CAT 2026 Slot 3 will be conducted on November 29, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Candidates must report to their examination centres by 3:00 PM, and the entry gates will close at 4:00 PM.
As the last session of the day, Slot 3 gives candidates additional time for morning revision and preparation. However, managing energy levels throughout the day and staying focused on your own examination are equally important.
One concern among Slot 3 candidates is the information circulating after the first two sessions. Discussions about question difficulty, unexpected topics and possible changes in paper patterns can create unnecessary anxiety.
Remember that you do not need to modify your preparation based on what other candidates say. Your focus should remain on your own CAT exam strategy.
CAT 2026 will have 68 questions across VARC (24), DILR (22) and QA (22), with 40 minutes allotted to each section. Here are seven practical CAT 2026 Slot 3 tips to help you prepare for the final session.
CAT 2026 Slot 3: Exam Schedule and Important Timings
Check your examination schedule and plan your day accordingly.
| Particulars | Slot 3 Details |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Session | Evening |
| Reporting Time | 3:00 PM |
| Gate Closing Time | 4:00 PM |
| Exam Timing | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes |
| Total Questions | 68 |
CAT Exam 2026 Tips for Slot 3
Do not confuse the reporting time with the gate closing time. Plan to reach the centre by 3:00 PM and keep enough time for the entry process.
1. Do Not Let Slot 1 and Slot 2 Discussions Affect Your Preparation
This is particularly important for candidates appearing in the last session. By the time you reach the examination centre, discussions about the first two slots may already be circulating across social media groups and student communities.
You may come across claims about difficult DILR sets, lengthy RC passages or unexpected QA questions. Reading such discussions immediately before your examination can affect your confidence and distract you from your preparation.
Follow these precautions:
- Avoid checking social media discussions about earlier slots on November 29.
- Do not change your question-selection strategy based on someone else’s experience.
- Avoid comparing expected scores or difficulty levels before your examination.
- Do not assume that a topic discussed by Slot 1 or Slot 2 candidates will appear in your paper.
- Keep your phone and other distractions away while preparing to enter the centre.
The first two sessions do not determine how you will perform in Slot 3. Concentrate on the questions displayed on your own computer screen.
2. Plan Your Day to Maintain Energy Until 4:30 PM
A late-afternoon examination requires you to manage your energy over several hours. Waking up very late or spending the entire day studying can leave you tired before the test begins. Follow a comfortable morning routine:
- Wake up around 7:00-8:00 AM.
- Have breakfast at your regular time.
- Complete a short revision session in the morning.
- Have lunch around your usual lunchtime.
- Take a short rest if required.
- Begin getting ready well before 2:00 PM.
Avoid heavy meals during lunch. Since your examination starts at 4:30 PM, eating too much can make you feel uncomfortable or sluggish.
Choose familiar food in moderate portions and maintain your normal hydration routine.
3. Use Your Extra Preparation Time Wisely
Slot 3 candidates have more time available before reporting to the exam centre. However, this does not mean you should spend the entire day solving questions.
Use the morning and early afternoon for selective revision of the CAT syllabus.
- VARC: Reading Comprehension contributes approximately 16 questions out of 24. Revise your approach to identifying the central argument, author’s perspective and relevant supporting details. Also review Para Jumbles, Summary and Odd Questions.
- DILR: Practise interpreting Tables and Charts, Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Games and Tournaments, scheduling, and Venn Diagrams. Review previously solved sets instead of attempting several unfamiliar arrangements.
- QA: Arithmetic carries approximately 35-50% weightage, while Algebra contributes around 30-35%. Revise Averages, Ratios, Percentages, Time and Work, Profit and Loss, Equations and Geometry. Spend some time reviewing formulas from Number System and Modern Maths as well.
Do not begin a new chapter on examination day. Your revision should improve recall, not introduce additional pressure.
4. Practise Mock Tests During the Evening Hours
If you usually attempt mock tests in the morning, adjust your practice schedule during the final preparation phase.
Attempt a few full-length CAT mocks between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. This will help you understand how effectively you can maintain concentration during the evening.
During mock analysis, check:
- Whether your reading speed remains consistent in VARC.
- How quickly you identify manageable DILR sets.
- Whether you make calculation errors in QA.
- How your accuracy changes towards the end of the test.
- Whether you spend too much time on difficult questions.
CAT 2026 has a fixed 40-minute limit for each section. Your mock practice should help you become comfortable with this restriction.
5. Reach Your Examination Centre Before 3:00 PM
Candidates travelling from another city should reach their examination destination on November 28. Avoid depending on same-day travel, even though Slot 3 starts at 4:30 PM.
If your centre is within your city, check the route and travel duration beforehand. Afternoon traffic, road closures or transportation delays can affect your arrival time. Before leaving:
- Check the examination centre address.
- Keep your admit card ready.
- Arrange transportation in advance.
- Identify an alternative route.
- Leave with enough time to reach the centre by 3:00 PM.
6. Follow a Fixed Section-Wise Strategy
CAT 2026 has 120 minutes for 68 questions. You will receive 40 minutes for each section, and switching between sections is not permitted. Check the CAT Exam Pattern 2026 below.
| Section | Number of Questions | Duration |
| VARC | 24 | 40 minutes |
| DILR | 22 | 40 minutes |
| QA | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 120 minutes |
For VARC, distribute your time between Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. In DILR, assess the available sets before committing to one. In QA, prioritise questions that you can solve with conceptual clarity.
The marking scheme awards 3 marks for a correct answer and deducts 1 mark for an incorrect MCQ. Avoid random guessing and focus on maintaining accuracy.
7. Check Your CAT Admit Card and Examination Instructions
The CAT 2026 admit card will be available for download from November 6 to November 29, 2026. Download it before examination day and verify your details.
Pay particular attention to your examination date, session, reporting time, gate closing time and centre address. Also check the instructions regarding identification documents and items permitted inside the examination hall.
Do not leave these checks until the afternoon of November 29.
Conclusion
CAT 2026 Slot 3 candidates should focus on maintaining their energy, revising important topics and avoiding distractions from earlier sessions.
The last slot does not require you to change your preparation strategy based on other candidates’ experiences. Trust your mock-test analysis and follow the question-selection approach you have practised.
If you are targeting CAT 2027, explore the MBA Karo CAT 2027 Course for structured preparation across VARC, DILR and QA.
With focused concept building, exam-level practice and mock-test preparation, you can work towards improving your accuracy and overall performance.
FAQs on CAT 2026 Slot 3
Q1. What is the reporting time for CAT 2026 Slot 3?
A. The reporting time is 3:00 PM on November 29, 2026. The examination gates will close at 4:00 PM, and the test will begin at 4:30 PM.
Q2. Should Slot 3 candidates check the analysis of Slot 1 and Slot 2?
A. Avoid checking detailed paper discussions immediately before your examination. Such information can create unnecessary anxiety and influence your question-selection strategy.
Q3. What should I do between lunch and the CAT Slot 3 examination?
A. Have a moderate lunch, take some rest and revise familiar concepts. Avoid attempting lengthy mock tests or studying unfamiliar topics during these hours.
Q4. Can I switch between sections in CAT 2026 Slot 3?
A. No. Each section has a fixed duration of 40 minutes. You cannot move between VARC, DILR and QA during the examination.
