40+ CAT Matrix Arrangement Questions PDF Download with Answers

Matrix arrangement questions in CAT 2026 will ask you to match entities- people, products, teams, animals to a set of attributes using logical clues, usually organised as a grid with entities in rows and attributes in columns.

Looking for CAT matrix arrangement questions that match the real exam pattern? Solve each set below in a timed 8-10 minute window before checking the answer key, then move from the simple attribute sets to the numerical and hybrid sets as your accuracy improves.

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This page gives you 40+ matrix arrangement questions for CAT in topic-wise sets (5 questions each) with full answers, plus a free PDF, pattern analysis, and a step-by-step solving strategy for CAT 2026.

What are Matrix Arrangement Questions in CAT 2026?

CAT matrix arrangement questions are a Logical Reasoning format where you are given a group of people, objects, or teams along with a group of attributes such as city, profession, price, or rank and a set of clues describing how they connect. Your task is to fill a grid (rows for entities, columns for attributes) so that every clue is satisfied at once.

This is different from a plain seating arrangement, which is only about physical position. A matrix arrangement question 2026 is about matching, and many CAT sets combine both ideas for example, arranging people in a row while also matching each of them to a city and a profession. Solving Matrix Arrangement Questions for CAT exam regularly can increase your speed, accuracy, and confidence.

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40+ CAT Matrix Arrangement Questions 2026 with Answers

The following sets are organised by matrix sub-type, from simple attribute-matching to numerical and hybrid grids, in the same difficulty order you are likely to meet them in CAT. Solve each set as a timed block before checking the answer key. Download the CAT matrix arrangement questions PDF to practise the most frequently asked DILR sets for the CAT exam.

Attribute-Matching Matrix (Sets 1-2)

SET 1 · People, City, Profession, Car Colour

Instructions: Five people- A, B, C, D, E each live in a different city (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune), follow a different profession (Doctor, Engineer, Lawyer, Teacher, Artist), and drive a car of a different colour (Red, Blue, Black, White, Silver).

1. The Doctor drives a Red car and lives in Delhi.
2. B is an Engineer.
3. The Lawyer lives in Chennai and drives a Black car.
4. D does not drive a Red, Blue, or Black car.
5. The person from Kolkata is a Teacher.
6. E is the Artist.
7. C is not the Doctor.
8. B lives in Mumbai.

1. Which profession does A have?
A) Engineer
B) Doctor
C) Lawyer
D) Teacher
Answer: B) Doctor

2. What colour car does D drive?
A) Red
B) Blue
C) White
D) Black
Answer: C) White

3. Who lives in Chennai?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
Answer: C) C

4. Which city does the Artist live in?
A) Delhi
B) Mumbai
C) Chennai
D) Pune
Answer: D) Pune

5. If A and C's car colours were swapped, which colour would the Doctor drive?
A) Red
B) Black
C) White
D) Silver
Answer: B) Black

SET 2 · Sports Team, Position, Jersey Number

Instructions: Four players- Vikram, Neha, Om, Priya each play a different position (Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, Striker) and wear a different jersey number (1, 7, 9, 10).

1. The Goalkeeper wears jersey number 1.
2. Vikram is the Goalkeeper.
3. Neha wears jersey number 7 and is not the Striker or Midfielder.
4. Om wears jersey number 10.
5. Priya is the Striker.

6. What position does Neha play?
A) Goalkeeper
B) Defender
C) Midfielder
D) Striker
Answer: B) Defender

7. What jersey number does Om wear?
A) 1
B) 7
C) 9
D) 10
Answer: D) 10

8. Who is the Striker?
A) Vikram
B) Neha
C) Om
D) Priya
Answer: D) Priya

9. What jersey number does Priya wear?
A) 1
B) 7
C) 9
D) 10
Answer: C) 9

10. Which player wears jersey number 1?
A) Vikram
B) Neha
C) Om
D) Priya
Answer: A) Vikram

Numerical Matrix (Sets 3-4)

SET 3 · Warehouse Stock Grid

Instructions: A company stores goods in a 2-row, 3-column grid of warehouses (North and South rows; X, Y, Z columns). Row and column totals (in units) are known, along with two individual cell values.

1. The row total for North is 45 units, and for South it is 60 units.
2. The column totals are: X = 35, Y = 20, Z = 50.
3. North's X value is 10 units.
4. South's Y value is 5 units.

11. What is the value of North's Y cell?
A) 10
B) 15
C) 20
D) 25
Answer: B) 15

12. What is South's Z value?
A) 20
B) 25
C) 30
D) 35
Answer: C) 30

13. What is North's Z value?
A) 15
B) 20
C) 25
D) 30
Answer: B) 20

14. Which cell holds the highest value in the grid?
A) North-Z
B) South-X
C) South-Z
D) North-Y
Answer: C) South-Z (30 units)

15. What is the value of South's X cell?
A) 15
B) 20
C) 25
D) 30
Answer: C) 25

SET 4 · Product Price and Discount Grid

Instructions: Four products - P1, P2, P3, P4 each have a different original price and discount percentage.

1. P2's original price is Rs. 800, and its discount is 25%.
2. P1's discount is 10%, and its final price after discount is Rs. 450.
3. P4's original price is Rs. 300, the lowest among the four products.
4. P3's discount is double that of P1's discount.
5. The final price of P3 is Rs. 960.
6. P4's discount is half of P1's discount.

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16. What is P2's final price after discount?
A) Rs. 500
B) Rs. 550
C) Rs. 600
D) Rs. 650
Answer: C) Rs. 600

17. What is the original price of P1?
A) Rs. 450
B) Rs. 480
C) Rs. 500
D) Rs. 520
Answer: C) Rs. 500

18. What is P3's discount percentage?
A) 10%
B) 15%
C) 20%
D) 25%
Answer: C) 20%

19. What is the final price of P4?
A) Rs. 270
B) Rs. 280
C) Rs. 285
D) Rs. 290
Answer: C) Rs. 285

20. Which product had the highest original price?
A) P1 B) P2 C) P3 D) P4
Answer: C) P3 (Rs. 1,200)

Grid & Placement Matrix (Sets 5-6)

SET 5 · Zoo Enclosure Matrix

Instructions: Four animals - Lion, Tiger, Bear, Wolf are housed in four enclosures (E1-E4), each looked after by a different attendant (Rita, Sam, Tara, Uday).

1. Rita takes care of the animal in E1, which is the Lion.
2. Sam does not take care of E3 or E4.
3. The Tiger is in E2.
4. Tara is not in E1, E2, or E4.
5. Uday takes care of the Wolf.

21. Which animal is in E1?
A) Lion
B) Tiger
C) Bear
D) Wolf
Answer: A) Lion

22. Who takes care of the Tiger?
A) Rita
B) Sam
C) Tara
D) Uday
Answer: B) Sam

23. Which enclosure houses the Bear?
A) E1
B) E2
C) E3
D) E4
Answer: C) E3

24. Who takes care of the Wolf?
A) Rita
B) Sam
C) Tara
D) Uday
Answer: D) Uday

25. Which attendant-enclosure pairing is correct?
A) Tara-E4
B) Rita-E2
C) Sam-E2
D) Uday-E1
Answer: C) Sam-E2

SET 6 · Team, Project, Deadline Matrix

Instructions: Four teams - Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta are each building a different project (Website, App, Database, Dashboard) with a different deadline month (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr).

1. The team working on the Website has a January deadline.
2. Gamma is building the Database, and its deadline is not in January, March, or April.
3. Alpha is building the Website.
4. Delta's deadline is in April.
5. Beta is not building the Database or Dashboard.

26. Which project is Gamma building?
A) Website
B) App
C) Database
D) Dashboard
Answer: C) Database

27. What is Gamma's deadline month?
A) January
B) February
C) March
D) April
Answer: B) February

28. Which team has the April deadline?
A) Alpha
B) Beta
C) Gamma
D) Delta
Answer: D) Delta

29. Which project is Beta working on?
A) Website
B) App
C) Database
D) Dashboard
Answer: B) App

30. What is Alpha's deadline month?
A) January
B) February
C) March
D) April
Answer: A) January

Hybrid & Advanced Matrix (Sets 7-8)

SET 7 · Employee Skill Matrix (Binary Grid)

Instructions: Four employees - J, K, L, M each know exactly two of four software skills (Excel, Python, SQL, PowerPoint). Each skill is known by exactly two employees.

1. J knows Excel and Python.
2. K does not know Excel or PowerPoint.
3. L knows SQL.
4. M knows Excel but does not know Python.

31. Which two skills does K know?
A) Excel and SQL
B) Python and SQL
C) Python and PowerPoint
D) SQL and PowerPoint
Answer: B) Python and SQL

32. Does L know PowerPoint?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Cannot be determined
D) Only with J
Answer: A) Yes

33. Besides M, who else knows PowerPoint?
A) J
B) K
C) L
D) No one
Answer: C) L

34. How many employees know SQL in total?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Answer: B) 2 (K and L)

35. Which employee knows Excel and PowerPoint, but neither Python nor SQL?
A) J
B) K
C) L
D) M
Answer: D) M

SET 8 · Student Rank and Subject Matrix

Instructions: Five students - P, Q, R, S, T each topped a different subject (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English) and secured a different overall rank (1-5).

1. The student who topped Math secured Rank 1.
2. R topped Chemistry and secured a better rank than Q.
3. Q topped Physics.
4. S did not secure Rank 1, 2, 3, or 4.
5. T topped English and secured Rank 4.
6. P topped Math.

36. Which subject did P top?
A) Math
B) Physics
C) Chemistry
D) Biology
Answer: A) Math

37. What is R's rank?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
Answer: B) 2

38. Who secured Rank 3?
A) P
B) Q
C) R
D) T
Answer: B) Q

39. Which subject did S top?
A) Chemistry
B) Biology
C) English
D) Physics
Answer: B) Biology

40. Who secured a better rank - R or T?
A) R B) T C) Both equal D) Cannot be determined
Answer: A) R (Rank 2, versus T's Rank 4)

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Understanding the CAT Matrix Arrangement Questions Pattern

Before building a solving strategy, it helps to know exactly how matrix arrangement fits into the wider DILR section, since that shapes how much time you should give it on exam day.

The CAT matrix arrangement questions PDF includes topic-wise practice questions with detailed solutions for better understanding.

• Section: Matrix arrangement falls under Logical Reasoning within the combined DILR section.
• Frequency: Some form of matrix, grid, or attribute-matching set has appeared in most CAT previous year papers over the last decade.
• Set size: A matrix set usually carries 4 to 6 questions built on one shared passage.
• Marking: +3 for a correct answer, -1 for a wrong MCQ answer, no negative marking on TITA-type questions within the same set.
• Time: The full DILR section runs for 40 minutes across 4-5 sets, so a matrix set should ideally take 8-12 minutes.
• Use Matrix Arrangement Questions for CAT with detailed solutions to prepare effectively for the latest CAT exam pattern.

Two broad matrix formats you'll meet:

Format	What It Tests	Typical Clue Style
1. Attribute-Matching Matrix	Matching entities to categories (city, job, colour)	Direct facts + simple negatives
2. Numerical / Grid Matrix	Matching entities to values with row/column totals	Sums, differences, formulas

Note: Recent CAT papers increasingly blend these two formats into a single hybrid set - for example, a grid where cell values also depend on a pricing or scoring formula. Set 4 and Set 6 above are built in that hybrid style.

Simple Strategy to Solve CAT Matrix Arrangement Questions

Matrix arrangement rewards a repeatable process far more than raw speed. Below is the sequence experienced solvers follow on every set.

The Quick Set Survey- Before committing to a set, spend 60-90 seconds reading only the instructions and the first 2 clues.

1. Count the entities and attributes involved.
2. Check whether clues are mostly direct facts or mostly conditional ("either-or") statements.
3. Rate the set: Easy (grid movable within 2 clues), Moderate, or Hard (skip for now).

Step-by-Step Solving Framework

Regular practice with the CAT matrix arrangement questions PDF can improve your CAT logical reasoning syllabusin terms of speed and accuracy.

Step 1
Read the full passage twice before drawing anything: A second read catches conditions you missed on the first pass and prevents a wrong early assumption from corrupting the whole grid.

Step 2
Build the empty grid first: List entities down the side and attributes across the top before you start placing any values.

Step 3
Apply direct, certain clues first: Place every clue that states a fact outright ("B is an Engineer") before touching conditional or negative clues.

Step 4
Use row-column elimination: Once a cell is confirmed, rule out that value everywhere else in its row and its linked column.

Step 5
Handle conditional clues with small case splits: When a clue allows more than one possibility, test each case briefly against the remaining clues rather than guessing.

Step 6
Cross-check the finished grid against every clue once more: A 30-second final check before answering questions catches the majority of avoidable errors.

Step 7
Answer direct questions first, then "must be true" style questions: Direct lookups from the grid are fastest; save deduction-heavy questions for after the grid is fully locked.

Time Allocation for a Matrix Set (Within the 40-Minute DILR Section)

Phase	Activity	Time
Survey	Read instructions and first 2 clues, decide to attempt	1-2 min
Build	Draw grid, place direct clues	2-3 min
Elimination	Apply remaining clues, resolve case splits	3-5 min
Verify	Cross-check grid against all clues	1 min
Answer	Solve all questions in the set	2-3 min

How to Prepare for CAT Matrix Arrangement Questions 2026

Core Skills Required

• Grid-building speed: turning a paragraph of clues into a clean table within 2-3 minutes.
• Elimination discipline: using confirmed cells to rule out values, rather than re-reading clues repeatedly.
• Matrix Arrangement Questions for CAT help you understand grid-based puzzles commonly asked in the exam.
• Basic CAT arithmetic question: for numerical matrix sets involving totals, discounts, or distances.
• Set-selection judgement: recognising within 60-90 seconds whether a set is worth attempting now.

6-Week Practice Plan

Week	Focus	Target
Week 1-2	Attribute-matching matrix sets (2-3 attributes)	1 set daily, untimed
Week 3	Attribute-matching matrix sets, timed	1 set daily, 10-minute limit
Week 4	Numerical and grid-placement matrix sets	1 set daily, 12-minute limit
Week 5	Hybrid matrix sets from previous CAT papers	2 sets daily, timed
Week 6	Full DILR mocks with matrix sets mixed in	1 full section daily

5-Year Trend: Matrix and Grid-Based Sets in CAT DILR (2020-2024)

Year	Matrix/Grid Sets Seen	Typical Format	Difficulty
CAT 2020	1	Pattern-based grid (colour/adjacency rules)	Moderate
CAT 2021	1	Attribute-matching combined with sequencing	High
CAT 2022	1	Numerical grid with row/column totals	High
CAT 2023	1-2	Grid placement with a pricing/adjacency formula	High
CAT 2024	1	Numerical matrix with distance-based clues	Moderate-High

Key trend: CAT rarely repeats the exact storyline (houses, ATMs, exam papers, beads), but the underlying skill, grid-building through elimination stays constant. This is why practising the technique across varied storylines matters more than memorising any single past question.

Conclusion

• CAT matrix arrangement questions test your ability to match entities to attributes systematically, not your memory or speed alone.
• Build the grid before answering any question, and separate direct clues from conditional ones on your first pass.
• Numerical and hybrid matrix sets are becoming more common, so practise basic arithmetic alongside pure logic.
• Practice Matrix Arrangement Questions for CAT to improve your logical thinking and DILR problem-solving skills.
• Use real CAT previous year papers and CAT mock tests as your primary practice source once the basic technique feels comfortable.
• Use the CAT matrix arrangement questions PDF to strengthen your DILR preparation and boost your confidence before the CAT exam.

With focused, timed practice across the sets above and genuine past CAT papers, CAT matrix arrangement questions can move from being an intimidating topic to one of your more reliable scoring areas in the DILR section.

Check these free resources for CAT 2026 preparation:

CAT Important Questions	CAT 2027 Syllabus	CAT Important Topics
CAT Previous Year Papers	CAT Sample Papers	CAT Official Mock Test
TITA Questions in CAT	CAT QA Free Resources	CAT DILR Questions