CAT 2026 has 68 questions in 120 minutes. The paper is divided into three timed sections in a fixed order: VARC, then DILR, then QA. Each section gives you 40 minutes, and you cannot go back after the time ends.
CAT 2026 exam pattern
24
questions
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
40 minutes
22
questions
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
40 minutes
22
questions
Quantitative Ability (QA)
40 minutes
| Section | Questions | MCQ (approx.) | TITA (approx.) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | ~18 | ~6 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | ~16 | ~6 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | ~15 | ~7 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | ~49 | ~19 | 120 minutes |
Marking scheme
| Question type | Correct | Wrong | Unattempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ | +3 | -1 | 0 |
| TITA (type in the answer) | +3 | 0 (no penalty) | 0 |
Key rules to remember
- The test is fully computer-based; rough work is done on scratch paper provided at the centre, which must stay there.
- When a section timer ends you move on automatically and cannot go back.
- TITA questions have no options and carry no negative marking.
- A basic on-screen calculator is available in the QA section only.
- The maximum raw score is 204 (68 questions x 3 marks).
How to split time in each section
| Section | Time | Suggested approach |
|---|---|---|
| VARC | 40 min | 5 min on verbal ability, 30 min on RC, last 5 min to review |
| DILR | 40 min | 5 min to scan sets, 30 min on 2-3 sets, last 5 min for review |
| QA | 40 min | 3 min scan, 30 min on easy and moderate questions, last 7 min for the rest |
MCQ and TITA
MCQ (multiple choice)
Four options with one correct answer. A wrong answer costs 1 mark.
TITA (type in the answer)
You type the answer yourself. There are no options and no negative marking.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs
Can I switch between sections in CAT?+
No. Each section has its own timer and you cannot go back after it ends.
How many questions are there in CAT 2026?+
68 questions: 24 in VARC, 22 in DILR and 22 in QA.
More on CAT 2026
Source & Disclaimer
Official source: iimcat.ac.in
Information on this page is compiled from the official CAT notification at iimcat.ac.in and trends from earlier cycles. Dates marked Expected are estimates, not official announcements. Please confirm all details on the official website.