CAT WhatsApp Group
CAT Topic Wise Weightage 2026
Knowing the CAT topic-wise weightage helps you plan your preparation strategy in a better way. Even though IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) do not formally disclose the chapter-wise weightage, looking at previous years' CAT papers allows one to figure out the topics that are commonly tested in the VARC, DILR, and QA sections. Concentrate more on the topics that carry high weightage and simultaneously practice the entire CAT exam syllabus so that you get the maximum scores and enhance the capability of getting a good percentile in the CAT 2026.
CAT Quant Topic-wise Weightage 2026
The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section is often considered the most scoring part but it is also concept-intensive in the CAT exam. However, the IIMs have not officially disclosed the weightage of topics at the chapter level.
Analyzing CAT previous years papers, it is seen that Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry are the areas from which most of the questions come. Knowing the CAT Quant topic-wise weightage can be very helpful for the aspirants to plan first the high-scoring chapters, manage preparation time effectively, and design a strategy that maximizes chances of scoring well in CAT 2026.
Topic | Expected Questions | Weightage | Priority Level |
Arithmetic | 8-9 | 35-40% | Very High |
Algebra | 5-7 | 25-30% | High |
Geometry & Mensuration | 3-4 | 15-20% | High |
Number System | 2-3 | 10-15% | Medium |
Modern Mathematics | 1-2 | 5-10% | Less |
CAT Quants Sub Topics Weightage in CAT 2025
| Topic | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number System | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Logarithms, Surds Indices | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Inequalities & Linear Equations | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 |
| Permutation & Combination | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Quadratic Equations | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Averages & Ratio | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Geometry | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Progressions & Series | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Functions & Graphs | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Mixtures Solutions & Alligation | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
CAT VARC Topic-wise Weightage 2026
Varied segments of the VARC sub-section in CAT 2026 will be Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA). As per the recent patterns going on, RC is considered as a big chunk of this section, accounting for two-thirds of it. On the other hand, VA typically comprises para jumbles, para summaries, para completion and odd one out. Understanding the weightage of these topics can help candidates organize their study properly and massively raise their overall VARC score.
Component | Reading Comprehension (RC) | Verbal Ability (VA) |
Expected Questions | 16 | 8 |
Approx. Weightage | 67% | 33% |
Question Types | Passage-based MCQs | Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out |
Difficulty Level | Moderate to High | Easy to Moderate |
Skills Tested | Reading speed, Comprehension, Inference, Critical reasoning | Logical sequencing, Paragraph organization, Main Idea |
Preparation Focus | CAT Daily Targets, Editorials, Inference-based questions | Regular practice of para-jumbles, summaries, and odd sentence questions |
Priority for Preparation | Very High | High |
CAT VARC Sub Topics Weightage in CAT 2025
| Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (4 Passages) | 16 |
| Para Jumbles | 2 |
| Sentence Insertion | 2 |
| Para Summary | 2 |
| Odd One Out | 2 |
| Total | 24 |
CAT DILR Topic-wise Weightage 2026
The Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) section in CAT 2026 will likely have 22 questions divided among 5 sets. Though IIMs haven't fixed any topic-wise syllabus, the analysis of recent CAT papers reveal that arrangements, puzzles, tables and graphs, games & tournaments, selection & distribution, and venn diagrams are among the frequently appearing topics. Since the pattern can change every year, candidates must learn different types of DILR sets rather than depend on an exact chapter-wise weightage.
DILR Topic | Frequency in Recent CAT Papers |
Arrangements & Seating Puzzles | Very High |
Tables & Charts | Very High |
Games & Tournaments | High |
Selection & Distribution | High |
Routes & Networks | High |
Mathematical Reasoning | Moderate to High |
Venn Diagrams | Moderate |
Ranking & Ordering | Moderate |
Caselets & Mixed DI Sets | Moderate |
Bar, Line & Pie Charts | Moderate |
Which CAT 2026 Topics Have High Weightage but Low Difficulty
Certain CAT topics are not as difficult as others. The topics of some areas have always got the highest marks in recent years. Also, these topics were quite easy to learn with regular practice. Concentrating on these topics can enable candidates to get the best results in a short time period. Aspirants must focus on these high-return areas first and then proceed to complex topics for a higher CAT 2026 overall performance.
Section | Topic | Weightage | Difficulty |
QA | Arithmetic | Very High | Easy to Moderate |
QA | Algebra (Linear & Quadratic Equations) | High | Moderate |
VARC | Para Summary | Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
VARC | Odd One Out | Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
DILR | Tables & Caselets | Very High | Moderate |
DILR | Selection & Distribution | High | Easy to Moderate |
DILR | Arrangements & Puzzles | High | Moderate |
CAT Section-wise Important Topics
For CAT, there is a strict time limit of 40 minutes for VARC, DILR, and QA. Therefore, test-takers will have to decide how much time to give to each section based on the frequency of topics that are considered important. It is advisable to invest extra time on the major topics like Reading Comprehension, Puzzles, and Arithmetic, which will lead to maximizing the number of questions answered and enhancing the accuracy level in general.
Section | Total Time | High-Weightage Topics | Recommended Time Allocation |
VARC | 40 minutes | Reading Comprehension | 28-30 minutes |
Verbal Ability (Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out) | 10-12 minutes | ||
DILR | 40 minutes | 2 Easy/Moderate Sets | 18-20 minutes |
2 Moderate/Difficult Sets | 20-22 minutes | ||
QA | 40 minutes | Arithmetic & Algebra | 25-28 minutes |
Geometry, Number System & Modern Math | 12-15 minutes |
CAT Topic Wise Weightage 2026: Conclusion
Understanding the CAT Topic Wise Weightage 2026 enables aspirants to prepare more strategically by prioritizing topics that have consistently contributed a larger share of questions in previous years. While Arithmetic dominates the Quant section, Reading Comprehension remains the backbone of VARC, and arrangements, tables, and puzzles continue to be among the most important DILR topics. Focusing on these high-weightage areas can significantly improve scoring opportunities without compromising overall syllabus coverage.
