Common Aptitude Test
The complete guide to crack CAT 2026.
Syllabus, weightage, past papers, and a strategic prep plan — all in one place.
Test Date
TBA
Awaiting notification
Total Marks
204
68 questions (last cycle)
Sections
3
VARC · DILR · QA
Registration
TBA
Typically opens Aug
Important dates
The CAT 2026 calendar.
Heads up
The CAT calendar has not yet been released. The official notification, registration window, and test date will be announced by the conducting IIM (typically in late July / early August). We'll update this page as soon as it's published.
| Notification release | Awaiting announcement |
| Registration opens | TBA |
| Registration closes | TBA |
| Admit card available | TBA |
| Test date | TBA · expected Nov 2026 |
| Result | TBA |
Official notification
Coming soon
CAT notification typically releases in late July. We'll link the full PDF here as soon as it's published — eligibility, fees, exam centres, and reservation details.
Visit official IIM CAT siteExam pattern
120 minutes · 3 sections · 68 questions.
Duration
120 minutes
40 mins per section
MCQ marking
+3 / −1
Correct / wrong
Type-In questions
+3 / 0
No negative marking
Section weightage
Each correct answer = 3 marks. Bar widths show relative question count.
VARC
24 questions
72 marks
DILR
22 questions
66 marks
QA
22 questions
66 marks
Total
68 questions · 204 marks
Detailed syllabus
Every topic, by section.
VARC
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
24 questions · 72 marks
Reading Comprehension 16 Qs
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- History
- Arts & Culture
- Society
- Biology
- Science & Technology
- Abstract Topics
Verbal Ability 8 Qs
- Subject-verb agreement
- Analogies
- Phrases
- Para Completion & Inferences
- Grammar & Sentence Correction
- Syllogisms
- Para Jumbles & Para Summary
- Idioms, Prepositions, Clauses
- Fill in the blanks
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- One-word substitution
- Article usage
- Verbal logic & reasoning
- Parts of Speech
- Errors in tenses
- Odd One Out
DILR
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
22 questions · 66 marks
Data Interpretation 2–3 Sets
- Pie Charts & Bar Graphs
- Histograms & Line Graphs
- Reasoning-based DI
- Tables & Multiple Charts
- Miscellaneous Charts
- Data Sufficiency
- Sets & Caselets
- Quant-based DI
- Maxima & Minima
- Routes & Networks
Logical Reasoning 2–3 Sets
- Arrangements & Puzzles
- Games & Tournaments
- Binary Logic, Truth/Lie
- Conditional LRs
- 2D & 3D Logical Reasoning
- Syllogism
- Networks & Diagrams
- Blood Relations & Venn Diagrams
- Data Arrangement
- Clocks & Calendars
- Coding & Decoding, Series
- Statements & Directions
- Cubes, Case-based LRs
- Selection & Distributions
- Ranks & Orders
QA
Quantitative Aptitude
22 questions · 66 marks
Arithmetic 8–9 Qs
- Averages, Ratio & Proportion, Percentages
- Profit & Loss; Simple & Compound Interest
- Speed–Time–Distance; Work–Time–Rate
- Mixture & Alligation; Mean/Median/Mode
- Partnership; Pipes & Cisterns
- A/G Mean; Linear & Circular Tracks
Algebra 5–6 Qs
- Inequalities; Linear & Quadratic Equations
- Functions; Logarithms; Modulus; Roots
- Polynomials; Exponents & Powers
- AP/GP/HP; Trigonometric Equations; Vectors
Geometry & Mensuration 3–4 Qs
- Lines, Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Polygons
- Circles; Coordinate & 3D Geometry; Trigonometry
- Mensuration (Area / Volume); Height & Distance
- Rectangle, Trapezium, Rhombus, Parallelogram
Number System 2–3 Qs
- Number Theory; Divisibility; Factors; Factorials
- Surds & Indices; Remainder Theorem; Cyclicity
- Real / Complex Numbers; Binomial Theorem
- Rational Expressions; Even/Odd; Digit Properties
Modern Maths 1–2 Qs
- Sequences & Series; Derangements
- Set Theory; Permutation & Combination
- Coins & Dice; Selections; Combinatorics
- Probability
Previous papers
Practice with the real thing.
Past CAT question papers from 2018 to 2025 — grouped by year, with slot- and section-wise solutions where available.
CAT 2025
Slot-wise · Most recent
CAT 2024
Section-wise · VARC · DILR · QA
CAT 2023
Slot-wise
CAT 2022
Slot-wise
Older papers
Full paper · 2018–2021
Prep plan
A strategic 3-phase plan.
Roughly 6 months from foundation to exam day. Adjust to your timeline.
- 1
Months 1–3 · Foundation
Build the base
Cover concepts across all 22 QA topics, build a daily reading habit, and start working through DILR puzzle types. Speed comes later — comprehension first.
- Cover all QA topics from Arithmetic to Modern Maths
- Read 1 long-form article per day; build 200+ vocabulary words
- Solve 10 LR puzzles weekly to develop pattern recognition
- 2
Months 4–5 · Practice
Sharpen speed & accuracy
Move from concepts to timed practice. Sectional tests reveal your strong and weak areas — track them in a spreadsheet and revisit weak topics weekly.
- 3 sectional tests per week (rotate VARC / DILR / QA)
- 1 topic-wise test per weekend
- Maintain an error log; redo missed questions after a week
- 3
Months 6 · Mock & revise
Simulate & refine
Full-length mocks weekly under exam conditions. The goal isn't more practice — it's analysing every mock thoroughly and tightening your time-management.
- 1 full-length mock per week, in the actual 9 AM / 12:30 PM / 4:30 PM slot
- Spend 2× the test time on analysis afterwards
- Revise weak topics from your error log; no new content
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