CAT Exam Pattern & Detailed Syllabus Breakdown (2026)
Complete blueprint of 66 questions, 198 marks, 40-minute non-negotiable sectional timers, +3/-1/0 marking scheme, and topic-wise distribution across VARC, DILR & QA.
Executive Briefing & Key Takeaways
Official Benchmark & Strategic Decision Snapshot
Exam order is locked: Section 1 (VARC) → Section 2 (DILR) → Section 3 (QA). Section hopping is blocked; unused time cannot be carried over.
VARC consists of 4 Reading Comprehension passages (4 questions each = 16 Qs) and 8 Verbal Ability questions (Parajumbles, Summary, Odd-One-Out).
DILR features 4 caselets of 5 questions each. Solving 2 complete caselets with 100% accuracy yields a 98.0+ percentile in DILR.
Key Facts & Action Items
CAT 2026 Complete Sectional Syllabus & Weightage Matrix
| Section | Total Qs / Marks | Time Limit | Core Topics & Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I: VARC | 24 Qs (72 Mks) | 40 Minutes | Reading Comprehension (16 Qs in 4 Passages), Parajumbles (3 Qs), Parasummary (3 Qs), Odd-One-Out (2 Qs) |
| Section II: DILR | 20 Qs (60 Mks) | 40 Minutes | 4 Caselets (5 Qs each): Matrix Arrangements, Tournaments, 4-Set Venn Diagrams, Route Networks, Missing Data Tables |
| Section III: QA | 22 Qs (66 Mks) | 40 Minutes | Arithmetic (8-9 Qs), Algebra (7-8 Qs), Geometry & Mensuration (3-4 Qs), Modern Math (1-2 Qs), Numbers (1-2 Qs) |
Explore CAT 2026 Intelligence Guides & Tools
ThinkCAT HubFrequently Asked Questions
What is the exact exam pattern and duration of CAT?
CAT is a 120-minute computer-based test divided into 3 mandatory sections of 40 minutes each: VARC (24 questions), DILR (20 questions), and QA (22 questions). Total 66 questions carrying 198 marks.
What is the negative marking scheme in CAT?
Correct answers award +3 marks. Incorrect MCQ attempts carry -1 mark deduction. Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions have 0 negative marking for incorrect attempts.
Which topics carry the highest weightage in CAT QA?
Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, TSD, Time & Work, Mixtures) and Algebra (Quadratics, Linear, Logarithms, Functions) collectively make up 75% of the section.
Can I choose the section order in CAT?
No. The exam order is pre-fixed by the CAT convening IIM: Section I (VARC), Section II (DILR), and Section III (QA).
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