Best Books for CAT Preparation 2026 Recommended by MBA Experts
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
CAT 2026 admit card download
4 Nov '26 - 29 Nov '26
Candidates must use the CAT books that have been recommended by experts for the CAT exam preparation. Find best books for CAT preparation below based on the inputs from past toppers.
Best Books for CAT Preparation 2026
Best Books for CAT 2026 Preparation: The first step of CAT exam preparation is choosing the right books. However, choosing the best books for CAT preparation 2026 is not easy, as every book claims it is the best. CAT preparation requires focused practice, so you cannot waste time on books that don’t give results. So, which is the best CAT preparation book? A CAT book that has chapter-wise explanations, discussions, examples, and practice questions can be considered the best, as it fulfills your key needs for exam preparation. If you are preparing for CAT 2026, refer only to those CAT preparation books which have detailed explanations of every topic included in the CAT 2026 syllabus as well as sample questions for practice of various difficulty levels. To help you choose the best books for exam preparation, we have prepared section-wise lists of the best CAT books. But before shortlisting the books, we suggest that you have a CAT preparation strategy 2026.
- Best Books for CAT Preparation and Other Study Material
- Best CAT Books for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
- Best CAT Books for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Best CAT Books for Quantitative Aptitude
- CAT 2026 Study Material: Practice Papers & Past Papers
- CAT Books Recommended for RC - Non-Fiction
- CAT Books Recommended for RC - Fiction
- Practice CAT Mock Test by Shiksha
- CAT Topper Interviews: Exam Tips and Strategy for 2026
Best Books for CAT Preparation and Other Study Material
The CAT exam will be held on November 29, 2026. Equipped with a well-planned strategy and the best books for CAT, candidates can crack the exam with high scores. Apart from coaching classes, focus on self-study to crack the CAT 2026 exam. Check out the lists of the best books for CAT preparation 2026 in this article.
Also Read:
- CAT Preparation 2026: Top Tips and Strategy
- CAT 2026 Preparation Without Coaching
- CAT Question Papers PDF Download
Real prep plan shared by CAT toppers who scored 99.9+ to 100 percentile:
- 2025 CAT Topper Anmol Gupta (99.96%): Solved 5 DILR sets in under 35 mins.
- 2024 CAT Topper Vagish Nangia (100%): Mastered VARC using a 7-8 min RC drill and prioritised sectional mocks.
- 2025 CAT Topper Pranshav Shah (99.80%): Followed daily timed routine of 4 RCs, 4 DILR sets, 30-40 Quant questions.
Best CAT Books for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section is an analytical module that requires candidates to have an eye for detail and the skill to unravel complicated graphs or jumbled patterns. A strong base in Mathematics is essential for cracking CAT DILR. Focused practice is the key, so refer to books that have an ample variety of DI and LR practice questions. Check below the list of CAT preparation books for DILR:
| CAT Books for DILR | Author/Publisher Name |
|---|---|
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha |
| Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | Ananta Ashisha |
| How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
Best CAT Books for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section often turns out to be a tough module with dense RC passages and confusing para-jumbles. There are no direct grammar and vocabulary questions in the CAT exam, so keep your focus primarily on Reading Comprehension. For this section, you need ample practice questions. Check the list of CAT preparation books for VARC:
| CAT Books for VARC | Author/Publisher Name |
|---|---|
| How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay / Arihant |
| 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary | Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis / Simon & Schuster |
| PSC for VA for CAT | Nishit Sinha |
Best CAT Books for Quantitative Aptitude
The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section is the final part of the CAT question paper, and it requires significant mental stamina to clear calculation-intensive questions. The more you practice Quants questions, the better your performance will be. You need to develop conceptual clarity in Algebra, Mensuration, Arithmetic, and Geometry. Opt for CAT Quantitative books that offer both topic-wise discussions and practice questions. Check the list of CAT preparation books for Quantitative Aptitude:
| CAT Books for Quantitative Aptitude | Author/Publisher Name |
|---|---|
| NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10) | NCERT |
| How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Arun Sharma |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT | Sarvesh Verma |
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Nishit Sinha |
| Quantitative Aptitude | RS Aggarwal |
CAT 2026 Study Material: Practice Papers & Past Papers
To effectively understand and master each topic of the CAT exam, it's essential to practice extensively. This can be accomplished through CAT mock tests. It is beneficial to work with a balanced mix of both sectional and full-length mock test series. Below, you will find two free CAT mock tests provided by Shiksha.
| CAT Sample Question Papers | CAT Sample Paper Solutions |
|---|---|
| CAT Mock Test 1 | CAT Mock Test 1 Solutions |
| CAT Mock Test 2 | CAT Mock Test 2 Solutions |
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Candidates can also refer to the CAT previous year exam papers to prepare for the exam:
| Download CAT Paper PDF |
Overall Question Paper Difficulty |
Number of Questions vs CAT Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Question Paper PDF | Moderate | 68 questions that were to be answered within 120 minutes |
| CAT 2024 Question Paper PDF | Moderate | 68 questions that were to be answered within 120 minutes |
| CAT 2023 Question Paper PDF | Moderate to Tough | 66 questions that were to be answered within 120 minutes |
| CAT 2022 Question Paper PDF | Moderate to Tough | |
| CAT 2021 Question Paper PDF | Moderate | |
| CAT 2020 Question Paper PDF | Moderate | 76 questions that were to be answered within 120 minutes |
| CAT 2019 Question Paper PDF | Easy to Moderate | 100 questions that were to be answered in 180 minutes |
| CAT 2018 Question Paper PDF | Easy to Moderate | |
| CAT 2017 Question Paper PDF | Easy to Moderate |
Commonly asked questions
ICFAI Business School does not release the official IBSAT syllabus PDF on its official webiste. However, candidates preparing for IBSAT exam can refer to CAT syllabus. IBSAT syllabus is similar to CAT syllabus. Candidates can check the important topics for CAT and prepare for IBSAT exam accordingly. IBSAT exam difficulty level is easy as compared to CAT exam.
CAT Books Recommended for RC - Non-Fiction
To work on your English comprehension, you should read the following recommended non-fiction books.
| CAT Books | Author | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People | Stephen Covey | Management |
| A Brief History of Time | Stephen Hawking | Science |
| Cosmos | Carl Sagan | Science |
| Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata | Devdutt Pattanaik | Mythology & Management |
| India in Slow Motion | Mark Tully | Politics |
| Capitalism and Freedom | Milton Friedman | Economics |
| Maximum City | Suketu Mehta | City Life - Mumbai |
| Long Walk to Freedom | Nelson Mandela | Autobiography - Politics |
| Wings of Fire | APJ Abdul Kalam | Autobiography |
| Shantaram | David Gregory Roberts | Autobiography - City Life |
CAT Books Recommended for RC - Fiction
Listed below are some popular fiction novels for strengthening English comprehension and reading speed.
| CAT Books | Author | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Around the World in Eighty Days | Jules Verne | Adventure |
| The Time Machine | H.G. Wells | Science Fiction |
| Caves of Steel | Isaac Asimov | Science Fiction |
| The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins | Dystopian Fiction |
| Three Men in a Boat | Jerome K. Jerome | Humour |
| Something Fresh | P.G. Wodehouse | Humour |
| Where Eagles Dare | Alistair MacLean | Fiction |
Commonly asked questions
There are a range of books available for preparation of Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT. However, the most recommended books are mentioned below:
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT by Nishit Sinha
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
- 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis/Simon and Schuster
- For English Grammar and Vocabulary, High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin is the best book.
For Verbal Ability preparation, practice questions of different difficulty levels are a major part of preparation. The abovementioned books are the best resources of Verbal Ability and practice questions. To prepare for Reading Comprehension, candidates should read books, novels, magazines, research papers, newspaper editorials, etc. Along with these books.
CAT lays a lot of emphasis on analytical skills so the questions are asked mostly from those topics which require deep learning and practice. The three sections of CAT question paper are designed in such a way that candidates have to use their ability of minute observation and fast calculation. Shared below are the section wise main topics from which questions are asked in CAT. Verbal Ability: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences
- Reading Comprehension: Questions based on passages, Para meaning, Order of sentences
- Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Data Sufficiency
- Logical Reasoning: Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Sets and Caselets, Family Tree, Assumptions
- Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra Number System Modern Math, Arithmetic, Mensuration
The difficulty level of CAT questions is usually moderate to high. Only a few questions are easy and quick to solve. To crack the CAT exam, one needs to pay attention to the abovementioned topics.
The best books for Quantitative Aptitude preparation of CAT exam are listed below. These books are recommended by experts and mentors not only for CAT but also for other MBA entrance exams.
- NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10)
- How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Arun Sharma
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha
- Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verm
- Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha
- Quantitative Aptitude by RS Aggarwal
The NCERT Mathematics book is recommended for CAT preparation because it is the best source of building or revisiting the fundamentals of Algebra Geometry, Trigonometry Mensuration and Arithmetic. The NCERT books are extremely helpful to students from non-Engineering background. Quantitative Aptitude books by Arun Sharma, Abhijit Guha, Sarvesh Verma, Nishit Sinha and RS Aggarwal are the main books for CAT preparation as they cover all the topics at advanced level. They also have 1000s of sample questions of easy, moderate and high difficulty levels for practice.
CAT syllabus includes all the important topics of subjects that are relevant for business aptitude. For CAT exam, candidates have to study, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension VARC Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Given below are the key topics included in the CAT syllabus.
- VARC topics: Parajumbles, Paracompletion, Parasummary, Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension.
- Quantitative Aptitude topics: Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra Trigonometry Modern Math, Number System and Mensuration.
- DILR topics: Puzzles, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Tables and Bar Graphs, etc.
CAT Preparation 2026
- How to crack CAT: Prep tips from 100 percentilers
- How to prepare for CAT: Tips from experts
- CAT: Preparation Plan for Verbal Ability
- CAT: Preparation Plan for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Aptitude preparation plan for CAT
- CAT 2026 DILR Strategy to score 26 marks and get 95+ percentile
- CAT 2026 Quant Strategy to score 25 marks and get 95+ percentile
- CAT 2026 VARC Strategy to score 30 marks and get 95 percentile
Practice CAT Mock Test by Shiksha
Candidates can use the full length mock tests below to prepare for the exam. CAT mock tests by shiksha is a
| CAT Mock Test by Shiksha | Direct Link for CAT Mock Test |
|---|---|
| Mock Test 1 | Practice CAT Mock Test |
| Mock Test 2 | Practice CAT Mock Test |
| Mock Test 3 | Practice CAT Mock Test |
| Mock Test 4 | Practice CAT Mock Test |
Commonly asked questions
Candidates must read books on economy, philosophy, science, astronomy, psychology, sociology, history, geography, psychoanalysis, economics, astronomy, art & culture, literature, fiction novels, auto-biographies and biographies. Most of the passages that appear in any MBA entrance exam are based on these topics. The RC passages length may vary but most of the times the language is tough with foreign words and expressions or a good amount of data.
It is also recommended to candidates to read research papers, survey reports, etc. to have the practice of understanding and relating data in a quick read. Always refer to dictionary for word meanings while reading books.
CAT books by Arun Sharma, Nishit Sinha, RS Agarwal and Abhijit Guha are good and exhaustive, but you should refer to more study material like sample test papers and mock tests for a complete preparation.
In the past few years, hardly any direct question has been asked from Syllogism. However, since it is a part of Logical Reasoning, candidates can expect 3-4 set-based questions.
The best resources for Quantitative Aptitude preparation is sample papers and previous years' CAT question papers. Since both Quantitative Aptitude is all about Mathematics, it can only be mastered by having enough practice. But only solving question papers and practice papers will not be enough. You will need to first be thorough with the topics and their concepts/formulae. For that refer to books like Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha, Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha and Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Sharma. Sectional mock tests for Quants are also very important for preparation.
CAT Topper Interviews: Exam Tips and Strategy for 2026
Know which CAT books previous years’ CAT toppers studied to crack the exam, and get key exam-day tips to optimize your performance.
| CAT Toppers | CAT Topper Interviews |
|---|---|
| Pranshav Shah CAT 2025, 99.80 percentile |
"I started CAT preparation in January 2025. My daily CAT prep strategy included solving 4 RCs, 4 DILR sets, and 30-40 Quant questions. I timed solving all the questions. My primary focus was on attempting as many mocks as possible and analysing them." Read: Pranshav's full interview |
| Aishiki Sen CAT 2025, 99.18 percentile |
"I started in August 2024 in the early batch because I come from a humanities background and had not studied Maths since class 10. I knew I needed some extra time for brushing up my maths." Read: Aishiki's full interview |
| Vagish Nangia CAT 2024, 100 percentile |
"For an aptitude exam like CAT, one should focus on two things: speed and accuracy, both of which come with practice. Speed is important as the exam typically has 66–68 questions to be attempted within 2 hours, with sections like DILR and Quant in particular being fairly time-taking. Accuracy is also important as you need to avoid taking negative marks while looking to maximise your score as much as possible." Read: Vagish’s full interview |
| Mani Praneeth Chilukuri CAT 2024, 100 percentile |
"In terms of preparation, I started just a few weeks before the exam due to my job and other commitments. I prioritised understanding the exam format, syllabus, and structure through YouTube videos. I then solved a few previous years’ question papers to familiarize myself with the patterns." Read: Praneeth’s full interview |
| Vedant Chandewar CAT 2024, 99.98 percentile |
"I began my preparation in August 2024. Being good at mathematics, I found Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Logical Reasoning (DILR) relatively easy to prepare for. I joined a coaching institute that provided daily practice questions for these sections, which I diligently solved." Read: Vedant’s full interview |
| Sarthak Jaiswal CAT 2024, 99.97 percentile |
"I personally think that for the DILR section, the mock tests do not really help because every question is unique and there is no set pattern. Only practice can help for the DILR section preparation. Attempting mock tests for this section will not harm the preparation but also not give an edge. For QA and VARC, mock tests are very important." Read: Sarthak’s full interview |
| Kartik Bhageria CAT 2023, 99.99 percentile |
"I began my CAT preparation around July 2023. Being an engineering student, I did not spend a lot of time learning new concepts in the Quant and DILR sections. I spent most of my time giving mocks to practice and try to increase my attempted questions with better accuracy in each attempt." Read: Kartik's full interview |
| Riddhi Dugar CAT 2023, 99.91 percentile |
"My overall strategy was to finish the entire syllabus a few months before the CAT. From July, I focused entirely on taking mock tests and sectional tests to maximise my score and have a strategy for D-Day. I completed around 70 mocks from July until the CAT exam day." Read: Riddhi's full interview |
| Rounak Tikmani CAT 2023, 99.90 percentile |
"I started my preparation properly in May 2023. My preparation strategy was simple: build your foundations by having conceptual clarity in the basics of each section. Then it was just mocks every day. I gave around 110 mocks and made sure I spent enough time analysing them properly. Taking a mock is not as important as analysing the mocks and improving on your mistakes." Read: Rounak's full interview |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
Candidates can prepare using CAT previous-year question papers, official sample papers and vocabulary resources such as Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Antonyms are useful for improving vocabulary and understanding meaning of words in context. However, CAT RC primarily tests reading comprehension, inference and critical reasoning rather than direct vocabulary knowledge.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
There is no fixed number of Antonyms questions in CAT. Candidates may encounter questions that test opposite meaning of a word in the context of a reading comprehension passage.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Candidates can use CAT previous years' questions, official sample papers and standard Logical Reasoning preparation books such as How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes, Blood Relations is a useful topic for CAT LRDI. Understanding its basic concepts can help candidates solve family-based reasoning questions.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
There is no fixed number of Blood Relations questions in CAT. The topic may appear as part of Logical Reasoning set or may not be included in particular year.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
CAT previous years' questions, official sample papers and standard preparation books such as How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma are useful resources.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Calendar is a useful topic, but it is not asked regularly as a standalone topic. Candidates should understand its basic concepts and practise previous years' questions.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
There is no fixed number of Calendar questions in CAT. The topic may or may not appear in the exam, depending on the question paper.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
It depends on your target colleges. If your goal is a top IIM, retaking and improving accuracy and section strategy may help. If your expected percentile fits your shortlist of colleges, you may choose to proceed with admissions and keep other exams as backup.
L
Contributor-Level 7
Abhishek Dhawan is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He holds a BA degree from the University of Delhi. At Shiksha, Abhishek primarily covers MBA and BBA entrance
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