I Have 4 Months To Prepare For CAT. How Should I Plan My Test Prep?

A national level management aptitude test in India, CAT (Common Admission Test) is among the toughest entrance exams in the world

Held every year, the success rate in CAT is just around 2% to 3%. Thousands of candidates take the exam every year to gain access to the various IIMs located across the country. Students usually start preparing for CAT around 3-6 months or even 12 months before the exam. In 2026, the CAT entrance exam will be held on 29th November. That means candidates have roughly four months to prepare for CAT. Here’s how you can plan your test prep.

CAT 2026 Overview (Latest Pattern)

Before we look into how to prepare for 2026 CAT, let’s understand the exam overview. The 2026 CAT exam will be of two hours. There will be three sections of 40 minutes each. These are VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) and QA (Quantitative Aptitude). There are around 22-24 questions per section. Total questions will be around 68.

For MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions), every correct answer will get you 3 marks. For every wrong MCQ, 1 mark will be deducted. For TITA questions (Type in the Answer), there is no negative marking for wrong or unattempted questions. For getting entry into top IIMs, you will need a percentile score of 95–99+.

4-months plan for CAT preparation

Let’s take a look at how to prepare for CAT exam in four months.

Month 1 (June) – Focus on basics and fundamentals

In the first month, you need to focus on achieving concept clarity. You may have studied these things earlier, but it is important to renew your knowledge and understanding. You need to allocate around 4-6 hours every day. For VARC section, you need to focus on things like vocabulary, grammar basics and comprehension. For QA section, you need to focus on subjects like arithmetic, numbers and algebra. In DILR, you need to study tables, graphs, arrangements and puzzles.

Month 2 (July) – Focus on mock tests and mastery of subjects

In the second month of your CAT exam preparation, you will start taking mock tests. This will not only test your knowledge, but also improve your mental strength and focus. You will need to take daily tests to put your brain in the right format.

Month 3 (August) – Increased mock tests and focus on weak areas

If you analyze your mock test results, you will know what are your weak areas. You need to start working on these in the 3rd month of your CAT preparation. During this time, you also need to increase the frequency of the mock tests. You have to analyze the results in more detail and try to maintain a log that lists the common mistakes. You need to revise formulas, shortcuts and weak topics. Aim to achieve around 85% accuracy by the time you finish your 3rd month CAT preparation.

Month 4 (September to November) – More mock exams and revision

In the weeks preceding the CAT exam, you should aim to take around 3 mock tests per week. Also carry out extensive revision and analysis of your mock tests. To reduce stress, make sure you take 1-2 days complete break every week. In the last 10-15 days, take 1 mock test every 2-3 days. Take full rest before the final CAT exam. In the last month of your CAT preparation, your score in the mock tests should equal 95–99+ percentile consistently.

Some good resources for CAT exam preparation

• Coaching: IMS, TIME, Career Launcher, or online (2IIM, Rodha, Cracku, iQuanta)
• Mocks: IMS, TIME, CL, CATKing, or free ones on YouTube
• YouTube Channels: 2IIM, Unacademy CAT, CATKing, Rodha, Ravi Handa

Consistency is the key to success in cracking the CAT exam. You need to focus first on accuracy and then build speed. Mock tests and their analysis will be a key factor in your CAT exam prep. Make sure you eat healthy, get good sleep, exercise and learn to avoid stress.