How to Manage Time for CAT Exam D Day: Expert Tips to Ace with 99%ile

Quick Answer: “How to manage time for CAT exam D day”? Managing time well in the CAT exam is crucial to boost accuracy and score, especially given strict sectional limits. Smart time allocation and pacing strategies help you attempt easier questions first and maximize performance under pressure.

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What will you get in this blog: Practical strategies and tips + section-wise techniques to manage time effectively and maximize your CAT exam score.

How to Manage Time for CAT Exam 2026?

With strict 40-minute sectional limits and a mix of MCQs (with negative marking) and non-MCQs (without penalties), many aspirants feel stuck while preparing for the CAT exam and always Google to get strategies on “How to manage time for CAT  exam 2026”. Don’t worry, we have provided a complete list of tips here: 

1. Prioritise the Questions Smartly

How to Manage Time for CAT Exam ? Well start with CAT questions that you find easy and can solve quickly. These “sitters” help build momentum and confidence early in the section. 

It is very important to avoid stubbornly sticking to a single tough question, whether it is an MCQ or a non-MCQ. If you are stuck, it is better to skip and revisit later if time allows.

Read More: CAT 2026 Short Tricks to Ace Exam

2. Allocate Time to Non-MCQs

Well, non-MCQs usually make up 20–25% of a section, and while they offer the benefit of no negative marking, they can also be time-consuming. 

A good approach is to spend around 20–25% of your sectional time initially on non-MCQs, then focus on maximising accuracy in MCQs. You can refine this balance as you practice mock tests and identify your strengths.

Read More: CAT 2026 Exam Marking Scheme

3. Follow the Two-Pass Approach

• First Pass: Attempt all direct, less time-intensive questions across both MCQs and non-MCQs. This ensures you secure marks more easily and quickly.

• Second Pass: Revisit the tougher questions with your remaining time, focusing on areas you are comfortable with rather than randomly solving them. This structured attempt reduces stress and improves your accuracy.

4. Practice with Mock Tests

Timed mock tests are the best way to develop an instinct for pacing yourself. Integrating time management tips for CAT 2026 into your practice helps you recognise when to move on from a question and how much time to allocate to different sections.

More importantly, analysing your mocks is where the real gains lie: identifying careless mistakes, questions that consume too much of your time, and areas where you can cut down effort.

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5. Build Typing Efficiency

Non-MCQs require typing out responses on the on-screen keyboard, which can be tricky under time pressure. Practice typing numbers, fractions, and decimals to reduce input errors. 

Familiarise yourself with the test interface to avoid fumbling on exam day and losing valuable time.

Read More: Last 10 Days Strategies to Ace CAT 2026 Exam

How to Manage Time for CAT Exam: Section-Wise Time Management Tips

The CAT entrance exam has 3 sections: QA, VARC, and DILR. Here are the section-wise time management tips to manage accuracy in VARC, manage speed and accuracy in DILR and QA sections:

1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

By understanding the VARC syllabus and practising the most important topics of the VARC, you can manage your sectional timings. Some more tips include:

✅Non-MCQs usually appear in para jumbles or odd-one-out questions.

✅Focus on logical flow, coherence, and elimination methods.

✅Read the instructions carefully before final submission to avoid avoidable mistakes.

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2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

You can manage your time and improve your accuracy in the DILR section with the following tips: 

✅Break down complicated data sets into smaller, solvable chunks.

✅Start with sets that appear logically manageable within 6–8 minutes.

✅Skip extremely time-consuming sets in the first pass; return only if time permits.

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3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

QA in CAT 2026 is all about speed and accuracy. It is the most scoring section of the exam. So, what can you do:

✅Just focus on core concepts from arithmetic, algebra, and geometry to solve non-MCQs with precision.

✅Have a good hands-on practice of the important QA formulas to improve your speed.

✅You can use approximation and shortcut methods for faster calculations.

Check Now: QA Free Resources for CAT by Supergrads

How Should You Prioritise Questions in Each Section for Efficient Time Use?

Expert advice is to first identify and answer the easiest questions to build confidence and momentum. Easy questions can often be solved quickly, giving guaranteed marks and calming nerves. 

After completing sitters, move to moderate difficulty questions, and lastly, attempt the toughest ones if time permits. This prioritisation avoids wasting precious time on complex problems early on.

One of the biggest advantages of non-MCQs is that there is no penalty for wrong answers. Incorrect attempts here won’t reduce your score, unlike MCQs where negative marking applies.

This gives you a risk-free opportunity to attempt all the TITA questions. Even if you are unsure, it is always wise to give your best attempt since there’s nothing to lose.

Is Time Management That Important for CAT 2026?

Well, the answer is a “Big YES”. The CAT exam is all about how well you manage your time effectively. Time is the major game changer, as each section provides individual timings; you have to stick to them and solve within the timeframe.

The CAT exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section lasts 40 minutes with no switching back. 

This strict sectional timer requires candidates to strategise how to approach each question and allocate time.

Following Time Management Tips for CAT 2026 can help aspirants plan their pacing, avoid getting stuck on difficult questions, and maximise accuracy, a vital skill to reach high percentiles.

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How Can Practising Mock Tests Improve Your Time Management Skills for the Real CAT Exam?

Mock tests simulate the exact CAT exam environment, helping aspirants understand their natural pacing tendencies and areas that consume excess time.

Analyze each mock’s time distribution and tweak your sectional approach accordingly. Regular mocks build confidence, sharpen speed, and boost stamina for exam day.

What Are Common Time Management Mistakes to Avoid on CAT Exam Day?

Avoid these pitfalls:

✅Overthinking questions that seem complex - skip and return later

✅Spending too much time on non-scoring questions

✅Skipping revision at the end

✅Panicking on difficult questions causes hasty errors

✅Ignoring non-MCQ questions despite zero negative marking

Conclusion

Finally, understanding “how to manage time for CAT exam” plays an important role in scoring the CAT percentile.

Combine smart question prioritisation, sectional strategies, typing practice for TITA, and regular mocks to build speed without sacrificing accuracy. Stay calm, pace yourself, and use time reserved for review wisely. 

These habits empower aspirants to confidently tackle the CAT exam and achieve top percentiles.

The journey to cracking CAT with excellent time management begins now practice diligently, execute your plan on D-day, and turn your preparation into success.