CAT Exam Pattern 2026- IIM will release the the the exam pattern of CAT 2026. Candidates can check CAT total marks, number of question, test duration and more in CAT 2026 paper pattern. As per CAT exam pattern, the exam is an online based aptitude test where the candidates are required to answer a total of 100 questions within a time limit of 180 minutes. CAT 2026 will be conducted in November 2026 for admission into various management courses.
We have provided the complete details of CAT paper pattern 2026 as per last year’s details. Lakhs of aspiring candidates apply for the CAT Exam every year, there is no doubt about the pressure to perform well and get the highest score. Hence, getting complete details of CAT 2026 exam pattern and CAT syllabus is one of the important concerns for the aspirants.
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CAT Exam Pattern 2026
The question paper will have 03 different sections, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VAR), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Since this is a computer based test, there is no scope of extension of time limit. Those who want to make it to the best IIMs and Business Schools in the country need to not only adhere to the time limit but also score high in the test. A better understanding of the CAT 2026 Examination Pattern will ease out the pressure.
CAT Exam pattern
| Section | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Duration in minutes |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VAR) | 24 | 24*3= 72 | 40 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 22*3= 66 | 40 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 22*3= 66 | 40 |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 120 |
Highlights of CAT Paper Pattern 2026
| Mode of CAT exam | Computer Based Test |
| Test Duration |
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| CAT exam slot timings |
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| Number of questions | 68 |
| CAT total marks | 204 |
| Question Paper Medium | English |
| Number of Answer Choices | 4 |
| Question Type | MCQ and non-MCQ |
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
- The duration of the examination is 120 minutes.
- Each question carries 3 marks and a wrong answer will be negatively marked by 1 mark.
- However, there is no deduction of marks for any question left answered but the candidate will by default lose the 3 marks entitled to that question.
- Candidates will not receive any break between the exam and have to remain seated till they complete their test. Once they have given all the answers they can click on submit.
- There are sectional constraints in the exam as the test is divided into three sections. One of the things to be kept in mind is that while the candidates might finish a section before the given time they still need to remain seated and wait for the time limit to be over before they move on to the next section.
What is CAT 2025 Marking Scheme?
Below is the CAT exam marking scheme. There is negative marking in Common Admission Test. Hence
- CAT Total marks is a 204.
- There will 68 questions in CAT exam 2026.
- Each question will carry 3 marks.
- -1 mark will deducted for every wrong answer
- No deduction of marks for skipping questions
- There will be no negative marking for non-MCQ questions.
CAT Syllabus 2026
IIMs do not release CAT exam syllabus for VARC, DILR and QA. Hence, given important topics are extracted from the last year’s CAT question papers-
CAT Important Topics
| VAR | DILR | QA |
| Reading Comprehension | Bar Graph & Pie Charts | Trigonometry |
| Jumbled Paragraph | Syllogism | Algebra |
| English Grammar | Binary Logics | Geometry |
| Synonyms Antonyms | Blood Relations | Ratio and Proportion |
| Cloze Passage | Tables | Numerical Series |
| Facts-Inferences-Judgements | Cubes | Probability |
| Verbal Reasoning | Clocks | Arithmetic |
Other Important Links
| Essays | Careers | Results |
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