CAT Exam Pattern 2026 – Section Wise Format, Duration and Marking Scheme

CAT Exam Pattern: Section-Wise Format, Duration and Marking Scheme

When preparing for the CAT (Common Aptitude Test), knowing what to expect will reduce your anxiety about the exam. The CAT test covers three main sections: VA&RC, DI&LR and QA, that assess your Reading Ability & Skills, your Logical Thinking & Reasoning Skills, and your Quantitative Skills. The entire test is conducted online, and it has consistently had these same three sections. Check CAT Exam Pattern 2026 under the Article.

Once you understand how the test is structured, how many questions there will be, what types of questions there will be, and how the scoring method works, you can confidently begin taking practice tests and mock tests. Here is the complete information for you in an easy-to-understand format to help you plan an effective study program for the CAT.

For more in-depth information regarding who can apply to take the CAT Exam, how admissions take place and what opportunities arise after taking the CAT Exam, you may want to read our guide on CAT Eligibility, Selection Process and Career Prospects.

CAT Exam Structure at a Glance

The CAT consists of three mandatory sections and the order of these sections cannot be changed by the test taker. Each section has an independent countdown timer; once the timer expires for a section you will move automatically to the next section. It is anticipated that the overall structure of the test will remain consistent with previous years; however, there could be small changes.

*MCQ – Multiple Choice Questions

*TITA  – TITA questions differ from traditional multiple-choice questions because they do not have four answer choices listed for each question, rather, you must calculate or derive an answer to each question, and type it in the provided response box. TITA questions do not carry negative marking.

Section-Wise Breakdown of CAT

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

This section evaluates your comfort with reading, interpretation and language logic. Reading Comprehension passages and Verbal Ability items including para jumbles, summary writing and sentence arrangement will likely make up most of your time spent in this section. Most of the questions will be in the form of multiple-choice questions, with a few TITA questions to fill in the answers. To really gain a grip on this part, take as many mock tests as possible, which in turn increases your chances of being accepted into the college that you want to attend.

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

DILR is an evaluation of your ability to interpret graphs, charts, tables, puzzles and logical sets. This section often includes four to five separate “sets” that will contain several questions about that set. Since many answers to logic-based questions require you to enter a text response (while MCQ usually do not), the DILR section usually has more TITA than MCQs. Many candidates find this section challenging, but experts recommend skimming through the question prior to trying to solve it. The best method of preparing for the DILR section is to practice with previous year’s CAT examination questions.

3. Quantitative Ability (QA)

Quantitative Ability (QA) focuses on basic concepts of Arithmetic, Algebra, the Number System, and modern Math. Speed and clarity of concepts are much more important than memorizing formulas. Similar to all other sections, this section contains TITA questions as well. This section could potentially give an advantage to someone with a Science Background, but students from Non-science backgrounds also do well in Arithmetic, as well as the Number System.

CAT Marking Scheme

The CAT scoring pattern is very simple; you only lose points when you answer MCQs incorrectly. However, TITA questions do not have negative marks, which gives you an opportunity to answer correctly without the worry of losing points if your answer is wrong.

Overall and Sectional Time Limits

You will receive 40 minutes for each section of the CAT. The order is fixed: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VA & RC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).  You will not be able to change sections or go back to completed sections. Because of this fixed format, time management is an important factor in helping you to prepare for the CAT exam. 

In the past few testing cycles, the number of questions on the CAT has ranged from 66 to 68 questions, and the three-section format has remained unchanged.  Like previous CAT exams, the exam continues to have both multiple-choice (MCQ) and Type In The Answer (TITA) questions. The method for scoring these questions will still be +3 for each correct answer added to a total and -1 for each incorrect answer deducted from the total score.

Difference Between CAT and Other MBA Entrance Exams

All major MBA entrance exams (CAT, MAT, SNAP, and XAT) are designed to measure a student’s analytical and managerial ability. However, these tests vary significantly in their structure, difficulty, and the way they are scored. Because of the time limits on sections, the number of non-MCQ questions, and the way the it measures reasoning depth, CTA really stands out from other MBA entrance exams. 

To see how the CAT compares to the MAT and/or other tests, check out the detailed guide, CAT and MAT Exam: Understanding the Differences and Choosing the Right Path, which breaks down the key differences between the format, level of difficulty, choices of schools, and recommended methods for study.

The following chart shows a quick view of how the CAT tests compare to other popular MBA entrance tests.

The CAT exam pattern may seem overwhelming at first but if you can get acquainted with its structure, preparation becomes much more organised. Scoring well in CAT is fully achievable. It is simply a matter of continuing to practice until your concepts become clear.

• Know the format of the test prior to preparing
• Develop section wise strategies instead of trying to study them all at once
• Make sure you have a firm grasp of the fundamentals (especially in QA)
• Practice answering as many question types as possible
• Regularly take mock exams to develop time management skills
• Examine prior years’ exams to look for patterns

If you can continue to stay Curious, Consistent and Confident you should expect to get excellent results!

FAQs

1. How many questions does CAT usually have?

CAT has approximately 68 questions; however, the final count may differ slightly each year.

2. Does CAT have negative marking?

Yes, there is. One mark will be deducted for each wrong answer in MCQ format; TITA questions do not have a penalty for wrong answers.

3. What are TITA questions in CAT?

These are ‘type in the answer’ type of questions; there are no answer options; you enter your answer directly into the field provided.

4. Can I choose which section to attempt first?

No, the CAT has a predetermined order – VARC, DILR and finally QA.

5. Do all sections contain TITA questions?

Yes, however, there are differences in the number of TITA questions in each section.

6. How long is the CAT exam?

The total duration is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes given to each section.

7. Where can I check CAT eligibility and the selection process?

You can find this information in our detailed guide on CAT Eligibility, Selection Process, and Career Prospects.

8. Is the difficulty level the same in all slots?

There can be slight variations; however, the scores are normalised so that the overall assessment is uniform across the slots.

9. Is an on-screen calculator available?

Yes. An on-screen calculator will be provided within the test interface.

10. Do I need to attempt all the questions?

No, you may leave a question blank. Many students choose to focus on providing accurate responses rather than attempting every question.

This is It in CAT Exam Pattern 2026 ,Check Other Important Updates Here on FIIB official Blog.