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CAT Exam Pattern 2026: CAT 2026 exam will take place on last Sunday of November 2026. It takes place across India in a computer-based format, and the medium of instruction will be English. The total duration of the exam is 120 minutes, with a 40-minute time limit for each of the three sections. The exam now has 68 questions in total, with a maximum of 204 marks (+3 for each question).
This blog discusses the CAT exam pattern 2026 and the key changes that aspirants can expect in this year. We will also provide key details, such as the exam structure and CAT exam duration, to make the exam experience hassle-free for CAT candidates.
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
CAT exam pattern has remained same and will likely follow trends as CAT 2024 and 2025. The questions will be given in three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The exam will feature both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type In The Answer (TITA) questions.
The CAT marking scheme gives +3 marks for correct answers, -1 for incorrect MCQs, and there is no negative marking for TITA questions. The CAT 2026 exam will be held in three slots: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening. The key details of the CAT Exam Pattern is as follows:
| Feature | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Total Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes per section |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Sections | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension – 24 questions (72 marks) |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning – 22 questions (66 marks) | |
| Quantitative Ability – 22 questions (66 marks) | |
| Question Types | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type In The Answer (TITA) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct answer; -1 for incorrect MCQ; No negative marking for TITA |
| Exam Slots | 3 slots (Morning, Afternoon, Evening) |
Also Read, CAT Registration 2026, Important Dates, Eligibility, Form Fees
CAT Exam Structure 2026
CAT 2026 consists of three different sections, each with a fixed time limit of 40 minutes. The CAT exam structure is decided to be this way to test various types of skills, including language comprehension, analytical reasoning, and mathematical ability.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Limit | Percentage Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 40 minutes | 36% |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 22 | 40 minutes | 32% |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 40 minutes | 32% |
| Total | 68 | 120 min | 100% |
The exam will be conducted in English and will feature both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type In The Answer (TITA) questions.
Also Read, CAT Exam Syllabus 2026, Section-wise Pattern, Download PDF
CAT Exam Duration 2026
- Total Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours)
- Sectional Time Limit: 40 minutes per section
- Exam Slots: The exam will be held in three slots: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening.
Also Read, CAT Marking Scheme 2026, Weightage, Negative Marking
CAT Marking Scheme 2026
The marking scheme for CAT 2026 is as follows:
| Question Type | Marks for Correct Answer | Negative Marking for Incorrect Answer |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ | +3 | -1 |
| TITA | +3 | 0 |
- No marks are deducted for unattempted questions.
- TITA (Type In The Answer) questions do not have negative marking.
How Many Questions in CAT 2026?
- Total Questions: 68
- Section-wise Distribution:
- VARC: 24 questions
- DILR: 22 questions
- QA: 22 questions
Is There Any Change in CAT 2025 Exam Pattern?
The CAT exam pattern has mostly remains consistent in recent years, but there have been minor changes every 3rd/4th year:
- In CAT 2024, the number of questions was increased to 68 from 66 in previous years.
- The exam duration has remained at 2 hours since 2020 (previously 3 hours).
- The sectional time limit has consistently been 40 minutes.
- The number of questions in DILR was increased to 22 in 2024, up from 20 in earlier years.
Also Read, CAT Exam Date 2026, Schedule, Notification Release Date
CAT Year-wise Comparison Table
| Year | Total Questions | Exam Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 68 | 2 hours |
| 2022 | 66 | 2 hours |
| 2021 | 66 | 2 hours |
| 2020 | 76 | 2 hours |
| 2019 | 100 | 3 hours |
The pattern for CAT 2026 is expected to remain the same as 2024 and 2025, having 68 questions and a 2-hour duration.
CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Conclusion
The CAT 2026 exam pattern will follow same pattern as past trends and likely have 68 questions, three sections, and a two-hour duration. With no major changes expected from the previous year, aspirants can prepare according to currently available format and strategise accordingly. Knowing the exam structure, marking scheme, and time slots is important so that students can maximize their score and secure a top percentile.
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