CAT Marking Scheme 2026 Negative Marking & Section wise Weightage

CAT Marking Scheme 2026: Negative Marking, +3/-1 Rules & Section-wise Weightage. This page explains the CAT 2026 Marking Scheme 2026 (expected) how many marks you get for correct answers, what negative marking applies, and how TITA (Non-MCQ) questions are treated.

CAT 2026 marking scheme usually remains consistent, but we’ll update this page instantly if IIM releases any change on official CAT website. You should also understand the CAT Exam Pattern because the MCQ vs TITA distribution impacts your attempt strategy.

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Important Updates

• CAT 2026 official dates (notification, registration, exam day) will be announced on the official CAT portal.
• Expected marking scheme: +3 for every correct answer; -1 for every wrong MCQ.
• No negative marking for TITA/Non-MCQ; un-attempted questions carry 0 marks.
• Knowing the CAT 2026 marking scheme and CAT exam pattern will help you get an idea about the exam.

Let's explore more for a deeper understanding of the CAT marking scheme 2026

What is CAT Marking Scheme 2026?

The CAT 2026 marking scheme gives +3 for correct answers, –1 for wrong MCQs, and 0 for unanswered questions. TITA questions have no negative marking, so wrong answers don’t reduce your score. Knowing the marking scheme along with the CAT Syllabus can help you plan your exam strategy better.

CAT Exam Marking Scheme 2026: Overview

The CAT marking scheme 2026 outlines the number of points awarded for each correct answer and the points deducted for an incorrect response.

• The CAT 2026 exam pattern is expected to be similar to the CAT 2024 exam, which consisted of 68 questions in total, divided into three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. 
• Marks for the correct answer in the CAT exam: +3 marks
• Marks deducted for incorrect answers in the CAT exam: -1 mark
• Marks for unanswered questions in the CAT exam: No marks awarded

Note* There is no negative marking for the TITA question.

CAT Exam Marking Scheme 2026 (Expected)

CAT Marking Scheme 2026 in 20 seconds: +3 for correct answers, -1 for wrong MCQs, and 0 negative marking for TITA (Non-MCQ) questions.

S. No.	Type of Questions	Marks for Correct Answer	Negative Marking	Un-attempted
1	MCQ	+3	-1	0
2	TITA / Non-MCQ	+3	0	0

Note: There is no negative marking for TITA/Non-MCQ questions. Un-attempted questions carry 0 marks. Check the updated CAT Total Marks to see how section-wise scoring adds up.

CAT Marking Scheme 2026: Section-wise Weightage (Expected)

The CAT exam has three sections: VARC, DILR and QA. Based on the recent pattern, the paper has 24 questions in VARC, 22 in DILR and 22 in QA, making a total of 68 questions for 204 marks. Candidates can refer to CAT previous year papers to understand the section-wise question distribution and marking scheme.

S. No.	Section	Questions (Expected)	Section Marks (Expected)	Weightage by Marks
1	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	72	~35.3%
2	Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	22	66	~32.4%
3	Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	66	~32.4%
Total		68	204	100%

Quick insight: VARC has a slightly higher weightage because it usually has 24 questions (72 marks), while DILR and QA typically have 22 each (66 marks each).

How to Calculate CAT Score Using the Marking Scheme (Examples)

CAT uses +3 marks for every correct answer. Negative marking applies only to wrong MCQs (-1). For TITA/Non-MCQ questions, there is no negative marking.

Example	Correct	Wrong (MCQ)	TITA Wrong	Un-attempted	Score Calculation	Final Score
Example 1 (MCQ heavy)	12	4	0	6	(12 × 3) − (4 × 1)	32
Example 2 (with TITA)	10	2	3	7	(10 × 3) − (2 × 1) − (3 × 0)	28

Raw Score vs Scaled Score in CAT (What’s the Difference?)

Your raw score is the score you calculate directly using the marking scheme (+3, -1 for MCQs). However, CAT is conducted in multiple slots, so IIMs use a normalisation process to arrive at a scaled score. The scaled score is used to compute your CAT percentile.

• Raw Score: Direct marks based on correct/wrong/un-attempted questions.
• Scaled Score: Slot-normalised score to account for difficulty differences across slots.
• Percentile: Calculated using scaled scores (not raw scores).

Related reads: CAT Score vs Percentile | CAT Result | CAT Answer Key

TITA (Non-MCQ) Marking in CAT 2026: Rules & Smart Attempt Strategy

TITA (Type In The Answer) questions in CAT are Non-MCQ - there are no options to choose from. The key advantage is that wrong TITA answers do not attract negative marking (expected as per recent years).

Question Type	Correct Answer	Wrong Answer	Negative Marking?	Best Use Case
MCQ	+3	-1	Yes	Attempt when you can eliminate options confidently
TITA / Non-MCQ	+3	0	No	Attempt when you can estimate/solve partially or narrow the range

Smart Attempt Strategy (Quick Rules)

• MCQs: Avoid blind guessing. Attempt when you can eliminate at least 1–2 options confidently.
• TITA: Attempt if you can reach a close value/range or complete most of the steps.
• Time check: Don’t overspend time on one question - move fast and come back if needed.
• Sectional balance: Maintain attempts across all 3 sections to avoid missing sectional cut-offs.

How does the CAT Marking Scheme Affect Test-Taking Strategy?

The CAT exam marking scheme, which awards +3 marks for a correct answer and deducts -1 for an incorrect answer to a Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ), significantly influences a test-taking strategy.

Since there's no penalty for un-attempted or Type-in-the-Answer (TITA) questions, the CAT marking scheme encourages a strategic, selective approach rather than blind guessing.

Key Takeaways for Strategy

The main aim should be to answer questions correctly rather than attempt all of them. In CAT, each correct MCQ earns 3 marks, while a wrong answer costs 1 mark. Using CAT Exam Short Tricks can help you solve questions faster, but make sure you understand the method before applying it in the exam.

1. Try to Avoid Guesswork

Don't attempt a question if you're not confident. A guess that turns out wrong can hurt your score more than simply leaving the question unanswered.

2. Target TITA Questions

Since there's no negative marking for TITA questions, you should try to answer them even if you have to guess. This is a low-risk, high-reward opportunity to gain marks.

3.  Have a Good Time Management Practice

You get 40 minutes for each CAT section, so use your time wisely. Focus on questions you can solve confidently and skip the ones that take too long. It is better to get a few answers right than to rush and lose marks.

Taking mock tests regularly can help you improve your speed and accuracy. You can also use CAT Study Material to practise different types of questions and learn how to manage your time during the exam.

Use Supergrads Free Resources 2026 Strategically

CAT VARC Mock Test 2026	Attempt a Free Mock test
CAT DILR Mock test 2026	Attempt a Free Mock test
CAT QA Mock Test 2026	Attempt a Free Mock test
CAT Syllabus 2026	Download Now
CAT PYQs	Download Now
CAT VARC Questions	Download Now

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Impact of CAT Exam Marking Scheme on CAT Cut Offs

The CAT marking scheme for the Common Admission Test (CAT) significantly impacts the exam's cut-offs. The cut-off is the minimum score required to be eligible for the next stage of the admission process at a particular institute, and several factors influence it.

How does the CAT 2026 marking scheme impact the Cut-offs?

The CAT exam marking scheme, with some other factors, influences the cut-offs in the following ways:

1. Difficulty Level and Negative Marking

The negative marking system encourages test-takers to be cautious and strategic in their attempts. If an exam is tough, students might attempt fewer questions to avoid negative marks, which can lead to a lower raw score required to achieve a certain percentile. 

Conversely, in an easier exam, more students may attempt more questions and score higher, pushing the raw score needed for a high percentile upwards.

2. TITA Questions

The absence of negative marking for TITA questions means candidates can attempt these questions without fear of penalty, potentially leading to higher scores if they can guess correctly. This can also affect the raw score needed for a specific percentile.

3. Normalization and Scaling

The CAT exam is conducted in multiple sessions, and to ensure fairness across all slots, a normalization or scaling process is applied to the raw scores. 

This process adjusts scores based on the difficulty level and performance of candidates in each session. The final CAT cut-offs are based on these normalized scaled scores and not the raw scores.

Changes in the CAT Marking Scheme Over the Years

The CAT exam pattern and marking scheme have been changing over the years. Here is a detailed analysis of the past year's trends for the CAT marking scheme, including the maximum marks in CAT and how they have evolved.

S.no	Years	Number of Questions	VARC Questions	QA Questions	DILR Questions
1.	2024	68	24	22	22
2.	2023	66	24	22	20
3.	2022	66	24	22	20
4.	2021	66	24	22	20
5.	2020	76	34	26	24
6.	2019	100	34	34	32
7.	2018	100	34	34	32
8.	2017	100	34	34	32
9.	2016	100	34	34	32
10.	2015	100	34	34	32
11.	2014	100	34	34	32

What is the marking system in CAT exam 2026?

In the CAT exam, each correct answer gives +3 marks, while every wrong MCQ deducts 1 mark; TITA (type-in-the-answer) questions have no negative marking.

Unattempted questions get 0 marks. The final score is then normalized across different exam slots to ensure fairness.

CAT Exam Pattern 2026

The CAT exam consists of three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section has its own sectional timing and weightage. This CAT Pattern is according to the CAT exam 2024(Slot 1):

CAT Exam Sections	Total No. of Questions	MCQs	Non-MCQs	Marks	Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	22	2	72	40 min
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)	22	14	8	66	40 min
Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	16	6	66	40 min
Total	68	52	204	120 (2 hours)	-

Conclusion

The expected CAT 2026 marking scheme awards 3 marks for each correct answer, deducts 1 mark for a wrong MCQ, and gives 0 marks for unanswered questions or incorrect TITA answers. You can use this marking scheme to calculate your raw score. Your final percentile is based on your scaled score after normalisation across exam slots.

Keep this page bookmarked we’ll update it instantly if any official marking-scheme change is announced for CAT 2026.

CAT 2026 Marking Scheme is the only method to assess every student's performance in the CAT exam. It, along with the CAT 2026 Syllabus, is useful for both teachers and students to estimate their final scores, including the maximum marks in CAT, before the results are announced.