Which topics have the highest weightage in CAT exam?

In CAT Quantitative Aptitude, Arithmetic has the highest weightage with 7-8 questions in every shift. In VARC, Reading Comprehension has the maximum weightage with about 16 questions. In DILR, the number of questions are equally distributed.

How many RC questions does CAT have?

The CAT VARC section is dominated by RC questions. Out of 24 questions about 14-16 are based on Reading Comprehension passages and the rest of them are based on parajumbles, para completion, etc. CAT has about 12-16 RC question. Since, it is not mandatory to solve all the questions, candidates can maximize their scores by leaving out the questions related to the passage they find the toughest. There is negative marking in CAT so candidates must ensure that they mark only the correct options or do not mark any option at all.

What is the best preparation strategy for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension?

To prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, stick to the traditional path of concepts first and practice later. Study English grammar and Verbal Ability first to understand the concept. Then practice a number of sample questions of different kinds to gain confidence, speed and accuracy. For RC passages, develop the habit of reading from early stages. Read books from all walks of life. Practicing sample Reading Comprehension passages and questions in a crucial part of VARC preparation. This will help you understand the types of questions and RC passages asked in various entrance exams. As an aspirant, you will be appearing for more than one entrance exam, thus you need to have the practice of different types of RC passages.

Can I crack CAT through self-study?

Yes, you can crack CAT through self study but it will require a lot of discipline and consistency on daily basis. You will need the most recommended books, best mock test series and online practice sessions. Join YouTube channels for online tutorial. Give yourself 9 months and study for 8 hours daily.

Can I crack CAT exam if I have not studied Maths in 12th?

Yes, you can crack CAT exam even if you haven't studied Maths in class 12. CAT Quant and DI have Mathematical questions of advance level, from the topics studied in Class 9 and 10. You will only need to brush up the basic and practice advance level questions.

What is the marking scheme of CAT?

CAT has 68 questions. Each question carries three marks. There is negative marking of minus one for incorrect attempts. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Total marks in 204.

Is it mandatory to attempt all the questions in CAT?

No, it is not mandatory to attempt all the questions in CAT. Candidates can choose to attempt questions as per their preparation. It is not possible also to attempt all the questions due to time limitation and difficulty level. Reading dense RC passages often take up a lot of time. In DILR and QA too, some questions are time taking and calculation intensive due to which not much time is left in hand to attempt all questions. The aim of every test taker should be to attempt about 2/3rd of the total questions in all the sections of CAT.

How many students score 100 percentile in CAT every year?

Every year, over 2 Lacs candidates appear for the CAT exam and about 10-14 test takers score 100 percentile. In CAT 2024, the number of 100 percentiler was 11, and in CAT 2023 the number of 100 percentilers was 14. In CAT 2022, the number of 100 percentilers was 11. In CAT 2021, only 9 candidates scored 100 percentile.

How can I prepare for DILR section of CAT?

CAT DILR preparation is completely based on practice papers and mock tests. You should obtain recommended CAT DILR sample papers and mock test series. Make sure to cover all types of question. Also practice DILR questions of past year with the help of CAT question papers.

Is it necessary to have Maths background to perform well in DILR?

While candidates belonging to Science and Engineering background do have an edge over Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), it is not impossible for students from non-Science background to crack this section of an MBA entrance exam. They do need to prepare harder which includes going back to study fundamentals of Mathematics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Mensuration. With regular practice and understanding of the question types and topics, candidates, irrespective of the educational background, can crack this section. Aspirants must note that it is important to identify the weak areas and improve on them to get a stronghold on this section. For Logical Reasoning, a good amount of practice of sample questions will be enough.

Is it possible to prepare for DILR by self-study?

Yes, it is possible to prepare for DILR with self study. To score well in this section is to follow a strategy. First step is to go through previous years question papers and know various topics. Refer top books for DILR preparation. Practice adequate number of DILR questions with the help of mock tests, sample papers and previous years' papers.

Is CAT exam tough for an average student?

CAT is a speed-based test of analytical aptitude, logical reasoning skills, data interpretation and English comprehension. Now, it may sound tough, but these are the skills which we are taught in school so there is nothing new to learn. What is required is to learn these subjects at advanced level. If you are an average student but have studied Science or Commerce in Class-12 and graduation, you will find a lot of familiar topics in Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. All you will need is brush up the basics and practice the concepts on advanced-level problems. However, since the competition is so high in CAT and less than 95 percentile can break your dream of joining a top college like IIM, the preparation for CAT requires a lot of focus, dedication, discipline and diligence. If you can do that, despite being an average student, you can crack the CAT exam. Hope it was helpful!!!

Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?

Difficulty level in CAT exam is not specific to any of the three slots. The difficulty level across slots may vary every year. Know how the CAT scores are normalised: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386 .

How many CAT mock tests to practice to score 99 percentile?

Experts recommend that aspirants must practice at least 40 CAT mock tests to score above 99 percentile well in the exam. Most of the CAT test takers take up to 50 mock tests of various types and difficulty level. CAT toppers in previous years have practiced even up to 80 mock tests during their preparation. However, candidates must decide the number of CAT mock tests depending on their control and confidence on topics as the exam day comes closer. Mock tests are the best way to judge your performance viz. The important topics of CAT. The more one practices CAT mock tests, the more accurate they get in solving questions from all subjects. It is very important to know which formula to apply to which type question to solve the problem accurately. Mock tests help candidates in this aspect which is why practicing mock tests is most important in CAT preparation.

What are the maximum marks in CAT exam?

Maximum marks in CAT is 204. There are 68 questions each carrying 3 marks. VARC is of 72 marks and DILR and Quants are of 66 marks each.

Is it possible to prepare for CAT with mock tests only?

Yes, it is possible to prepare for CAT exam with mock tests only if you have appeared for the exam previously and have complete control on the topics included in the CAT syllabus. But if you are a first timer, you need to first complete the syllabus, understand each and every topic and then practice CAT mock tests to crack the exam.

How many times is CAT exam conducted?

CAT exam conducted only once a year in the month of November. It is conducted in three shifts on a single day.

CAT Exam Preparation 2026: Get Free Study Material, Prep Strategy & Tips from Toppers

CAT 2026 admit card download

4 Nov '26 - 29 Nov '26

Updated on Aug 18, 2026 16:00 IST

By Abhishek Dhawan, Deputy Manager - MBA & BBA Content

CAT Preparation 2026: Candidates who have a basic understanding of the CAT exam, including the syllabus, pattern, exam difficulty, and type of questions, must start at least 6 months before the exam date. Whereas those without any knowledge of the exam, will need 8 to 12 months to prepare for CAT exam. CAT preparation includes a strategy having important resources like mock tests, best books, formula sheet, and more.

Every year, more than 2.5 lakh candidates appear for the exam, making it highly competitive. Those who are planning to appear for CAT 2026 can refer to this article for a detailed preparation plan.

🚀 CAT 2026 Preparation Guides

📋 CAT Complete Syllabus

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📄 CAT Exam Structure

Analyse Pattern

🔢 CAT Quant Formula Sheet

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Table of contents

CAT Preparation Strategy 2026: Overview
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Preparation Tips and Strategy
CAT VARC Preparation Tips and Strategy
CAT DILR Preparation Tips and Strategy
CAT Previous Years' Question Papers and Mock Tests
CAT Books for Preparation
CAT 2026 Preparation FAQs

CAT Preparation Strategy 2026: Overview

Candidates can choose to join a coaching institute or do self study. Both have their own benefits but hard work is required in both. Here are some basic tips for CAT exam preparation:

Understand CAT syllabus and CAT exam pattern
Get CAT books recommended by experts and other study material
Join online MBA study groups and YouTube channels
Make a daily, weekly and monthly time table
Set short term and achievable goals
Note your progress regularly and work on weak areas
Make sure to do regular practice and revision.
Stick to your CAT prep strategy.

🎓 Crack CAT with Daily Practice

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How to Prepare for CAT? Strategy by Past Toppers

Check the space below to know what CAT past toppers have to say about the exam preparation:

Name of the CAT Toppers	Preparation Strategy	Source Link / Reference
Riddhi Dugar - 99.91 Percentile	She joined a coaching institute, completed the syllabus early, and dedicated her last few months entirely to taking 70 mock tests and sectional tests.	CAT 2023 Topper Interview - Riddhi Dugar
Vagish Nangia - 100 Percentile	Relied on online preparatory materials and took 10 mock tests, placing a strong emphasis on finding the right balance between speed and accuracy.	CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Vagish Nangia
Aniruddh K Singh - 99.89 Percentile	Prepared via an online coaching institute and highly prioritized taking and thoroughly analyzing around 50 mock tests and past papers.	CAT 2024 Topper Interview: From 93 to 99.89 Percentile, Know Aniruddh K Singh's CAT Success Story
Sarthak Jaiswal - 99.97 Percentile	Conducted self-study over 2.5 months using standard prep books and focused heavily on maximizing his strengths by solving past years' question papers.	CAT 2024 Topper Interview: How Sarthak Jaiswal Achieved 99.97 Percentile in 2.5 Months
Mani Praneeth Chilukuri - 100 Percentile	Utilized self-study just weeks before the exam and focused on solving past year papers, relying heavily on staying calm and maintaining his exam temperament.	CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Know How Mani Secured 100 Percentile with Self Study
Vedant Chandewar - 99.98 Percentile	Depended purely on self-study for concepts while using a coaching institute strictly to practice around 40 mock tests to build his time management skills.	CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Know How Vedant Chandewar Achieved 99.98 Percentile
Swaraj Pal Kesari - 99.95 Percentile	Prepared without coaching by using free YouTube playlists and took 35-40 mock tests to learn how to manage time and keep his emotions under control.	CAT 2024 Topper Interview: Swaraj's Inspiring Journey to a 99.95 Percentile Without Coaching
Aishiki Sen - 99.18 Percentile	Enrolled in an early coaching batch to brush up on basics and used 25 mock tests to adjust her strategy, ensuring she only targeted easy questions first in Quant.	CAT 2025 Topper Interview: Aishiki's Journey from Psychology to 99.18 Percentile in CAT
Anmol Gupta - 99.96 Percentile	Centered his preparation around taking 50-60 full-length mocks, thorough analysis, and solving every past year CAT question dating back to the year 2000.	CAT 2025 Topper Interview: Anmol Gupta Scores 99.96 Percentile; Strategy, Mocks & Preparation Tips
Amaan Hussain - 99.47 Percentile	Devoted 1.5 years to preparation with 80% focus on Quants, relying on self-study via YouTube lectures and strict consistency across 35-40 mock tests.	CAT 2025 Topper Interview: How Amaan Turned 95.94% to 99.47% with Consistency
Harsh Khudania - 99.93 Percentile	Completed the syllabus two months early using prep books and a coaching batch, leaving the final months strictly for taking 60 mocks and active revision.	CAT 2025 Topper Interview: How Harsh Khudania Scored 99.93 Percentile with Consistent Practice
Pranshav Shah - 99.80 Percentile	Maintained a strict daily target (4 RCs, 4 DILR sets, 30-40 QA questions) and took 55-60 timed mock tests alongside past year papers to get a reality check.	CAT 2025 Topper Interview: Pranshav Shah on Securing 99.80 Percentile in His First Attempt

Also Read:

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Preparation Tips and Strategy

Quantitative Aptitude section includes Mathematics topics such as Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Mensuration. To excel in this section of CAT exam you must have thorough knowledge of concepts, formulae and theorems. Having a good command on fundamentals of Arithmetic, Geometry and Algebra will help you immensely. Also, mental calculation plays a major role in scoring well in this section. Although an on screen calculator will be provided in the CAT 2026 exam, mental calculation will save your precious time. Here are some tips for CAT Quantitative Aptitude preparation:

Get CAT exam study material which has a good number of sample questions on these topics.
Cover the topics end to end. Do not leave out any topic of Arithmetic and Algebra as most of the questions are asked from these two topics.
Break down your CAT Quant preparation into phases. Start with topics, then move to practice questions and then to mock tests.
Start with easy topics and then move to tough ones. Starting with easy topics will give you confidence.
Revise important formulae and theorem every day in the last one month.
Practice sectional mock tests for Quantitative Aptitude to learn how to handle 40 minutes in the exam.

CAT VARC Preparation Tips and Strategy

The CAT VARC section is broadly divided into Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. To prepare for this section of CAT exam, candidates need to have a separate approach for each part. For example, preparation of Reading Comprehension should begin in early months of the year as it all about developing and cultivating the habit of reading. CAT Verbal Ability can be tackled by practicing sample questions and can be done in lesser time. However, the CAT VARC is mostly about RC, parajumbles, odd sentence out and para completion, you need to focus on practice of exercises based on these.

Although there is no direct English Grammar or Vocabulary questions, candidates must study these too as the very basis of correct interpretation of Language comprehension and Verbal Ability are word meanings and Grammar.

CAT DILR Preparation Tips and Strategy

To score well in CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning or DILR, the most important thing is to have clarity of basic concepts. Since the questions in this section are data and logic based, candidates need to develop sharp observation and eye for detail. Also, there are no formulas or theorems in DILR, so your preparation majorly depends on practice of sample questions. Major topics to study for DILR are Tables, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Bar Charts, Mixed Charts. Strengthen your Mathematical calculation ability for DILR. Get hold of CAT study material having a good number of sample questions on these topics.

CAT Previous Years' Question Papers and Mock Tests

It is recommended that candidates must practice about 40-45 CAT mock tests during the preparation phase. The aim of a CAT mock test is to improve application, accuracy and speed. If you have reached a stage where you're consistently performing well in the mock tests (high difficulty level) you can slow down. It is not mandatory for all candidates to solve the same number of mock tests. Candidates should practice number of mocks as per capacity.

Start practicing CAT mock test after they have completed the syllabus. Dedicate the second half of CAT preparation phase to it. The key here is to analyse each mock test result to see where you stand and how much more practice you need. One tip you should follow is to not practice mock tests continuously till the exam day. In the last week of CAT preparation 2025, attempt only one mock test for confidence. Irrespective of the result of that CAT mock test, you will score well in the exam. Also, attempt mocks on alternate dates.

CAT Mock Test by Shiksha

IIMCAT releases official CAT mock test a month before the exam to help candidates prepare themselves for the actual exam. The official CAT mock test is replica of the exam and provides an insight of the exam pattern for that year. The official mock test provides a sneak peek of the final CAT exam. Every candidate must attempt the official CAT mock test, which can be accessed online on the official IIMCAT website.

Shiksha has also created CAT mock tests for candidates to practice and strengthen their preparation. Given below are two CAT mock tests you can practice for free.

CAT Mock Test 1	CAT Mock Test 1 Solutions
CAT Mock Test 2	CAT Mock Test 2 Solutions

CAT Previous Years Papers

To further strengthen CAT preparation, candidates must attempt previous years' CAT question papers to understand the latest question type and topic wise weightage. For example, if Arithmetic dominates Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT, which type of Arithmetic questions are there. Practicing actual CAT questions from previous years will boost your confidence. Check here CAT question papers of previous years and download PDF.

Download CAT Previous Year Papers PDF

Download CAT question papers of last five years from the below table to know the type and difficulty level of questions asked:

CAT 2025 question paper Slot 1	CAT 2025 question paper Slot 2
CAT 2024 Question Paper Slot 3	CAT 2018 Question Paper
CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 1	CAT 2023 Question Paper Slot 3
CAT 2022 Question Paper Slot 1	CAT 2022 Question Paper Slot 3
CAT 2021 Question Paper	CAT 2019 Question Paper
CAT 2020 Question Paper	CAT 2017 Question Paper

CAT Books for Preparation

To prepare for CAT exam, the following books are most recommended. These CAT books have detailed explaination of topics and a wide range of practice questions.

CAT Books for Quantitative Aptitude	Author
NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10)	NCERT
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT	Arun Sharma
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations	Abhijit Guha
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT	Sarvesh Verma
Quantitative Aptitude for CAT	Nishit Sinha
Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examination	RS Aggarwal
CAT Books for DILR
A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning	RS Agarwal
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT	Arun Sharma
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT	Arun Sharma
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT	Nishit Sinha
CAT Books for VARC
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for the CAT	Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension For the CAT	Nishit Sinha
Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis
High School Grammar and Composition	Wren and Martin
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by	Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis/ Simon & Schuster

CAT 2026 Preparation FAQs

Check frequently asked questions related to CAT exam preparation below:

Q: Will CAT exam 2026 be conducted in three shifts?

Yes, CAT 2026 exam will be conducted in three shifts. Exam timing of each slot will be:

First shift: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Second shift: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and
Third shift: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Q: What is the CAT 2026 exam date?

CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 29, 2026 in three slots. Candidates will find their CAT 2026 slot time in the admit card.

Q: Are CAT books enough to cover exam syllabus?

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.

Q: Who will conduct CAT 2026?

CAT 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore. The institute had last conducted the exam in 2020, Since the top six IIMs - BLACKI are given the responsibility to convene on rotation basis exam every five year, this year, it is IIM Indore.

Q: How many candidates scored 100 percentile in CAT 2025?

In CAT 2025, the number of 100 percentilers was 12. Check state wise data:

Overall Percentile

Total

Gender and Discipline

State wise distribution

100

Female - 2 Male - 10 Engineering - 3 Non-Engineering - 9

Uttar Pradesh 1

Karnataka 1

Maharashtra 1

Delhi 3

Haryana 2

Gujarat 2

Jharkhand 1

Odisha 1

Q: Is it possible to score 99.99 percentile in CAT in first attempt?

Yes, it is possible to score 99.99 percentile in CAT in first attempt. Many toppers of previous years' are such candidates. One must study in a focussed manner and do a lot of mock test practice. Exam day strategy is also crucial for better performance.

Q: How many question should I solve for 99 percentile in CAT exam?

To get 99 percentile and above, candidates must attempt 40-45 out of 68 questions in CAT, with maximum accuracy.