CATKing is a Mumbai-based MBA entrance exam coaching company founded by Sumit Singh, offering preparation for CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CET, GMAT, and GRE through online and offline classes. When should you start CAT mocks, and how many do you need? CATKing topper Dhruv Khanna moved from the 77th percentile to 98.53 percentile by treating mocks as his main study material. CAT 2026 is on November 29, 2026, and this guide breaks down his 35 mock plan so you can use it now.

Key Takeaways

•       Score jump: 77th percentile to 98.53 percentile in the repeat attempt.

•       35 mocks: up from 20 to 30 in his first attempt, started in mid-May.

•       Weekly rhythm: Saturday for the mock, Sunday for a full-day analysis, and 3 mocks a week at the peak.

•       Analysis depth: up to 10 hours on one mock.

•       Quant method: a 3-level analysis of unattempted questions, time and rough work.

•       Mindset: early mistakes are fine, repeating them is not.

Who Is Dhruv Khanna and What Did He Score in CAT?

As a General Engineer Male (GEM), Dhruv advises applying to IFT, MDI Gurgaon and the top IITs as strong safety options alongside the IIMs.

When Should You Start CAT Mocks?

Dhruv started his mocks in mid-May during his repeat attempt. He treated them as his primary study material, instead of relying only on traditional preparation books. The result: 35 mocks, compared with 20 to 30 in his first attempt.

What Was the Topper's Weekly Mock Routine?

The analysis was rigorous. Dhruv spent up to 10 hours analysing a single mock, to find structural flaws and reasoning errors, not only the questions he got wrong.

How Should You Analyse Each Section of a Mock?

How do you analyse VARC?

•       Compare your thinking with the author's: line up your thought process against the author's intent and the answer key, using the video or text solutions.

•       Find where your logic diverged: note the point where your reasoning left the author's perspective.

•       Adjust your reading approach: change how you read so the gap closes in the next mock.

How do you analyse Quant? The 3-level framework

The boxed rough sheet is the key. When every question has its own labelled box, your analysis does not depend on memory.

What Is the Right Mindset for Mocks?

•       Learn from errors: mistakes are acceptable in the initial mocks, provided you analyse them thoroughly so that the exact same error never repeats.

•       Stay consistent: stay resilient through the initial low scores and keep to structured guidance and motivation.

Topper's 35 Mock Plan: Quick-Reference

What Should CAT 2026 Aspirants Do Now?

•       This week: make Saturday your mock day and Sunday your analysis day.

•       After every mock: compare your VARC reasoning with the author's intent and the solutions.

•       In Quant: review unattempted questions, track time-sinks and use boxed rough work.

•       Each error: analyse it fully so that it does not come back.

•       Stay on track: join CATKing's mentor-led preparation, including Real CAT Mocks and video solutions.