CAT Exam Notes 2026

CAT Notes 2026: Section-wise Preparation Notes, Study Material & PDFs

Preparing for CAT 2026 requires not just hard work but also smart study material. Good CAT preparation notes help candidates revise concepts quickly, retain formulas, and reinforce understanding. While the IIMs do not release any official study material, a well-structured set of notes — covering all three sections (VARC, DILR, and QA) — can make a significant difference in your final percentile. This page provides a comprehensive guide to CAT notes, recommended study material, and how to build your own effective preparation resources.

Why CAT Notes Are Important

Benefit

Explanation

Quick Revision

Notes allow rapid review of key formulas and concepts before the exam

Concept Clarity

Summarised notes reinforce learning from textbooks

Error Log

Maintaining a personal notebook of mistakes prevents repetition

Time Saving

Avoids re-reading entire chapters during the revision phase

Personalised Prep

Notes tailored to your weak areas are more effective than generic material

CAT Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Notes

Key Arithmetic Formulas to Note

Topic

Key Concepts

Percentages

x% of y = (x/100) × y; % change = (change/original) × 100

Ratio & Proportion

a:b = c:d → ad = bc; Componendo-Dividendo

Profit & Loss

Profit% = (Profit/CP) × 100; SP = CP × (1 + P%/100)

Simple Interest

SI = (P × R × T) / 100

Compound Interest

CI = P(1 + R/100)^n – P

Time, Speed, Distance

D = S × T; Average Speed = 2S1S2/(S1+S2)

Time & Work

If A does work in x days, rate = 1/x per day

Averages

Average = Sum / Number of terms

Algebra Notes

Topic

Key Points

Quadratic Equations

ax² + bx + c = 0; roots = (–b ± √(b²–4ac)) / 2a

Logarithms

log(ab) = log a + log b; log(a/b) = log a – log b

Inequalities

Flip inequality sign when multiplying/dividing by a negative

Progressions

AP: nth term = a + (n–1)d; GP: nth term = ar^(n–1)

Geometry & Number System

Topic

Key Points

Triangles

Area = ½ × base × height; Pythagoras: a² + b² = c²

Circles

Area = πr²; Circumference = 2πr

HCF & LCM

HCF × LCM = Product of two numbers

Remainders

Fermat's Theorem, Cyclicity of last digits

CAT VARC Notes

Reading Comprehension Strategy

Step

Action

1

Skim the passage in 2–3 minutes to get the main idea

2

Read questions before re-reading key paragraphs

3

Eliminate answer choices that are too extreme or out of scope

4

Look for the author's tone — positive, negative, neutral

5

Never bring external knowledge into RC answers

Verbal Ability Tips

Topic

Strategy

Para Jumbles

Identify the opening and closing sentences first; look for linking words

Para Summary

Pick the option that captures the central idea without extremes

Odd Sentence Out

Find the sentence that breaks the logical flow

Critical Reasoning

Identify the premise and conclusion clearly before answering


Word List for VARC Preparation

Build a daily vocabulary habit. Focus on:

  • High-frequency GRE/GMAT words

  • Contextual vocabulary from The Hindu and The Economist

  • Antonyms and synonyms of commonly used words

CAT DILR Notes

Data Interpretation Key Techniques

Type

Key Approach

Tables

Identify row/column patterns; calculate percentages carefully

Pie Charts

Convert degrees to percentages: (degree/360) × 100

Bar Graphs

Compare heights; calculate differences and ratios

Line Graphs

Identify slope direction — increasing, decreasing, constant

Caselets

Reframe text into a table before solving

Logical Reasoning Techniques

Type

Strategy

Linear Arrangements

Use a table/grid; fill in definite clues first

Circular Arrangements

Fix one element; build around it

Blood Relations

Draw a family tree

Games & Tournaments

Calculate total matches: n(n–1)/2 for round-robin

Set Theory

Use Venn diagrams; apply inclusion-exclusion formula


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How to Make Effective CAT Notes

1. Concept Notes

Write a short summary (3–5 lines) of every new concept you learn. Include the definition, formula, and an example.

2. Formula Sheets

Maintain a dedicated formula sheet for QA — review it every morning for 10 minutes.

3. Error Logbook

Every time you get a question wrong in a mock test, note down the question, your approach, and the correct approach in a separate notebook.

4. RC Summary Notes

After reading every RC passage during practice, write a 3–4 line summary. This trains your ability to identify the main idea quickly.

5. Weekly Revision Cycle

Day

Activity

Monday–Friday

New topic study + practice questions

Saturday

Sectional test + error log review

Sunday

Full-length mock test + analysis

CAT Notes PDFs – Free Resources

Many reputed coaching institutes offer free CAT notes PDFs:

  • IMS Learning: Free VARC and QA concept sheets

  • Career Launcher: Free PDF downloads on specific topics

  • TIME Institute: Practice worksheets available on their website

  • Cracku & MBAUniverse: Free digital study material with practice questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Handwritten notes improve retention for many learners. However, combining both — printed formula sheets and handwritten concept summaries — works best.