CAT Exam Syllabus 2026: The Common Admission Test (CAT) is conducted annually by IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) on a rotational basis. If you are an MBA aspirant planning to appear for the CAT exam 2026, you should first understand the CAT syllabus 2026, which will be your first step towards effective preparation. Though IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) do not release any official syllabus, the CAT exam syllabus evaluates aspirants’ proficiency across three sections- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Changes introduced in the exam format post-2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CAT has evolved to not only test the academic but also time management, speed, problem-solving, and logical reasoning skills. As the competition for the CAT exam grows each year, along with that having a proper roadmap of what to study becomes important for every aspirant. Understanding the complete scope of the CAT syllabus 2026 will not only help to know high-weightage topics but also allows you to plan a smart study which balances accuracy as well as speed. In this blog, we will provide you with a complete breakdown of the CAT 2026 syllabus, topic-wise preparation strategies, and tips to crack each section effectively.
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CAT Exam Syllabus 2026: Overview
The CAT exam is one of the most competitive entrance examinations for MBA admission in India, and knowing the CAT syllabus 2026 is one of the first and important steps towards your CAT exam preparation. Understanding the CAT syllabus 2026 help aspirants align their exam schedule with the difficulty level of CAT exam pattern. The CAT exam 2026 is expected to include a mix of MCQs (Mutiple Choice Questions) and TITA questions. Having a CAT marking scheme of +3 giving to a correct answer where -1 deducted for incorrect MCQs and TITA carries no negative marking. The table mentioned below covers the complete overview of CAT exam syllabus 2026 which covers the expected CAT exam duration, sectional time limit, CAT marking scheme, CAT exam sections and more.
| Features | Details |
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 02 Hours |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 Minutes/Section |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Total Number of Sections | 68 |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| CAT Exam Section | VARC – 24 Questions LRDI – 22 Questions QA – 22 Questions |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)Type In The Answer (TITA) |
| CAT Marking Scheme | For every correct answer: +3 For every incorrect answer: -1 No Negative Marking for TITA |
| Exam Slots | 3 Slots (Morning, Afternoon, Evening) |
CAT Syllabus 2026: Complete Section-Wise Breakdown
The CAT exam syllabus revolves around three sections – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section examines a different skill set and requires a unique preparation strategy. The below-mentioned section-wise breakdown will help aspirants to organize their preparation strategies effectively.
A complete understanding of the CAT syllabus 2026 allow candidates to plan their preparation time properly across all the three sections – QA, VARC and DILR based on their weakness and strengths after analysis. Each section in the CAT exam 2026 is expected to allocate equal time but may be different in difficulty level of the exam and question types, which is building section-wise plan that helps to improve speed as well as accuracy.
CAT VARC Syllabus 2026 (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
The CAT VARC syllabus 2026 helps to evaluate reading comprehension skills as well as verbal reasoning. This section of the CAT exam 2026 will help aspirants to understand, interpret as well as analyze passages to cover strong logical reasoning as well as critical thinking. Understanding the CAT VARC syllabus 2026 properly will help you to build a solid understanding of vocabulary as well as grammar basics. By completely covering the CAT 2026 VARC syllabus helps to familiarize aspirants with all the types of questions, improves speed, accuracy as well as overall performance in the CAT 2026 exam.
Key Topics in CAT VARC Syllabus 2026
This section covers important topics in the VARC CAT syllabus along with the weightage.
| CAT VARC Syllabus 2026 | ||
| Category | Topics | Weightage |
| Verbal Ability | Para jumbles Para Summary Odd Sentence Out Sentence Completion | 12% |
| Reading Comprehension | RC Passages Author’s Tone Critical Reasoning | 24% |
CAT Syllabus 2026 Preparation Strategy for VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
It is important for CAT aspirants to prepare the CAT VARC syllabus 2026 with a proper strategy and here are some points written that will help you to plan your CAT 2026 VARC syllabus roadmap in a strategic manner.
- Daily read newspapers, magazines, and books to improve reading habits and to increase knowledge.
- Practice RCs on diverse subjects like history, science, philosophy, economics, and technology.
- While preparing for para-jumbles and odd sentence out, practice with no options and understand the transition words or connectors.
- To improve comprehensive and analytical thinking, make a journal and note down summaries for each article you come across.
CAT LRDI Syllabus 2026 (Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation)
The Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (LRDI) section of the CAT exam evaluates your ability to understand structured and unstructured data. This section is very unpredictable and counts as the difficult section of the CAT 2026 exam.
Key Topics in CAT LRDI Syllabus 2026
| CAT LRDI Syllabus 2026 | ||
| Category | Topics | Weightage |
| Logical Reasoning | Seating Arrangements, Puzzles Venn Diagrams Binary Logic Games & Tournaments Quant-Based LR Tables with Missing Values | 15% |
| Data Interpretation | Graphs (bar, line, pie) Tables Charts Data Sufficiency | 15% |
CAT Syllabus 2026 Preparation Strategy for LRDI
- Aspirants must practice and complete LRDI sets in a set timeframe to improve the speed and accuracy. This also simulates a real-exam environment.
- Instead of formulas, put your main focus on understanding logic patterns and data constraints.
- Rotate your topic for practice across puzzles, arrangements, and DI regularly.
- Keep track of your time spent on one set. Know your weaker sections and work on them.
CAT Quantitative Syllabus 2026
The Quantitative Ability section of the CAT syllabus 2026 carries the maximum weightage. Quant focuses on mathematical aptitude but not advanced math. If we are talking about the CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus, the major section includes the Arithmetic, Algebra, Modern Maths, Number System and Geometry. To ace CAT QA section, candidate should understand the CAT previous year weightage across QA (Quantitative Ability) where both Arithmetic and Algebra are covering maximum weightage. The important topics across CAT Syllabus 2026 for LRDI is mentioned in the table below.
Key Topics in CAT QA Syllabus 2026
| CAT QA Syllabus 2026 | |
| Topics | Subtopics |
| Arithmetic | Time-Speed Distance, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, Averages, Ratios, Percentages, Mixtures |
| Algebra | Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Logarithms, Sequences & Series, Graphs, Higher Order Equation |
| Geometry | Triangles, Circles, Mensuration (2D & 3D), Co-ordinate Geometry, Polygons, Parallel Lines, Trigonometry |
| Number System | Divisibility, Factors, Remainders, Base Systems, LCM & HCF, Complex Numbers, Surds & Indices |
| Modern Math | Set Theory, Logarithms, Permutation & Combinations, Probability, Roots |
CAT Syllabus 2026 Preparation Strategy for CAT Quantitative Ability
- Arithmetic is the most heavily weighted topic for nearly 40% of QA in recent CATs. Hence, aspirants must start with classes 6th-10th NCERT for concept clarity.
- Maintain a formula sheet and revise it regularly.
- Practice mocks and simulate real-time performance.
- Build 100% command over arithmetic before moving to algebra or geometry.
CAT Syllabus 2026 Summary Table
Candidates need to make sure that they should focus equally across VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) & QA (Quantitative Ability). Because Common Admission Test (CAT) is a sectional exam where it is important to meet the minimum percentile and overall one to get the admission call from top IIMs. Covering CAT exam syllabus 2026 os the primary key for the candidates to do so.
This section overall covers the CAT syllabus 2026 as well as the number of questions will differ according to the previous year trends. Every section of CAT exam covers division of equal 40 minutes to each.
| Section | Topics Covered | No. of Questions | Sectional Time Limit |
| VARC | RCs, Para jumbles, Summaries | 24 | 40 minutes |
| LRDI | Graphs, Puzzles, Arrangements | 22 | 40 minutes |
| QA | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry | 22 | 40 minutes |
CAT Syllabus 2026: Previous Year CAT Important RCs
| TOPIC | SLOT 1: Genre | SLOT 2: Genre | SLOT 3: Genre |
| RC – 1 | Idea of Craftmanship | Spices Trade | Chinese Liquor – Moutai |
| RC – 2 | Economics and their interests | Peer Review | Space Contamination |
| RC – 3 | Digital rights of content | Unintended Consequences of Technology | Need to regulate AI |
| RC – 4 | Bandicoots in Australia | Carnivore – Human Conflict | Languages becoming endangered |
| Para summary – 1 | Animals and Intelligence | How states use the DIME mode | Lyric Poetry |
| Para summary – 2 | Cartographers and maps | Concern about the limitations on comedic freedom | Living things and regularization |
| Para summary – 3 | Language and Codes | Interdisciplinary collaboration between physicists and scientists | Tradwife and vintage dress |
| Fill in the blank – 1 | History – Italian Madrigals | Science Research – Staying Up late | Inflation and Work |
| Fill in the blank – 2 | Silk Roads & Developing Countries | First Phase of Globalization | Somalia drought crisis |
| Fill in the blank – 3 | Brain and Evolution | Strange Fact about Hens | Vietnam War |
| Odd one out 1 | Animal Rights | Biological Basis for Gender | Forecasting and opinions |
| Odd one out 2 | Urbanites and Transport | Cultivated Meat | Neuron and Synapses |
CAT Exam Syllabus 2026 (Expected Weightage of QA Section)
| Section | Topic | No. of Questions (Approx.) | Weightage (%) |
| VARC | Reading Comprehension (RC) | 16 | 24% |
| Verbal Ability (Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentence Out) | 8 | 10% | |
| DILR | Data Interpretation (Graphs, Tables, Charts, Caselets) | 11 | 16% |
| Logical Reasoning (Arrangements, Puzzles, Syllogism, etc.) | 11 | 16% | |
| QA | Arithmetic & Algebra (Averages, Percentages, Linear Equations) | 14 | 34% |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3 | 6% | |
| Number Systems & Modern Math | 3 | 6% |
Why CAT Syllabus 2026 is Important to Cover?
Understanding the CAT syllabus 2026 is the very first and important step that any aspirant will not skip if they are seriously preparing for the CAT exam. A clear understanding or the knowledge of the CAT syllabus will help you to identify the important topics across VARC, QA and LRDI, help in prioritizing high-weightage topics or areas as well as create a structured study plan. This allows candidates to allocate time for the CAT preparation effectively, focus on the weaker sections as well as stop wasting efforts on less important topics which are of no use.
By familiarizing yourself with the section-wise CAT syllabus 2026 in advance, help you prepare strategically which improves accuracy and increases speed that converts as an advantage in a highly-competitive CAT 2026 exam.
CAT Syllabus 2026 PDF Download
For the CAT aspirants who prefer studying offline or want a proper reference along with them, the CAT syllabus 2026 PDF download will be an excellent reference or resource for the serious candidates. The PDF usually covers the section-wise breakdown of the syllabus across VARC, QA as well as LRDI which covers important topics and sub-topics which allows you to plan your preparation effectively. Downloading the CAT 2026 syllabus PDF will help you to ensure the quick access of all the important topics, exam patterns as well as high-weightage areas. Having a proper ready-to-use PDF will save your time and help you stay organized and will boost your exam efficiency while preparing for the CAT exam 2026.
How to Cover the Complete CAT Syllabus 2026 Effectively?
There are several that will help many serious CAT aspirants to cover the complete CAT syllabus 2026 with a proper strategy:
- Start with the strongest section to build your confidence as well as accuracy before moving to weaker areas.
- Divide the whole CAT syllabus 2026 according to the daily or weekly targets for structured preparation.
- It is important to keep your focus on with the high-weightage topics across VARC, QA and LRDI to maximize your CAT 2026 exam scores and will help you land in a dream B-School or any of the top IIMs.
- Practice regularly with mocks and previous year CAT questions to track progress and improve speed along with the accuracy of questions.
- Revise important formulas, learn shortcuts, and key concepts that consistently helpful for better retention in CAT exam 2026.
CAT Exam Pattern 2026 & Marking Scheme
| Particulars | Highlights |
| CAT 2026 Exam Medium | English |
| CAT 2026 Exam Type | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| CAT 2026 Exam Days | 1 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Slots | 3 |
| CAT 2026 Total Sections | 3 |
| CAT 2026 Sections | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)Quantitative Ability (QA) |
| CAT 2026 Total Questions Asked | 68 |
| CAT 2026 Total Time Allotted | 120 minutes |
| CAT 2026 Total Marks | 204 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | +3 |
| Negative Marking for MCQ | -1 |
| Negative Marking for TITA | No Negative Marking |
Also Check: CAT Exam Pattern 2026
How Will CAT Syllabus 2026 Be Different?
While the main CAT exam topics will remain the same, here are some changes we can expect in the CAT 2026.
- Rise in the number of Type In The Answer (TITA) questions. These require subjective logic with no negative marking.
- A major change can be seen in the VARC section with shifting the RC topics from ancient philosophy to modern economics. The VARC section of the CAT exam is evolving fast.
- The LRDI section can also go through some changes with unconventional topics like data games, sports tournaments, and logic-driven puzzles.
Keep on adapting your strategies as and when new CAT sample questions and official notifications get released.
CAT Syllabus 2026: Common Mistakes to Avoid While Covering Sections
There are some common mistakes to avoid while covering each section in CAT syllabus 2026.
- Many students study randomly without focusing on the important and high-weightage concepts or topics in the CAT syllabus 2026 because it reduces the overall score in the exam.
- Skipping basics in the QA (Quantitative Aptitude) section and directly attempting advanced level questions to cover the CAT exam syllabus 2026.
- It is not affordable for students to not practice enough LRDI sets because it might affect the overall CAT percentile.
- Sometimes candidates can only focus on reading without practicing grammar and comprehension section and this might affect their improvement in scores.
Preparation Strategy: CAT Syllabus 2026
Preparing for the CAT syllabus 2026 requires a proper structured as well as consistent approach. Since the overall CAT syllabus 2026 will cover the major sections VARC, DILR and QA so that students or candidates should first focus on building basic concepts before moving forward with the advanced questions. A clear understanding of the complete CAT syllabus 2026 will be really helpful for candidates to create a targeted study plan, analyze performance consistently, as well as practice with mock tests. Balancing both the speed as well as accuracy will play a very important role in scoring well in the CAT exam 2026.
There are some preparation tips to cover the CAT syllabus 2026-
- It is important to start with the basic concepts or from NCERT books to build a strong foundation so that you will start with a CAT syllabus 2026.
- Allocate a proper study schedule for each section of the CAT syllabus 2026 to ensure a balanced preparation strategy.
- As a serious aspirant, it is important to solve PYQs and topic-wise sectional tests so that candidates will understand the pattern of the CAT syllabus 2026.
- Take regular mock tests to evaluate the exam preparation and will identify weak areas from the CAT 2026 syllabus.
- Revise important tricks, grammar rules, formulas from the CAT 2026 syllabus regularly for the better retention plan.
CAT Syllabus 2026 – Question & Marks Distribution (Expected)
This section covers the section-wise questions and marks distribution and the detailed information about this mentioned in the table below:
| Sections | No. of Questions | Marks (3 Each) | Time Limit |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 72 | 40 Minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 66 | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 66 | 40 Minutes |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 120 Minutes |
Important High Weightage Topics Expected in CAT Syllabus 2026
| Sections | High-Weightage Topics |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Arithmetic (Averages, Percentages, Ratio, TSD, Time & Work) Algebra (Equations, Inequalities) Geometry & Mensuration |
| Data Interpretation (DI) | Tables Line Graphs Bar Graphs Caselets Quant-based DI |
| Logical Reasoning (LR) | Games & Tournaments Arrangements (Linear/Circular) Distribution Puzzles Venn Diagrams |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension (Science, Philosophy, Economics, Culture) Para Jumbles Para Summary Odd One Out |
CAT Exam Changes Over The Years
While the CAT syllabus 2026 remains consistent in terms of topics, the exam pattern has undergone significant changes over the years. Let’s learn more about these changes:
| Year | Duration | No. of Sections | Total Questions | Key Changes |
| 2009 | 2.5 Hours | 3 | 100 | First Computer-Based CAT |
| 2011-2014 | 2 Hours 20 minutes | 2 (QA & DI, VA & LR) | 100 | Sectional combinations introduced |
| 2015 | 3 Hours | 3 | 100 | Return to 3 sections (VARC, LRDI, & QA) |
| 2020 | 2 Hours (Post-Covid) | 3 | 76 | Due to pandemic time reductions and changes in pattern |
| 2021 | 2 Hours | 3 | 66 | Adjusted number of questions |
| 2022-2023 | 2 Hours | 3 | 66 | Continued with 66 questions and 40 minutes per sections |
| 2024-Expected 2026 | 2 Hours | 3 | 68 | Increased number of questions in 2024. |
Preparing for the CAT 2026 is a long-term game for which you will definitely require consistency, adaptability, and smart preparation techniques. The CAT syllabus 2026 demands that you not only master all the topics but also learn how to apply them under the pressure of time. Every aspirant must understand the why and how behind every question of the CAT exam.
CAT Syllabus 2026: Conclusion
In conclusion, the CAT syllabus 2026 helps you with the comprehensive roadmap for candidates to prepare properly for the CAT exam 2026. Covering all these three important sections VARC, LRDI and QA and the CAT syllabus 2026 will also test the logical reasoning, language skills, data interpretation as well as the quantitative ability. Understanding the section-wise CAT syllabus 2026, will keep consistent and follow a proper structured plan to help aspirants improve speed as well as accuracy that overall affects the performance in CAT exam 2026.
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CAT Syllabus 2026: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, IIMs never release any official syllabus for the CAT exam. The CAT 2026 syllabus listed above is on the basis of past year trends.
While you prepare for your CAT, start with your strongest area to gain confidence, and then move on to the weaker sections.
If you are an early starter, this is the right time, as you will get ample time to brush up on your basics and then work on moderate- to high-level topics.
CAT syllabus is the very important step to understand when you start your CAT 2026 preparation because a clear understanding or the knowledge of the CAT syllabus will help you to identify the important topics across VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension), QA (Quantitative Ability) and LRDI (Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation), help in prioritizing high-weightage topics or areas as well as create a structured study plan. This allows candidates to allocate time for the CAT preparation effectively, focus on the weaker sections as well as stop wasting efforts on less important topics which are of no use.
By familiarizing yourself with the section-wise CAT syllabus 2026 in advance, help you prepare strategically which improves accuracy and increases speed.
There are some important topics that need to cover in CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus are Arithmetic, Algebra, Modern Math, Geometry and Number System.
The most importantly RCs (Reading Comprehension) is the important pillar across Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning syllabus.
