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What if you could enjoy the festive season without losing your CAT preparation momentum? With CAT 2026 scheduled for November 29, 2026, candidates need to balance family celebrations with focused revision and mock tests. Dussehra fell on October 20, and Diwali falls on November 8, leaving a limited window to strengthen weak topics before the final stretch. The solution is not to study all day during the festivals, but to follow a realistic timetable with specific targets for Quantitative Aptitude, VARC and DILR.
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CAT 2026 is scheduled for November 29, 2026. Diwali falls on November 8, leaving approximately three weeks between the festival and the examination. Candidates should use the period before Diwali to revise important topics and identify weak areas, then focus on mock tests, accuracy and time management after the celebrations.
Instead of trying to complete the entire CAT syllabus during the festive season, prioritise topics based on your mock test performance and CAT preparation level.
The following timetable covers October 20 to November 8, with specific topics for Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). It includes three full-length CAT mock tests before Diwali.
Follow these fixed study sessions on regular preparation days. The final session is reserved for practice, revision or mock analysis.
Time | Study target |
7:00 AM-8:30 AM | Quantitative Aptitude: concepts and topic-wise questions |
9:00 AM-10:00 AM | VARC: reading comprehension and verbal ability |
10:15 AM-11:15 AM | DILR: one or two sets |
5:00 PM-6:00 PM | Timed practice, sectional tests or mock analysis |
Date | Quantitative Aptitude | VARC | DILR | Evening target |
October 20 (Dussehra) | Percentages and basic applications | RC: main idea and tone | Tables-based DI | Revise percentage formulas |
October 21 | RC: inference questions | Bar graph DI | Practise 20 profit-and-loss questions | |
October 22 | Ratio, proportion and variation | Para summary | Caselet DI | Solve mixed ratio questions |
October 23 | Averages and weighted averages | RC: eliminate incorrect options | Linear arrangements | Practise mixed arithmetic questions |
October 24 | Para jumbles | Take an arithmetic sectional test | ||
October 25 | Full-length CAT mock | Included in mock | Included in mock | Analyse incorrect and skipped questions |
October 26 | RC: author's argument | Routes and networks | Revise mock errors | |
October 27 | Time and work, pipes and cisterns | Odd sentence out | Scheduling-based sets | Practise time-and-work questions |
October 28 | RC: strengthen and weaken arguments | Distribution-based sets | Revise arithmetic mistakes | |
October 29 | Linear and quadratic equations | Para summary | Practise algebra questions | |
October 30 | Inequalities and modulus | RC: inference and conclusion | Selection and grouping | Take an algebra sectional test |
October 31 | Full-length CAT mock | Included in mock | Included in mock | Analyse section-wise performance |
November 1 | Triangles: similarity and area | RC: central idea and title | Games and tournaments | Revise geometry formulas |
November 2 | Circles and quadrilaterals | Para jumbles | Matrix-based DI | Practise geometry questions |
November 3 | RC: tone and purpose | Binary logic | Practise number system questions | |
November 4 | HCF, LCM and factors | Odd sentence out | Routes and networks | Take a timed number systems test |
November 5 | Exponents, logarithms and surds | RC: option elimination | Mixed DI sets | Revise algebra and indices |
November 6 | Full-length CAT mock | Included in mock | Included in mock | Analyse errors and time management |
November 7 | Revise weak arithmetic and algebra topics | One RC passage with analysis | One difficult DILR set | Review your mock error log |
November 8 (Diwali) | Revise arithmetic and algebra formulas | - | - | Celebrate Diwali and rest |
On mock-test days, use the morning to take a full-length test under exam conditions and the evening to analyse your performance. Avoid adding the regular topic-wise sessions on these days.
A timetable works only when it fits your daily routine. Use these strategies to maintain preparation without turning the festive season into another source of stress.
Use the days leading up to November 8 to practise important Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Number Systems concepts. For VARC, focus on reading comprehension and verbal ability question types. For DILR, practise different set formats rather than repeating only the types you find comfortable.
You do not need to complete a full study day on Diwali. If possible, spend 30-60 minutes revising formulas or reviewing previous mock mistakes in the morning. Keep the rest of the day free for family gatherings and celebrations.
If you cannot study at all on November 8, resume your routine the following day. Avoid trying to compensate with an unusually long study session.
Taking a mock is only one part of preparation. Identify which questions you answered incorrectly, which took too long and which you should have attempted but skipped. Record these mistakes so you can revise them later.
If Arithmetic is already strong but DILR is reducing your score, use some evening sessions for additional DILR practice. Similarly, if you struggle with reading comprehension, spend more time analysing why the correct option fits the passage better than the alternatives.
The timetable is a guide, not a fixed syllabus checklist. Your mock performance should determine where you need more practice.
After November 8, shift your focus from covering topics to improving accuracy, speed and question selection. The final three weeks before CAT should include full-length mocks, revision of weak areas and timed sectional practice.
Date | Preparation target |
November 9-10 | Review weak topics and practise sectional tests |
November 11-12 | Quant revision and DILR timed sets |
November 13 | |
November 14-15 | VARC practice and review of errors |
November 16-18 | Revise weak Quant topics and practise DILR |
November 19 | Full-length mock and analysis |
November 20-22 | Sectional tests, formula revision and error-log review |
November 23 | Full-length mock and detailed analysis |
November 24-25 | Revise weak topics and practise selected questions |
November 26 | Final full-length mock, if well rested |
November 27 | Review formulas, common mistakes and question-selection strategy |
November 28 | Light revision, exam-day checklist and adequate sleep |
November 29 |
Avoid taking full-length mocks every day during the final week. Use your results to identify gaps, but leave enough time for revision and rest.
Practise with free CAT mock tests to assess your preparation, improve time management, and identify areas that need improvement before the exam.
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On Question asked by student community
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