CAT pattern at a glance
| Section (in order) | Questions | Time | Max marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 40 min | 72 |
| DILR Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 22 | 40 min | 66 |
| QA Quantitative Ability | 22 | 40 min | 66 |
| Total | 68 | 120 min | 204 |
Each section mixes MCQs (pick one of four options) with TITA questions (type in the answer, no options). The official FAQ says the number of TITA questions varies and isn’t disclosed. CAT 2026 is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three sessions (see CAT 2026 important dates).
CAT marking scheme
| Answer | MCQ | TITA |
|---|---|---|
| Right | +3 | +3 |
| Wrong | −1 | 0 |
| Unattempted | 0 | 0 |
All questions carry equal marks. A wrong TITA answer costs nothing, so it’s always worth typing an answer you’ve worked out. To total up a mock or a response sheet, use the CAT score calculator.
How sectional timing works
CAT is a two-hour test, but you don’t get to spend those two hours however you like. Each section has its own 40-minute clock:
- Fixed order. Everyone does VARC, then DILR, then QA. The official FAQ says the order is the same for all candidates.
- One section at a time. While a section is running, you can move freely between its questions and change your answers. You can’t open another section.
- No going back. When the 40 minutes end, the test moves on to the next section, and the one you left is closed for good.
- Time doesn’t carry over. Finishing VARC early doesn’t add minutes to DILR. In recent CATs you couldn’t end a section early either, so spare minutes are best spent rechecking.
- A timer on screen shows the time left in the current section.
This is why each section needs its own plan. Within the 40 minutes, the order you take questions in is up to you, and it matters most in DILR. See how to choose DILR sets.
PwBD candidates get 40 extra minutes, split equally across the three sections (official FAQ). An on-screen calculator is available throughout. You can’t bring your own.
What each section tests
VARCVerbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Mostly reading-comprehension passages with several questions each, plus verbal questions such as para summaries, odd sentence out and para jumbles. Para jumbles and odd-one-out have usually been TITA.
DILRData Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
Sets of four to six questions built on one table, chart, arrangement or puzzle. Choosing which sets to attempt is a big part of the score.
QAQuantitative Ability
School-level maths asked in tricky ways: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems and modern maths. There’s no official syllabus. The FAQ suggests the official mock test to understand question types.
What’s confirmed for CAT 2026
| Detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Three sections: VARC, DILR, QA | Official FAQ |
| Fixed section order, same for everyone | Official FAQ |
| +3 right, −1 wrong MCQ, 0 wrong TITA | Official FAQ |
| Two-hour test, on-screen calculator | Official FAQ |
| 40 minutes per section | As in recent CATs |
| 68 questions (24 / 22 / 22) | As in CAT 2024–25 |
| Number of TITA questions | Not disclosed |
We’ll update this page if the IIMs announce changes. The official mock test, when the IIMs release it on iimcat.ac.in, is the best way to see the real interface.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch between sections in CAT?
No. The official CAT FAQ says the sections must be answered in a specific order, the same for every candidate. Each section has its own timer, and you can't go back to a section once its time is over.
How many TITA questions are there in CAT?
The IIMs don't say. The official FAQ states that the number of non-MCQ questions varies and cannot be disclosed.
Is a calculator allowed in CAT?
You can't bring one, but an on-screen calculator is available throughout the exam, per the official CAT FAQ.
What is the maximum score in CAT?
With 68 questions at 3 marks each, as in CAT 2024 and 2025, the maximum raw score was 204. The IIMs confirm the question count for each year only in the exam itself.
