If you are serious about cracking CAT 2026, the first step is to understand the CAT exam pattern. Before diving into books, CAT mock tests, or coaching sessions, you must clearly know the pattern—the number of sections, the total marks, the question types, and the marking scheme.
Once you know the CAT paper pattern, you can plan your time, practice smartly, and avoid surprises on exam day. Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for CAT, but those who master the exam pattern early often have the edge.
Below, we’ll break down the CAT examination pattern in detail, compare it with previous years, and guide you on how to use this knowledge to prepare with confidence.
CAT Exam Pattern: Overview
Find the overview of CAT examination pattern:
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| CAT Conducting Body | One of the IIMs (to be announced) |
| Exam Level | National-level entrance test for MBA/PGDM |
| Mode of CAT Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | 29 November 2026 (tentative) |
| Sessions | 3 sessions in a single day |
| Duration of CAT Exam | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes for each section |
| Total Sections in CAT | 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) |
| Total Questions in CAT | Around 66–70 (based on past trends) |
| CAT Total Marks | 198–210 marks (expected, depends on final question count) |
| Question Types in CAT | MCQs + Non-MCQs (TITA – Type in the Answer) |
| CAT Marking Scheme | +3 marks for correct answers, -1 for wrong MCQs, no negative for TITA |
| Language of CAT Paper | English only |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
Let’s discuss in detail about the pattern of CAT exam 2026:
Mode of CAT Exam
The mode of CAT exam is fully computer-based. You will take the test at an assigned exam centre using a computer system. It is not an online-from-home test but is conducted in secure test labs across India.
The interface provides on-screen navigation, a timer, an on-screen calculator, and options to move between questions within the section.
Total Number of Sections in CAT
CAT exam is divided into three sections, each designed to test different skills. You cannot switch between sections, and each section has equal time allotted.
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Focuses on grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and logical flow of language.
Key topics: Reading Comprehension (RC) passages, Para Jumbles, Sentence Completion & Correction, Odd Sentence Out, Para Summary, Vocabulary in context.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Tests logical ability and analytical thinking.
Key topics: Data tables, Line/Bar/Pie charts, Caselets, Venn diagrams, Seating arrangements, Blood relations, Puzzles, Data sufficiency.
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
Tests mathematical and numerical skills.
Key topics: Arithmetic (Percentages, Averages, Ratio-Proportion, Time-Speed-Distance, Profit & Loss), Algebra (Equations, Logarithms, Functions), Geometry, Mensuration, Number Systems, Probability, Permutations & Combinations.
CAT Exam Duration
The duration of CAT exam is 120 minutes (2 hours). Each section has a fixed 40-minute sectional time limit. Once the time for one section is over, you cannot go back or revise it. This makes time management crucial for success.
| Section | Time Allotted |
| VARC | 40 minutes |
| DILR | 40 minutes |
| QA | 40 minutes |
| Total | 120 minutes |
Effective preparation should include practicing with strict time limits to mirror the duration of CAT exam.
Must Check: CAT Online Coaching
Total Number of Questions in CAT
The total questions in CAT exam is not fixed and has varied in recent years. Typically, the paper has 66–70 questions, but past years show fluctuations depending on the exam format.
| Year | Total Questions |
| 2024 | 68 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2022 | 66 |
| 2021 | 66 |
This makes it clear that candidates should not assume a fixed CAT total questions count. Instead, focus on sectional balance and accuracy.
Type of Questions in CAT
The CAT question paper pattern includes two types of questions:
- MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions): Each question has four options, and only one is correct. Wrong answers here attract negative marking.
- Non-MCQs (TITA – Type In The Answer): These are fill-in-the-box style questions where you type the answer directly. There is no negative marking for TITA questions.
This combination of MCQs and TITA makes the paper pattern of CAT exam more application-based than rote-learning oriented.
CAT Exam Marking Scheme
The CAT marking scheme is straightforward and uniform across all three sections.
| Component | Details |
| Marks for Correct Answer | +3 |
| Negative Marking (MCQs only) | -1 |
| Negative Marking (TITA questions) | No negative marking |
| Total Questions | About 66–70 (varies) |
| CAT Total Marks | Around 198–210 |
| Sectional Marks | Each section carries ~66–70 marks depending on question count |
Language of CAT Paper
The language of CAT examination is strictly English. All questions, instructions, and answer choices are in English. No translations or regional language options are provided.
Hence, students must practice comprehension and reasoning in English to be comfortable with the actual exam.
Calculator Availability in CAT Exam
A common doubt among aspirants is whether calculators are allowed. CAT provides an on-screen calculator within the test window. You cannot carry a physical calculator into the exam hall.
The on-screen tool has basic arithmetic functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and a few scientific functions (square root, logarithm). While useful, relying heavily on it can waste time.
To perform well, candidates should master fast mental calculations and only use the calculator for complex problems in QA or large data sets in DILR. Practicing mock tests using the on-screen calculator option is highly recommended to build familiarity.
Section-Wise Exam Pattern for CAT 2026
| Section | Question Types & Style | Expected Questions* | Topics & Difficulty Trend |
| VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) | Reading Comprehension passages, inference-based MCQs, para jumbles, odd sentence out, para summary | 22–24 | RC makes up ~70%. Moderate to high difficulty. Focus on comprehension, reasoning, and grammar in context. |
| DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) | Caselets with tables, charts, graphs; puzzles, seating arrangement, Venn diagrams, games & conditions | 20–22 | Known as the toughest section. High difficulty. Tests data analysis, logic-building, and accuracy. |
| QA (Quantitative Ability) | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Number System, Modern Math (Probability, P&C, Set Theory) | 22–24 | Moderate but tricky. Arithmetic dominates (~40%). Tests speed, accuracy, and application of core math concepts. |
Also Read About: CAT Exam Eligibility: All Qualification & Age Limit Criteria
CAT Exam Centers 2026
CAT 2026 will be conducted across approximately 170 cities in India. Candidates can choose up to 5 preferred cities while filling the application form.
| State / UT | Test Cities |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
| Andhra Pradesh | Guntur, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
| Assam | Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Silchar |
| Bihar | Aurangabad, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Chhattisgarh | Bhilai, Raipur |
| Delhi – NCR | Delhi, New Delhi, Faridabad, Gurugram, Noida, Panipat, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida |
| Goa | Madgaon, Panaji |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Anand, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara |
| Haryana | Ambala, Bahadurgarh, Hisar, Palwal, Rohtak, Sonipat |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla, Waknaghat |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu, Samba, Kashmir |
| Jharkhand | Bokaro, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Belagavi (Belgaum), Dharwad, Gulbarga, Hubli, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Udupi |
| Kerala | Ernakulam, Kasaragod, Kollam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar |
| Maharashtra | Ahmednagar, Amravati, Aurangabad, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Pune, Raigad, Satara, Solapur, Thane, Ulhasnagar |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Kohima |
| Ladakh | Leh |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu | Silvassa |
| Odisha | Balasore, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Sambalpur, Rourkela |
| Puducherry | Puducherry |
| Punjab | Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Fatehgarh Sahib, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Pathankot, Patiala, Ropar, Sangrur |
| Rajasthan | Ajmer, Alwar, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli |
| Telangana | Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Warangal |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| Uttar Pradesh | Agra, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Barabanki, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Greater Noida, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Noida, Varanasi |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Roorkee |
| West Bengal | Asansol, Bankura, Burdwan, Durgapur, Hooghly, Howrah, Kalyani, Kolkata, Siliguri |
CAT Exam Pattern: Number of Sessions
CAT 2026 will be held in three sessions on the same day. Each session has the same exam duration (120 minutes) and follows the same CAT exam pattern.
- Candidates are randomly assigned to one of the three slots.
- The question paper in each session is different but designed to maintain the same difficulty level.
Why Does CAT Have Multiple Sessions?
- Large Number of Test-Takers: Over 2.5–3 lakh candidates appear every year, so one slot isn’t enough.
- Better Management: Dividing into three sessions helps avoid overcrowding at test centres.
- Fairness: With multiple slots, question papers are rotated to prevent any leakage or unfair advantage.
Important Points for You
- You cannot choose your session; it is auto-allotted with the admit card.
- All sessions are considered equal after score scaling.
How to Prepare According to CAT Exam Pattern?
1. Master the Structure of CAT Exam
Before starting preparation, understand the CAT exam pattern thoroughly — mode of test, number of sections, duration, and marking scheme. Knowing the structure of CAT exam helps you plan smarter and avoid surprises on exam day.
2. Balance All Sections Equally
The pattern of CAT examination has three sections (VARC, DILR, QA) with 40 minutes each. Since switching isn’t allowed, practice in timed blocks. Strengthen weaker areas but keep revising your stronger ones for better balance and consistency.
3. Focus on Accuracy with Speed
CAT has negative marking, so random guessing reduces percentile. Instead, practice solving within time while keeping accuracy above 80%. This approach ensures maximum advantage from the cat exam marking scheme while avoiding unnecessary penalties.
4. Practice TITA Questions Smartly
CAT includes MCQs and TITA questions. Since there is no negative marking in TITA, attempt them carefully. Use elimination techniques in MCQs and practice typing short answers to improve speed and comfort with this cat question paper pattern.
5. Use Mock Tests Strategically
Simulate the real cat examination pattern by taking full-length CAT mock tests under strict time limits. Analyze each test, track your performance in sections, and adjust your strategy for time management, accuracy, and handling exam pressure.
FAQs About Exam Pattern of CAT
The total questions in CAT vary each year. In 2024, there were 68 questions; in 2023, 66; and in 2020, 76. For 2026, around 66–70 questions are expected.
The CAT total marks depend on the number of questions. Usually, it ranges from 198 to 210 marks, as each correct answer carries 3 marks.
The duration of CAT exam is 120 minutes (2 hours). Each section gets exactly 40 minutes, and you cannot switch between sections.
Yes, CAT has negative marking. For every wrong MCQ answer, 1 mark is deducted. There is no negative marking for non-MCQ (TITA) questions.
The CAT exam marking scheme is: +3 for correct answers, -1 for wrong MCQs, and 0 for unattempted or TITA questions.
The pattern of CAT exam is designed to be moderately tough. VARC is reading-heavy, DILR is considered the toughest, and QA tests speed and accuracy.
No, you cannot skip or switch sections. Each section has a fixed 40-minute limit and auto-locks after the time ends.
Yes, but only an on-screen calculator is allowed. Physical calculators are not permitted.
TITA means Type in the Answer. You must enter the answer directly in a box. There is no negative marking for TITA questions.
The exam pattern of CAT has been stable since 2021 with 3 sections and 120 minutes. However, the number of questions may change slightly.
The paper pattern of CAT is a computer-based test with MCQs and TITA questions, 3 sections, 120 minutes duration, and negative marking for MCQs.
No, CAT is not descriptive. The CAT question paper pattern has only MCQs and TITA-type objective questions.
CAT is conducted only once a year, usually on the last Sunday of November.
Based on past years, DILR is considered the toughest due to complex data sets and puzzles.