CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section-Wise Format, Duration & Marking Scheme

Overview: The CAT exam pattern 2026 is expected to be similar to CAT 2025, consisting of 68 questions. The CAT exam 2026 will be conducted on the last Sunday of November 2026. Continue reading to know about the CAT exam paper pattern for 2026!

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams, opening doors to prestigious institutions such as the IIMs, FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, and others. 

• To successfully clear the CAT 2026 on your first attempt, it is essential to familiarise yourself with the exam pattern and syllabus.
• The CAT exam consists of a total of 68 questions divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Ability (QA), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR).

Download FREE Study Material for CAT 2026 by Supergrads

Read on to know more about the CAT exam pattern for 2026 here!

What is CAT Exam Pattern 2026?

CAT exam pattern 2026 consists of three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).

It is a computer-based test with 68 questions, split into MCQs and non-MCQs (TITA questions). The exam duration is 2 hours, with sectional time limits.

There are three major sections in the CAT 2026 question paper: 

CAT Exam Sections	Number of Questions	Weightage (Marks)
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	72
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	22	66
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	66

Check: CAT Cut Off for IIMs

CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Key Highlights

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a competitive exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission into their MBA programs. Below is the CAT exam pattern observed in 2025; the same exam structure is expected in 2026 also, this includes:

CAT Exam Sections	Total No. of Questions	MCQs	TITA Question	Marks	Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	21	2	72	40 min
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)	22	14	10	66	40 min
Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	14	8	66	40 min
Total	68	49	20	204	120 (2 hours)

The exam is highly challenging and requires a solid understanding of the CAT exam syllabus, as well as the ability to solve complex problems.

Check out | How Many Times CAT Exam is Conducted in a Year?

CAT Exam Pattern 2026 for VARC Section

The VARC section of the CAT exam focuses on assessing a candidate’s command of the English language through reading comprehension and verbal reasoning tasks.

Questions generally include comprehension-based passages as well as verbal ability topics like para jumbles, sentence correction, and identifying summaries.

The purpose of this section is to test reading speed, contextual understanding, and analytical interpretation of language. A mix of objective MCQs and subjective TITA questions are included.

CAT 2026 Exam Sections	No. of Questions	MCQs	Non-MCQs
VARC	24	18	6

CAT Exam Pattern 2026 for DILR Section

The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of the CAT exam assesses a candidate's ability to interpret data and apply logic to solve problems.

This section typically presents data in various formats, such as tables, charts, and graphs, combined with logical reasoning questions.

The key focus is on evaluating how well candidates can analyse information, identify CAT paper patterns, and draw valid conclusions. The DILR section contains a mix of MCQs and TITA questions.

CAT 2026 Exam Sections	No of questions	MCQs	Non-MCQs
DILR	22	12	10

Learn More | How to Prepare for CAT Exam in One Year?

CAT Exam Pattern 2026 for QA Section

The Quantitative Ability (QA) section of the CAT exam tests a candidate's mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities.

This section covers a wide range of topics, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern mathematics.

The QA section aims to assess a candidate's understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts, their ability to apply these concepts to solve complex problems, and their speed and accuracy in calculations.

CAT 2026 Exam Sections	No of questions	MCQs	Non-MCQs
QA	22	14	8

Similar to other sections, QA includes both MCQs and TITA questions.

Read More: CAT Cut Off For IIMs

CAT 2026 Marking Scheme

The CAT paper 2026 consists of 68 questions that must be completed within 2 hours and 40 minutes. Each question carries negative marking, creating high stress for test takers when choosing the right option. 

Therefore, aspirants should practice mock tests before the main exam to understand how to manage their time and pace during the exam. Here are some key points regarding the CAT marking scheme for 2026:

• The total score possible was 204.
• Each question is worth 3 marks.
• A penalty of -1 mark is applied for each incorrect answer.
• Candidates are not required to attempt every question.
• There is no penalty for skipping unanswered questions.
• Some questions are categorised as non-MCQs.
• Non-MCQ questions do not carry negative markings.

Practising the CAT paper 2026 or previous years' papers will be a plus for candidates who want to score in the top percentile in 2026.

CAT Sections	Number of Questions	Marks Per Question	CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ)
VARC	24	3	-1
DILR	22	3	-1
Quantitative Aptitude	22	3	-1
Total	68	204

Note* It is advised to attempt approximately 2/3rd of the questions in each section to clear the cutoff. To understand better the CAT exam marking scheme, refer to the below-mentioned table:

Practice Now: Previous Year Papers for CAT

Note* The CAT exam 2024 has 68 questions overall, 22 of which are asked in the DILR section, totalling 204 marks.

CAT 2026 Slot-Wise Exam Pattern

While the overall CAT exam pattern remains consistent across slots, there can be some minor variations:

1. Number of Questions

The total number of questions and their distribution across sections (VARC, DILR, and QA) are generally the same across all slots.

2. Difficulty Level

The difficulty level of questions may vary slightly between slots. IIMs try to maintain a similar difficulty level, but some slots might be perceived as slightly easier or more challenging by test-takers.

3. Question Variation

The actual questions within each section will differ across slots to prevent any potential issues with exam integrity. This means candidates will encounter different sets of questions for VARC, DILR, and QA in each slot.

4. Normalisation

To account for any variations in difficulty level across slots, IIMs use a normalisation process. This process adjusts candidates' scores to ensure fairness and prevent any candidate from being advantaged or disadvantaged by the specific slot they appeared in.

5. Sectional Order and Timings

The order of the sections and the time allotted for each section remain the same across all slots. Candidates will have a specific time limit for each section, and they cannot switch between sections during the exam.

Read more: Important CAT Quant Topics

Check Now: VARC Free Resources for CAT 2026

Read more: Complete Details on CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria.

CAT Exam Pattern 2026 for MCQs vs Non-MCQs (TITA)

The CAT exam pattern comprises both multiple-choice questions (MCQS) and non-MCQs, also known as Type-in-the-Answer (TITA) questions.

MCQs present candidates with four or five answer choices, requiring them to select the correct one. 

In contrast, TITA questions require candidates to directly type the answer into a text box, without any options provided. A key difference lies in the marking scheme: while MCQs carry a penalty for incorrect answers, TITA questions do not. 

The distribution of these question types across the three sections, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA) varies each year. Here's the typical distribution:

CAT 2026 Exam Sections	No of questions	MCQs	Non-MCQs
VARC	24	22	2
DILR	22	12	10
QA	22	14	8
Total	68	48	20

CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Overall and Sectional Time Limit

The CAT paper pattern consists of three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section is allotted 40 minutes, so candidates can only attempt it within that time frame. 

Once the time limit is over, the next section will automatically appear on the screen. Additionally, the CAT exam pattern 2026 follows the same sequence of sections: VARC > DILR> QA. 

Candidates will need to manage their time wisely, as each section requires focused attention and strategic planning to succeed. The CAT 2026 exam pattern will play a crucial role in determining the most effective approach to time management.

Note* You cannot switch over the sections instead you need to follow the sequence laid out in the exam.

Read More | CAT 2026 Maths Syllabus Section-wise

Expected CAT Exam Pattern 2026 Based on Previous Years' Trends

How many questions are there in the CAT exam 2026? Well, based on the previous years' trends, the CAT 2026 exam is expected to maintain a similar CAT exam pattern:

• Exam Duration: 120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
• Number of Sections: 3 (VARC, DILR, and QA)
• Total Questions: Around 68
• Question Type: MCQs and TITA (non-MCQs)
• Marking Scheme:
  • +3 for each correct answer
  • -1 for each incorrect MCQ answer
  • 0 for unanswered and TITA questions

Check: CAT Total marks and Questions

Important Changes in CAT Exam Pattern Over the Years

There have been numerous changes in the CAT exam pattern process over the past few years. From 2014 to 2019, there were 100 CAT questions, and the overall score was 300.

Later, it changed to 76 questions in 2020, 66 from 2021 to 2023 and 68 questions in CAT 2025 question paper. Here is the CAT exam question pattern and details over the years:

CAT Exam Year	Number of Questions in CAT Exam over the Years	CAT Exam Time Duration Over the Years	CAT Sections Over the Years
2024	68	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2023	66	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2022	66	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2021	66	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2020	76	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2019	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2018	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2017	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC

Check: CAT Exam is for What Purpose?

Difference Between the CAT Exam Pattern 2026 and Other MBA Entrance Exams?

Although all the MBA entrance exams share some common features, there are still some differences between them, such as XAT, CMAT, MAT, GMAT, NMAT, and SNAP. So, let’s have a look at the differences between the CAT paper 2026 and other MBA entrance exams:

Exam Name	Time Duration	No. of Questions	Sections	Overall Score
CAT	120 minutes	68	3	204
XAT	180 minutes	95	4	95
CMAT	180 minutes	100	5	400
MAT	120 minutes	150	5	150
NMAT	120 minutes	108	3	36-360
SNAP	60 minutes	60	3	60

CAT Exam Pattern 2026 and Preparation Strategy

Understanding the CAT exam pattern 2026 is crucial for developing an effective preparation strategy. Here are some key points to consider:

• Familiarise Yourself with the CAT 2026 exam Pattern: Thoroughly understand the exam structure, including the number of sections, time limits, question types, and marking scheme.
• Section-wise Preparation: Based on your strengths and weaknesses, allocate dedicated time for each section (VARC, DILR, and QA).
• Focus on Fundamentals: Strengthen your basic concepts in each subject area. For QA, focus on arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. For VARC, improve your reading speed, comprehension, and vocabulary. For DILR, practice interpreting data and solving logical reasoning problems.
• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is crucial for enhancing speed and accuracy. Solve a variety of questions from different topics.
• Mock Tests: Take mock tests to simulate the actual exam environment. This will help you become familiar with the CAT 2026 exam pattern, time constraints, and pressure. Analyse your performance in mock tests to identify areas that need improvement.
• Time Management: Develop effective time management strategies for each section. Learn to allocate time to different types of questions and avoid spending too much time on any single question.
• Analyze Previous Year Papers: Solving previous years' CAT question papers can provide valuable insights into the CAT 2026 exam pattern, difficulty level, and types of questions asked.

Practice: CAT QA Questions with Answers

Conclusion

The CAT exam pattern 2026 is expected to be similar to the CAT 2024 exam. To score well, you must understand the exam format and the nature of the questions. 

Familiarise yourself with the CAT paper 2026 and syllabus to maximise your chances of scoring high. 

With the right preparation and practice, you can ace the CAT exam and achieve your desired score. Again, the PDF of the CAT exam pattern has not been released from any official source.

Explore More | About CAT Exam Courses