CAT Exam Pattern 2026 (Latest): Section-Wise Weightage, Marking Scheme, Exam Duration, No. of Questions
CAT exam pattern 2026: There will be a total of three sections in the CAT 2026 question paper and as many as 68 questions will be divided across these sections. The total duration of the exam will be 2 hours or 120 minutes. The paper pattern has not changed much over the past few years. Based on the previous year CAT paper pattern, the sections will be as follows:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Aptitude
The CAT exam pattern can vary as the conducting IIM reserves the right to modify the number of questions, section order or the marking scheme of the CAT question paper. The exam is conducted in three slots every year on a single day. Check below to know the details CAT exam pattern 2026.
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
Check the table below to know the CAT exam pattern 2026:
| Exam structure | Details |
| Number of Sections | 3 Sections
|
| CAT exam duration | 120 minutes or 2 hours |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Number of Questions | VARC- 24 questions DILR- 22 questions QA- 22 questions Total- 68 |
| Marking Scheme | +3 marks for every correct answer -1 mark for every incorrect answer No negative marking for TITA questions |
| Sectional Timings | 40 minutes per section |
| Total marks | 204 marks |
| Exam slots | Slot 1- 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Slot 2- 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Slot 3- 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
CAT 2026 exam pattern includes the number of questions, total marks, type of questions, sectional time limit and distribution of questions, etc. Students must know the CAT test structure when preparing for the exam as the final question paper will be based on it.
IIM Indore is known to change the exam pattern but as of yet it has not announced any changes in the CAT paper pattern.
Also Read: Previous Year CAT exam analysis
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Marks Distribution and Questions
Check the table below to know the marks distribution and question distribution in the CAT 2026 question paper:
| Section | MCQs | Non-MCQs | Important Topics |
| VARC | 20 to 22 questions | 2 to 4 questions | Reading Comprehension- 4 passages, 16 questions Verbal Ability- Parajumbles, para completions, odd sentence out, etc. |
| DILR | 11 to 15 questions | 7 to 11 questions | Data Interpretation- 2 or 3 sets Logical Reasoning- 2 or 3 sets |
| QA | 14 to 16 questions | 6 to 8 questions | Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Number System, Modern Maths, etc. |
| Total | 45 to 53 questions | 15 to 23 questions | 68 questions |
CAT 2026 Sectional Time Limit
Every section of the CAT 2026 paper is to be solved within 40 minutes. The screen will automatically move to the next section once the 40 minutes are over. PwD candidates will be given extra time. Check the table below to know the CAT 2026 section timings:
| Section | Time Limit | Time Limit for PwD candidates |
| VARC | 40 minutes | 53.20 minutes |
| DILR | 40 minutes | 53.20 minutes |
| QA | 40 minutes | 53.20 minutes |
| Total | 120 minutes | 160 minutes |
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern: How to Mark Answers?
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Save and Next: Candidates can select the correct option and then click on save and next to move to the next question
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Clear Response: Candidates can use this button to clear the answer marked and change their response if required
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Mark for Review and Next: For questions that the candidate is unsure of can select this option and come back to it if the time allows.
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