Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
How to Start My CAT Preparation? A Complete Beginner’s Guide for CAT 2026
Starting CAT preparation can feel overwhelming, especially when you hear about high percentiles, tough questions, and intense competition. If you are planning to appear for CAT 2026, the good news is that you still have enough time to prepare calmly, systematically, and strategically—provided you start the right way.
This article is written for absolute beginners and early-stage aspirants. It explains what to do first, how to structure your preparation, what to focus on, and what to avoid, keeping CAT 2026 patterns and expectations in mind.
How to Crack CAT on the First attempt
Understanding CAT Before You Start Preparing
Before opening books or watching videos, it is important to understand what CAT actually tests.
CAT is not a syllabus-based exam. It evaluates:
-
Logical thinking
-
Decision-making under time pressure
-
Reading and comprehension ability
-
Basic mathematical understanding and application
CAT Exam Structure
-
3 Sections
-
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
-
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
-
QA (Quantitative Aptitude)
-
-
2 Hours Total
-
40 Minutes per Section (Sectional Timer)
-
Mix of MCQs and TITA (non-negative) questions
Your preparation should focus more on thinking ability and strategy, not rote learning.
Step 1: Set the Right Mindset for CAT Preparation
CAT preparation is a marathon, not a sprint.
Before starting, understand this clearly:
-
You do not need to be good at everything on Day 1
-
Consistency matters more than long study hours
-
CAT rewards smart selection, not maximum attempts
If you approach CAT with fear, preparation becomes stressful. If you approach it with clarity, it becomes manageable.
Step 2: Know Your Starting Point (Very Important)
Before making a timetable, ask yourself:
-
Are you comfortable with basic maths?
-
Do you read regularly?
-
Have you solved logical puzzles before?
You do not need to take a full mock immediately. Instead:
-
Try a few basic questions from each section
-
Observe where you struggle naturally
-
This helps you avoid unrealistic plans
Your preparation plan must start from where you are, not where toppers are.
Step 3: Start with Section-Wise Basics
VARC: Where Most Beginners Should Start
VARC is the most scoring and trainable section, especially for beginners.
What to do initially:
-
Start reading daily (editorials, non-fiction, opinion pieces)
-
Focus on understanding, not speed
-
Practice basic RC questions without timing pressure
Avoid:
-
Memorising grammar rules
-
Vocabulary mugging
For CAT 2026, reading comprehension dominates VARC, and clarity matters more than rules.
DILR: Learn to Think in Sets
DILR is about pattern recognition and logical structuring, not formulas.
Start by:
-
Solving easy puzzles
-
Understanding how data is arranged
-
Practicing without time limits initially
DILR becomes easier only through regular exposure, not shortcuts.
Step 4: Create a Simple and Realistic Study Plan
You do not need a complicated timetable.
A beginner-friendly CAT 2026 plan:
-
2–3 hours per day (initially)
-
1 section per day
-
1 day per week for revision
Example:
-
Monday: VARC
-
Tuesday: QA
-
Wednesday: DILR
-
Thursday: VARC
-
Friday: QA
-
Saturday: DILR
-
Sunday: Light revision + analysis
The goal is habit formation, not perfection.
Step 5: When and How to Start Mock Tests
Mocks should not be delayed for too long, but they should also not be rushed.
Ideal approach:
-
Start sectional tests once basics are covered
-
Full-length mocks can start later
-
Treat early mocks as learning tools, not judgment
After every mock:
-
Analyse mistakes
-
Understand why you got a question wrong
-
Note patterns in errors
For CAT 2026, mock analysis is more important than mock scores.
Step 6: Common Mistakes Beginners Must Avoid
-
Trying to complete the entire syllabus
-
Copying toppers’ study plans blindly
-
Ignoring weak sections completely
-
Taking too many mocks without analysis
-
Studying without time-bound practice
CAT rewards self-awareness, not over-preparation.
Step 7: Build the Right Habits Early
Good habits formed early make CAT preparation smoother:
-
Daily reading (even 20 minutes)
-
Writing down mistakes
-
Weekly revision
-
Staying consistent even on low-energy days
Small daily efforts compound into big results over time.
How CAT Preparation Evolves Over Time
Your preparation journey will move through phases:
-
Understanding phase – learning basics
-
Practice phase – solving section-wise questions
-
Testing phase – mocks and analysis
-
Strategy phase – attempt selection and accuracy
Do not rush phases. CAT 2026 preparation should evolve naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is CAT preparation possible for beginners?
Yes. CAT is designed to test aptitude, not prior knowledge. Beginners can do very well with structured preparation.
How many hours should I study daily for CAT 2026?
In the beginning, 2–3 focused hours daily are sufficient. Quality matters more than quantity.
Should I start with mocks immediately?
No. Start with basics and sectional practice. Full mocks should come after foundational clarity.
Is coaching necessary to start CAT preparation?
Not mandatory. Many aspirants start on their own and later decide based on their comfort and progress.
Which section should I focus on first?
VARC is usually the best starting point for beginners, followed by QA (arithmetic) and DILR.
Comments are disabled for now