When is the Best Time to Start CAT Preparation 2026?

CAT exam preparation requires time and dedication. Even if you have appeared for it, you will still need a good number of days to prepare. So, know here what is the best time to start CAT 2026 preparation.  

Common Admission Test or CAT is a highly competitive exam. Aspirants have to dedicates quality time in preparation, only then they can expect to score high. While nearly 2.5 lakh or 3 lakh candidates appear in the exam, only 10-14 test takers manage to score 100 percentile. All IIMs and top B-Schools close admission at minimum 94 percentile. Naturally, CAT exam requires long-term preparation. So the main question that MBA aspirants ask is 'when to start CAT preparation'? Some related questions we get from aspirants are:

• "What is the best time to start CAT preparation 2026?"
• "Is February too early to start CAT preparation?"
• "Is it ok to start CAT preparation in June?"

The right time to start preparing for CAT exam depends on each candidate's skills, abilities and the amount of time he/she can devote on daily basis. Some start as early as January-February, while some start as late as August. 

The CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 29, 2026 and if you plan to appear for it then starting CAT preparation in March-April is a good idea. However, if you start preparation even in May-June 2026, you will be able to crack it given you have a focussed 6 month CAT preparation plan. If you start studying in July 2026, then you will have to make a short-term plan of four months from August 2026 to November 2026.

Ideally, CAT preparation should start by March/April. Given below are expert advice and toppers' experience of CAT preparation. 

Also Read: CAT 2026 preparation roadmap: month wise strategy and tips

Best Time to Start CAT Preparation 2026: What Expert Says?

According to Parasharan Chari, MBA expert and COO at Endeavour Careers, "Candidates should look at finishing the entire CAT syllabus by August. Thus, candidates should start latest by May. Do not stretch the course till the very end. In June, July and August – candidates should try and complete the entire core CAT syllabus. The primary sections of CAT syllabus are: Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability and Quantitative Aptitude. Thereafter, candidates can start focusing on speed-building, accuracy building and later on move to full length mock tests," adds Parasharan Chari. 

Also Read: CAT Preparation –Coaching vs Self Study

Best Time to Start CAT Preparation: What Toppers Say?

Every candidate has different skills and capacities so they start CAT preparation accordingly. Here are some previous years' CAT toppers sharing their preparation journey.

Harsh Khudania, 99.93 percentile, CAT 2025

"I started my full-fledged CAT preparations in mid August. My preparation strategy was to practice and nothing more. I practiced till I started getting the desired scores. I also analysed the topics where I was making mistakes and gave extra hours to that topic to eradicate the errors." Read Harsh's interview

Vagish Nangia, 100 percentile, CAT 2024

"I started considering CAT seriously in July 2024. Given the responsibilities and workload of the 7th semester, including placements, academics, extra-curricular activities, and projects, I couldn't devote much prep time. However, I focused on understanding the CAT exam, practicing questions for each section, and doing sectional and full-length mock tests." Read Vagish's interview

Kartik Bhageria, 99.99 percentile, CAT 2023

"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 Bhageria's interview

Risshi Agrawal, 99.99 percentile, CAT 2022

 "I started preparing in the month of July. Since I had already taken the exam last year, I was familiar with the pattern. For the first two months I focused on revising the concepts while in the later stages I devoted my time towards solving mocks (average of 1 per day)....Mocks play a crucial role while preparing for CAT. It helps you determine the strategy which suits you the best." Read Risshi's interview

Chirag Gupta, 100 percentile, CAT 2021

“I started preparing in March 2021. I focused mainly on giving mock tests and analysing them. I used to work on my weaknesses by watching various CAT preparation YouTube videos on various topics.” Read Chirag Gupta's interview

Ekansh Agarwal, 99.98 percentile, CAT 2020

Ekansh Agarwal started his CAT preparations approximately 11 months before the CAT 2020 exam. According to him," mock tests are the most important part of CAT preparation. Attempt as many CAT mock tests as possible. 40-50 mock tests are good enough. Focus on the areas you are weak at and accordingly attempt the mock tests. Another piece of advice would be, if you think that you are weak in any section, then try maximizing the other two whilst working on the first." Read Ekansh's interview

Also Read:

CAT Preparation 2026: Month-Wise Time-Table

Here's a quick time-line of CAT exam preparation. This is a broad distribution of CAT preparation time frame into phases. You can alter the time-table according to your need.

Also Read:

• How to Prepare for CAT 2026 exam in 6 Months
• How to Prepare for CAT exam  in 3 Months
• Last Month CAT Preparation Plan and Tips

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