- CAT is conducted by the IIMs and follows a fixed pattern of 68 questions across three sections, VARC (24), DILR (22) and QA (22), for 204 marks in 120 minutes
- The registration fee is Rs 2,600 for general and Rs 1,300 for SC, ST and PwD candidates
- Eligibility requires a bachelor's degree with 50 percent marks, with no age limit.
CAT, the Common Admission Test, is the gateway to MBA and PGDM programmes at the IIMs and other leading Indian business schools. This guide covers the latest CAT syllabus, section-wise topics, exam pattern, eligibility and preparation strategy for the 2026 cycle.
What Is the CAT Exam?
CAT, the Common Admission Test, is India's premier MBA entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management on a rotational basis. It is a computer-based test assessing verbal ability, data interpretation, logical reasoning and quantitative aptitude. CAT scores are accepted by IIMs and hundreds of other top business schools across India.
The exam is held once a year, usually on a Sunday in late November, with the application window typically open from August to September. Candidates apply online at the official portal, iimcat.ac.in, and pay a registration fee of Rs 2,600 for the general category or Rs 1,300 for SC, ST and PwD candidates.
CMAT: another MBA entrance exam to considerRead →What Is the CAT Exam Pattern 2026?
The CAT 2026 exam has three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension with 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning with 22 questions, and Quantitative Aptitude with 22 questions. The total is 68 questions for 204 marks across 120 minutes, with a 40-minute limit per section. Correct answers earn three marks; wrong MCQ answers lose one.
| Section (CAT 2026) | Questions | Marks | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 72 | 40 min |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 66 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 66 | 40 min |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 120 min |
The exam contains a mix of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions. There is negative marking of one mark for every wrong MCQ answer, while TITA questions carry no penalty. Sections must be attempted in the fixed order with no switching between them.
MAT exam: pattern, eligibility and datesRead →What Is the CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus?
The Quantitative Aptitude section tests school-level mathematics up to Class 10 standard. Major topics include number systems, arithmetic such as percentages, profit and loss, time and work, speed and distance, algebra, geometry, mensuration, trigonometry, probability, permutation and combination. It carries 22 questions worth 66 marks and rewards strong fundamentals and speed under the 40-minute limit.
| Quantitative Aptitude Topics (2026) |
|---|
| Number Systems |
| Percentages |
| Profit, Loss and Discount |
| LCM and HCF |
| Speed, Time and Distance |
| Time and Work |
| Ratio and Proportion |
| Averages |
| Quadratic and Linear Equations |
| Simple and Compound Interest |
| Logarithm, Surds and Indices |
| Sequences and Series |
| Inequalities |
| Probability |
| Permutation and Combination |
| Set Theory and Functions |
| Mixtures and Alligations |
| Geometry and Mensuration |
| Coordinate Geometry |
| Trigonometry |
What Is the CAT VARC Syllabus?
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension assesses English language and comprehension skills through 24 questions. Reading comprehension passages dominate the section, supported by para-jumbles, para-summary, sentence completion and odd-sentence-out questions. There is no fixed grammar syllabus; success depends on reading speed, vocabulary and inference ability. VARC carries 72 marks and must be completed within 40 minutes.
| Verbal Ability and RC Topics (2026) |
|---|
| Reading Comprehension |
| Para-Jumbles |
| Para-Summary |
| Sentence Completion and Correction |
| Odd Sentence Out |
| Fill in the Blanks |
| Vocabulary and Meaning Usage |
What Is the CAT DILR Syllabus?
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning combines two skill areas into 22 questions worth 66 marks. Data interpretation covers tables, bar graphs, line charts, pie charts and caselets, while logical reasoning includes seating arrangements, blood relations, syllogisms, Venn diagrams, binary logic and series. The section has no fixed syllabus and rewards practice with varied puzzle-based sets.
| DILR Topics (2026) |
|---|
| Tables and Caselets |
| Bar, Line and Column Graphs |
| Pie Charts |
| Venn Diagrams |
| Seating Arrangements |
| Blood Relations |
| Syllogisms |
| Binary Logic |
| Number and Letter Series |
| Logical Sequence and Matching |
Who Is Eligible for the CAT Exam?
To appear for CAT, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree with at least 50 percent marks or equivalent CGPA, relaxed to 45 percent for SC, ST and PwD categories. Final-year students awaiting results may also apply. There is no age limit and no restriction on the number of attempts a candidate can make.
Professional degree holders such as CA, CS and CMA who meet the percentage requirement are also eligible. The qualifying degree must be from a university or institution recognised by the Government of India, and the percentage is calculated using the awarding institution's standard conversion method.
How Should You Prepare for the CAT Exam?
Effective CAT preparation combines conceptual clarity with timed practice and mock tests. Standard books include Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Verma, Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma, and topic guides for Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability. Build accuracy first, then speed, and analyse every mock to target weak areas before the November exam.
- Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K. Verma
- Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
- Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Arun Sharma
- Official past-year CAT question papers and full-length mock tests