Common Admission Test
The complete guide to crack CAT 2026.
Syllabus, weightage, past papers, and a strategic prep plan — all in one place.
Test Date
Nov 29
Sunday · 3 sessions · 2026
Total Marks
204
68 questions (last cycle)
Sections
3
VARC · DILR · QA
Registration
Aug 3 – Sep 15
On iimcat.ac.in
Important dates
The CAT 2026 calendar.
Last updated: August 2026
Notification out
The CAT 2026 notification was released on 26 July 2026 by IIM Indore. Registration is open from 3 August to 15 September 2026 on iimcat.ac.in, and the exam will be held on Sunday, 29 November 2026 in three sessions.
| Notification release | 26 July 2026 |
| Registration opens | 3 August 2026 |
| Registration closes | 15 September 2026 (5 PM) |
| Admit card available | 4 November 2026 |
| Test date | Sunday, 29 November 2026 |
| Result | Expected late Dec 2026 / early Jan 2027 |
Official notification
Released 26 July 2026
The CAT 2026 notification is live on the official site — eligibility, fees, exam centres, and reservation details. Register before 15 September 2026.
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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Section-wise tips, mock-test reviews, and a phased study calendar — written by educators who teach MBA aspirants.
- Phased study calendar — topic by topic
- Section-wise tips for VARC, DILR & QA
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