CAT Exam Pattern 2026 – Complete Guide to Paper Structure, Marking Scheme & Syllabus
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Total Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Sections | VARC, DILR & QA |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for Right Answer, -1 for Wrong MCQ, No Negative for TITA |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 Minutes Each |
| Target | Admission to MBA/PGDM in IIMs & Top B-Schools |
Preparing for CAT is not just an exam journey - it’s a dream many Indian aspirants carry in their hearts. With lakhs of candidates appearing every year and only a few making it into IIMs, every single mark matters. Understanding the CAT Exam Pattern 2026 is the first big step towards achieving that dream.
This guide will help you understand the structure, question distribution, marking pattern, syllabus breakdown, and preparation strategy - everything you need to kickstart your CAT journey confidently.
🔥 CAT Exam Pattern 2026 – Section-Wise Breakdown
CAT 2026 will carry 68 questions, divided into three major sections:
1️⃣ Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Reading Comprehension
- Para-Jumbles
- Odd Sentence Out
- Vocabulary-Based Questions
Total Questions: 24
Marks: 72
2️⃣ Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Tables
- Graphs
- Charts
- Logical Puzzles
Total Questions: 22
Marks: 66
3️⃣ Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Number System
- Modern Maths
Total Questions: 22
Marks: 66
🧾 CAT 2026 Sectional Time Distribution
| Section | Questions | Time for General | Time for PwD Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 40 mins | 53 mins 20 sec |
| DILR | 20–22 | 40 mins | 53 mins 20 sec |
| QA | 22 | 40 mins | 53 mins 20 sec |
Once a section ends, students cannot return back - so speed & accuracy matter the most.
CAT 2026 Marking Scheme – Score Smart, Not Just Hard 🎯
| Type of Question | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +3 |
| Wrong MCQ | -1 |
| Wrong TITA | 0 |
| Unattempted Question | 0 |
TITA Type Questions = No negative marking - a great chance to score safely.
📚 Detailed CAT Syllabus 2026
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| VARC | RC, Para Jumbles, Odd-Sentence, Vocabulary |
| DILR | Graphs, Charts, Tables, Reasoning Puzzles |
| QA | Arithmetic, Algebra, Number System, Geometry, Modern Maths |
✨ Preparation Tips for CAT 2026 – Make Every Day Count
Success in CAT is not built overnight - it's built every single day.
Your dream of studying in IIMs deserves discipline, faith, and hard work. 💪
Here’s how to prepare effectively:
🔹 First build strong basics
🔹 Practice daily from all three sections
🔹 Solve mock tests and analyze your mistakes
🔹 Avoid guesswork - negative marking can hurt ranking
🔹 Improve reading speed for VARC
🔹 Build accuracy for QA
🔹 Practice logical puzzles for DILR
📥 Want extra help?
Download mock tests, PDFs, sample papers & study boosters instantly →
👉 https://crazinessheirloom.com/yjswc9rkh3?key=2e5082f5ba07ae1d0c587d34b31f4d7e
FAQs – CAT Exam Pattern 2026
⭐ What is the CAT Exam?
CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level entrance exam for MBA/PGDM admissions to IIMs & top business schools.
⭐ How many sections are there in CAT 2026?
Three - VARC, DILR & QA.
⭐ What is the duration of the CAT exam?
120 Minutes total (40 minutes per section).
⭐ Is CAT online or offline?
Fully computer-based. Includes MCQs + TITA.
⭐ What is the marking scheme?
+3 for correct answers, -1 for wrong MCQs, no minus for TITA.
📌 CAT Exam 2026 – त्वरित सार
| विवरण | जानकारी |
|---|---|
| परीक्षा नाम | CAT (Common Admission Test) |
| संचालित द्वारा | IIMs |
| परीक्षा प्रकार | कंप्यूटर आधारित |
| कुल प्रश्न | 68 |
| कुल अंक | 204 |
| कुल समय | 120 मिनट |
| सेक्शन | VARC, DILR, QA |
| नेगेटिव मार्किंग | MCQ में -1, TITA में नहीं |
| सेक्शन समय सीमा | 40 मिनट प्रत्येक |
CAT Exam 2026 – आपकी IIM तक की पहली सीढ़ी 🎓
आईआईएम में पढ़ने का सपना लाखों छात्रों का होता है - और CAT इस सपने का पहला द्वार है। सही exam pattern व marking scheme समझकर तैयारी करना ही सफलता की कुंजी है। यह लेख आपको पूरा मार्गदर्शन देगा ताकि आप आत्मविश्वास के साथ CAT 2026 की तैयारी शुरू कर सकें।
✍️ सेक्शन-वाइज पैटर्न
| सेक्शन | प्रश्न | अंक |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 72 |
| DILR | 22 | 66 |
| QA | 22 | 66 |
CAT 2026 Syllabus (सिलेबस)
| सेक्शन | मुख्य टॉपिक |
|---|---|
| VARC | RC, Para-Jumble, Vocabulary |
| DILR | Graphs, Charts, Tables, Puzzles |
| QA | Arithmetic, Algebra, Number System, Geometry |
तैयारी टिप्स (Preparation Tips)
🔥 रोज़ practice करें
🔥 basics मजबूत बनाएं
🔥 mock test दें और analyse करें
🔥 TITA में no negative marking – score का मौका
🔥 पैराग्राफ पढ़ने की गति बढ़ाएं
PDFs, mock papers, sample papers पाने के लिए अभी डाउनलोड करें 👇
👉 https://crazinessheirloom.com/yjswc9rkh3?key=2e5082f5ba07ae1d0c587d34b31f4d7e
FAQs – CAT 2026
❓ CAT क्या है? - MBA/PGDM में प्रवेश हेतु राष्ट्रीय स्तर की प्रवेश परीक्षा।
❓ कुल सेक्शन कितने हैं? - तीन: VARC, DILR और QA।
❓ कुल समय? - 120 मिनट, प्रत्येक सेक्शन 40 मिनट।
❓ ऑनलाइन है या ऑफलाइन? - पूरी तरह कंप्यूटर आधारित।
❓ मार्किंग स्कीम? - +3 सही उत्तर, -1 गलत MCQ, TITA पर कोई negative नहीं।
✨ आपका सफर आज से शुरू होता है।
मेहनत करें, लगातार अभ्यास करें - IIM आपका इंतजार कर रहा है। 🚀
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