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Overview of CAT Exam Syllabus 2026

There are a total of three sections in the CAT Exam syllabus, which carry different weight in the CAT question paper. Although the syllabus is divided into 3 sections, the effective number of sections is five, as the VARC and DILR sections are further subdivided into 2 subsections. Read details below.

Sectional Division of Syllabus	Overview of Topics	Weightage in CAT exam
Quantitative Ability (QA)	Arithmetic, Modern Math, Number System Algebra, Mensuration, Trigonometry, Geometry	34%
Data Interpretation (DI)	Data Charts, Data Tables, Bar Graphs, Venn Diagrams	16%
Logical Reasoning (LR)	Seating arrangement, Team formation, Clocks & Calendars, Direction Sense, Family Tree	16%
Verbal Ability (VA)	Jumbled Paragraphs; Para-summary Picking the Out of context sentence from a jumbled paragraph	10%
Reading Comprehension (RC)	Long & Short Passages	24%

Key Highlights of CAT syllabus in 2026

Over the last 10 years, the CAT has undergone perceptible changes in its question pattern, time duration, test structure, scoring scheme, and other key components. Presently, the syllabus is based on the latest CAT exam pattern, which was further refined by IIM Kozhikode for the CAT 2025 exam and is expected to continue for CAT 2026. Components Exam Pattern (2026 Update) Test duration 2 hours (120 minutes) Test sessions / slots 3 (Morning, Afternoon, Evening) Total questions 68 Total score 204 Number of sections 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) Time allotted per section 40 minutes Questions in VARC 24 Questions in DILR 22 Questions in QA 22

Key Pointers for 2026 CAT Exams

Sectional Focus: The Quantitative Aptitude section continues to be dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra (approx. 70% weightage), while the VARC section focuses heavily on Reading Comprehension (approx. 67% weightage).
Question Distribution: Based on the latest trends, the total number of questions is expected to be 68, with an increase in TITA (Type In The Answer) questions which carry no negative marking.
Time Management: With a strict 40-minute limit per section, developing the ability to quickly identify “easy” versus “time-trap” sets is crucial for a high percentile.

Revision and Changes in the CAT Syllabus

The CAT 2026 Exam Syllabus is revised according to the latest updates in the CAT pattern and structure. Given the reputation of IIMs for introducing strategic shifts in the CAT exam annually, key refinements have been implemented for the CAT 2026 syllabus. The exam maintains the streamlined format with a total of 68 questions, ensuring a high-intensity assessment of candidate aptitude.

4.1 CAT Syllabus 2026: Important Changes

The CAT 2026 syllabus has been updated to reflect the current testing standards. The important changes in the CAT syllabus are:

i) CAT will have 3 sections with a total of 68 questions: The exam continues with the 120-minute format, requiring candidates to manage time efficiently across a more condensed question set compared to decade-old patterns.
ii) The sectional weightage in CAT syllabus is as follows:
- Section 1: VARC – 35.3% weightage
- Section 2: DILR – 32.35% weightage
- Section 3: Quant – 32.35% weightage
iii) Focus on core Verbal Ability: Questions on topics like Error Correction in sentences, Fill in the Blanks, and Sentence Completion are no longer a primary focus in the CAT exam, with the syllabus shifting toward Reading Comprehension, Para-jumbles, and Summary-based questions.
iv) DILR as a critical differentiator: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) remains a single combined section. It carries significant weightage in the IIM shortlisting process, and candidates must secure a high sectional percentile here to be eligible for the next rounds.
v) Increase in Non-MCQ (TITA) questions: CAT 2026 features approximately 25% to 30% questions without negative marking (Type In The Answer). These questions require you to type the answer directly. Since they carry no penalty for incorrect responses, they are vital for maximizing your score in your CAT Exam Preparation 2026.

5.1 CAT 2026 Sectional Syllabus at a Glance

The broad break-up of topics as given above for the syllabus is as under. You may find most of the questions in CAT exam based on following topics:

Quantitative Ability (QA)	Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Averages Ratio & Proportion LCM and HCF Percentages Profit and Loss Interest (Simple and Compound) Speed, Time and Distance Time and Work Number System Algebra Geometry / Mensuration Pure Math Venn Diagrams Linear Equations Quadratic Equations Complex Numbers Logarithm Progressions Binomial Theorem Surds and Indices Inequalities Permutation and Combination Probability Functions Set Theory Mixtures and Alligations Co-ordinate Geometry Trigonometry	Data comparison from tables Graphs Bar charts (Simple, Stacked, Composite) Pie charts Caselets Data Analysis Direction Sense Team Formation Seating Arrangement Blood Relation Clocks Calendars Binary Logic Logical Sequence Assumption Premise Conclusion Linear and Matrix Arrangement Input–Output Series Syllogism Cubes Rows Set Theory Venn Diagrams Network Diagrams Quantitative Reasoning Puzzles	Main idea in the passage Assumption Inferences, Statements, Arguments Synonyms & Antonyms Phrasal Meaning & Usage Para Summary Jumbled Paragraphs Odd sentence out Error Correction Sequence of Sentences Vocabulary Usage Fill in the Blanks Completion of Paragraph Analogies Critical Reasoning Sentence Completion

the CAT exam syllabus in the best way.

CAT 2026 Exam Components	Total Questions	Total MCQs (With Negative Marking)	Total Non-MCQs (TITA) (Without Negative Marking)	Highlights
Section 1: VARC	24	20	4	4 RC passages (16 questions); VA focuses on para jumbles, summaries, and odd sentence out / completion.
Section 2: DILR	22	11	11	22 questions across 5 sets (typically 3 sets of 4 questions and 2 sets of 5 questions).
Section 3: QA	22	15	7	Dominated by Arithmetic (approximately 8–9 questions) and Algebra (approximately 5–7 questions); also includes Geometry and Modern Math.
Total	68	46	22	120 minutes total; 40 minutes per section; marking scheme: +3 / −1 (no negative marking for TITA).

CAT Syllabus for the key sections, their subdivisions, and the number of questions on important topics is shared below

Syllabus for Quantitative Ability (QA): 34% Weight in CAT exam

Quantitative Ability (QA) is a key mathematics component of CAT exam. The Quant syllabus is extensive, but the main topics are generally based on the academic standard of grades 10 and 12. In the CAT format of 68 questions, the QA section contains 22 questions, of which approximately 8 are of the non-MCQ (TITA) type, with no penalty for wrong answers. To promote academic diversity, IIMs have given greater priority to arithmetic in the entrance exam syllabus. While arithmetic remains a core subject, other important areas such as algebra, geometry, and modern mathematics typically have 3 to 7 questions each. The breakdown below shows the expected topic-wise distribution for CAT 2026.

6.1 Syllabus for QA: Topics & Number of Questions

Topic Area	Expected Questions	Key Sub-topics
Arithmetic	8–10	Percentages, Profit & Loss, TSD, Time & Work, Ratios, Averages
Algebra	5–7	Linear & Quadratic Equations, Logarithms, Functions, Inequalities
Geometry	3–4	Triangles, Circles, Mensuration, Coordinate Geometry
Number System	1–2	Divisibility, Remainders, HCF & LCM, Factors
Modern Math	1–2	Permutation & Combination, Probability, Set Theory, Sequences & Series

6.2 CAT Quant Syllabus: Important Points

The Quantitative Ability (QA) questions in CAT are divided into 70-75% MCQs with negative marking and 25-30% Non-MCQs without negative marking.
A three dimensional approach is recommended on CAT Preparation for Quant section.
To cover CAT Quant syllabus you need to strengthen your basics and formulae in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math and allied topics
Practise on variety of questions of different difficulty level as per CAT QA Syllabus topics
Solve previous CAT papers and Mocks for each topic. The more you do it, the more expertise in Quant section for CAT, you will get.
Quantitative Aptitude questions for CAT 2021 have more questions based on Arithmetic topics as compared to other topics.
In 2015, IIM Ahmedabad revamped CAT exam pattern and increased the number of questions in CAT exam to 100. Besides, Data Interpretation sub-section was separated from Quantitative Ability Section. In 2020, due to Covid pandemic IIM Indore reduced the exam time to 2 hours and reduced total questions to 76. Again in 2021, IIM Ahmedabad changed the CAT exam structure and reduced the number of questions from 76 to 66 while keeping the CAT time duration of 2 hours.
Now, Quant is a separate section with only Quant questions in it and without any DI question clubbed to it
The CAT exam now has also changed the order of sections. The CAT Quantitative Aptitude is now the last section instead of first section and is placed after DILR

6.3 Best Books to Cover Quant Syllabus in CAT

Following are the best books which cover the complete QA syllabus in CAT

How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K. Verma
Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal

Please note that QA syllabus for CAT goes on changing year after year. Accordingly, you need the best books with the latest edition to cover CAT Quant Section syllabus. It should have the latest features as per the current CAT exam pattern with Quantitative Aptitude Questions and Answers.

Syllabus for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): 30-32% Weightage

The syllabus for the ‘Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning’ section is based on two areas: ‘Data Interpretation’ and ‘Logical Reasoning’. These areas carry approximately equal weightage in terms of the number of questions. Typically, according to the CAT 2026 exam syllabus, this section comprises approximately 32.4% of the total 22 questions. Similarly, the ‘Data Interpretation’ section contains a total of 11 questions, the same number as the ‘Logical Reasoning’ section. Approximately 6 to 8 questions from this section will be non-MCQ questions or TITA in nature. Typically, these questions fall into clusters of 4 to 5 questions, each related to a specific caselet/logical puzzle. In this format, the 22 questions typically fall into five larger clusters—one set of 5 questions, another set of 5 questions, and three clusters of 4 questions. This is to test candidates’ ability to maintain logic through multi-layered questions. The next block provides the expected category-wise syllabus for CAT 2026. It also outlines the topics from which questions will be asked.

7.1 CAT DILR Syllabus Topics

Data Interpretation (DI) Syllabus Topics	Logical Reasoning (LR) Syllabus Topics
Bar charts – Simple, Stacked, Composite Bar charts Pie charts Caselets Data Analysis Data comparison from Table Graphs Line Graphs Data Sufficiency	Direction sense Team formation Seating Arrangement Blood Relation Clocks Calendars Binary logic Logical Sequence Assumption Premise Conclusion Linear and matrix arrangement Input-Output Series Syllogism Cubes Rows Set Theory Venn Diagrams

7.2 CAT DILR Syllabus: Important Points

7.2.1 Key Points on DI Syllabus Data Interpretation for CAT 2026 is an important part of overall CAT exam. It commands 16% weightage in overall CAT exam and 50% weightage in DILR section. Scoring high in Data Interpretation can take you through the IIMs admission process.

DI 2026 in CAT is as important as the other 2 sections as sectional cut offs announced by IIMs for DILR section are the same as applicable for Quant and VARC sections.
Total weightage in CAT exam is 16%
Now forms a separate section in CAT
Has 50% share in DILR Section (2^ndsection in CAT exam)
Consists of MCQs with negative Marking and Non-MCQs without Negative Marking
No answer option may be found for NON MCQ type of DI questions. You need to type in the answers on computer screen in the given space
DI questions have become more time consuming

7.2.2 Type of DI Questions in CAT

Data Interpretation for CAT	Number of questions	Type of Questions
Problem Set-1: Tables & Charts	2-3	Comparison of Data of various years, ages etc.
Problem Set-2: Graph, Bar diagram	3	Data Analysis, comparison of various years, classes, groups etc.
Problem Set-3: Tables, Pie chart	2-3	Decoding and finding out the data of missing period, taking clues, interpreting the missing links
Problem Set-4: Graphs, Charts	3	Making analysis of data and coming to conclusion, making future projections
Total questions	10-12	MCQs & Non-MCQs

With the fewer number of questions expected in CAT 2026, the problem sets and question sets may also be reduced

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