CAT 2026: 15 Days Left — Your Section-Wise Game Plan
Published 14 Nov 20263 min read
With CAT 2026 just 15 days away on 29 November 2026, this is not the time to start new topics. It is the time to sharpen question selection, timed execution, and sectional strategy. IIM Indore will hold the exam in three slots—8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 4:30 PM—across roughly 170 cities.
Exam-Day Snapshot
| Slot | Exam Timing | Gate Closure |
|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM | 8:15 AM |
| Slot 2 | 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | 12:15 PM |
| Slot 3 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 4:15 PM |
Each section—VARC, DILR, QA—has a strict 40-minute window. You cannot switch between sections or return to one after its time expires. The paper carries 68 questions, with +3 for correct and −1 for incorrect MCQs. TITA questions carry no negative marking.
VARC: Passage Selection Over Raw Speed
Pick easier passages first and return to dense ones later. Comprehension under time pressure matters more than covering every passage.
Daily target: 3–4 RC passages plus 8–10 verbal ability questions. After each passage, summarise the main argument in two sentences and review why the wrong options failed.
DILR: Set Selection Is the Real Skill
DILR rewards candidates who scan first and solve selectively.
Exam-day approach: Spend the first 3–4 minutes scanning all sets. Identify 2–3 sets with clear conditions and manageable variables. Solve those first. Do not open a set without assessing whether you can close it.
Daily target: 3–4 sets, timed. Review whether your initial set selection was sound—not just whether you solved correctly.
Quant: 20–25 Questions Daily, Skip Geometry if Unprepared
Prioritise Arithmetic, Algebra, Number Systems, and Logarithms. If Geometry has not been built up sufficiently, deprioritise it—mastering it now is not a realistic return.
Daily target: 20–25 questions, mixed topics, timed. Revise formulas topic-wise so they are retrievable under pressure. Pick the lowest-hanging fruit first—your percentile depends on finding those and leaving time-consuming traps.
Final Week: Analyse Mocks, Not Scores
- After every mock, review four things:
- Incorrect answers: concept gap or calculation error?
- Unattempted easy questions: missed due to poor time allocation?
- Time-consuming questions: could a shorter method have worked?
- Sectional performance: which section needs targeted practice?
- Maintain a simple error log and review it before the next mock. The final week is for consolidation, not new topics.
