IIMs will conduct CAT 2026 on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three sessions. With 32 days left from 28 October, most aspirants should plan 10 to 12 more full-length mock tests and cut down in the final week.
- Expert guidance suggests 15 to 20 full-length mocks in the last two months, so the remaining count depends on how many you have already taken.
- One analysed mock beats three unreviewed ones. Plan about 2 to 3 hours of review for every 2-hour mock.
- The official CAT mock is expected in early November on iimcat.ac.in (tentative, as per past years).
- The admit card releases on 4 November 2026, and results are likely in the first week of January 2027.
- CAT Preparation 2026: Last 50 Days Strategy, Mock Test Series, PYQs & CAT Online Perparation
- CAT Topic-Wise Weightage for QA, VARC and DILR, Check Previous Years’ Questions
- CAT Study Material 2026: Download Free CAT Study Material PDF for VARC, DILR, and Quant
CAT 2026 Key Dates and Exam Pattern
Go for the mock plan that matches the real format: a 2-hour computer-based test with three timed sections.
The dates below come from the official CAT 2026 bulletin.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam date | 29 November 2026 (Sunday), 3 sessions |
| Admit card | 4 to 29 November 2026 |
| Official mock | Early November (tentative, as per past years) |
| Duration | 120 minutes, 40 minutes per section (as per CAT 2025) |
| Questions | 68: VARC 24, DILR 22, QA 22 (as per CAT 2025) |
| Result | First week of January 2027 (likely) |
Also Read: CAT 2026 Preparation Online: Coaching, Free Courses
How Many Mock Tests Before CAT 2026: What Experts Suggest
There is no official number. Coaching experts give ranges that depend on time left and how deeply each mock is reviewed.
| Stage | Suggested mocks |
|---|---|
| Last 2 months | 15 to 20 full-length mocks |
| Last month | 2 to 3 mocks per week |
| Whole preparation | 25 to 30 mocks in total |
| Final week | 0 to 1 light mock |
Read these as ranges, not targets. An aspirant who has already taken 25 mocks needs fewer now than one who has taken 8.
Week-Wise CAT 2026 Mock Test Plan Till 29 November
This plan spreads 10 to 12 mocks across the remaining 32 days. It is a suggested schedule built from expert ranges, not an IIM recommendation.
- Sectional tests: Use them on the days between mocks to work on weak sections such as DILR set selection.
- Official mock: Attempt it as soon as it is released on iimcat.ac.in, since it mirrors the actual interface.
- Last 3 days: A full-length mock is generally not necessary; revise formulas, error logs and exam day instructions.
| Week | Dates | Full mocks | Sectional / chapter tests | What to take (from this page) | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 28 Oct – 3 Nov | 3 | 3 (one per section) | Collegedunia CAT Mock Test (full syllabus) + VARC/DILR/QA sectional tests | Find weak sections and fix section order |
| Week 2 | 4 Nov – 10 Nov | 3 | 2 (weakest section) | IIM official mock on iimcat.ac.in (expected early Nov) + Collegedunia full mock | Get used to the real interface; peak practice |
| Week 3 | 11 Nov – 17 Nov | 3 | 2 chapter tests | Collegedunia full mocks + QA/DILR/VARC chapter tests | Accuracy, set/question selection, time per section |
| Week 4 | 18 Nov – 24 Nov | 2 | 1 per section | CAT 2024 and 2025 question papers as timed mocks | Finalise attempt strategy; take mocks at your slot time |
| Final days | 25 Nov – 28 Nov | 0 to 1 (light) | None | Error log and PYQ revision only | Rest, revision and exam-day plan |
| Exam day | 29 Nov | CAT 2026 | — | — | — |
Take CAT 2026 Mock Test :
How to Analyse CAT Mock Tests
Analysis decides whether a mock improves your score. Spend more time reviewing than writing the test.
- Check attempt choices first: Look at what was attempted and what was skipped before looking at correctness.
- Keep an error log: Skim the last 10 to 15 logged errors before each new mock to catch repeat traps.
- Fix topics, not just mocks: If the same problems repeat, targeted topic revision works better than more mock exposure.
- Do not judge prep on one bad mock: A single score can be noise.
| Step | What to check |
|---|---|
| Attempt choice | Questions you attempted vs skipped, and why |
| Accuracy | Wrong answers per section, aiming above 80% |
| Time split | Minutes spent on sets you later dropped |
| Error log | Note each mistake; re-read the last 10 to 15 before the next mock |
| Topic fix | Revise topics that repeat in the error log |
Also Check: CAT Preparation of Quantitative Aptitude
CAT 2026 Preparation: Previous Year Questions
Below are the previous year questions PDF with solutions for 2025-2021. The PYQs are for the Slot 1 exam of each section:
| Year | CAT DILR Slot | Question Paper | Solution PDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2025 | DILR Question Paper | Download Pdf | Click Here |
| VARC Question Paper | Download Pdf | Click Here | |
| Quant Question Paper | Download Pdf | Click Here | |
| CAT 2024 | VARC Question Paper | Download PDF | Click Here |
| DILR Question Paper | Download PDF | Click Here | |
| QA Question Paper | Download PDF | Click Here | |
| CAT 2023 | DILR Question Paper | Download PDF | Click Here |
| VARC Question Paper | Download PDF | Click Here | |
| Quant Question Paper | Download PDF | Click Here | |
| CAT 2022 | DILR Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| VARC Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions | |
| Quant Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions | |
| CAT 2021 | DILR Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| VARC Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions | |
| Quant Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
Mock Test Mistakes to Avoid in the Last Month
Most score drops in November come from habits, not from a lack of mocks. Avoid these four common mistakes.
| Mistake | Better approach |
|---|---|
| Taking a mock daily | Keep 1 rest or review day after each mock |
| Switching section strategy often | Fix one attempt order by mid-November |
| Judging prep on one score | Track your average across the last 3 mocks |
| Starting new topics late | Revise strong topics after 22 November |
Check: How to Attempt the VARC Section for a 99 Plus Percentile
CAT Sample Question Papers 2026- Download PDF
| CAT Sample Papers 2026 | |
| CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Paper | Download |
| CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Sample Paper | Download |
| CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Sample Paper | Download |
CAT 2026 Mock Tests FAQs
Ques. How many mock tests are enough for CAT 2026 now?
Ans. With 32 days left, 10 to 12 full-length mocks are enough if each is analysed. Add sectional tests for weak areas.
Ques. Should I take a mock the day before CAT?
Ans. No. Experts advise against a full mock in the last 3 days. Revise your error log and rest instead.
Ques. When will the CAT 2026 official mock test be released?
Ans. It is expected in early November on iimcat.ac.in, tentative as per past years. IIMs have not announced the date.
Ques. Are 15 to 20 mocks too many in one month?
Ans. That range is for the last two months. In one month, 2 to 3 mocks a week is more realistic.
Ques. When is the CAT 2026 result?
Ans. The official bulletin says results are likely by the first week of January 2027.
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