To succeed in the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026, candidates must understand that the syllabus has no "official" fixed boundaries. Instead, it is defined by evolving trends from previous years' exams conducted by the IIMs. The CAT 2026 syllabus tests three core areas: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
Download Official CAT 2026 Syllabus PDF
Total Duration: 120 Minutes (40 minutes per section).
Total Questions: 68 (Expected).
Total Marks: 204 Marks.
Marking Scheme: +3 for correct answers; -1 for incorrect MCQs. No negative marking for TITA (Non-MCQ) questions.
Section Order: Fixed (VARC → DILR → QA).
This section carries 24 questions and focuses on English proficiency and analytical reading.
Reading Comprehension (16 Questions): Typically 4 passages (approx. 500-600 words each). Topics include Science, Philosophy, Economics, Literature, and Current Affairs.
Verbal Ability (8 Questions):
Para-Jumbles: Arranging jumbled sentences into a coherent paragraph.
Para-Summary: Identifying the core theme of a given paragraph.
Odd Sentence Out: Finding the sentence that does not fit the context.
This section consists of 22 questions divided into 5 sets (4-5 questions per set).
Data Interpretation: Focuses on Data Tables, Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Caselets, and Venn Diagrams.
Logical Reasoning: Includes Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations, Syllogisms, Games & Tournaments, and Logical Sequences.
Trend Note: Recent years have seen a rise in "Hybrid Sets" that combine both DI and LR elements.
The Quant section includes 22 questions covering high-school level mathematics with an emphasis on logic over rote formulas.
Arithmetic (40% Weightage): Percentages, Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Time-Speed-Distance, Averages, and Ratios.
Algebra (30% Weightage): Linear/Quadratic Equations, Logarithms, Functions, and Inequalities.
Geometry & Mensuration: Triangles, Circles, Polygons, and Coordinate Geometry.
Number System & Modern Math: HCF/LCM, Remainders, Permutation & Combination, and Probability.
Understand the TITA Format: Unlike MCQs, Type-In-The-Answer questions require you to enter the numerical value directly. These are crucial because they carry no negative marks.
Sectional Timing: You cannot skip between sections. Once your 40 minutes in VARC are up, the system automatically locks and moves you to DILR.
On-Screen Calculator: A basic virtual calculator is provided, but developing mental math skills is recommended to save time.