CAT 2026 Quant Exam-Day Strategy: Check 40-Minute Time Management Plan, Question Selection Rules & Safe Attempts @iimcat.ac.in

Prepare for CAT 2026 Quant with a focused 40-minute strategy covering smart question selection, time allocation, accuracy, safe attempts, and last-minute tips to maximise your overall score.

CAT 2026 Quant Exam-Day Strategy: The CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section requires more than Mathematical Knowledge. Candidates should demonstrate speed, accuracy, and the ability to identify questions that can be solved within a limited time. With only 40 minutes available, having a well-planned exam-day strategy can help candidates to maximise their scores while avoiding unnecessary negative marking. CAT 2026 is scheduled to be held on November 29, 2026. The Quantitative Aptitude section is expected to have 22 questions, with a combination of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and Type in the Answer (TITA) questions. Candidates will receive 40 minutes to complete this section.

CAT 2026 Quant: 40-Minute Time Management Plan

Here is a suggested strategy for using the available 40 minutes time management plan for the CAT 2026 Quant exam effectively:

Note, if a question appears time-consuming, they should move forward rather than compromise their overall performance.

CAT 2026 Quant: Important Question Selection Rules

Question selection is one of the most important factors in improving the QA score. Some of the most important Arithmetic topics, such as percentages, profit and loss, ratios, averages, time and work, and time-speed-distance, deserve early attention, and Algebra topics, including equations, inequalities, and functions, should also receive priority. When selecting the Quant topics, candidates should refer to the following rules:

• Start by solving the familiar questions before unfamiliar ones.
• Do not spend more than two to three minutes on a single question initially.
• Avoid lengthy calculations during the first round.
• Return to the difficult questions after completing easier ones.
• Skip solving the complicated questions first if the solution is unclear.

CAT 2026 Quant: Number of Safe Attempts

Angana Nath, an expert at CollegeDekho, is analysing that approximately 12 to 15 questions are assumed to be safe attempts from the Quant section. More specifically, the focus should remain on correct answers rather than attempting all 22 questions. A smaller number of accurate attempts can produce a better score than excessive guessing. Doing so will be helpful for candidates to get a good score in the CAT 2026 exam.
Also read l CAT VARC 2026 Preparation Strategy: Check Important Topics, Section Weightage & High-Scoring Tips @iimcat.ac.in

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