CAT 2026 Preparation - Coaching vs Self Study: Which is better?
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
CAT 2026 exam
29 Nov '26
if you are planning to appear for CAT 2026, but can't decide between coaching and self study, here's our guide on which preparation method should you choose for CAT 2026 preparation.
Now is the time to start CAT 2026 preparation. If you are confused as to how to start CAT preparation- Should you take up coaching or opt for self-study?', then you need to first understand your capabilities and requirements.
There have been many debates on ‘which is better-coaching vs self-study?’ The fact is both have pros and cons. What is important is that which method of CAT exam preparation suits you. While we have met many CAT toppers who say coaching is necessary, some also say self-study is enough, that too in 6-months. So, the important thing is to know your strengths and weaknesses before choosing a preparation mode.
Swapnil Suman who scored 100 percentile in CAT, said “I did not join any coaching institute except for mocks. If someone is weak with the basics, coaching can help up to some extent. But at the end of the day, CAT tests speed and aptitude more than knowledge which can only be developed by practicing a lot.”
Somansh Chordia, 100 percentiler in CAT, on the other hand, felt that faculty at coaching institutes guides you through the pattern and some tried and tested methods. “Coaching for competitive exams basically helps in the initial phase as the experienced faculty guides you through the pattern and some tried and tested methods. So, this makes it easier to discover the best strategy that suites you. Other than this, having some friends to compete with helps in keeping yourself motivated, and this can be easily ensured through a coaching institute. Other than this, mocks and its basic analysis is probably the most crucial thing that a coaching provides,” Somansh says.
CAT topper Chirag Gupta focused mainly on giving mock tests and analysing them. He used to work on his weaknesses by watching various CAT preparation YouTube videos on various topics.
| VARC Preparation Tips | DILR Preparation Tips | Quantitative Aptitude Preparation Tips |
- Coaching vs Self Study: How to Choose?
- CAT Preparation 2026: Coaching vs Self Study
- CAT Preparation by Coaching
- CAT Preparation by Self Study
- CAT Preparation by Coaching vs Self Study: How to Decide?
- CAT 2026 Preparation: Topper Tips
Coaching vs Self Study: How to Choose?
When preparing for CAT 2026, keep in mind your hold on VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude topics. Also, that how much time you have for exam preparation.
Most of the coaching institutes begin their batches at least a year before the CAT exam. They also offer crash courses of short duration, which you can join at a later stage of CAT preparation, if you feel the need.
The biggest drawback of coaching institutes is exhaustion. Students have to attend classes of six to eight hours daily and then take mock tests on weekends. For some, it can be too taxing. However, the grestest benefit of coaching is that you're supported in studying in a streamlined, disciplined and focussed manner. Let’s take a look at pros and cons of coaching and self-study and then discuss which is better for CAT 2026 aspirants.
CAT Preparation 2026: Coaching vs Self Study
CAT exam preparation without coaching is very much possible, but coaching usually has an edge over it.Given below are a few key aspects of CAT preparation by coaching and self study:
| CAT Coaching |
CAT Self-Study |
|---|---|
| Fixed study hours |
Flexible study hours |
| Special attention to tough topics |
No expert guidance on tough topics |
| Study material and mock tests provided |
Study material and mock tests easily available |
| Classroom discussions |
Can join online forums and study groups |
| Channelizing of energy in the right direction |
Can adjust resources according to time and need |
| Helps in developing analytical ability |
Helps in developing analytical ability |
| Competitive environment brings out the best in students |
No peer pressure |
| Motivation level is high at all times |
Need to stay self motivated at all times |
| Common problems and achievements instill confidence |
Chances of getting complacent higher |
Also Read:
- CAT syllabus 2026
- CAT exam pattern 2026
- CAT books and study material 2026
- CAT question papers PDF
- CAT mock tests for practice
| Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice | Free DILR Questions with Answers for Practice | Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice |
CAT Preparation by Coaching
Let’s have a look at pros and cons of MBA Coaching Classes for CAT preparation. These are general observations and students must take a decision regarding their mode of preparation keeping in mind their own ability and situation.
| MBA Coaching Classes |
|
|---|---|
| Pros |
Cons |
| Focused preparation |
High fees |
| Competitive environment |
Long study hours |
| Constant support and guidance of mentors |
Physical exhaustion, no time to relax and unwind |
| Availability of study material |
Risk of complacency |
| Regular feedback on progress |
Peer pressure to always perform |
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CAT Preparation by Self Study
Let’s have a look at pros and cons of Self Study for CAT 2026 preparation. These are general observations and students must take a decision regarding their mode of preparation keeping in mind their own ability and situation.
| CAT Preparation by Self Study |
|
|---|---|
| Pros |
Cons |
| Free to study according to your own time and speed |
Lack of guidance can lead to deviation from focused path |
| No peer pressure of performing well |
Risk of complacency due to lack of competition |
| Better time management |
Students can end up wasting more time during study hours |
| Better development of analytical ability as one finds tricks and shortcuts for solving questions |
Lack of expert guidance on tough topics and doubts can lead to incomplete preparation |
| More opportunities to relax and unwind |
Absence of mentor or peers to talk to about road blocks in preparation can be demoralizing |
- What is the best time to start CAT preparation
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- Advantages of giving CAT for final year student
- How many questions to attempt in CAT to score 99+ percentile
- Your love for reading can get you the desired result
- CAT exam: How to prepare without quitting your job
CAT Preparation by Coaching vs Self Study: How to Decide?
To sum it up, both coaching classes and self study have their own significance in CAT exam preparation. Both methods of exam preparation require dedication and discipline (self study requires a tad bit more). Study material and books for CAT preparation are readily available in the market so you don’t have to worry about that. There are onlien study groups that you can join on Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. YouTube has become a major source of exam preparation too.
You as an aspirant needs to weigh the two keeping in mind your abilites and personality traits. If you are lazy and lack focus, you need to go for coaching classes, but if you are self-disciplined and resolute, you can do well by self study.
Choose your option for CAT 2026 preparation carefully. All the best!
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CAT 2026 Preparation: Topper Tips
Tips and tricks for CAT 2026 preparation from previous years’ toppers. Know how CAT toppers prepared for the exam.
| CAT Toppers |
CAT Topper Interviews |
|---|---|
| Anmol Gupta CAT 2025, 99.96 percentile |
"My preparation was mainly focused on mocks and analysis. For VARC, I used to read a lot of articles as this has always been my weakest section. Plus, I used to analyze each and every mock that I gave and my aim was to do 3 RCs and all 8 VA Questions." Read Anmol's full interview |
| Amaan Hussain CAT 2025, 99.47 percentile |
"I prepared for CAT for 1.5 years. My strategy was clear as I was weak in quants (71 percentile in CAT 2024) I dedicated 80 per cent of my preparation time to Quants. I was naturally good at VARC. As for DILR I practiced consistently. I believe consistency is the only thing that will get you far in life, not even hard work or smart work." Read Amaan'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 analyzing them properly. Taking a mock is not as important as analyzing the mocks and improving on your mistakes. Read Rounak's full interview |
| Nisakar Kumar CAT 2023, 99.83 percentile |
"Quant emerged as my strength, whereas DILR presented a challenge. To address my weakness in DILR, I invested considerable time in understanding the question types and engaged in extensive practice until they became more intuitive. Simultaneously, I dedicated time to revising and practising Quant to maintain a solid grasp. I considered myself decent in VARC." Read Nisakar's full interview |
Commonly asked questions
CAT exam is a national level MBA entrance exam conducted by the IIM. Every year, over 2.3 lakh candidates apply for it. Since the last two years, the competition has increased further with oveer 3 lakh candidates applying for the exam.
The CAT score is accepted by the Iims and all top MBA colleges in India. To select the best candidates from over 3 lakh test takers there is a need for stringent criteria. That's why, the CAT exam is tougher than other MBA entrance exams. Even though the syllabus of CAT is same as that of other MBA entrance exams, the question paper set by the IIM faculty always has tough questions. Moreover, CAT has sectional time limit for each section which is not there in any other exam except XAT. Having a time limit for each section adds pressure on candidates to complete solving adequate number of questions in a section within the time limit. If a student is weak in a particular subject, they can't use the time as per their need. CAT's Reading Comprehension passages are long and dense unlike other MBA exams. This is one more reason why most candidates feel CAT is tougher than any other MBA entrance exam.
CAT exam is held in about 170 cities across India. Candidates can choose up to six cities as their preferred test location. The list of test cities for CAT is available in application form. Candidates should choose the test city carefully as the request to change the test city later may or may not be accepted due to non-availability of seats at the centres in that particular city. Given below are the cities where CAT exam is usually held.
The Quantitative Aptitude section of CAT is the third and the last section of the question paper. It has 22 questions and the total marks is 66. This section of the CAT exam is usually dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra. Most of the questions out of 22 are asked from these two topics. There are about 7-9 Algebra questions and 7-9 Arithmetic questions (the exact number varied for all three slots). Apart from these two topics, there are questions from Mensuration Modern Math and Number System in the Quantitative Aptitude section CAT. Some of the important sub topics in this section include: Arithmetic topics: Ratio and Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss Mixtures and Allegations Averages, Percentages, Mean Median Mode, Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance Algebra topics: Basics Algebraic Formulae, Number of integer solutions, Quadratic Equations, Finding out roots, Maxima and Minimal, Higher Degree Equations, Linear Equations, Problems on ages, Descartes Rule of Signs, Inequalities, Logarithm, Functions, Modifications of Graphs, The smallest Value in a Maximum Function Number System topics: Finding Out Last Two Digits, Number of Trailing Zeroes, Finding out Remainders based on, Basic Divisibility Rules, Binomial Theorem, Simplifying the Dividend (Single and/or Multiple Divisors), Basics of Numbers, Properties of Numbers, Divisibility Rules, Divisibility and Factors, the highest Common Factor and the lowest Common Multiple, Finding Out the Last Digit, Fermat's Theorem, Euler's Theorem, Pattern Recognition and Cyclicity of Remainders, Wilson's Theorem, Base Systems, Conversion of Bases, Addition/Subtraction/ Multiplication in different bases Geometry Topics: Lines and Angles, Triangles Basic Concepts, Area, Angles, Similar Triangles Polygons, Circles, Solids / Mensuration 3D Geometry, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry Modern Math topics: Sequence and Series Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Permutation and Combination, Probability.
The total number of questions in the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section of CAT exam is 22 (as per CAT 2024 question paper). Earlier, the number of DILR questions was 20.
There is equal number of question distribution between Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, which means both sections have 11 questions each. The total marks for DILR is 66. The questions on Data Interpretation as based on Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, whereas Logical Reasoning questions are based on Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Caselets and Syllogism. This section of the CAT is usually moderate in terms of difficulty level and about 12-14 correct attempts are good enough to score high marks. Some of the other important topics include Series, Proposition, Direction Sense, Coding-Decoding, Assumptions, Clocks and Calendars, Statements, Binary Logic, Data Structures, Data Sufficiency and Data Arrangement. To score high in this section, candidates must practice a good number of practice tests and sectional mock tests. The better you learn to interpret given data and apply reasoning to a given situation, the better you get at solving related questions.
Commonly asked questions
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
Yes, COEP, Pune does accept CAT score to admit candidates for MBA admissions. During CAP rounds, if candidates have a valid score in CAT, they will be chosen based on those scores only. Thus, such candidates are not required to reappear for MAH-CET.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
No, to gain admission to the MBA course at this university, candidates have to either attempt the CAT or other accepted exams (MAT, SUAT, etc.) and then appear in the Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds.
Students are shortlisted for the GD and PI rounds based on their performa
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
IIT Madras CAT cutoff 2025 is generally not released to the public and is instead only visible to students with login credentials.
Based on the previous year's estimated CAT cutoff for the General AI category, the overall CAT percentile was 85.11.
Note: The cutoff data provided is not official. It i
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
No, you cannot get direct admission to the MBA course based on the CAT score. A valid CAT score only gets you eligible to apply for the management course.
To secure your spot for the course, you have to first attain the accepted CAT cutoff and get shortlisted for the multi-stage selection process, wh
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
No, CAT is not a mandatory entrance exam for MBA admissions at Pratibha Institute of Business Management. Candidates who want to apply for MBA courses cal also appear for MH -CET, XAT, MAT, GMAT and CMAT. However, appearing in any one of these exams is a mandatory requirement for MBA at Pratibha Ins
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
To get admission at IIT Kanpur for the MBA/PGDM course, candidates have to secure a CAT percentile of at least 90 if they belong to the General AI category.
Candidates who clear the exam cutoff are then eligible to take part in the Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI). Students who pass
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IIT Kanpur provides the MBA course based on the student's performance in the CAT exam. In 2025, the overall CAT percentile was 90 for the General AI category candidates. For more information, refer to the table below. The cutoff provided below is for the General AI category.
| Section | IIT Kanpur MBA cutoff 2025 |
|---|---|
| Overall | 90 |
| Quants | 50 |
| VA-RC | 50 |
| DI-LR | 50 |
Note: The cutoff provid
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, to get admission at IIT Roorkee for the MBA/PGDM course, students have to first attempt the CAT entrance examination and attain a valid percentile. Those students who clear the cutoff are then eligible to move to the second round of admission, which involves PI (Personal Interview).
Students who
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Aspirants must have more than 70 percentile in CAT for admission in MBA programme of Department of Management Studies, NALSAR University. Such aspirants do not have to appear for NMET (PG) conducted by DoMS for admission.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
The actual required CAT percentile is only visible for candidates with login access. But, based on previous years' estimated CAT cutoff for the General AI category, 90 percentile would be required overall and 50 percentile sectionally for the previously-mentioned category.
Note: The actual cutoff da
N
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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