergraduate students are also eligible to apply on a provisional basis. There is no age limit and no cap on the number of attempts for CAT 2026.
Which IIM is conducting CAT 2026?
As per expected trends and available information, IIM Indore is widely expected to conduct CAT 2026, with the exam scheduled for November 29, 2026. The official confirmation will appear in the notification at iimcat.ac.in around July 26, 2026. IIM Kozhikode conducted CAT 2025.
What is the CAT 2026 exam pattern?
CAT 2026 is a computer-based test of 120 minutes divided into three sections: VARC (24 questions, 40 minutes), DILR (20 questions, 40 minutes), and QA (22 questions, 40 minutes). Total questions: 66. Marking: +3 for correct answers, −1 for incorrect MCQ answers, no negative marking for TITA questions.
Sources: iimcat.ac.in (official CAT portal) | The Hindu | LiveMint
