This sample set gives a quick taste of each section. The questions are original practice questions written for this page and are not taken from any official paper. Tap a question to see the answer.
Quantitative Ability practice
Q1.A shopkeeper marks an article 25% above cost price and gives a 10% discount. What is the profit percentage?+
Selling price = 1.25 x 0.9 = 1.125 of cost price, so the profit is 12.5%.
Q2.If x + 1/x = 5, what is x squared + 1/(x squared)?+
Square both sides: x^2 + 2 + 1/x^2 = 25, so x^2 + 1/x^2 = 23.
Q3.Two dice are thrown. What is the probability that the sum is 8?+
Favourable outcomes are (2,6), (3,5), (4,4), (5,3), (6,2), so 5 out of 36.
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning practice
Five people P, Q, R, S and T sit in a row of five seats numbered 1 to 5 from left to right. P sits at one of the ends. Q sits immediately to the right of R. T sits in seat 3. Q does not sit at an end.
Q1.Who sits in seat 4?+
Only R Q T S P satisfies all conditions, so seat 4 is S.
Q2.Who sits between Q and S?+
The order is R, Q, T, S, P, so T is between Q and S.
Q3.In which seat does R sit?+
In R Q T S P, R is in seat 1.
Verbal Ability practice
Q1.Arrange in order:(A) As a result, many cities are now redesigning streets to give cyclists safe lanes.(B) Cycling is cheap, quiet and good for health.(C) However, narrow roads and heavy traffic make riding risky in most cities.(D) These benefits have made it popular with commuters.+
B introduces cycling, D (these benefits) follows it, C (however) adds the risk and A (as a result) gives the response.
Q2.Find the odd sentence out: (1) The monsoon reaches Kerala in early June. (2) It moves north and covers most of India by mid-July. (3) Farmers time sowing to the first rains. (4) The Himalayas contain some of the world's highest peaks. (5) A weak monsoon can reduce crop yields.+
Sentence 4 is about mountains, while the others are about the monsoon and its effects.
How to use this sample paper
- 1Attempt the questions with a timer before opening any answer.
- 2Compare your method with the explanation, even if your answer was right.
- 3Then move to the full QA, DILR and VARC sample pages for more practice.
CAT 2026 Sample Paper FAQs
Is this an official CAT sample paper?+
No. These are original practice questions. The official previous year papers are in this section.
More on CAT 2026
Source & Disclaimer
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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.