CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Marks, Duration, Paper Pattern

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.

More important resources for CAT exam:

CAT Exam Syllabus	CAT VARC Syllabus
CAT DILR Syllabus	CAT Quant Syllabus
CAT Answer Key 2026	CAT Admit Card
CAT Score vs Percentile 2026	CAT Eligibility Criteria
Best books for CAT	CAT Practice Questions
CAT Quant Questions	CAT VARC Questions
CAT Reading Comprehension Questions	CAT Verbal Ability Questions
CAT Exam Analysis	CAT Cut Off
CAT Results

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

Explore additional free resources for CAT Exam:

CAT DILR Mock Test	CAT VARC Mock Test
CAT Quant Mock Test	CAT Study Material

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 CAT admit card.
• All sessions are considered equal after score scaling.

Practice with CAT PYQs:

CAT Previous Year Papers	CAT 2025 Question Paper
CAT 2024 Question Paper	CAT 2023 Question Paper
CAT 2022 Question Paper	CAT 2021 Question Paper
CAT 2020 Question Paper	CAT 2019 Question Paper

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.

India’s Top CAT/MBA Prep Programs:

• Online XAT Coaching
• Online SNAP Coaching
• Online OMET Coaching

Best Offline Coaching Programs for CAT:

CAT Coaching in Jaipur	CAT Coaching in Nagpur
CAT Coaching in Mumbai	CAT Coaching in Bhopal
CAT Coaching in Jodhpur	CAT Coaching in Gwalior