The CAT examination consists of 68 questions divided into three sections:
|
Verbal ability and Reading comprehension (VARC) |
24 questions |
|
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
22 questions |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
22 questions |
The candidate must finish each section within the allotted time of 40 minutes. The candidate can only move to the next section after the time of the prior section is over. The total duration of the exam is 120 minutes.
This video presents the 360-day preparation strategy for CAT 2026 which is most likely to be a two-hour test divided into three sections: VARC, DILR and Quant. Since it is an unpredictable exam, there has been a recent increase in the number of TITA questions (type in the answer type questions), which have changed the way candidates approach the exam, and candidates need to adapt instead of focussing on a specific target score. The entire preparation process has been divided into four phases and each phase is discussed in detail in the video.
Click on the button below to download the latest CAT Syllabus.
CAT 2026 SyllabusMultiple choice questions: These questions have multiple answer options and the candidate is supposed to select the correct answer. There is a negative marking of -1 for every incorrect answer and a +3 for every correct answer.
Type in the Answer: In these questions, the candidate must type the answer in the answer box. There is no negative marking in these questions.
[Please note that this syllabus is based on previous year trends and is indicative in nature]
|
VARC |
Para Summary Odd one out Parajumble Para Completion Reading Comprehension |
|
DILR |
Puzzles Ranking and Order Routes and Network Venn Diagrams Scatter Chart Games and Tournaments Linear Arrangements Quant-based DI Selection and Distribution Circular Arrangements Quant-based LR Line and Bar Graphs Caselets Table and Graphs Binary Logics Pie Charts DI Tables Cubes |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Number Systems Modern Maths |
In this video, there is a systematic CAT 2026 study plan, designed to help you score better. It talks about a structured preparation strategy according to the CAT 2026 syllabus and focuses on VARC, DILR with a special focus on Quant. The entire strategy is divided into three parts which are discussed in detail in the video. Uplift your game with this blueprint video for CAT 2026.
Parajumbles: Parajumbles involve a group of sentences that are presented randomly, and the aim is to order these sentences so that they form a logical flow of thought in the paragraph as a single sentence.
Para Summary: Para Summary questions have a short passage and 4 options to select from. Each option has a summary/central idea of the passage. You have to select the option which best fits the central theme of the passage.
Odd-one-out: Odd-one-out is an odd sentence in a series of sentences and you must find the one that doesn't logically fit with all the other sentences in the paragraph.
Para Completion: Para Completion will require you to determine which of the sentences will fit with the paragraph to create a coherent and logical conclusion.
Reading Comprehension: Reading Comprehension (RC) consists of passages and then questions to assess your understanding, reasoning, and evaluation of the passage. Passages may come from many different areas/fields such as politics, history, economics, natural science, humanities, and many others.
Puzzles: In puzzles, you need to order or assemble given information according to certain specified requirements. Examples of these types of puzzles are generic seating features (where you need to find out how many people were actually sitting together), puzzles that have certain defined distributions (that will require an appropriate method of order), puzzles based on logical groupings.
Tables and Graphs: Tables and Graphs are problems of interpreting data from a chart, graph or table involving derivation of some conclusion from those particular data representations. Typical formats for tabular data representation that provide information in tabular and graphical formats, are tables, bar graphs or line graphs.
Games and Tournaments: Questions related to games or tournaments are often based on ranking, scoring, outcome, or results. You will do some analysis of the game’s or tournament’s results, and then find individuals or teams within the context of the provided criteria.
Circular Arrangement: Circular Arrangement Questions include circularly arranged objects or people, where you will create a logical arrangement for them that satisfies the given requirements.
Pie Charts: Pie Chart Questions include analyzing the given data in a circularly arranged format where you can see the ratio (%) of the particular items.
Arithmetic: Arithmetic consists of fundamental concepts in Math such as Percentages, Profit/Loss, Ratio/Proportion, Time/Work, Speed/time/distance.
Algebra: Algebra consists of Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Functions, & Graphs, etc. This includes studying how two or more variables relate to each other and how to express those relationships through equations.
Geometry: Geometry consists of studying the properties of shapes. The subject of Geometry includes the study of Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, and Mensuration, etc.
|
Topics |
Weightage |
Approx Questions |
|
Reading Comprehension (4 passages x 4Questions) |
65% |
14-16 |
|
Para Jumbles |
12% |
2-3 |
|
Para Summary |
10% |
2-3 |
|
Odd Sentence Out |
8% |
2 |
|
Sentence Completion/Other |
5% |
1 |
|
Topic |
Weightage |
Approx Questions |
|
Seating Arrangements & Puzzles |
30% |
6-7 |
|
Tables & Bar/ Line Graphs |
25% |
5-6 |
|
Condition Based Sets/ Caseletes |
20% |
4-5 |
|
Pie Charts & Venn Diagrams |
15% |
3-4 |
|
Games, Tournaments & Networks |
10% |
2 |
|
Topic |
Weightage |
Approx Questions |
|
Arithmetic |
35% |
7-8 |
|
Algebra |
20% |
4-5 |
|
Geometry & Mensuration |
18% |
3-4 |
|
Number System |
12% |
2-3 |
|
Modern Maths |
10% |
2 |
|
Other Topics |
5% |
1 |
Note: All charts and weightages are based on recent trends and are indicative in nature.
Please note that the entire analysis is based on student feedback and top expert analysis and is indicative of nature.
|
Parameter |
Details |
Parameter |
Details |
|
Conducting Body |
IIM Kozhikode |
Total Questions |
68 |
|
Date |
Nov 30, 2025 |
Marking Scheme |
+3 for every correct answer and -1 for incorrect answer |
|
Duration |
120 Minutes |
Negative Marking |
None for TITA |
|
Number of Slots |
3 |
Test Centres |
Approximately 375 centres spread across 170 cities |
|
Candidates Appeared |
2.58 Lakh |
Candidates Registered |
2.95 Lakh |
|
Topics |
No. of Questions |
Format |
|
Reading Comprehension (4 passages x 4Questions) |
16 |
MCQ |
|
Para Summary |
2 |
MCQ |
|
Para Insertion |
2 |
MCQ |
|
Para Jumbles |
2 |
TITA |
|
Odd one Out |
2 |
TITA |
|
Total |
24 |
40 Minutes |
Note: Para Jumbles questions appeared in CAT 2025 after being absent in previous year papers.
|
Set Type |
No. of Sets |
No. of Questions |
|
5 - question sets |
2 |
10 |
|
4 - question sets |
3 |
12 |
|
MCQ questions |
- |
11 |
|
TITA questions |
- |
11 |
|
Total |
5 sets |
22 |
Note: DILR was the most challenging section for CAT 2025 -
Puzzle-based and Venn Diagram sets were particularly time-consuming.
Set selection strategy was critically challenging.
Arrangement-based sets appeared in multiple slots and were of high complexity.
|
Topic |
No. of Questions |
MCQ |
TITA |
|
Arithmetic |
7 |
5 |
2 |
|
Algebra |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
Modern Math |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
Geometry and Mensuration |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Number Systems |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
22 |
14 |
8 |
Note: Arithmetic was the most scoring topic while Modern Math was the toughest. The entire domain was more calculation intensive as compared to previous years.
Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
