ViaCareers

ViaCareers is an experienced, student-centric online platform offering self-paced video courses and guidance for MBA entrance exams like CAT, XAT, CMAT, and NMAT, backed by 12+ years of mentoring experience.

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Enroll in our premium CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude self study course by ViaCareers designed to help you master every concept with 74+ hour

ViaCareers CAT 2026 Quant Course – 74+ Hours | ₹4000 (60% Off)

Prepare for CAT 2026 with the ViaCareers Full Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Self-Study Course, designed to help you master Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Modern Maths from basics to advanced level. This comprehensive program includes 74.45+ hours of in-depth concept classes, 1300+ curated CAT-level questions (classwork + homework), detailed video solutions, and structured practice aligned with the latest exam pattern.

Get topic-wise classwork for immediate concept application, medium-to-hard level homework for accuracy building, and 1-on-1 mentor support for doubt solving and guidance throughout your preparation. The course is specially designed to improve speed, accuracy, and smart problem-solving techniques—key to scoring 95%+ in CAT Quant.

🎯 Who is this for? CAT 2026 aspirants aiming for top percentiles, students weak in Quant fundamentals, and anyone looking for a structured, concept-driven preparation system.

💰 Pricing & Offer: Grab this course at a special early bird price of ₹4000 (60% OFF, originally ₹10,000) for a limited time.

Start your CAT 2026 Quant preparation the right way with ViaCareers—where concepts meet strategy.

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Interpret and know which CAT 2026 DILR set to solve quickly with ViaCareer’s “DILR for CAT 2026 preparation self study course” includes 8 co

DILR for CAT 2026 Self-Study Course – ₹1000 Most Affordable CAT Coaching in India by ViaCareer Prepare smarter for CAT 2026 with ViaCareer’s DILR self-study course, designed to build strong Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning skills at just ₹1000—making it one of the most affordable CAT coaching options in India. This course offers 8 concept-based video lectures, 550+ practice questions with detailed video solutions, and 4 new DI-LR sets every week to ensure consistent improvement. Along with structured practice, you also get 1:1 mentorship for doubt solving, strategy, and performance tracking. Learn set selection, logical thinking, and time management to perform confidently in CAT and other MBA exams. Perfect for beginners and self-preparing aspirants aiming for real results.

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Enroll in our premium CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude self study course by ViaCareers designed to help you master every concept with 74+ hour

CAT 2026 Quant Mastery Course at ₹4000 – Complete QA Self-Study by ViaCareers Prepare for CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude with ViaCareers’ complete self-study course, now available at just ₹4000. Designed to build strong fundamentals and improve accuracy, it covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Modern Maths through 74+ hours of concept classes. Practice 1300+ CAT-level questions with detailed video solutions, structured classwork, and homework. With 1-on-1 mentor support and a focus on speed and problem-solving, this course offers a complete system for aspirants targeting 95+ percentile in CAT 2026.

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From B.Com to CAT Aspirant to IIM: Rahul Jain Reveals His Real Prep Journey & Life Inside IIM Hello Future IIM Grads! 😊 In this episode of the ViaCareers Podcast, Rahul Jain, an IIM alumnus, shares his complete CAT journey—from preparation strategy and monthly planning to the real life inside an IIM. Get honest insights, practical tips, and motivation to stay on track. If you're preparing for CAT 2026, this conversation might be exactly what you need.

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Number Classification Explained Simply | Part 2 | Prime & Composite Numbers | With Solved Examples Master Number Classification – Part 2 with ViaCareers! In this video, learn the concepts of Prime and Composite Numbers with clear explanations and solved examples. This lecture is essential for CAT 2026 and other MBA entrance exams like XAT, SNAP, NMAT, and CMAT. Build strong fundamentals in Number Theory and improve your problem-solving skills. Start your self-preparation journey today and boost your quant score with structured learning!

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Start your Number Theory preparation with Number Classification – Part 1. In this lecture, we cover Real Numbers, Rational and Irrational Numbers, along with Imaginary and Complex Numbers in a simple and structured way. Learn key concepts, number types, and properties with solved examples including terminating and repeating decimals, √2, π, and √(-4). This session is ideal for CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, and other MBA entrance exams. Perfect for beginners and self-study, helping you build a strong Quant foundation and improve problem-solving skills step by step.

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Quantitative Aptitude for CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy | Syllabus & Study Plan for IIM Aspirants Prepare for CAT 2026 Quant with ViaCareers’ structured series. Learn the complete syllabus, weightage, and smart preparation strategy from an expert with 15+ years of experience. This session covers key topics, practice approach, past papers, and mistakes to avoid—helping you build strong concepts and improve accuracy for MBA entrance exams.

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Why You Need a Detailed CAT 2026 Syllabus PDF Before You Start Preparing

To crack any competitive exam, you need a clear roadmap. And the first step in building that roadmap is understanding the syllabus properly. When you know what to study, planning your preparation becomes much easier and confusion reduces automatically.

CAT preparation works in the same way.

For over 70 years, the Common Admission Test (CAT) has remained the most trusted gateway to India’s top B-schools. Generations of MBA aspirants have appeared for this exam with one simple belief — “If I crack CAT, then doors open.” And that belief exists for a reason.

Because CAT rewards clarity of thought, not random hard work.

This is exactly why we’ve created a detailed CAT 2026 syllabus PDF [Link].

It has been prepared by the ViaCareers team with guidance from experienced mentors and IIM graduates, based on actual CAT exam trends.

The PDF explains the CAT 2026 exam syllabus in a simple and clear manner & you no longer need to worry about questions like: 1. What to study in Quantitative Aptitude? 2. What type of Reading Comprehension passages appear in CAT? 3. Which Logical Reasoning areas are commonly tested?

and what makes this CAT 2026 syllabus PDF more helpful is the clear mention of section-wise sub-topics across all three sections—Quantitative Aptitude, VARC, and DILR.

Most students follow random internet sources and end up studying everything, without knowing what is actually required. This PDF removes that confusion by listing specific, CAT-relevant sub-topics only. It helps you understand exactly what to study and what to ignore.

Now go take a printout of this PDF and place it in your study room. Use the tick-mark section to track what you have completed and what is pending. This keeps your preparation organised and gives you a clear sense of progress. Now you know the syllabus, you have direction—it’s time to start serious preparation and go all in for CAT 2026. All the best! 👍

FAQ's

1. What is the syllabus of CAT 2026? Ans: CAT has three sections: A. Quantitative Aptitude (QA) B. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) C. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

2. When will CAT 2026 be held? Ans: CAT is usually conducted in November every year. The official notification for CAT 2026 is expected around July– August 2026.

3. Is CAT syllabus the same for all IIMs? Ans: Yes. CAT is a common exam for all IIMs and many other B-schools. The syllabus remains the same for all.

4. What type of Reading Comprehension passages appear in CAT? Ans: RC passages are usually: 500–600 words longBased on Philosophy, Economics, History, Psychology, Technology, or Social issuesAnalytical and inference-based rather than factual.

5. What is the duration of the CAT exam? Ans: The exam duration is 2 hours, with 40 minutes allotted for each section.

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Top 27 Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT 2026 by VIaCareer's

Dear aspirant, Let me say this clearly before we jump into names: your CAT score does not decide your future — your college choice does. Many of you chase IIMs blindly and miss out on some exceptional non-IIM MBA Colleges that consistently deliver great learning, exposure, and careers. So here’s a clean, no-confusion list of top non-IIM Colleges accepting CAT 2026 Scores, arranged roughly from very high cutoffs to moderate ones. Think of it as a shortlisting conversation, not a ranking table — because choosing the right college matters more than chasing a name. Top Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT with 97+ Percentile If your mocks are consistently high and your basics are strong, these are institutes you should already be targeting.

1. Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi – 98.54 2. DMS, IIT Delhi – 98.04 3. Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon – 97 4. Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management (SJMSOM), IIT Bombay – 97.5 5. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi – 97–98 Top Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT in the 85 –96 Percentile Range This is where a large number of serious CAT aspirants finally convert strong non-IIM calls.

6. Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai 95 7. IMT Ghaziabad – 90–93 8. Vinod Gupta School of Management (IIT Kharagpur) – 95 9. International Management Institute (IMI), Delhi – 90 10. Goa Institute of Management (GIM), Goa – 90 11. K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management (SIMSR), Mumbai – 90 12. FORE School of Management, Delhi – 85–90 13. Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management (LBSIM), Delhi – 87 14. Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), Chennai – 86 15. Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai – 85–90 16. Mudra Institute of Communications (MICA), Ahmedabad – 85–90 17. IRMA, Anand – 85–90 18. IBS, Hyderabad – 85 19. Bharathidasan Institute of Management (BIM), Trichy – 85 20. Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management (WeSchool), Mumbai – 85 21. S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai – 85 Top Non-IIM MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Below 80 Percentile Students often underestimate this range, but many solid MBA careers are built from these campuses.

22. Institute of Management, Nirma University (IMNU), Ahmedabad – 80 23. T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal – 80 24. XIMB – Xavier University, Bhubaneswar – 80 25. Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida – 75 26. Asia-Pacific Institute of Management, Delhi – 75 27. SOIL Institute of Management – 75

Conclusion : CAT 2026 is not just about chasing IIMs — it’s about making informed, strategic choices. As you’ve seen, several top non-IIM B-schools consistently offer excellent academics, strong industry connections, solid placement records, and impressive ROI. Your percentile will open certain doors, but what truly defines your MBA journey is how wisely you shortlist and apply. A 95+ percentile gives you premium options, but even the 85–92 range includes campuses that build successful careers every year. So don’t focus only on the brand tag. Evaluate specialization, faculty, industry exposure, location advantage, fees, alumni network, and long-term career alignment.If you need guidance on preparation strategy or MBA college shortlisting, you can connect with ViaCareers. In the end, the right MBA college is not the most famous one — it’s the one that fits your goals. Prepare well. Shortlist smartly. And make your CAT 2026 score count.

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Ms. Rucha (10+ years of teaching experience) from ViaCareers shares a beginner-friendly roadmap to start VARC preparation for CAT 2026. The video explains how to build a strong reading habit, choose the right resources, and plan preparation in phases. It also covers RC practice, verbal ability questions, sectionals, and mocks to improve accuracy and speed, helping aspirants prepare consistently and strategically for the CAT VARC section.

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In this session, Ms. Rucha (10+ years of experience) explains the complete CAT 2026 VARC syllabus, including the structure of Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. Learn key insights from CAT 2024 & 2025 trends, important topics like Parajumbles, Summary, Odd Sentence Out, and the skills needed to score high in the VARC section.

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Algebra Is Deciding Your CAT Percentile — Here’s How to Crack It in 1.5 Months with ViaCareers After interacting with 500+ CAT aspirants, one thing is clear: Most students feel Quant is the toughest section.

They enjoy VARC, manage DILR, but when it comes to Quant — fear takes over.

Weak basics lead to low mock scores, which reduces confidence. Eventually, students start ignoring topics like Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Modern Math.

But this can change.

At ViaCareers, we’re starting a step-by-step Quant blog series, beginning with Algebra — showing how you can rebuild your fundamentals and improve your Quant percentile in just 1.5 months.

Why Algebra Matters in CAT Quant

In CAT, you get 40 minutes for Quantitative Aptitude with around 22 questions.

Algebra contributes 5–8 questions, nearly 25–30% of the section.

The key point is this:

You don’t need to solve all 22 questions. If you solve 14 questions correctly, you can reach 90+ percentile.

In CAT, accuracy matters more than attempts.

Algebra also connects with other areas:

Supports Arithmetic concepts

Helps in equation framing in DILR

Strengthens logical thinking

When the basics are weak, Algebra feels difficult. But when concepts are built step by step, confidence grows and mock performance improves.

So how do you build this stability in 1.5 months?

1.5-Month Algebra Roadmap

Month 1 — Build Strong Fundamentals

Week 1: Focus on Algebra basics, identities, and linear equations (one variable). Practice 20–25 questions daily and maintain a formula notebook. Goal: Solve basic algebra questions without hesitation.

Week 2: Move to linear equations with two variables and word problems. Practice 25 questions daily + 5 CAT PYQs. Goal: Translate word problems into equations quickly.

Week 3: Study quadratic equations, including roots and discriminant. Practice 30 questions + 8 PYQs during the week. Goal: Build confidence in solving quadratic problems.

Week 4: Focus on case logic in algebra problems. Practice 25 questions and attempt a topic test. Goal: Achieve 80% accuracy.

At the end of the month, take one sectional mock and analyze it deeply.

Final Phase — Concept Expansion

Week 5: Study advanced polynomials, including remainder theorem and factor theorem. Practice 25–30 questions.

Week 6: Focus on inequalities, including number line and sign analysis. Practice around 30 questions.

Week 7: Work on modulus (absolute value) and case splitting techniques. Practice 25 questions + PYQs.

Week 8: Revise surds, indices, and logarithms, focusing on simplification speed. Finish with a topic test.

Final Target

After this 1.5-month roadmap:

Attempt 2 sectional mocks

Focus on mock analysis

Aim for 10–12 correct attempts in Quant

With strong Algebra fundamentals, achieving a high Quant percentile becomes realistic.

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Welcome to Probability – Class 1 by Shyam Manavat for CAT 2026 self-preparation. In this session, learn the basics of probability, understand the probability formula, and solve important exam-relevant questions step by step. This lecture is useful for CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CMAT, and other MBA entrance exams. Build strong Quant fundamentals with clear explanations and practical problem solving. Start mastering probability and strengthen your CAT Quant preparation with ViaCareers’ self-paced learning approach.

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Mixtures and Alligations CAT 2026 Questions | Mixing Known Quantities | ViaCareers | Shyam Manavat (15+ Years) Start your CAT 2026 prep with ViaCareers’ Mixtures and Alligations session on Mixing Known Quantities. Learn directly from Shyam Manavat, a mentor with 15+ years of experience, as he explains core concepts, mixtures and alligations CAT 2026 questions, and mixture and alligation CAT 2026 tricks for faster problem-solving. Strengthen your Quant basics for CAT/XAT/SNAP/NMAT and prepare confidently with expert guidance.

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Struggling with Quantitative Aptitude? Let Algebra Become Your Strength for CAT 2026 If Quant feels like the scariest section of CAT 2026, you’re not alone — many students struggle especially with Algebra. That’s exactly why our algebra for cat, Quantitative Aptitude Algebra Self Study Course by ViaCareers is built to make concepts simple, clear, and practical. You’ll master the core concepts of algebra for CAT 2026 preparation through 58 concept classes (25 hours), 246 classwork questions, and 210 homework questions. Plus, with 1:1 doubts solving with faculty, you’ll never feel stuck. Step-by-step learning, strong practice, and expert guidance — so Algebra finally becomes your scoring area, not your fear. If you’re ready to study the right way and boost your Quant confidence, click here to sign up for our course and start your preparation today. https://www.viacareers.com/course/algebra-quantitative-aptitude-cat-2026-self-study-exam-prep

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Why Most Students Struggle in CAT Arithmetic (And How to Fix It)

Arithmetic is the backbone of CAT Quant.

Every serious aspirant knows that topics like Percentages, Ratio, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, and SI-CI dominate the exam year after year.

Yet many students continue to struggle.

Not because Arithmetic is impossible. But because their preparation lacks structure.

The Real Problem Isn’t Difficulty — It’s Direction  

Most students assume they “already know” Arithmetic from school.

So they:

Skip deep conceptual clarity

Jump directly to advanced questions

Watch shortcuts without mastering basics

Practice randomly without completing chapters

CAT doesn’t test familiarity. It tests control.

And control only comes from structured, disciplined learning.

More Content Isn’t the Answer  

Today, students are overwhelmed with:

Endless YouTube videos

Random PDFs

Multiple coaching modules

Many believe they need the Best Online CAT Coaching in India to fix their Arithmetic.

Others spend ₹40,000–₹70,000 hoping expensive programs will solve the issue.

But the truth is simple:

You don’t need more content. You need the right structure.

If you’re searching for Affordable CAT Coaching in India that focuses on real concept mastery without overwhelming you, the solution doesn’t have to be expensive.

The Real Fix: Structured Arithmetic Mastery  

The Arithmetic Self-Study Course for CAT – ViaCareers is designed to solve exactly these preparation gaps.

Instead of random exposure, it gives you a classroom-first system:

✔ 48 Concept Classes (Basic to Advanced) ✔ 225 Classwork Questions with detailed video solutions ✔ 333 Homework Questions for independent practice ✔ No time pressure during the learning phase ✔ Fully online & self-paced — study anytime, anywhere ✔ Built on 15+ years of mentoring expertise

The method is simple:

Learn clearly. Apply immediately. Solve honestly. Focus on accuracy first.

Speed will follow naturally.

Complete Arithmetic Preparation at Just ₹1500  

Yes — the entire Arithmetic module is available at just ₹1500.

Not partial content. Not limited access. Complete Arithmetic mastery.

This makes it one of the most practical and Affordable CAT Coaching options in India for students who want focused, high-quality preparation without the burden of expensive full coaching programs.

Arithmetic is not your weakness.

Unstructured preparation is.

The real question is — will you keep searching for more content, or will you build complete command over Arithmetic the right way?

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Is Taking A Drop Year For CAT Worth It?

Introduction Candidates aspiring to convert top IIMs and other b-schools often consider re-appearing for CAT if they couldn't convert their dream colleges in the first attempt. However, taking a drop year for giving a second attempt in CAT can expose the candidate to certain risks. Calculating these risks beforehand and taking an informed decision can increase your chances of success in the subsequent attempt and make your drop year worth the struggle.

Factors in Favor of Taking a Drop Year For CAT

➤ Minimal Distractions- A drop year can help you establish an effective CAT preparation strategy and follow through without any major distractions or disturbances. CAT exam preparation can become really sorted if you solely devote a year to it without any other major commitments. You get to study the CAT exam syllabus in depth and build clear concepts.

➤ Increased Chances of Converting Top B-schools- Devoting time completely to CAT exam preparation can give you an edge over those candidates who are preparing for this exam along with a job or other time-taking commitments. It gives you an opportunity to prepare thoroughly using the best CAT preparation material and score higher marks than other candidates and convert IIMs or your desired b-school.

➤ No Deductions For Drop Year- There are no deductions for taking a drop year for CAT exam preparation in IIMs. This portrays the neutral attitude of top b-schools towards candidates taking a drop year. Thus, if your situations are in favor of taking a drop year, then you must do it without the fear of any negative marking based on this fact.

➤ Below Average Score in First Attempt- It is usually believed that if you managed to score an above average mark in your first attempt of CAT, then it might not be beneficial for you to take a drop year as you can improvise on your marks even while taking a job experience or enrolling yourself in some other course simultaneously. However, if the score in your first attempt of CAT is average or below average, and you feel like you need to devote major time to CAT preparation in order to improve your performance and claim your dream college, then taking a drop year might be a good decision for you, as the time invested during this stage shall reap you the best results in the near future.

➤ Unfavorable Circumstances- In case you are facing any critical health or family or financial issues that would require a few months to get sorted, and you are not in the headspace to manage multiple academic or career commitments at the same time, then taking a drop year might be beneficial for your mental health as well as fetch you better results in your CAT.

Factors Against Taking a Drop Year For CAT

➤ Uncertainty of the CAT exam- The CAT is considered to hold a level of uncertainty as its pattern and type of questions can't be predicted beforehand. For example, the sectional question distribution of CAT 2024 was found to be slightly different from that of CAT 2023 as the number of questions in DILR was increased from 20 to 22. These variations in the CAT make it difficult to predict the result of your next attempt. Even after improvised preparation, there is no surety of whether a candidate could claim a better college in the next attempt as the factors affecting the results keep on changing every year.

➤ Obstacles in Interview- Although there is no marks deduction for a candidate clearing the CAT after taking a drop year, the reason behind this is often asked in the interview during MBA admissions and as well as during job interviews. The recruiters need to test the candidate's time-management skills and seriousness towards the degree, as an MBA degree often teaches the student to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. Hence, it becomes important to give a satisfactory answer to the panel justifying the reason behind a drop year for CAT preparation.

➤ A Drop Year Can Add on to Stress- High expectations, social pressure, fear of failure, isolation, academic pressure, and the potential for burnout. All these issues can add on to the existing stress of a candidate during a drop year, and he/she might also feel stuck at times. To avoid this buildup of stress, it becomes crucial to get yourself engaged in a bunch of activities that distribute your efforts and also keep you motivated, such as a part-time internship or side courses.

➤ Beneficial Alternatives to a Drop Year- While there is no problem associated with re-taking the CAT exam for better opportunities, taking a drop year just for CAT preparation in usual circumstances might not be the ideal decision. Enrolling yourself in a few other skill building courses or gaining practical work experience through an entry-level job are usually considered to be more beneficial for MBA admissions and also appreciated in interview rounds.

➤ Dealing With Un-favourable Results- A candidate taking a drop year does hope for the best results in the next attempt, but they also need to prepare themselves mentally to accept the worst outcome as well. Due to the uncertain aspects of the CAT, it is not always possible that the proceeding attempt would surely reflect better scores. Thus, it is important that along with dedicated CAT exam preparation, a candidate also creates a positive mindset to accept challenges and also have a back-up plan in case things don't go as expected.

Conclusion

The major risks or challenges associated with taking a drop year for CAT preparation and the circumstances in which this option should be considered are stated in this article. Both sides have their pros and cons, and neither of the decisions can suit every candidate. Thus, it is important to contemplate on all the points and choose a path that best suits your interests and career goals.

ViaCareers is here to guide and support you throughout your journey towards success. Visit our website and find more such CAT and MBA related articles to enhance your knowledge.