Are you preparing for CAT 2026? Understanding the CAT exam pattern helps aspirants figure out how to approach all the three sections of the CAT exam – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Aspirants belong to both engineering and non-engineering backgrounds, thus, their hold on the sections differ. Understanding the exam pattern for CAT 2026 is therefore crucial. You can strategize which sections need extra effort and how much of preparation hours you need to dedicate for these sections. This article explains in detail the CAT 2026 exam pattern. Once you go through it, you are not required to visit the section everytime you re-strategize your preparation routine.
Join this free whatsapp group to get the latest information about CAT exam along with the strategies by CAT experts
About CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
CAT 2026 is an online computer-based test of 2 hours with 40 minutes allotted in each section. The total number of questions asked in the CAT is 68, out of which 24 questions are asked from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), 22 from Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and 22 from Quantitative Ability (QA) section. The exam is organised in a single day in three slots – morning, afternoon and evening. The difficulty level of the slots differ and therefore the scores obtained by the candidates are normalised.
In the CAT, two different types of questions are asked – MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) and TITA (Type in the Answer). For each correct answer, you will get 3 marks and 0 for unattempted questions. However, if you mark and answer wrong for MCQ based questions, 1 mark will be deducted. There is no negative marking for TITA based questions. Provided below are some of important highlights regarding CAT 2026 exam pattern:
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern Highlights
| 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 |
CAT Exam Pattern 2026 – Section-Wise
Tabulated is the CAT 2026 section-wise exam pattern. Aspirants can check the sectional timing, total questions asked in each section and total marks allotted for each section below:
CAT 2026 Section-wise Exam Pattern – Time Allotted
| CAT 2025 Section | Time Allotted |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 40 minutes |
| Total | 120 minutes |
CAT 2026 Section-wise Exam Pattern – Total Questions Asked
| CAT 2025 Section | Total Questions |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 |
| Total | 68 |
CAT 2026 Section-wise Exam Pattern – Total Marks
| CAT 2025 Section | Total Marks |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 52 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 66 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 66 |
| Total | 204 |
Join this free whatsapp group to get the latest information about CAT exam along with the strategies by CAT experts
CAT Exam Pattern 2026 – Previous Year Analysis
In the last decade, the total marks remained the same from 2015 to 2019. Gradually, the total number of questions decreased to 76 questions from earlier 100 questions. It further decreased by 10 questions and remained the same from 2021 to the next three consecutive years. In 2024, two questions were further added for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), totalling to 68 questions and 204 marks. The following table highlights the total marks and total questions in CAT for the previous years:
| Year | Total Marks | Total Questions |
| 2024 | 204 | 68 |
| 2023 | 198 | 66 |
| 2022 | 198 | 66 |
| 2021 | 198 | 66 |
| 2020 | 228 | 76 |
| 2019 | 300 | 100 |
| 2018 | 300 | 100 |
| 2017 | 300 | 100 |
| 2016 | 300 | 100 |
| 2015 | 300 | 100 |
CAT Exam Preparation 2025
The difficulty level of the past 10 years’ question paper is considered to be moderate to difficult. Also, if you are targeting the top IIMs, you need to get 99+ percentile. Given the tough competition, knowing the exam pattern is only a part of your preparation essentials. You need to know the syllabus, clear the concepts, practice questions and mocks on a regular basis. Also, you need to study in the right manner, get the right study materials and segregate appropriate timings for all the three sections as per your requirement.
If you planning to self-study, you need to make sure you are well aligned with the CAT exam – the type of questions asked in each section in the last 5-6 years, the important topics that are repeatedly asked, quality materials for clearing the concepts of getting your doubts cleared, quality mock and analysis, to name a few. Self-study allows you to at your own pace, however, enrolling in CAT courses offered by iQuanta will save you a considerable amount of time gathering resources, studying, clearing doubts, practicing mocks and many more. Also, you get experts at your hands who are ready to solve your doubts 24/7. Provided below is everything you wish to know about CAT 2026 course by iQuanta:
iQuanta’s CAT 2026 Course
Before we start with the CAT 2026 courses by iQuanta, here are a few facts that one should be aware of – iQuanta provides India’s No. 1 CAT Online Coaching with 500+ CAT 99%ilers in 2024. It is known for its dual-pedagogy learning methodologies where you get to learn the concepts and apply those concepts soon after in the live application classes. You get access to an expert mentor who can help you draft your preparation strategy based on your skills. Moreover, your doubts are solved within just 8 minutes on average – 15 seconds in live sessions and 20 minutes in private groups consisting of both preparing and already qualified CAT aspirants.
Upon enrolling in the CAT 2026 course you will get access to the following:
- CAT 2026 Syllabus Revised Twice for Better Retention
- QA Module for Non-Engineers: Simple, beginner-friendly videos that build strong fundamentals in Quant, specially designed for those who struggle with mathematics.
- VARC Module for Engineers: Discover how engineers approach the CAT VARC section with 100 comprehensive videos covering key concepts and proven strategies.
- VARC Essentials: Master frequently asked Reading Comprehension (RC) themes, essential vocabulary, and common passage types found in the CAT exam.
- LRDI Inception: Includes 50 handpicked, high-quality LRDI sets that every serious aspirant should solve to boost accuracy and speed.
- LRDI Essentials: Step-by-step guidance on LRDI fundamentals including charts, graphs, tables, and data interpretation techniques.
- CAT Marathon: Take full-length, CAT-level mock tests after each topic to evaluate your progress and simulate real exam conditions.
- Topic-wise Mocks: Strengthen your concepts with AI-powered topic-specific mock tests after every class. You’ll get –
- 35 Full Syllabus Mocks with Video Solution
- 15 Unproctored Mocks (Time-based with Peer-Performance Comparison) with Video Solution
- 45 Sectional Mocks with Video Solution
- 2 NMAT Full Mocks
- 2 XAT Full Mocks
- 2 CMAT Full Mocks
- 2 MHCET Full Mocks
- 50 Topic-wise Practice Questions: Each topic comes with 50 well-curated questions to ensure thorough practice and concept clarity.
- Latest Pattern CAT Mocks: Full-length mock tests updated to match the most recent CAT exam pattern for accurate exam simulation.
Other CAT 2026 Online Courses Offered by iQuanta
| Course Name |
| CAT 2026 Full Course |
| CAT 2026 Full Course + Hard Copy |
| CAT 2026 Full Course Pro |
| CAT 2026 + IIM ABC Batch |
| Maha MBA 2026 Course |
| IIM ABC Practice Batch 2026 |
Join the Largest CAT Preparation Community in India
iQuanta CAT Course 2026
CAT Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs
CAT 2026 will be a 2-hour computer-based test, divided into three sections: VARC (24 questions), DILR (22 questions), and QA (22 questions). Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes. The exam includes both MCQs and TITA-type questions. Candidates receive +3 for correct answers and -1 for wrong MCQs, while TITA questions have no negative marking.
Yes, CAT 2026 is expected to have 68 questions in total, slightly higher than CAT 2023 and 2022 which had 66 questions each. There is an increase in the VARC section, which now has 24 questions. The marking scheme remains the same with a total of 204 marks.
Knowing the CAT 2026 exam pattern helps aspirants plan their preparation effectively. It allows you to allocate time wisely across VARC, DILR, and QA sections, understand question types, manage speed and accuracy, and take CAT mocks aligned with the latest format. This ensures better confidence and performance on the actual exam day.