The CAT Exam 2026 will be held on 29th November, 2026 (Sunday). And now, less than 2 months are left for the learners. Therefore, they must follow a 45-day CAT exam preparation plan. Since you have less than 2 months, it is crucial to use them very wisely by practising key topics from each section.  

The CAT exam is mainly divided into 3 major sections that have: 

• VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)
• DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning)
• QA (Quantitative Aptitude)

A regular study plan and smart strategy can help learners cover all three sections in the limited time.  

CAT 2026: 45-Day Preparation at a Glance

Preparation Phase	Days	Main Focus
Phase 1	Day 1 - 15	Identify weak concepts or areas
Phase 2	Day 16 - 30	Practice questions and sectional tests
Phase 3	Day 31 - 40	Practice full-length mock tests
Phase 4	Day 41 - 45	Revise the Final Exam Strategy

Days 1-15: Build your Basics 

The very first 15 days can be used to build the foundation by understanding your current level of understanding in each section. The learners can take a diagnostic mock test by focusing on the VARC section, DILR section, and QA section. Also, because you have very limited time, try not to invest too much time in a certain or difficult topic. 

Days 16-30: Practice  Questions & Sectional Tests

On the 16th day, students should start practising the questions & sectional tests so that they can challenge their speed and accuracy. This practice will help them to finish their CAT exam 2026 on time without missing any section or questions.  

Also, it is also important to solve various problems from different difficulty levels under a set time and keep track of the mistakes. All in all, every learner should follow only a simple methodology of: 

Learn → Practise → Check mistakes → Repeat

Days 31-40: Start Full- Length Mock Tests

After one month of basic analysis and mock test practice, now it's time to start practising the full-length CAT mocks according to the actual exam guidelines. It is important to notice: “How much time are you taking to solve a single problem?” “What mistakes are you repeating?” “Which section is taking much time?” etc. Checking your mock test and each section can be very helpful in your overall 45-day CAT exam 2026 preparation.  

Days 41-45: Revise the Final Exam Strategy

The last five days are some of the most important days of your 45-day CAT exam 2026 preparation strategy. Learning something new can be a waste of time for learners. This is the time to brush up on your old topics as much as you can. Take 1–2 final mocks, but avoid taking too many tests back-to-back if they are affecting your confidence or sleep 

Which CAT Topics Should You Prioritise?

These are the main topics that you should prioritise to crack your CAT exam 2026. 

Section	Priority Topics
VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)	Reading comprehension, para jumbles, para summary, odd sentence, etc.
DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning)	Data-based sets, puzzles, arrangements, graphs, tables, logical reasoning, etc.
QA (Quantitative Aptitude)	Mathematics topics such as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, etc.

Mistakes to Avoid During 45-Day CAT Preparation

Mistakes that every learner must avoid while they are preparing for the 45-day CAT exam 2026. 

• Try to finish the CAT syllabus all at once. 
• Attempt the mock tests without proper analysis. 
• Wasting too much time understanding difficult topics. 
• Ignore the VARC and DILR sections by thinking that QA sections are easy. 
• Don’t follow a consistent study plan and skip alternate days. 

Is 45 Days Enough to Prepare for CAT? 

Yes, 45 days are enough to prepare for the CAT exam only if you follow a serious study plan and have a deep understanding of this entrance exam. However, your exam preparation doesn’t give you a guarantee of a fixed CAT exam score or percentile. The best way to crack your CAT exam 2026 is to use these 45 days very strategically. 

In these 45 days, learners can practice sample/mock tests/previous CAT exams and analyse their weaker areas. However, this journey can be a little tough for those learners who are preparing from the very beginning, but with a strong & regular study plan, they are go-to-go to crack their CAT exam 2026.