CAT Preparation Hub — Complete Guide, Free Resources & Coaching by AzuCATion
Everything you need to crack CAT — exam overview, syllabus, section strategy, free PYQs, mock tests, coaching options, and mentorship from Amiya Sir's AzuCATion team.
What is CAT? — Common Admission Test Overview
India's most prestigious MBA entrance exam, conducted by the IIMs on a rotational basis
Conducting Body
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. Each year a different IIM takes charge of the exam.
Exam Frequency
Once a year, held in November. Notification released in July–August. Results declared in January.
Eligibility
Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Final-year students are also eligible.
Accepting Colleges
All 21 IIMs plus 1,200+ B-schools across India including FMS, SPJIMR, MDI, IIFT, and more.
Score Validity
CAT score is valid for 1 year — only for the admission cycle following the year of the exam.
Applicants
Over 3.3 lakh candidates appear every year, making it one of the most competitive management exams in the world.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Key Details
Current exam format as of CAT 2025 — patterns evolve yearly, always verify official IIM notification
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Sections | 3 — VARC, LRDI, Quant |
| Time per Section | 40 minutes each (sectional time limit) |
| Total Questions | ~66 questions (may vary by slot) |
| Question Types | MCQ (−1 for wrong) + TITA (no negative marking) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct, −1 for wrong MCQ, 0 for TITA |
| Number of Slots | 3 slots on exam day (Morning, Afternoon, Evening) |
| Normalisation | Yes — raw scores are scaled across slots |
| Result | Scaled score + percentile for each section and overall |
Section-wise Breakup
Percentile Reference (Approx.)
CAT Syllabus 2026 — Complete Topic List
CAT has no official syllabus — this is based on PYQ analysis across 2017–2025
Quantitative Ability (QA)
Arithmetic
- Percentages, Profit & Loss, Discount
- Ratio & Proportion, Mixtures
- Time, Speed & Distance
- Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Averages, Weighted Average
Algebra
- Linear & Quadratic Equations
- Functions & Graphs
- Inequalities & Modulus
- Logarithms & Surds
- Sequences & Series (AP, GP)
Geometry & Mensuration
- Lines, Angles, Triangles
- Circles, Polygons
- Coordinate Geometry
- Solids — Cubes, Cylinders, Spheres
- Trigonometry (basics)
Number System & Modern Math
- Divisibility, Factors, LCM/HCF
- Remainders, Cyclicity
- Permutation & Combination
- Probability
- Set Theory, Venn Diagrams
LRDI — Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation
Logical Reasoning
- Linear & Circular Arrangements
- Scheduling & Timetabling
- Selection & Grouping
- Binary Logic, Grid Puzzles
- Routes & Networks
- Games & Tournaments
Data Interpretation
- Tables & Caselets
- Bar & Line Charts
- Pie Charts
- Venn Diagrams (DI-based)
- Quant-heavy DI sets
VARC — Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
- 4–5 RC passages per slot
- Inference & Tone questions
- Central Idea & Summary
- Author's perspective
- Vocabulary in context
Verbal Ability
- Para Jumbles (TITA)
- Para Summary (MCQ)
- Odd Sentence Out (TITA)
- Critical Reasoning (occasional)
Attempt CAT Previous Year Questions — Free PYQ Hub
Practice authentic questions from 1991–2025 · Year-wise, slot-wise, section-wise · No login needed
CAT PYQ Hub — 1991 to 2025
Access actual CAT questions from the last 34 years for Quant, LRDI, and VARC. Organised by year, slot, and topic. With video solutions, explanations, and progress tracking.
Free CAT Study Resources by AzuCATion
Question banks, cheat codes, interactive tools — all free, no login needed
Quantitative Ability
LRDI
VARC
MBA & CAT Tools
CAT Preparation Strategy — Month-by-Month Roadmap
A structured plan based on when you're starting — from 12 months to last 30 days
Foundation Phase (12–8 months before CAT)
Build concept clarity in all three sections. Cover Quant basics — Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System. Start reading editorials daily (The Hindu, Economist) for VARC. Understand LRDI set types without time pressure.
Practice Phase (7–4 months before CAT)
Shift from concept to application. Solve topic-wise PYQs for all sections. Start timed section-wise practice. Take 1–2 mocks per month. Identify weak areas and go back to topic banks.
Mock Phase (3–1 month before CAT)
Take 2–4 mocks per week under exam conditions. Analyse every mock thoroughly — don't just look at scores, look at question selection strategy, time distribution, and avoidable errors. Solve recent CAT PYQs (2022–2025) slot-wise.
Final Phase (Last 30 days)
No new topics. Revise cheat codes and formula sheets. Solve 1–2 mocks per week for timing calibration. In the last week — only attempt PYQs you know well, revise strategies, get sleep right. On exam day: attempt selection strategy is everything.
Section-Specific Strategy Tips
Quant Strategy
- Arithmetic + Algebra = 60–70% of Quant weightage in recent CAT
- Always check for TITA questions first — no negative marking
- Don't attempt all 22 questions — aim for 14–16 with near-100% accuracy
- Geometry is time-consuming — skip if not confident
- Practice speed calculation — most errors are arithmetic, not conceptual
LRDI Strategy
- LRDI is entirely set-based — cracking 3 sets well beats struggling through 5
- Spend first 3 minutes reading all 4 sets, pick the 2 easiest first
- Arrangement and Scheduling sets have been consistent PYQ types
- If a set seems impossible at 6 minutes in — move on, never get stuck
- Practice from 2019–2025 PYQs — set types repeat patterns
VARC Strategy
- RC is non-negotiable — 16 out of 24 VARC questions are RC-based
- Read the passage once, carefully — then answer without re-reading fully
- Para Summary and Para Jumbles are highest ROI for VA preparation
- Don't rush VA — Odd-One-Out (TITA) can be attempted last
- Good readers who practise RC daily for 3 months can hit 90+ %ile in VARC
CAT Coaching by AzuCATion — Amiya Sir
India's most trusted CAT coaching — 13 years · 10,000+ successes · IIM-A, B, C alumni
Amiya Kumar — Founder & Director, AzuCATion
Known as "Maths By Amiya" across YouTube and India's CAT prep community. Started in 2013 from Ranchi with 4 students — now trains 4,000+ aspirants every year across offline, online, and hybrid modes. Alumni are placed at IIM-A, IIM-B, IIM-C, IIFT, SP Jain, MDI, Symbiosis, and more.
Amiya Sir's teaching philosophy: make concepts intuitive, build speed through shortcuts and pattern recognition, and prepare students not just for CAT but for the PI rounds that follow.
CAT 2026/27 Offline Classes
Classroom coaching at Ranchi, Jharkhand. Small batches for personal attention. Full CAT syllabus coverage with doubt sessions, mocks, and mentorship.
- Live classes with Amiya Sir
- Small batch — personal attention
- Regular mocks & sectional tests
- 1-on-1 doubt clearing sessions
- GD-PI-WAT preparation included
CAT 2026/27 Online Classes
Learn from anywhere in India. Live + recorded sessions, full syllabus coverage, regular tests, and doubt support via WhatsApp and video calls.
- Live online + recorded backup
- Access from anywhere in India
- Weekly mocks and analysis sessions
- Direct WhatsApp doubt support
- B-school selection guidance included
CV 11.0 — GD PI WAT & MBA Consultancy
CAT score alone doesn't get you into IIM. The CV 11.0 program prepares you for Group Discussion, Personal Interview, Written Ability Test — and helps with B-school shortlisting and form strategy.
- Mock GD rounds with feedback
- Personal Interview prep
- WAT writing practice & reviews
- Resume & SOP building
- B-school selection counselling
Our Students — IIM & Top B-School Converts
Everything CAT — Quick Navigation
All CAT resources on AzuCATion in one place
📄 CAT PYQs
CAT PYQ Hub (All Years) CAT 2025 PYQs CAT 2024 PYQs CAT 2023 PYQs CAT 2022 PYQs CAT 2021 PYQs CAT 2020 PYQs CAT 2019 PYQs📐 Quant Resources
CAT Quant Preparation Arithmetic PYQs Algebra PYQs Geometry PYQs Number System PYQs Modern Math PYQs Quant Cheat Codes🧩 LRDI Resources
CAT LRDI Preparation Arrangement PYQs Scheduling PYQs Venn Diagram PYQs Quant-DI PYQs DILR Practice Sets📖 VARC Resources
CAT VARC Preparation RC PYQs Para Summary PYQs Para Jumble PYQs Odd-One-Out PYQs RC Question BankCAT Frequently Asked Questions
Most common questions from CAT aspirants — answered clearly
When is CAT 2026 exam date?
CAT 2026 is typically held in the last week of November. The official notification is released in late July or August. Registration opens shortly after. Check the official IIM CAT website for confirmed dates.
What is a good CAT percentile for IIM?
For IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta — 99+ percentile overall with strong sectional scores. For IIM Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore — 97–99 %ile. For newer IIMs — 90–95 %ile. Sectional cutoffs (usually 85–90 %ile) matter equally.
How many months does CAT preparation take?
6 months is ideal for working professionals and college students with basics. 9–12 months is recommended for beginners starting from scratch. Even 3–4 months of intense, focused preparation has produced 99%ile results for strong students.
Which section has the highest weightage in CAT?
All three sections — VARC, LRDI, and Quant — have roughly equal marks (~24, 20, 22 questions). However, VARC typically has the most questions. No single section is "more important" — IIMs set sectional cutoffs for all three.
Is CAT coaching necessary to crack 99 percentile?
Not mandatory, but coaching significantly accelerates preparation by providing structured content, mock tests, and expert feedback. Many self-studiers crack 99%ile, but most use coaching for at least one section or phase. AzuCATion offers both structured coaching and free resources so you can decide what you need.
How many attempts are allowed in CAT?
CAT has no attempt limit. You can appear every year as long as you meet the eligibility criteria (bachelor's degree or final year). Many students appear 2–3 times before achieving their target percentile.
What is TITA in CAT?
TITA stands for Type In The Answer — non-MCQ questions where you type the numerical answer directly. TITA questions carry +3 for correct but no negative marking for wrong answers. They are excellent attempt-first targets when you're sure of the answer.
How does CAT normalisation work?
Since CAT has 3 slots on exam day and paper difficulty may vary, IIM uses statistical normalisation (equi-percentile method) to scale raw scores. Your final scaled score and percentile reflects your performance relative to all candidates across all slots.
What are the best CAT books?
For Quant: Arun Sharma (Arithmetic), Nishit Sinha (Full Quant). For VARC: RC books by Norman Lewis (vocabulary), AzuCATion RC sets. For LRDI: K Siddharth, and AzuCATion DILR practice sets. But the most important "book" is previous year CAT papers — solve all of them.
Can I crack CAT with a low engineering background?
Absolutely. CAT Quant tests 10th–12th level mathematics — not engineering maths. Students from arts, commerce, and science backgrounds crack 99%ile every year. What matters is consistent practice and right strategy, not your degree background.
Ready to Start Your CAT Journey?
Join the AzuCATion family — 13 years of results, 10,000+ success stories, and a mentor who genuinely cares about your IIM dream.
📞 +91 990 5050 159 | ✉️ amiya@azucation.org.in | 📍 Ranchi, Jharkhand
