CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Sections, Questions, Marks & Marking Scheme
CAT Exam PatternLatest Updates
The CAT 2026 exam will be held on 29 November 2026.
The CAT 2026 admit card release is officially scheduled on 4 November 2026.
The CAT exam pattern 2026 depends on the decisions of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) conducting the exam every year. You must clear the CAT 2026 exam for admission to the multiple PG and fellowship/doctorate courses that are provided by the IIMs and other institutes. The CAT 2026 exam pattern will be prescribed by IIM Indore since it is the convening institute of the exam this year. The duration of the course will be 120 minutes, with a 40-minute time limit for each section, and the exam will be conducted online.
The CAT Exam 2026 structure consists of 3 main sections: VARC, Quantitative Ability, and DILR. You can read this blog for full information about the CAT Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme.
Also Check: CAT Exam Books 2026
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CAT Exam Pattern: Quick Highlights 2026
A quick highlights table based on the CAT exam pattern is given below:
Particulars | CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus |
CAT exam time duration | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) & (160 Minutes for PwD) |
Name of the Sections |
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Section-wise CAT exam time duration |
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CAT slot timings |
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How many questions are in the CAT exam | 68 Questions |
Total marks of the CAT exam | 204 CAT marks |
Language of the question paper | English |
Mode of the CAT 2026 exam | Computer-Based Mode (CBT) |
CAT Marking Scheme |
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CAT Exam Structure 2026
The CAT Exam 2026 structure consists of 3 main sections. These sections are Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Ability (QA), and Data Interpretation (DI). Each section has approximately 20 to 24 questions, so the total number of questions in the CAT exam is estimated to be around 68 across all sections.
The CAT exam duration will be a 2-hour computer-based exam, with a 40-minute time limit for each section. All candidates are expected to answer all the given questions within the time frame. Check the following table for the detailed structure of the CAT 2026 exam.
Sections | MCQs | Non-MCQs | Total Questions | Details |
VARC | 20 | 4 | 24 | 4 passages of RC with 4 questions each. 8 para jumbles, para completions, para summary, odd sentence out. |
DILR | 14 | 6 | 20 | 4 sets of 5 questions each covering topics like bar graphs, missing data, and puzzles. |
QA | 15 | 7 | 22 | Dominated by arithmetic and algebra, with 4 questions of geometry. |
Total | 49 | 17 | 66 | — |
Also Check: CAT Exam Preparation
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CAT Exam Duration 2026 (Expected)
The CAT Exam duration is 120 minutes or 2 hours, with a 40-minute time limit for each section. The CAT 2026 exam is expected to be held on 30th November 2026. The section-wise number of CAT questions and the section time limit are given below in the table:
Section No. | Section Name | Duration |
I | VARC | 40 min |
II | DI and LR | 40 min |
III | QA | 40 min |
Total | 120 min | |
CAT 2026 Slots Timing
Slot timings are given below in the table.
CAT Exam Slots | CAT Exam Time |
CAT Slot 1 (Morning session) | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM |
CAT Slot 2 (Afternoon session) | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM |
CAT Slot 3 (Evening session) | 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Important Points
Important points are given below related to the CAT Exam Pattern 2026:
- During the CAT exam, you can make use of an on-screen calculator for any necessary calculations.
- An on-screen clock is available in the exam room, so you can always keep track of the time while answering.
- You are given a rough sheet for calculations and notes; you have to submit it after the exam is over.
- Switching is not allowed between exam sections until you finish answering all questions in the current section.
- You can take a mock test for the CAT exam 2026 on the CAT official website imcat.ac.in.
Also Read: CAT Previous Year Papers
CAT VARC Exam Pattern 2026
The pattern of CAT exam 2026 is heavily dominated by Reading Comprehension, with approximately 16 questions out of 24, making it 66–67% weightage. The remaining 8 VARC questions include para jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd-Sentence-Out, mostly TITA type with no negative marking.
Feature | Details |
Total Questions | 24 |
Total Marks | 72 |
Section Time | 40 minutes |
MCQs (approx.) | 21 |
TITA (approx.) | 2 (no negative marking) |
Reading Comprehension | 16 questions (66–67%) |
Verbal Ability | 8 questions (33–34%) |
CAT QA Exam Pattern 2026
In the CAT exam, the QA section plays an important role. There will be 22 questions, making a total of 66 marks, in a 40-minute fixed time limit. There will be negative marking of around -1 for around 14 MCQs and around 8 TITA with no negative marking.
Feature | Details |
Total Questions | 22 |
Total Marks | 66 (22 × 3 marks each) |
Section Time | 40 minutes |
MCQs (approx.) | 14 MCQs |
TITA (approx.) | 8 TITA questions (no negative marking) |
CAT DILR Exam Pattern 2026
The CAT DILR exam consists of 22 questions, totaling 66 marks, and is completed within 40 minutes. 12 MCQs carry a negative marking of -1, but the other 10 TITA-type questions have no penalty.
Feature | Details |
Total Questions | 22 |
Total Marks | 66 (22 × 3 marks each) |
Section Time | 40 minutes |
MCQs (approx.) | 12 MCQs |
TITA (approx.) | 10 TITA questions (no negative marking) |
Set Structure | Usually in sets (e.g., 3 sets of 4 Qs and 2 sets of 5 Qs) |
CAT Total Marks 2026
The total marks in CAT 2026 carry 204 marks across 68 questions. The following table shows the total marks with the number of questions:
Section | Number of Questions | Marks per Section |
VARC | 24 | 72 (24 × 3) |
DILR | 22 | 66 (22 × 3) |
QA | 22 | 66 (22 × 3) |
Total | 68 | 204 |
Also Read: CAT Total Marks
Changes in the CAT Exam Pattern 2026 in Comparison to 2024
The data in the table below shows the changes in the CAT Exam Pattern 2026 in comparison to 2024:
Component | CAT 2024 Pattern | CAT 2026 Pattern | What Changed |
Total Questions | 66 | 68 | +2 questions added (in DILR) |
Sections | 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) | Same | No change |
Section-wise Qs | VARC: 24 DILR: 20 QA: 22 | VARC: 24 DILR: 22 QA: 22 | +2 Qs in DILR |
Total Marks | 198 | 204 | Total marks have been changed as the number of questions has increased |
TITA Count | 20 (30%) | 22–24 (32–35%) | Slight increase in TITA questions |
Duration | 120 minutes (40 min/section) | Same | No change |
DILR Structure | 4 sets × 5 Qs (20 Qs total) | 3 sets × 4 Qs + 2 sets × 5 Qs = 22 Qs | New structure introduced |
Question Types | MCQ & TITA | MCQ & TITA | No change, but TITA share increased |
Marking Scheme | +3 for correct,– 1 for wrong MCQ; 0 for TITA | Same | No change |
Sectional Order | Fixed (VARC → DILR → QA) | Same | No change |
Adaptive Format | No | No | Confirmed non-adaptive in 2026 |
Difficulty Level | Moderate | Moderate (slot-dependent) | Slot 1 easier, Slot 3 tougher (as per CAT 2024) |
Cut-off Trend | 90%ile = 45–48 marks | 90th percentile = 48–52 marks (expected) | Slight increase expected due to easier QA & DILR |
CAT Marking Scheme 2026
The CAT Marking Scheme 2026 is given below in the table:
CAT Sections | Number of Questions | Marks Per Question | Negative Marking (Only MCQ) |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 3 | -1 |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 3 | -1 |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 3 | -1 |
CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section-wise Marking Scheme
The Section-wise marking scheme for CAT 2026 is given below in the table:
Section | Total Questions | MCQs (marking scheme) | TITA (marking scheme) | Total Marks |
VARC | 24 | 20 MCQs+3/–1 | 4 TITA (no penalty) | 72 |
DILR | 22 | 12 MCQs+3/–1 | 10 TITA (no penalty) | 66 |
QA | 22 | 14 MCQs+3/–1 | 8 TITA (no penalty) | 66 |
Total | 68 | 46 MCQs | 22 TITA | 204 |
Evolution of CAT Exam Pattern Over the Years
CAT exam patterns have been modified several times over the years. Below is the table that provides an overview of the CAT exam pattern over the years.
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 |
CAT Exam Pattern: FAQs
Ques: How many questions are there in CAT 2026?
Ans: There are a total of 68 questions in CAT 2026, which are divided into 3 sections:
- VARC: 24
- DILR: 22
- QA: 22
Ques: What is the marking scheme for CAT 2026?
Ans: The marking Scheme for CAT 2026 is given below:
- For each Correct answer, +3 marks will be awarded, whether it is an MCQ or a TITA question.
- -1 mark will be deducted only for MCQs for each incorrect answer.
- There is no penalty for an incorrect TITA answer.
- There is no penalty for unanswered questions.
Ques: Does CAT have negative marking?
Ans: Yes, the CAT exam has negative marking, but only for MCQs. The total penalty for each wrong answer is -1, but the TITA type has no penalty for an incorrect answer. Thus, you must prepare for the exam and create a strategy accordingly to prevent or minimise the negative marking in your case.
Ques: How many questions will be there on TITA in the CAT exam?
Ans: In the CAT Exam, there are 12 to 20 TITA questions across the paper. Section-wise breakdown is given below:
- VARC: 5 TITA
- DILR: 5–8 TITA
- QA: 7–8 TITA
Ques: What are the total marks for CAT, and is it a difficult exam?
Ans: CAT is the most difficult MBA entrance exam in India. The CAT exam difficulty level is expected to be moderate to high. As per the current structure, there are a total of 204 marks in the CAT 2026 exam, which will be divided into 3 different sections: QA, DILR, and VARC.
Ques: Will the CAT exam 2026 also be conducted in three shifts?
Ans: Yes, CAT 2026 will be conducted in three shifts:
- Morning shift: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
- Afternoon shift: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
- Evening shift: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
All these shifts are scheduled on November 30, 2026.
Ques: What is the difference between the CAT and XAT syllabus?
Ans: The CAT syllabus covers VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Aptitude), while XAT includes all these plus an exclusive Decision Making section and General Knowledge. XAT is broader, testing additional areas that are not present in CAT.