CAT 2026

CAT exam preparation 2026

Everything for your CAT preparation in one place: study material, a plan, practice questions, mock tests and a daily habit. It is all online and free. Pick a starting point below.

Study planA month by month CAT preparation plan with weekly targets.Read the plan →Exam pattern and syllabusSections, question counts, marking and what each section tests.See the pattern →Formula sheetEvery Quant formula and shortcut on one printable page, with VARC and DILR checklists.Open the sheet →Practice by topicPercentages, time and work, probability, reading comprehension and more, each with solved questions.Pick a topic →Study material179 free flashcards for Quant formulas, VARC strategy, DILR set solving and exam basics.Open flashcards →Practice questionsSectional VARC, DILR and Quant tests with a worked solution for every question.Start practising →Mock testsFull length CAT mocks in the official format with section scores and a percentile estimate.Take a mock →Test seriesA free 8 week schedule that orders every test on the site.Follow the series →Previous year papersPattern by year, topic trends and how to use past papers.Use past papers →Daily habitOne Quant question every day with a streak counter.Do today's question →

How to prepare for each CAT section

VARC

Read widely and daily, then practise passages under a timer. Spend your first minutes on the passage and choose question order by confidence. Para-jumbles and odd sentence out are quick wins once you learn to spot opening and closing sentences.

VARC strategy guide →

DILR

Selecting sets is the skill. Spend two to three minutes scanning every set, start with the one whose structure is clearest, and abandon a set that is not opening up. Practise with a stopwatch.

DILR set selection guide →

Quant

Learn arithmetic and number systems first, because they carry the most questions, then algebra, geometry and modern maths. Build a formula sheet and revise it with flashcards.

What to learn first in Quant →

The CAT entrance exam in short

CAT is the entrance exam for admission to the IIMs and many other top business schools in India. The paper has three timed sections, VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability, and results are given as percentiles. Check the official CAT website for dates and the current pattern, and see our pattern and syllabus guide for a plain summary. Comparing exams? Read CAT vs XAT vs SNAP vs NMAT.

CAT preparation questions

How should I start CAT exam preparation?

Read the exam pattern, take one diagnostic sectional test in each of VARC, DILR and Quant, then build a weekly plan around your weakest section. Add a full length mock every week once the basics are in place.

What is the best free CAT study material?

The most useful free material is a good formula and concept summary, a large bank of practice questions with solutions, and mock tests you analyse carefully. PrepTest Hub offers flashcards, sectional tests and full mocks free of charge.

How many months are needed to prepare for CAT?

Most candidates take six to nine months of steady work, but a focused plan can work in three to four months if your basics are already solid. Consistency matters more than total hours.

Can I prepare for the CAT entrance exam online?

Yes. Online preparation with timed tests, flashcards and video or text explanations covers everything you need. The important part is a schedule you actually follow, so a test series and a daily question help.

Can working professionals prepare for CAT?

Yes. Short daily sessions and one long weekend block work well. Our guide for working professionals covers a realistic weekly plan.