CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Check Section Wise Pattern, Marking Scheme, Types of Questions

Before we discuss CAT 2026 exam pattern, take a look at changes in last five years. 

1. Total Number of Questions:

• In 2019 and 2020, CAT had 100 questions (VARC: 34, DILR: 32, QA: 34).
• From 2021 onwards, the number of questions was reduced to 66 (VARC: 24, DILR: 20, QA: 22), making the test shorter but more intense. This pattern continued till CAT 2023.
• Total number of questions in CAT 2024 and 2025 exam were increased to 68.

2. Time Duration:

• Until 2019, CAT had a 3-hour duration (60 minutes per section).
• From 2020 onwards, the exam duration was reduced to 2 hours, with 40 minutes per section, which increased the pressure on time management.

3. Sectional Pattern & Difficulty Level:

• VARC section has seen a greater emphasis on Reading Comprehension, with fewer Verbal Ability questions.
• DILR Section has become more reasoning-focused, with tougher logic-based sets and fewer straightforward data interpretation questions.
• QA Section has shifted slightly towards Arithmetic, making it more accessible for non-engineering background candidates.

4. Question Types – MCQ vs. TITA:

• The TITA (Type in the Answer) questions have fluctuated but generally make up 25-30% of the total paper. Check break-up of CAT 2025 in the following section.
• The number of MCQs has reduced, making the paper more unpredictable, as TITA questions do not have negative marking.

5. Slot-wise Variations & Normalization:

Since CAT is conducted in multiple slots, the level of difficulty has varied across different slots, requiring score normalization to ensure fairness in percentile calculations.

Looking at previous years’ trends, CAT exam pattern 2026 is expected to be similar to previous year’s paper with only minor changes in number of questions per section. The expected CAT 2026 Exam pattern is given below.

The 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. Total marks in CAT exam are 204 marks. 

To understand CAT Exam Pattern 2026 for VARC section, candidates should review the pattern of this section in CAT 2025 paper. Last year, the CAT 2025 VARC section consisted of 16 Reading Comprehension questions and 8 Verbal Ability questions. Check slot wise details below.

Data Interpretation for CAT section tests a candidate’s ability to analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions from a given numerical data. The questions in CAT Data Interpretation section are typically based on tables, bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, caselets, and mixed data sets.

Logical Reasoning for CAT section evaluates a candidate’s ability to analyze patterns, identify relationships, and solve complex problems using logical reasoning. Common Logical Reasoning questions in CAT exam include arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, Venn diagrams, and logical sequences. 

To better understand CAT Exam Pattern 2026 for DILR section, candidates should review the pattern of this section in CAT 2025 paper. Last year, the CAT 2025 DILR section consisted of 36 Data Interpretation questions and 30 Logical Reasoning questions. Check slot wise details below.

Quantitative Aptitude (QA) for CAT section assesses a candidate's mathematical skills, problem-solving ability, and numerical aptitude. The questions in Quantitative Aptitude test the conceptual clarity, logical application, and time management skills. CAT Quantitative Aptitude section covers topics from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics. Read CAT Quantitative Ability exam pattern. 

To better understand CAT Exam Pattern 2026 for Quant section, candidates should review the pattern of this section in CAT 2025 paper. Last year, the CAT 2025 DILR section was dominated by Arithmetic (8 questions), followed by Algebra (4 questions) and Numbers (4 questions). Check slot wise details below.

CAT Exam Pattern 2026 PDF is available on MBAUniverse.com to download. Simply click on download PDF button below, complete a quick registration, and your CAT Exam Pattern PDF will download automatically. CAT Exam Pattern PDF 2026 download is free on MBAUniverse.com. 

CAT exam pattern and syllabus are related to each other. CAT Syllabus is based on important topics in three sections as in exam pattern that were covered in last 10 year’s papers. CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus includes Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd One Out. CAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus includes passages from literature, business, science, philosophy, and social sciences areas. CAT Data Interpretation syllabus includes questions on Charts and Graphs. CAT Logical Reasoning syllabus includes questions on arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, and Venn diagrams. CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus topics from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics. Check complete details about CAT 2026 Syllabus.

In conclusion, Exam Pattern for CAT 2026 consists of 68 questions divided in three sections. CAT 2026 Pattern tests a candidate’s verbal ability, logical reasoning and data interpretation skills, and mathematical problem-solving skills. Check complete details for CAT 2026 Test Pattern in the article above.