CAT

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.

CAT 2026 exam pattern is expected to follow CAT 2025 with 68 questions across three sections, which are Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) with 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) with 22 questions, and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) with 22 questions. The total exam duration is 120 minutes with 40 minutes per section. CAT 2026 is conducted as a computer-based test in three sessions.

IIM Indore is expected to make the CAT 2026 paper as the convening IIM. CAT is conducted by one of the six older IIMs (IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore) on a rotational basis. Since the other five top IIMs have conducted CAT in the last five years (Kozhikode in 2025, Calcutta in 2024, Lucknow in 2023, Bangalore in 2022, and Ahmedabad in 2021), IIM Indore is the logical convener for CAT 2026. Official confirmation will be available in the CAT 2026 Notification on July 26, 2026.