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No, IIMs do not publish a fixed CAT 2026 syllabus. The CAT exam syllabus is derived from analysis of question papers from the last 10 years. While the broad section structure (VARC, DILR, QA) is consistent, the specific topic mix and difficulty level can vary slot-to-slot and year-to-year. Aspirants should rely on previous year papers for syllabus reference.

CAT Reading Comprehension passages are sourced from diverse areas like Science & Technology, Environment & Life Sciences, Social Sciences & History, Art & Abstract topics, Economics & Management, and Literature. Based on CAT 2021–2025 analysis, Science & Technology is the most frequently appearing RC theme (14 questions), followed by Environment & Life Sciences (10 questions).

The most important topics in CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude are Arithmetic and Algebra, which together accounted for 234 of 324 QA questions (~72%) across CAT 2021–2025. Within Arithmetic, focus on Ratio & Proportion, Time-Speed-Distance, Profit & Loss, and Percentages. Within Algebra, prioritise Equations, Progressions, and Logarithms.

CAT 2026 section-wise weightage is approximately 35% for VARC (24 questions), 32% for DILR (22 questions), and 32% for QA (22 questions). Within VARC, Reading Comprehension carries 67% weightage. Within QA, Arithmetic dominates at ~38% followed by Algebra (~34%), Geometry (~15%), Number Systems (~8%), and Modern Math (~5%).

CAT 2026 syllabus is not officially defined by IIMs. It is derived from topics covered in CAT papers from the last 10 years. CAT 2026 syllabus covers three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Each section has 22–24 questions to be solved in 40 minutes.

CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude section covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, and Modern Mathematics. Based on CAT 2025 paper analysis, Arithmetic dominates with 8 questions per slot, followed by Algebra (6 questions), Geometry & Mensuration (3–4 questions), Number Systems (3 questions), and Modern Math (1 question). Arithmetic accounts for approximately 35–40% of the QA section.

No, candidates cannot switch between sections during the CAT 2026. Each section has a strict 40-minute time limit, and candidates must complete questions in the order: VARC to DILR to QA. Once a section's 40 minutes are over, candidates cannot return to it. This sectional time-lock has been a fixed feature of CAT pattern since 2020.

CAT exam pattern has evolved significantly in recent years. Until 2019, CAT had 100 questions in 180 minutes. From 2020, duration reduced to 120 minutes. From 2021 to 2023, the question count was 66. CAT 2024 and 2025 increased to 68 questions, which is expected to continue in CAT 2026. The 40-minute sectional limit has remained unchanged since 2020.

CAT 2026 is expected to have 45 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and 23 Type in the Answer (TITA) questions out of 68 total questions. Section-wise: VARC has 20 MCQs and 4 TITA; DILR has 11 MCQs and 11 TITA; QA has 14 MCQs and 8 TITA. TITA questions account for approximately 34% of the paper.

CAT 2026 marking scheme awards +3 marks for each correct answer, –1 mark for each incorrect Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ), and no negative marking for Non-MCQ (TITA) questions. The total marks for CAT 2026 are 204. TITA (Type in the Answer) questions allow candidates to attempt without risk of negative marks, making them strategically valuable.