The CAT Syllabus 2026 for the Common Admission Test conducted by IIM Indore on 29 November 2026 covers three main sections – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The IIMs do not release an “official syllabus” document; instead, the CAT Syllabus 2026 is derived from previous CAT papers and the post-2020 exam pattern of 68 questions to be attempted in 2 hours. Mastery of the section-wise topics, combined with practice on previous year question papers and full-length mocks, is the key to a 99+ CAT 2026 percentile. The official CAT 2026 notification at iimcat.ac.in (expected late July 2026) will confirm the final exam pattern. For more details, check our CAT 2026 page.
Latest: – CAT Syllabus 2026 is derived from past CAT papers (post-2020 pattern). Three sections: VARC (24 Q), DILR (22 Q), QA (22 Q) – total 68 Q in 2 hours. IIM Indore notification expected late July 2026 at iimcat.ac.in.
CAT Syllabus 2026
How to study the CAT Syllabus 2026?
To effectively study the CAT Syllabus 2026, start by building strong fundamentals in all three sections – VARC, DILR, and QA. Cover the concepts using standard CAT books (Arun Sharma, Sarvesh Verma, Nishit Sinha, Norman Lewis) and the NCERT Class 6–10 Mathematics books for QA basics. After each topic, attempt previous year question papers and topic-wise practice tests. Finally, in the last 2 months before 29 November 2026, focus exclusively on full-length 2-hour mocks in CBT mode to build exam stamina, optimise time management across the 40-minute sectional limits, and identify weak areas for targeted revision.
Quick Links
CAT Syllabus 2026 Reference Link – IIMs do not publish a fixed syllabus PDF. The most authoritative reference is the official CAT 2026 notification at iimcat.ac.in (expected late July 2026) combined with previous year CAT papers.
CAT Syllabus 2026 Sections
The CAT Syllabus 2026 is divided into the following three sections, as per the post-2020 exam pattern:
| Section | Number of Questions | Sectional Time |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 MCQs & TITA | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
CAT Syllabus 2026 – Section-Wise Topics
Detailed section-wise topics under the CAT Syllabus 2026 are listed below.
1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) – 24 Q / 40 min
- Reading Comprehension (4 passages, 16–18 questions – the dominant component)
- Para-Jumbles (TITA format)
- Para-Summary (best summary of a paragraph – MCQ)
- Odd Sentence Out from a paragraph (TITA)
- Sentence Correction / Sentence Completion
- Critical Reasoning (assumptions, inferences, conclusions)
- Vocabulary in context (synonyms, antonyms via passage)
2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) – 22 Q / 40 min
- Tables (with calculations)
- Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts (single & combination)
- Caselets (text-based data with multiple questions)
- Seating Arrangement (linear, circular, square)
- Puzzles & Arrangements (matching, scheduling)
- Sets and Venn Diagrams
- Routes & Networks
- Games & Tournaments
- Binary Logic, Truth Tellers / Liars
- Data Sufficiency
3. Quantitative Ability (QA) – 22 Q / 40 min
- Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Mixtures & Alligations, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work
- Algebra: Linear & Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Logarithms, Sequences & Series, Surds & Indices, Polynomials
- Geometry & Mensuration: Lines & Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles, Coordinate Geometry, 2D & 3D Mensuration
- Number Systems: HCF/LCM, Divisibility, Remainders, Base Systems, Factors
- Modern Maths: Permutations & Combinations, Probability, Set Theory
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
The CAT 2026 exam pattern (post-2020 format) is as follows:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 68 (MCQs and TITA) |
| Maximum Raw Marks | 204 (3 marks per question) |
| Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes per section (no switching) |
| Marking Scheme – MCQ | +3 correct; –1 wrong; 0 unattempted |
| Marking Scheme – TITA | +3 correct; 0 wrong; 0 unattempted (no negative marking) |
| Sections | 3 – VARC, DILR, QA |
| Medium of Exam | English only |
| Sessions per Day | 3 (Forenoon, Afternoon, Evening) |
CAT Syllabus 2026 – An Overview
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Name of Document | CAT Syllabus 2026 |
| Issuing Authority | IIM Indore (Conducting IIM – no formal syllabus PDF) |
| Exam Name | CAT 2026 (Common Admission Test) |
| Exam Date | 29 November 2026 (Sunday) |
| Notification Source | iimcat.ac.in (late July 2026) |
| Number of Sections | 3 – VARC, DILR, QA |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Total Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Maximum Raw Score | 204 marks |
How to Reference the CAT Syllabus 2026
Since IIMs do not publish a syllabus PDF, here is the right way to map your preparation against the CAT 2026 syllabus:
- Visit the official CAT website iimcat.ac.in once the notification is released (late July 2026).
- Download the official CAT 2026 Information Brochure – it lists the exam pattern, sectional split, and marking scheme.
- Download previous year CAT papers (2017–2025) from aglasem.com for actual question types.
- Map every question from the past 5–7 years to a topic to build your own topic list.
- Cross-check the list against this CAT Syllabus 2026 guide and any standard CAT prep book.
- Identify weak topics and prioritise them in your prep plan.
Best Books for CAT Syllabus 2026
Recommended preparation resources for the CAT Syllabus 2026:
- QA: “How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT” by Arun Sharma; “Quantitative Aptitude for CAT” by Sarvesh Verma
- DILR: “Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT” by Nishit Sinha; “How to Prepare for Data Interpretation” by Arun Sharma
- VARC: “Word Power Made Easy” by Norman Lewis; “How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension” by Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay; The Hindu editorials and Aeon / The Atlantic long-reads for RC practice
- Past Papers: Slot-wise CAT papers (2017–2025) available on aglasem.com
- Mock Tests: Series from IMS, TIME, Career Launcher, Bodhee Prep, iQuanta – attempt at least 30–40 full-length mocks
- Sectional Tests: Daily sectional tests are essential for the last 60 days
Preparation Tips for CAT 2026
- Start preparation 9–10 months in advance – May/June 2026 is the ideal start point for the 29 November 2026 exam.
- Take a diagnostic mock first to map your current sectional standing before designing the prep plan.
- Allocate equal initial time across VARC, DILR, QA – then weight more toward your weakest section.
- For DILR, solve atleast 2–3 fresh sets daily – set-selection is half the battle on the actual exam day.
- For VARC, read 1–2 high-quality long-form articles daily to build RC stamina.
- Maintain a formula notebook for QA – revise weekly.
- Attempt full-length 2-hour mocks every weekend from August 2026 onward; analyse each mock for at least 3–4 hours.
- Focus on accuracy over attempts – negative marking (–1 for wrong MCQ) makes blind guesses costly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. The IIMs do not publish a dedicated ‘CAT Syllabus 2026’ PDF. The most authoritative reference is the official CAT 2026 Information Brochure at iimcat.ac.in (expected in late July 2026) combined with previous year CAT papers, which together define the syllabus de facto.
Ans. There are 3 sections in the CAT Syllabus 2026: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) – 24 Q, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) – 22 Q, and Quantitative Ability (QA) – 22 Q. Each section has a 40-minute sectional time limit.
Ans. CAT 2026 will contain 68 questions (a mix of MCQs and TITA / non-MCQ formats) for a maximum raw score of 204 marks, to be attempted in 2 hours (120 minutes) with a 40-minute sectional time limit.
Ans. Yes, CAT 2026 has negative marking only for MCQs: +3 for each correct MCQ, -1 for each wrong MCQ. Non-MCQ (TITA / Type In The Answer) questions carry +3 for correct and 0 for wrong / unattempted – no negative marking on TITA.
Ans. Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratios, TSD, Time-Work, Profit-Loss) dominates the QA section with about 35-40% weightage. Algebra (Equations, Functions, Logs, Sequences) and Geometry (including Mensuration) come next. Number Systems and Modern Maths (P&C, Probability, Set Theory) round out the syllabus.
Ans. Yes, the CAT Syllabus 2026 is expected to remain identical to the post-2020 format used in CAT 2021-2025: three sections (VARC, DILR, QA), 68 questions, 2 hours total, 40-minute sectional limits, and the +3/-1 marking scheme for MCQs with no negative marking on TITA. The official CAT 2026 notification will confirm any change.
If you have any questions about the CAT Syllabus 2026, then please ask in the comments below. And if you found this page to be useful, please share!
