How to get good score in CAT exam 2026: Expert Tips and Section wise Strategies

Overview: When preparing for the CAT exam, the most common question is, "How to get good score in CAT exam." You need a good CAT score to clear the CAT cutoff and get placed in your dream IIM. Read on to know the expert tips here!

• The CAT 2026 is almost here. It will be conducted online on 29 November 2026 in 170 cities in India. 
• In the last phase of your CAT exam preparation, we have developed expert tips and strategies to boost your confidence and help you score well in the CAT exam 2026.

Gear up and read the article to know "how to get good score in CAT exam 2026" "what is a good score in CAT​ exam" with us!

Download FREE Study Material for CAT 2026 by SuperGrads

How to Get Good Score in CAT Exam 2026?

Since each business school has a distinct cutoff for shortlisting candidates for selection rounds, the definition of a good CAT score will vary from university to university. 

Consider IIMs as an example. In contrast to other B-schools like IIFT, IITs, FMS Delhi, and SPJIMR, which accept CAT scores below the 95th percentile, IIMs require a minimum 95th percentile for admission.

Check |  Participating institutes of IIM

Download PDF for CAT QA Section Daily Study Plan

What are the Good Attempts for each CAT Section? 

It is very important to know whether one made good or bad attempts. As the CAT exam has a negative marking of -1 for incorrect MCQs, having a keen selection of the questions is extremely necessary.

Therefore, to answer "how to score in CAT 2026", we have listed the number of questions and good attempts for each section below: 

Check: SuperGrads CAT Toppers Interview

CAT Section	Total Number of Questions	Good Attempts
VARC	24	18
DILR	20	13
QA	22	16
66	47

Also Read: SuperGrads CAT Toppers List

How to Get Good Score in CAT Exam 2026: Section-Wise Preparation Tips

The CAT entrance exam has three sections, each analysing the candidate's skills, speed and accuracy. To find out "how to get good score in CAT exam" we have provided the preparation tips curated explicitly by the experts: 

1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Preparation

Preparation Tip	Description
Know the Basic Exam Pattern	Become familiar with the types of questions commonly asked in the  CAT exam's Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension section. Review key topics and question formats seen in previous CAT exams, such as Reading Comprehension (RC), Para Jumbles, Odd One Out, and Sentence Correction.
Develop a Strong Vocabulary	Read extensively from newspapers, magazines, and journals to improve word knowledge. Use vocabulary-building tools like flashcards and mobile apps to remember new words and meanings.
Practice Reading Comprehension Passages	Regularly attempt comprehension passages to improve reading speed, tone identification, and inference skills. Focus on understanding the main idea, the author’s intent, and the logical flow of the passage.
Work on Grammar and Sentence Structure	Solve sentence correction and para-jumble questions frequently. This practice helps strengthen knowledge of grammar, sentence sequencing, and logical paragraph formation.
Take Mock Tests	Attempt full-length mock tests under timed conditions. Read each question carefully, focus on accuracy, and analyse your performance to identify areas that need improvement.

Check |   Complete CAT Exam Syllabus

Use SuperGrads Free Resources 2026 Strategically

CAT VARC Mock Test 2026	Attempt a Free Mock test
CAT DILR Mock test 2026	Attempt a Free Mock test
CAT QA Mock Test 2026	Attempt a Free Mock test
CAT VARC Prep Videos 2026	Watch Now
CAT DILR Prep Videos 2026	Watch Now
CAT QA Prep Videos 2026	Watch Now
CAT Syllabus 2026	Download Now
CAT PYQs	Download Now
CAT VARC Questions	Download Now

2. Quantitative Ability Preparation

Preparation Tip	Description
Develop a Good Understanding of Basic Mathematics	Build a strong foundation in concepts such as Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Data Interpretation to excel in QA.
Solve Previous Years’ Papers	Practice CAT past papers to familiarise yourself with question types, exam format, and difficulty level under time pressure.
Make a Study Plan	Organise your preparation by dividing topics into manageable sections with a timeline to cover each efficiently.
Memorise Formulae	Memorise key formulas for quick recall during exams; practice regularly to reinforce memory and speed of application.
Practice, Practice, and Practice	Dedicate daily time to solving a variety of problems, analyse mistakes carefully, and revise to improve accuracy and speed.

Download CAT Preparation Tips for QA [PDF Download]

Read more: How to score 99 percentile in CAT

3. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

Preparation Tip	Description
Understand the Basics	Understand key concepts like tables, bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and logical reasoning. Be familiar with question types and data structuring.
Practice More	Practice a wide range of Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning questions regularly. Use practice tests and time yourself to build speed and accuracy.
Analyse Your Performance	After practice tests, review mistakes and the time spent on questions. Identify weak areas and focus on improving them to increase accuracy and confidence.
Take Mock Tests	Take as many CAT mock tests as possible under timed conditions. This helps improve speed, accuracy, and exam familiarity.

Check |  How to download CAT Admit card

Download Free QA Sample Questions for CAT 2026 [PDF Download]

What is a Good Score in CAT Exam?

A good CAT score is 99+ percentile (110-120+ marks) for top IIMs and 95+ percentile (90-110 marks) for Tier-1 B-schools. For decent colleges, a 70-85 percentile (50-70 marks) can secure admission.

Check the CAT Cut off trends in IIMs:​

CAT Cut-off Trends in IIMs

CAT Percentile	Marks in CAT 2024(Out of 204)*	Marks in CAT 2023(Out of 198)	Marks in CAT 2022(Out of 198)	Marks in CAT 2021(Out of 198)	Marks in CAT 2020(Out of 228)	Marks in CAT 2019(Out of 300)	Marks in CAT 2018(Out of 300)	Marks in CAT 2017(Out of 300)	Marks in CAT 2016(Out of 300)
99.9	~127	~101	~109	~124	131	196	192	208	191
99.5	~104	~84	~92	~110	115	170	170	183	168
99	~95	~76	~94	~98	102	157	155	173	153
95	~70	~55	~62	~73	77	120	125	139	123
90	~58	~46	~49	~60	63	90	110	121	108
85	~49	~40	~36	~45	55	87	90	103	93
80	~44	~34	~36	~40	49	75	80	98	84
70	~37	~28	~30	~36	36	57	62	83	68

The CAT exam is difficult and requires much hard work and dedication. But with the right approach and the tips mentioned above, you can secure a good score on the exam. So, take time, create a study plan, get the right resources, and practice regularly.

Check |  CAT Preparation Books

Conclusion

"How to get good score in CAT exam 2026". While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting a good score in the CAT exam, certain strategies can help you maximise your chances.

These include developing a strong understanding of the exam structure and syllabus, creating a comprehensive study plan, familiarising yourself with the exam pattern and practice questions, and taking plenty of mock tests.

Time management and a positive attitude are key to success in the CAT exam. With dedication and hard work, you can achieve a good score in the CAT exam.

Check |  How to Improve Vocabulary for CAT Exam?