A CAT sample paper is a practice paper on the current CAT pattern: three sections, VARC, DILR and QA, with 40 minutes each and +3/-1 marking for MCQs. The AglaSem CAT sample paper PDF below is free to view and download. Solve it as a timed test before CAT 2026 on 29 November 2026.
CAT Sample Paper 2026
Download link for the CAT sample paper, the paper pattern and a plan to use it.
Download the CAT Sample Paper PDF
This sample paper follows the latest CAT pattern and the topics on our CAT syllabus page.
| Sample paper | Download |
|---|---|
| CAT Sample Paper (AglaSem, 2027 series) | Open PDF |
What is the pattern of a CAT sample paper?
A CAT sample paper copies the official test format, so you practise with the same sections and timing.
| Section | Questions in CAT 2025 | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 (204 marks) | 120 minutes |
MCQs carry +3 for a correct answer and -1 for a wrong one. Type-in-the-answer questions carry +3 and no negative marking.
How should I use the CAT sample paper?
- Sit for 120 minutes with a timer, giving exactly 40 minutes to each section in the order VARC, DILR, QA.
- Use only a basic calculator, like the on-screen one in the real test.
- Skip questions you are unsure of in MCQs, because each wrong answer costs 1 mark.
- Check your answers, list the topics you got wrong and revise them.
- Take the official CAT 2026 mock test on iimcat.ac.in, available from 12 November 2026, to get used to the real screen.
Where can I get real CAT question papers?
Real papers show the exact level of the exam. Our CAT previous year question papers page has slot-wise papers with answer keys from 2017 to 2025.
Free full-length CAT mock tests with timers and answers.