CAT 2026 will be held on November 29, 2026, in three sessions across approximately 170 cities.
With 68 questions to attempt in 120 minutes, candidates need a focused revision plan that improves accuracy, strengthens topic selection, and reduces time spent on difficult questions.
Each section has a fixed 40-minute limit, so managing time within VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability is as important as solving questions correctly.
The final month should focus on revising completed topics, practising timed sectional tests, analysing mock scores and correcting recurring mistakes.
Candidates who have already covered most of the syllabus should avoid starting several new topics at once. The priority is to convert existing preparation into consistent performance.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern: What to Keep in Mind During Revision
CAT 2026 will have 24 questions in VARC, 22 in DILR and 22 in QA. Each correct answer carries three marks, while an incorrect MCQ attracts a one-mark penalty. The exam does not allow candidates to move between sections during the allotted time.
This structure should guide your revision strategy. Practise each section within 40 minutes rather than solving questions without a time limit. Also, work on identifying questions that you can solve accurately within the available time.
Since incorrect MCQ answers reduce the score, avoid blind guessing. For every mock test, review whether your wrong answers resulted from conceptual gaps, calculation errors, misreading the question or poor question selection.
CAT 2026 30-Day Revision Plan
Check the CAT 2026 30-day revision plan shared below for reference:
Days 1-7: Revise Important Topics from All Three Sections
Use the first week to assess your preparation and revisit topics that you have already studied. Take one full-length mock at the beginning of the week to identify weak areas. Do not judge your preparation only by the overall score. Check your sectional scores, accuracy, time spent per question and the number of questions left unattempted.
For VARC, prioritise Reading Comprehension because it accounts for approximately 16 of the 24 questions. Practise passages from different subjects and review why an option is correct or incorrect. Revise para jumbles, summaries and odd-sentence-out questions alongside RC practice.
For DILR, revise tables, charts, arrangements, games, tournaments and hybrid sets. Focus on understanding the structure of a set before attempting its questions. Practise selecting manageable sets instead of spending too much time on a difficult one.
For QA, begin with Arithmetic and Algebra, which together account for a substantial share of the section. Revise ratios, averages, percentages, time and work, profit and loss, equations, inequalities and functions. Add Geometry and other previously covered topics according to your performance.
Days 8-14: Practise Sectional Tests and Improve Accuracy
In the second week, shift from topic revision to timed practice. Attempt sectional tests for VARC, DILR and QA, keeping the official 40-minute limit for each section.
In VARC, review your passage selection and reading speed. If you repeatedly choose incorrect answers, examine whether you are relying on outside knowledge or assumptions instead of the passage. For verbal ability, practise identifying the central idea and logical connections between sentences.
In DILR, practise selecting sets within the first few minutes. Look for clear information, manageable conditions and questions that can be solved using the same arrangement or data. If a set remains unclear after reasonable effort, move to another one.
In QA, solve mixed-topic question sets under timed conditions. Track the time spent on Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry questions. If calculations consume too much time, revise shortcuts and calculation methods that you can apply accurately.
After each sectional test, spend time analysing errors. Re-solving incorrect questions without looking at the solution helps you check whether the problem was caused by weak concepts or pressure during the test.
Days 15-21: Take Full-Length Mocks and Fix Weak Areas
Attempt two or three full-length mocks during the third week, depending on your ability to analyse them properly. Avoid taking a new mock every day if you cannot review the previous test in detail.
Follow the 40-minute sectional limits in every mock. Record your attempts, correct answers, incorrect answers and estimated score for each section. Compare these results across tests to identify consistent patterns rather than reacting to a single low score.
Create an error log with three categories: conceptual mistakes, calculation or reading errors, and poor question selection. Revise the relevant topic for conceptual errors. For repeated calculation mistakes, practise similar questions. If you lose marks by spending too long on difficult questions, set a stricter limit for deciding when to move on.
During this week, revise high-priority topics instead of trying to complete the entire syllabus from scratch. For QA, give additional practice time to Arithmetic and Algebra if your analysis shows weaknesses in these areas.
In DILR, focus on improving set selection and execution. For VARC, maintain regular RC practice and review your reasoning for each answer.
Days 22-26: Consolidate Revision and Practise Exam Conditions
Use these five days to strengthen your most important topics and maintain test readiness. Attempt one or two full-length mocks, leaving enough time for analysis and targeted revision.
Revise formulas, common calculation methods, question types and mistakes recorded in your error log. For DILR, revisit sets you previously found difficult and solve them again without checking the solutions.
For VARC, continue practising passages and verbal ability questions. In QA, solve a short mixed-topic set to maintain familiarity with different question formats.
Do not track progress only by the number of questions attempted. A smaller number of well-selected questions with higher accuracy can be more useful than rushing through a large set and accumulating negative marks.
Last 3 Days Before CAT 2026: What Should You Revise?
From November 26 to November 28, reduce the intensity of your preparation. Avoid experimenting with unfamiliar strategies or attempting unusually difficult questions just to test yourself.
- November 26: Revise key formulas, Arithmetic and Algebra concepts, and selected DILR sets. Practise a short VARC set.
- November 27: Review your mock analysis, common mistakes and question-selection strategy. If you take a final mock, do so only if you can review it without disrupting your rest.
- November 28: Keep revision light. Review formulas and familiar question types, check your exam-day documents and plan your travel to the centre.
Get adequate sleep before the exam. Avoid comparing mock scores with other candidates during the final days, as this can distract you from your own preparation.
How to Manage Time During the CAT 2026 Exam
Each section has 40 minutes, so prepare a clear approach for using that time. Start by identifying questions that match your strengths.
In VARC, choose passages based on your ability to understand the subject and answer questions accurately. In DILR, assess the available sets before committing to one.
In QA, solve familiar questions first and return to time-consuming problems if time permits.
Do not force yourself to attempt a fixed number of questions in every section. Your target should depend on your accuracy, difficulty level and mock-test performance.
Since the exam has negative marking for incorrect MCQs, prioritise questions where you can reach an answer through a clear method.
Conclusion
A strong CAT 2026 revision plan should help you improve accuracy, manage the 40-minute sectional limits and make better decisions under pressure.
Use your mock analysis to identify specific weaknesses, revise important topics and practise a strategy that suits your strengths.
Practising with the MBA Karo CAT Mock Test can help you assess your readiness through timed tests, identify areas that need improvement and review your performance before exam day.
Use the results to guide your final revision. The aim is to enter the exam with a clear plan for all three sections and the confidence to make disciplined question-selection decisions.
