CAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus: VARC, DILR and Quant Explained

CAT has three timed sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). CAT 2026, on 29 November, runs 120 minutes, with 40 minutes per section. No chapter-wise syllabus is officially published, so preparation follows previous papers, which carried 68 questions and +3/−1 marking for multiple-choice questions; the 2026 counts remain unconfirmed.

Many CAT aspirants lose weeks to the wrong things. They hunt for a “complete syllabus” PDF that does not exist, or memorise question counts nobody has confirmed. A smarter approach is to separate what the exam authority has announced from what earlier papers suggest. This guide does that for CAT 2026. You will see what is confirmed, what is a recent-year pattern, and which VARC, DILR and Quant topics deserve your limited time. Knowing the sections, timing and marking rules early helps you plan attempts, protect accuracy and prepare with purpose instead of panic.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Complete Overview

CAT is a computer-based test conducted by the IIMs on a rotating basis. For 2026, IIM Indore is the conducting institute, and the exam is scheduled for Sunday, 29 November 2026. The official CAT website hosts the information bulletin, notices and admit cards, so treat it as your final reference. For dates and admit-card logistics, read our guide to CAT 2026 exam date and admit card details.

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This guide labels every fact in one of three ways:

• Official: stated in the CAT 2026 information bulletin.
• Previous-year pattern: observed in CAT papers from 2022 to 2025.
• Preparation-based: topics inferred from past papers and reputable exam analysis.

Exam Feature	CAT 2026 Details	Verification Status
Date and sessions	Sunday, 29 November 2026; three sessions	Official*
Mode	Computer-based test	Previous-year pattern; widely reported
Sections and order	VARC, then DILR, then QA, in a fixed order	Official*
Total duration	120 minutes	Official*
Sectional timing	40 minutes per section; no switching or carry-over	Official*
Number of questions	68 in CAT 2024 and 2025; 2026 count not confirmed	Previous-year pattern
Question types	Multiple-choice (MCQ) and type-in-the-answer (TITA)	Previous-year pattern
Marking	+3 correct; −1 wrong MCQ; no penalty for TITA	Previous-year pattern
Maximum marks	204 if 68 questions carry 3 marks each	Calculation, not announced
PwBD timing	Commonly reported as 53 min 20 sec per section	Not bulletin-verified

*Education portals report these as stated in the bulletin dated 26 July 2026. Confirm each on the bulletin itself.

Based on recent CAT exam patterns, the final CAT 2026 format should be verified against official examination instructions.

CAT 2026 Section-Wise Exam Pattern

Each section is a separate 40-minute test. Once the clock ends, you cannot return, and unused time does not roll forward.

Section	Full Form	Questions	Time	Marks	Source Status
VARC	Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	24 (2022 to 2025)	40 min	72, if 3 marks each	Time: official*; counts and marks: previous-year pattern
DILR	Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning	22 (2024, 2025); 20 (2022, 2023)	40 min	66, if 22 questions	Time: official*; counts and marks: previous-year pattern
QA	Quantitative Aptitude	22 (2022 to 2025)	40 min	66, if 3 marks each	Time: official*; counts and marks: previous-year pattern

DILR is the only section whose count has moved in recent years, rising from 20 to 22 between 2023 and 2024. So plan around a range rather than a single number.

Coaching analyses of CAT 2025 also show how question types were spread. VARC had 20 MCQs and 4 TITA questions. DILR was nearly half TITA, with about 11 of 22. QA had about 14 MCQs and 8 TITA. These are previous-year observations, not 2026 promises.

CAT 2026 Syllabus: Section-Wise Topics

There is an important difference between the exam format and the syllabus. The format (sections, duration, sectional limits) is announced officially. The syllabus is not. CAT has historically not published a chapter-by-chapter list, and portals report that the 2026 notification does not include one. Any “CAT syllabus PDF” you find online is a coaching-derived topic list. Use it as preparation guidance, never as an official syllabus.

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CAT VARC Syllabus 2026

VARC tests how well you read, infer and structure language under time pressure. It opens the paper. In CAT 2024 and 2025, it had four reading passages with four questions each, plus eight verbal ability questions.

Question Type	Typical Count (CAT 2025, as reported)	Format	Skill Tested
Reading Comprehension	16 (4 passages × 4)	MCQ	Main idea, inference, tone, author’s intent
Para Summary	2	MCQ	Compressing an argument accurately
Para Completion	2	MCQ	Logical flow of ideas
Odd Sentence Out	2	TITA	Identifying the sentence that breaks coherence
Para Jumbles	2	TITA	Sequencing sentences logically

Counts shift between years and slots. Careers360’s slot analysis, for example, noted that CAT 2024 Slot 2 had no para jumbles. Do not skip any type.

Common challenges. Dense passages on unfamiliar subjects, close-sounding options, and TITA verbal questions that offer no options to eliminate.

Practical tips.

• Read one varied long-form article daily: economics, science, philosophy, culture.
• After each passage, state the author’s main point in one sentence before checking options.
• Practise para jumbles by finding the opener and the pair of sentences that cannot be separated.

CAT DILR Syllabus 2026

DILR rewards structured thinking. The section usually contains four to five question sets, and each set carries several questions. CAT 2025 reportedly varied the mix of data interpretation and logic sets across slots, unlike the fixed pattern of CAT 2024.

Category	Typical Set Forms	Skill Tested
Data Interpretation	Tables, bar and line charts, pie charts, caselets, mixed graphs	Reading data, approximation, percentages
Arrangements and Grouping	Seating, selection, team formation, matching	Applying constraints systematically
Scheduling and Games	Tournaments, timetables, allocations	Sequencing and case-building
Logical Reasoning Sets	Puzzles, networks, routes, truth-and-lie, Venn diagrams	Deduction and elimination

These categories describe sets seen in earlier papers. They are preparation guidance, not guaranteed 2026 questions. A new set type can appear, and the skill that helps is calm, structured reading.

Common challenges. Picking the wrong set, spending 15 minutes on a set that collapses, and arithmetic slips in data sets.

Practical tips. In the first three to four minutes, scan all sets and rank them. Draw the grid before reading the second condition. Abandon a set only after a fair attempt.

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2026

QA tests concepts, speed and judgement. Analyses of CAT 2025 described it as dominated by arithmetic and algebra, with a noticeable rise in Number Systems in at least one slot.

Topic	Commonly Tested Subtopics	Preparation Priority
Arithmetic	Percentages, profit and loss, ratio, time-speed-distance, time and work, averages, mixtures	High
Algebra	Linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, functions, logarithms, indices, progressions	High
Number Systems	Divisibility, remainders, factors, base systems, LCM and HCF	Medium to high
Geometry and Mensuration	Triangles, circles, polygons, coordinate geometry, mensuration	Medium
Modern Mathematics	Permutations and combinations, probability, set theory	Medium; selective

Priority here is a study-planning label based on recent papers. It is not a promised weightage.

CAT 2026 Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

Recent CAT papers (2022 to 2025) have used a consistent scheme:

Question Type	Correct	Incorrect	Unattempted
MCQ	+3	−1	0
TITA (non-MCQ)	+3	0	0

Portals report that the 2026 bulletin does not restate the marking scheme or the total marks. Treat the table as the likely scheme, and confirm it in the official CAT 2026 information bulletin. If the scheme carries over, a 68-question paper is worth 204 marks.

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Here is the practical meaning. On a four-option MCQ, a blind guess earns +3 with 25% probability and loses 1 mark with 75% probability, so the average return is exactly zero. Guessing helps only when you can eliminate at least one option. TITA questions carry no penalty, but you cannot guess your way to an exact answer.

CAT 2026 Sectional Time Limits and Exam Strategy

With 40 minutes per section and no switching, your time is a fixed budget, not a pool. The section ends at 40 minutes whether you are ready or not.

Question selection. In VARC, 24 questions in 40 minutes leave little room for lingering. In DILR, 22 questions across four or five sets means set choice matters more than speed. In QA, solve the questions you recognise first and return to the rest.

Accuracy versus attempts. Coaching analyses of CAT 2025 suggested that high VARC scores came from roughly 16 to 18 attempts at about 70% accuracy, while DILR and QA needed fewer attempts at higher accuracy. Treat these as indicative, since they vary by slot and by coaching institute.

Why mock analysis matters. A mock gives data, but the review turns data into improvement. For each mock, record which questions you skipped wrongly, which you attempted unwisely, and where time ran out.

Accessibility provisions. Candidates with benchmark disabilities (PwBD) receive compensatory time. Recent reports put this at 20 minutes per hour, or about 53 minutes 20 seconds per section, but this is not bulletin-verified. Check your own entitlement in your CAT login.

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Has the CAT 2026 Exam Pattern Changed?

No change to the core structure has been reported. The 120-minute duration, three sections and 40-minute sectional limit match recent years.

• Officially announced: the date, 120 minutes, three sections in a fixed order, and 40 minutes per section. IIM Indore replacing IIM Kozhikode as conducting institute is an administrative change, not a pattern change.
• Previous-year patterns: 68 questions, 204 marks, +3/−1 marking and a mix of MCQ and TITA questions.
• Unverified speculation: claims that a section count, marking rule or question type has changed, when no official source states it. Equally, pages that print “68 questions” as a confirmed 2026 fact are going beyond what the bulletin is reported to say.

If a social media post claims a change, look for it in the official bulletin first.

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CAT 2026 Important Topics: What Should Aspirants Prioritise?

Priorities below come from patterns in recent papers. They show where history suggests value, and they do not guarantee weightage.

Section	Study First	Study Next	Evidence Basis
VARC	Reading comprehension (16 of 24 questions recently)	Para summary, para completion, odd sentence, para jumbles	CAT 2024 and 2025 structure
DILR	Data sets, arrangements, grouping	Scheduling, games, network puzzles	Variable set mix in CAT 2025
QA	Arithmetic, algebra	Number systems, geometry, modern maths	Dominance of arithmetic and algebra in CAT 2025

Revisit weak topics before adding new ones. A topic you answer correctly 80% of the time under timed conditions is worth more than five topics you half-know.

CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy for VARC, DILR and Quant

The best plans are specific. These steps work across all three sections.

• Reading and comprehension: read daily, summarise each passage in one line, and review the wrong options you found tempting.
• Logical reasoning practice: solve two full sets a day without a timer first, then re-solve them against the clock.
• Quant concept revision: revise one topic, then do 20 to 25 mixed questions on it. Memorising formulas without application fails under pressure.
• Timed practice: use sectional timers of 40 minutes from the start, so the limit feels normal on exam day.
• Mock-test analysis: spend at least as long reviewing a mock as taking it.
• Error log: note each mistake, its cause (concept, calculation, misreading, time) and the fix.
• Accuracy improvement: if accuracy is below 75%, attempt fewer questions in the next mock, not more.

With only weeks left, shift emphasis from new content to review. Our CAT 2026 last-minute preparation strategy covers that final stretch.

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A realistic weekly study plan (about 2.5 hours on weekdays, 5 hours on weekends)

Day	Focus	Output
Monday	Quant concept revision plus 25 questions	Updated error log
Tuesday	DILR: two sets, untimed then timed	Notes on set-selection mistakes
Wednesday	VARC: three passages plus verbal ability questions	One-line summaries
Thursday	Quant timed sectional, 40 minutes	Accuracy percentage
Friday	DILR sectional, 40 minutes, then review	Ranked list of weak set types
Saturday	Full mock test, then 2 hours of review	Section-wise time notes
Sunday	Revisit errors; light reading; rest	Next week’s priorities

Common CAT Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring weak sections. CAT has sectional cut-offs at many institutes, so a strong section cannot rescue a neglected one.
• Memorising formulas without application. The exam rewards choosing the right method quickly.
• Practising without analysis. Fifty questions reviewed beat two hundred left unexamined.
• Overemphasising predicted topics. A topic missing from last year’s paper can return.
• Ignoring sectional timing. Practise in 40-minute blocks, not 120-minute lumps.
• Depending on unverified syllabus lists. Check any list against past papers and the official bulletin.

CAT 2026 Syllabus vs Other MBA Entrance Exams

Much CAT preparation carries over to other management tests. Reading comprehension, arithmetic, algebra and data interpretation appear in most of them. Some exams add sections such as decision making or general awareness, and their timing and marking differ. Build your core on CAT, then check each target exam’s own pattern.

This article stays focused on CAT. For exam-by-exam comparisons, use the dedicated article in this cluster once published.

What Comes After CAT 2026? Exploring MBA and PGDM Pathways

Your CAT score is the start of an admission process, not the end. The usual sequence is straightforward:

1. Results and score interpretation. Learn how scaled scores and percentiles work, and how each institute uses them.
2. College shortlisting. Match your percentile to realistic options.
3. Eligibility verification. Check graduation requirements and any category rules.
4. Entrance exam acceptance. Confirm which tests each institute accepts.
5. Programme comparison. Compare curriculum, specialisations and fees.
6. Admission applications. Track deadlines, group discussions, interviews and documents.

Management programmes vary. Regional College of Management (RCM), Bhubaneswar, offers the RCM MBA+ programme, a two-year postgraduate programme described on RCM’s site as BPUT-affiliated. If you are weighing a diploma route, the RCM PGDM+ programme is a two-year AICTE-approved option. RCM’s admissions page lists CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA and OJEE among accepted tests, and describes a process of enquiry, application, personal interview and seat booking. Confirm current requirements with RCM directly.

Planning Your MBA or PGDM Journey After CAT 2026?

Regional College of Management, Bhubaneswar offers two-year MBA+ and PGDM+ programmes with specialisations in areas such as data science, FinTech and digital marketing. Review eligibility, accepted entrance exams and the admission process on RCM’s official pages, then confirm current application status and deadlines with the admissions team before finalising your shortlist.

Explore MBA+ | Explore PGDM+ | Check Admission Requirements

How to Evaluate an MBA or PGDM College

Use the same discipline you bring to CAT preparation. Compare institutes on evidence.

• Recognition and approvals. Check AICTE approval for PGDM programmes, university affiliation or UGC status for MBA degrees, and accreditation such as NAAC or NBA.
• Curriculum. Look at specialisations, electives, tools taught and how often content is updated.
• Industry exposure. Ask about live projects, internships and guest sessions.
• Placement information. Compare year, batch size, median versus average, and recruiter lists. A published page such as RCM placement information is a starting point for questions, not an answer.
• Programme fees. Ask for the total cost, including hostel and certifications.
• Admission requirements. Note accepted exams, interviews and deadlines.
• Student experience. Campus culture, clubs and mentoring shape your two years. See student life at RCM as one example of how an institute presents this.
• Career goals. Match specialisations to the roles you want.

Rankings can help your research, but they are only one input. The official NIRF rankings portal is run by the Ministry of Education and publishes ranking parameters and year-wise lists. A ranking does not tell you whether a specific programme suits your goals, so pair it with programme-level checks.

FAQs

Final Takeaways: Your CAT 2026 Preparation Checklist

• Treat only the bulletin as official. Everything else is a pattern or an estimate.
• Remember the fixed structure: three sections, 40 minutes each, 120 minutes in all.
• Expect +3 and −1 for MCQs and no penalty for TITA, and verify it.
• Prioritise reading comprehension, arithmetic, algebra and DILR set selection.
• Practise in 40-minute sectional blocks.
• Keep an error log, and review every mock for at least as long as you took it.
• Attempt fewer questions with higher accuracy if your mocks show frequent errors.
• After CAT, shortlist by eligibility, accepted exams, curriculum and fees. When you are ready, review the RCM admission requirements alongside other institutes on your list.