How to Manage CAT Preparation with College Studies? [Expert Tips & Study Plan]

Overview: Balancing CAT preparation with college studies is juggling two major tasks at once. In addition to all the college assignments and presentations, you also have to find decent time to study for CAT exam sections. This article will help you find a solution for "how to manage CAT preparation with college?"

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The CAT is a highly competitive examination that opens doors to prestigious management programs in India.

However, with proper planning, dedication, and intelligent study strategies, you can pass the CAT 2026 exam while balancing your college commitments. 

Here, we will explore how you can effectively manage your time, utilise available resources, and maintain the right mindset to maximise your chances of success, helping you find the answer to how to manage CAT preparation with college.

Learn More | How to Prepare for CAT Exam in One Year?

How to Manage CAT Preparation with College?

The very first thing that you have to understand if you are pursuing your graduation and are in college while at the same time thinking about preparing to appear for an MBA for further post-graduate studies is that the earlier you start, the better it is for your CAT exam prep journey, and ultimately, balancing both things becomes smooth.

The following are some tips that will help you find the answer to "how to manage CAT preparation with college."

#1. Time Management is Key

• Balancing your college curriculum and CAT preparation requires efficient time management.
• Begin by creating a practical study timetable that aligns with your college classes, assignments, and other commitments. Identify time slots during the day when you can dedicate focused study sessions to CAT preparation.
• It's crucial to prioritise topics based on their weightage in the CAT syllabus and allocate sufficient time to cover them. Remember to incorporate regular breaks to prevent burnout and sustain productivity. Leverage College Resources

Check: What do you do after the CAT exam?

#2. Your College can be a Valuable Resource in your CAT Preparation Journey

• Use the library to access books, study materials, and CAT question papers from previous years.
• Engage with professors or seniors who have cracked the CAT or have expertise in CAT exam subjects. They can provide guidance, tips, and insights to enhance your preparation significantly.
• Additionally, consider joining or forming study groups with like-minded peers to exchange knowledge and discuss challenging concepts.

Read more | When to Start preparation for CAT Exam?

#3. Integrate CAT Preparation with College Assignments

• Look for opportunities to align your CAT preparation with your college assignments.
• Choose topics or projects that overlap with the CAT syllabus, allowing you to deepen your understanding while fulfilling academic requirements.
• For instance, if you have a research paper, select a subject related to business, management, or quantitative analysis. You can optimize your time and effort by integrating your CAT preparation with college assignments.

Read More | How is CAT Exam Preparation Possible in One Year

#4. Utilise Online Learning Platforms

• Online learning platforms like Supergrads CAT online coaching offer a wealth of resources for CAT preparation, providing you with a comprehensive toolkit to confidently tackle the exam.
• Explore reputable websites, mobile applications, and courses specifically designed for CAT aspirants.
• These platforms provide video lectures, CAT practice questions, mock tests, and performance analytics to track your progress.
• Take advantage of these resources during your free time, such as commuting to college or during breaks.
• Online platforms offer flexibility and convenience, enabling you to maximize your available time.

Check: CAT Cut Off [Expected & Previous Years]

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
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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

How to Ace the CAT VARC Section 2026?

The VARC section tests your English skills. In CAT 2026, you can expect about 24 questions, with 16 on Reading Comprehension (RC) and 8 on Verbal Ability (VA). Most will be multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

You'll see four RC passages, each with four questions, plus questions on paragraph completion, jumbles, odd-one-out sentences, and summaries.

To do well here, you need to be good at understanding what you read and have a strong vocabulary and grammar.

1. Get the Main Idea

Don't get stuck on every tiny detail in an RC passage. Quickly read through to grasp the main point. This helps you answer questions faster and more accurately.

2. Boost Your English Skills

Make reading a daily habit! Pick up novels, magazines, or newspapers. This naturally builds your vocabulary and helps you read faster.

3. Choose the Right Study Material

Find books or online resources that clearly explain VARC concepts, especially grammar and verbal reasoning. They should also provide detailed explanations for every question.

4. Practice RCs Daily

Try solving 4-5 Reading Comprehension questions every day. This consistent practice will make you more comfortable and confident for the actual exam.

Pro Tip for VARC: Read from high-quality sources like essays on Aeon.com, articles from Politico, or editorials from The New York Times, The Telegraph, and The Hindu, Newsletters from The Ken, The Morning Context, and Semafor are also great.

This not only improves your reading and understanding but also expands your vocabulary and general knowledge.

How to Conquer the CAT DILR Section 2026?

The DILR section can be tricky, but with the right approach, you can shine! Recently, the number of questions increased to 22, with a mix of 3 sets having 4 questions each and 2 sets having 5 questions each. DILR needs speed, smart thinking, and a bit of math.

Aim to practice one DILR set every day. The topics usually include arrangements (linear/matrix), family trees, coding-decoding, directions, sequences, analogies, and syllogisms.

1. Practice with Mock Tests

Regularly take CAT mock tests to assess your speed and accuracy. Try at least one topic-specific mock test each week, plus a different DILR set daily. When you review your answers, figure out why you made mistakes or why your method was too slow. Remember, you only have 40 minutes to answer 22 questions, so speed is crucial!

2. You Don't Need to Solve Everything

Here's a secret: You don't have to attempt the whole DILR section! Just getting two sets correct can get you a great percentile (like 90%ile). Focus on solving the two sets accurately within the time limit first. Once you're comfortable, then aim for more.

3. Develop a Smart Strategy

Success in DILR often depends on choosing the right sets to solve. Learn to figure out which sets are easier quickly. There are usually at least two easy sets in the CAT DILR section. Knowing when to skip a tough question or move on to a different set is key.

4. Focus on Accuracy AND Speed

Improving speed and accuracy in the DILR section is very important to boost your final CAT score.  The more you practice different DILR sets, the faster and more accurate you'll become. Reviewing your solved sets helps a lot.

Pro Tip for DILR: Even within a single DILR set, some questions might be much harder than others. Don't feel pressured to finish every question in a set once you start it. If a question is taking too long, skip it! You don't get extra points for solving a set completely. Your goal is to answer as many questions as possible from various sets.

How to Master the CAT QA Section?

The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section, which is math-based, often has the lowest cutoff scores because it can be challenging. It uses basic math concepts but tests your ability to think critically and apply them. The syllabus covers five main areas: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, and Modern Math. If you start early, you can cover everything.

1. Practice with the Basics First

Start with NCERT books from classes 10-12 for practice questions. Once you understand the basics, practice these books to improve your speed before moving to harder problems.

2. Mocks are Your Best Friend

Take as many sectional mock tests for QA as you can. Analyse each mock thoroughly. Even if you get an answer right, look at the solutions (like video explanations) to see if there was a quicker, better way to solve it for the fast-paced CAT environment.

3. Start from Scratch

Don't assume you know everything from school or college. CAT questions are designed to trick you. To ensure accuracy, familiarise yourself with how QA questions are phrased. Begin your QA prep right from the basics, like 10th-grade math.

4. Learn Shortcuts

 While not essential for just passing, shortcuts are crucial if you want to save time and attempt more questions. Learn and memorise these tricks to calculate answers faster and move quickly between questions. Shortcuts help you be accurate in the shortest time.

5. Time Yourself

When practising, note how long it takes you to solve each question. Work on reducing this time by practising more and using shortcuts. This also helps you spot time-consuming questions, which you should consider skipping during the exam.

Pro Tip for QA

Understand the QA syllabus and how marks are usually distributed. Match this with your strengths. For example, Arithmetic and Algebra usually carry the most weight, followed by Geometry.

The Number System and Modern Math typically have less weight. If you want to score well efficiently, focusing on Arithmetic and Geometry might be your best bet. Talk to a mentor to create a QA strategy based on what you're good at and what you need to improve.

Understanding CAT Logical Reasoning (within DILR)

Logical Reasoning (LR) is a key part of the DILR section. It involves understanding data and using critical thinking.

Here are some tips to improve your LR skills:

• Pay Attention to Words: Words like "none," "some," "all," "only," "other than," and "unless" are super important. Also, watch out for negative prefixes like "dis-," "un-," and "non-." These words change the meaning of statements.
• Manage Your Time Wisely: If you're unsure about an answer or a question is too confusing, move on! You can always come back to it later. This keeps you moving and maintains your confidence.
• Don't Guess Information: Read the passages and questions carefully. Don't bring in outside knowledge or make assumptions. Stick only to the facts given in the problem.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: Solve sample LR questions from previous years' exams. Understand why each answer choice is correct or incorrect. Enough practice will help you quickly identify patterns and improve your speed and accuracy during the CAT exam.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in CAT Prep 2026

• Not Practising Enough: Don't just read about concepts; actively solve problems and take mock tests. This "active learning" is crucial for truly understanding each chapter.
• Ignoring Current Affairs & Exam Pattern: Stay updated on the latest CAT exam structure. Also, make sure you read the newspaper daily. This helps with understanding passages and gives you a broader perspective.
• Ignoring Your Weaknesses: It's easy to stick to topics you're good at. But to score well, you must dedicate time to chapters you struggle with. Work on turning your weaknesses into strengths.
• Starting Late: Don't wait until the last minute! Start preparing as early as possible. For VARC, consistent effort for 2-3 months can make a big difference. For QA, improving your mental math skills takes time.
• Not Balancing Strengths and Weaknesses: Continuously identify what you're good at and what needs improvement. Allocate your study time wisely to strengthen your weaker areas while maintaining your strong ones.

Ready to get started with your CAT preparation? Which section are you planning to focus on first?