CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Check CAT Paper Pattern, Total Marks & Marking Scheme
CAT Exam Pattern 2026: The CAT exam pattern consists of three main sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The VARC section includes 24 questions for a total of 72 marks, while both the DILR and QA sections comprise 22 questions each, with each section carrying a weightage of 66 marks.
The CAT exam pattern has been modified several times in the past years. The total number of questions has been brought down to 66 from 100 and raised back to 68 in CAT 2024. The sectional distribution of questions has also been played around with. Before we delve into the CAT exam pattern, let’s first glance at the CAT exam pattern changes introduced in CAT 2024.
While IIM Calcutta threw a few curveballs in CAT 2024, we expect no major impinges on the upcoming CAT exam. The exam pattern should largely remain similar to the CAT 2024 pattern, comprising 68 questions. Continue reading to gain a comprehensive understanding of the CAT exam syllabus and paper pattern.
CAT Exam Pattern 2026 – Latest Changes in the Exam Pattern
- The total number of questions has been increased from 66 to 68.
- The number of questions in the DILR section went up from 20 to 22. Instead of 4 sets of 5 questions each, as has been the norm, CAT 2024 had 3 sets of 4 questions and 2 sets of 5 questions.
- According to the CAT 2024 exam analysis by our expert mentors, the overall difficulty level of the CAT 2024 exam was lower than that of the CAT 2023 exam, especially in the DILR and Quant sections.
- The difficulty level across the three slots also varied. Slot 1 was the easiest, and slot 3 was the hardest.
- The difficulty level of VARC was largely the same as last year, while the DILR and Quant sections were on the easier side.
- According to our expert mentors, CAT 2024’s overall difficulty level was similar to that of CAT 2021.
- The overall cutoffs for the top colleges are expected to go up, and the CAT score vs. percentile report will also change, with the 90%ile and 95%ile benchmarks climbing upwards to 47-51 marks and 58-61 marks, respectively.
Read More: CAT Exam 2025: Date, Registration, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation Tips, Cutoff
What is the CAT Exam Pattern 2026?
The organisation that administers the CAT also notifies of the exam pattern annually. The exam pattern focuses on the evaluation of a candidate’s aptitude for resolving mathematical and reasoning problems. According to the pattern, there are three exam portions: DILR, VARC, and QA.
- The CAT VARC section included 24 questions and a weightage of 72 marks.
- The CAT DILR section comprised 22 questions and a weightage of 66 marks.
- The CAT Quantitative Aptitude section consisted of 22 questions and a weightage of 66 marks.
Read More – CAT Syllabus: Sections, Weightage, Exam Pattern, Tips to Prepare
Overview of CAT Exam Pattern 2026
CAT exam has a total of 68 questions and a total examination time of 120 minutes, with a 40-minute sectional time limit. According to the CAT exam pattern, officials can quickly assess a candidate’s logical and mathematical abilities. Candidates who intend to take future exams should become familiar with the CAT exam pattern.
CAT Exam Pattern 2026 & Exam Mark Distribution
Here is a detailed analysis of the latest CAT marks distribution based on last year’s exam pattern:
| Section | MCQs | Non-MCQs | Total No. of Questions | CAT Exam Duration |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 22 | 2 | 24 | 40 min |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | 12 | 10 | 22 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 14 | 8 | 22 | 40 min |
| Total | 48 | 20 | 68 | 120 (2 hours) |
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CAT Exam Pattern 2026: CAT Exam Duration
CAT sections have a fixed time limit. The following are the sectional timings and slot-by-slot information for the most recent CAT Exam Pattern:
| CAT Exam Sections | CAT Sectional Time |
| VARC | 40 minutes |
| QA | 40 minutes |
| DILR | 40 minutes |
| Total | 120 minutes |
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Quantitative Aptitude – CAT Exam Pattern 2026
CAT Quantitative Aptitude consists of numerically based questions drawn from various math topics. There were a total of 22 questions in this section in CAT 2024. We can safely expect CAT 2026 to continue following the same pattern.
| CAT 2024 Slot-wise weightage | |||
| Area | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
| Arithmetic | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Algebra | 7 | 5 | 7 |
| Geometry | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Modern Math | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Numbers | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 14 MCQs, 8 TITA | |||
| Topics | |
| Geometry | 15% |
| Number system | 5%-7% |
| Modern math | 5%-7% |
| Arithmetic | Algebra | Geometry | Modern Math |
| Percentages | Linear Equations | Lines and Angles | Permutations and Combinations |
| Ratio and Proportion | Quadratic Equations | Triangles | Probability |
| Averages and Mixtures | Inequalities | Circles | Set Theory |
| Profit, Loss, and Discount | Functions | Quadrilaterals | Venn Diagrams |
| Simple and Compound Interest | Logarithms | Polygons | Binomial Theorem |
| Time, Speed, and Distance | Progressions (AP, GP, HP) | Mensuration (2D and 3D) | Functions and Graphs |
| Time and Work | Sequences and Series | Coordinate Geometry | |
| Pipes and Cisterns | Maxima and Minima | Trigonometry | |
| Boats and Streams | Polynomials | Similarity of Triangles | |
| Partnerships | Properties of Circles |
Number System:
| Numbers |
| Number System:
Natural Numbers, Whole Numbers, Integers Rational and Irrational Numbers Real Numbers |
| Divisibility and Remainders |
| Factors and Multiples |
| HCF and LCM |
| Prime Numbers and Composite Numbers |
| Cyclicity and Factorials |
| Base System |
| Indices and Surds |
Read More – CAT Exam 2026: Date, Registration, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation Tips, Cut Off | MBA vs PGDM – Which one is better?
Marks distribution graph of Quantitative Aptitude topics:
Below is the marks distribution graph of quantitative aptitude question distribution based on the 2024 CAT exam pattern:
- 12-15 questions related to arithmetic and algebra were there.
- 7-8 TITA questions (Non-MCQs) were there.
- With the proper practice of the syllabus topics, the CAT quantitative aptitude section is moderate to difficult.
Read More – CAT Score vs Percentile 2025 – Section-wise analysis of CAT scores and percentiles.
VARC – CAT Exam Pattern 2026
This evaluates candidates on their English language skills, their ability to interpret paragraphs, and their understanding of the core ideas. CAT 2024 had 24 questions in VARC, and CAT 2025 should have the same.
In 2024, 2 TITA questions appeared in the paper, which don’t have any answer opetions. Candidates have to type their answers. Besides, the difficulty level of the reading comprehension section and the verbal ability section of the CAT has been moving upwards.
Read More – CAT Cutoff – Find out CAT cutoffs for IIMs and other top colleges.
Reading Comprehension:
| Reading Passage Type | Weightage |
| Descriptive Passages | Less |
| Narrative Passages | Less |
| Argumentative Passages | Most |
| Analytical Passages | Most |
| Abstract Passages | Less |
Types of RC Questions:
| Main Idea |
| Inference-based |
| Specific Details Questions |
| Tone, Style, and Source |
| Application Questions |
| Logical Structure |
Verbal Ability:
| Verbal Ability Question Types |
| Para-jumbles |
| Para-summary |
| Odd-one-out |
| Para-completion |
Read More – CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026
DILR – CAT Exam Pattern 2026
CAT DILR section evaluates the candidates’ ability to interpret data and understand logical assumptions.
The questions will vary from inequalities to symbol operations, direct sense tests, etc. Besides, this section’s questions are easily solvable, and hence, they let you score higher.
Interpreting the data is difficult and time-consuming. However, candidates should be able to comprehend the data sets thoroughly so that they can answer the full set of questions. Meanwhile, data interpretation on the CAT should be conducted cautiously, as a single mistake may result in candidates incorrectly attempting all questions from each set.
Data Interpretation:
| Data Interpretation – Types of Graphs | Key Concepts in DI | Logical Reasoning |
Key Concepts in LR |
| Bar graphs | Percentages and Ratios | Seating Arrangements | Deductive Reasoning |
| Pie charts | Averages and Weighted Averages | Blood Relations | Inductive Reasoning |
| Line graphs | Profit and Loss | Direction Sense | Critical Thinking |
| Venn diagrams | Growth Rates | Syllogisms | Problem-Solving |
| Caselets | Data Comparison | Clocks and Calendars | |
| Combination of multiple graphs | Coding-Decoding | ||
| Number Series | |||
| Logical Sequences | |||
| Puzzles | |||
| Games and Tournaments |
Key points to keep in mind for the CAT Exam 2026
- The exam is a computer-based test.
- The use of an onscreen calculator allows for computation during the exam.
- The CAT exam will be in three slots of 2 hours each on a single day.
- The CAT exam had a total of 204 marks in 2024. However, candidates cannot switch between sections, so keep this in mind while preparing for the exam.
- The onscreen clock will help candidates to keep a tab on the time during the exam.
- For each incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted.
- The sheets of paper are provided for rough work. As soon as the exam is over, they must be submitted to the exam centre.
- Candidates cannot start their tests before the time is up and can only log in after the invigilator announces it.
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Evolution of CAT exam pattern over the years
CAT exam patterns have been modified several times over the years.
Below is a table that provides an overview of how it has evolved over time.
| Year | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level | CAT exam time duration | Conducting Body |
| 2024 | 68 | Easy to moderate | 2 hours | IIM Calcutta |
| 2022 | 66 | Moderate | 2 hours | IIM Bangalore |
| 2021 | 66 | Moderate to High | 2 hours | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2020 | 76 | Moderate to High | 2 hours | IIM Indore |
| 2019 | 100 | Moderate to High | 3 hours | IIM Kozhikode |
| 2018 | 100 | Moderate to High | 3 hours | IIM Calcutta |
| 2017 | 100 | Moderate | 3 hours | IIM Lucknow |
| 2016 | 100 | Moderate to difficult | 3 hours | IIM Bangalore |
| 2015 | 100 | Moderate to difficult | 3 hours | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2014 | 100 | Moderate to Easy | 2.50 hours | IIM Indore |
| 2013 | 60 | Moderate to Easy | 2:20 hours | IIM Indore |
| 2012 | 60 | Moderate to Easy | 2.20 hours | IIM Indore |
| 2011 | 60 | Moderate | 2.20 hours | IIM Calcutta |
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CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Conclusion
CAT is a computer-based test (CBT) divided into 3 sections of 68 questions: VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section will have 40 minutes. Meanwhile, the exam paper will have MCQ and TITA, and most questions will be MCQ-based. This guide on CAT paper patterns will help the CAT aspirants to get familiar with the latest patterns and prepare accordingly.
How many sections will be there in CAT 2026?
The CAT 2026 will have three sections:
a. Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
b. Section 2: Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation
c. Section 3: Quantitative Ability
What is the marking scheme for the CAT exam?
According to the CAT exam marking scheme, the candidates will get +3 for every correct answer. Furthermore, each incorrect answer will result in a deduction of -1.
According to the CAT exam pattern, how many non-MCQs are in each section?
The IIMs have provided no information regarding the number of non-MCQ questions. However, the number may differ depending on the section and the year.
