With 78 days left for CAT 2026, shift your focus from covering everything to prioritising high-weightage topics, practising questions regularly, and revising what you have already studied.
CAT has 68 questions, including 22 questions in Quantitative Ability (QA), 22 in DILR, and 24 in VARC.
Since the exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026, this is the right time to follow a structured CAT 2026 preparation strategy.
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CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy for the Next 78 Days
The next 78 days can be divided into three clear stages: concept revision, intensive practice, and mocks with final revision.
Instead of giving equal time to every topic, prioritise areas that are expected to contribute more questions.
| Section | Total Questions | High-Priority Areas |
| QA | 22 | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry |
| DILR | 22 | Tables & Charts, Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Games & Tournaments |
| VARC | 24 | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumble, Summary |
This approach helps you use the remaining preparation time more effectively.
Days 1-30: Complete High-Weightage Topics
The first 30 days should focus on strengthening concepts and completing the most important topics.
CAT QA Preparation
Arithmetic is expected to contribute 35-50% of QA, while Algebra can contribute 30-35%.
Together, these areas account for nearly 65-85% of the section. Give priority to the following areas of the CAT Quant Syllabus:
- Ratio and Proportion
- Averages
- Percentages
- Profit and Loss
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Time and Work
- Time, Speed and Distance
- Linear and Quadratic Equations
- Functions and Graphs
- Logarithms, Surds and Indices
- Inequalities
After these, revise Geometry, Number System and Modern Maths.
Geometry is expected to contribute 10-15%, while Number System and Modern Maths may each contribute 5-10%.
CAT DILR Preparation
CAT DILR has 22 questions, so set selection and practice are important.
Focus on Tables and Charts, Puzzles and Seating Arrangements, and Games and Tournaments in the CAT DILR syllabus.
Tables and Charts may account for around 3-6 questions, while Puzzle and Seating Arrangement sets may contribute 2-4 questions.
Games and Tournaments can contribute around 4-5 questions. Practise different set formats rather than solving only one type repeatedly.
CAT VARC Preparation
CAT VARC contains 24 questions, with Reading Comprehension making up the largest share. Around 16 questions, or 67-68%, are expected from RC.
Therefore, make RC your main priority. Along with regular passage practice, revise the following areas of the CAT VARC syllabus:
| Para Jumbles | 3-4 questions |
| Summary | 3-4 questions |
| Odd Questions | 2-3 questions |
Days 31-55: Increase Practice and Sectional Tests
Once the major concepts are covered, move towards timed practice. The aim during this phase should be to improve accuracy while becoming comfortable with the expected question distribution.
For QA, continue practising Arithmetic and Algebra while mixing in Geometry, Number System and Modern Maths.
For DILR, solve sets from Tables and Charts, Puzzles, Seating Arrangements and Games and Tournaments. In VARC, maintain regular RC practice instead of leaving it for the final weeks.
This is also a suitable stage to include sectional mocks. MBA Karo’s CAT mock series includes 10 QA, 10 DILR and 10 VARC sectional mocks, along with 15 full-length CAT mocks, giving you separate practice across all three sections.
Days 56-68: Start Full-Length CAT Mocks
The final stretch should focus more on exam-level practice. Start taking full-length mocks regularly and analyse every attempt. Do not judge a mock only by the score. Check the following areas:
- Which questions took too much time?
- Which topics caused repeated mistakes?
- Where did you make avoidable errors?
- Which DILR sets were worth attempting?
- How accurately did you handle RC and other VARC questions?
The analysis after a mock can be as important as the test itself. Maintain a simple error record and revise recurring problem areas.
Days 69-78: Final Revision Strategy
The last 10 days should not be used for learning a large number of new concepts. Focus on revision, selected practice and mock analysis.
Revise important QA formulas and concepts from Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry. For DILR, revisit set types that you have already practised.
In VARC, continue RC practice and revise the approach used for Para Jumbles and Summary questions.
You should also review your previous mock mistakes. If the same error appears multiple times, address it before the exam.
CAT 2026 Mock Tests: How to Use Them Effectively
Mocks should be treated as a preparation tool, not just a scorecard. A good mock routine can show whether your preparation is translating into actual performance.
The MBA Karo CAT Mock Test series offers 45 tests, including 15 full-length CAT mocks and 30 sectional mocks.
It also provides 50 hours of test duration and 1,702 questions, giving aspirants a large question pool for the final preparation phase.
Rather than taking mocks without analysis, follow a simple cycle: attempt → analyse → identify mistakes → revise → attempt again.
CAT 2026 Revision Plan: What to Prioritise
Your revision should follow the expected weightage of the sections.
- QA: Prioritise Arithmetic at 35-50% and Algebra at 30-35%.
- DILR: Focus on Tables and Charts, Puzzles and Seating Arrangements, and Games and Tournaments.
- VARC: Give maximum attention to Reading Comprehension, which is expected to account for 67-68% of the section.
This prevents the final weeks from becoming a rush to revise the entire syllabus.
Conclusion
Preparing for CAT 2026 in 78 days is manageable when the remaining time is divided between high-weightage topics, timed practice, mocks and revision.
With 68 questions overall, including 22 QA, 22 DILR and 24 VARC questions, every section needs consistent attention. The key is to track mistakes and use mock performance to improve your next attempt.
For structured practice, the MBA Karo CAT Mock Test series offers 45 tests, 50 hours of duration and 1,702 questions, including 15 full-length CAT mocks and 30 sectional mocks.
This gives you plenty of data to assess and improve your preparation before November 29.
