CAT Syllabus 2026 (Latest): Section-Wise Exam Syllabus, PDF Download, Topics & Preparation Guide
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CAT Syllabus 2026 covers 66 questions across VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude (QA), to be attempted in 120 minutes. IIM Indore released the CAT 2026 notification on July 26, 2026, while the CAT registration 2026 process began on August 3, 2026, and will remain open until September 15, 2026. The exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026, and will be conducted in three shifts across nearly 170 test cities. The latest CAT exam syllabus for MBA is based on the prescribed exam pattern and previous years' question paper trends. The syllabus includes Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and other high-weightage topics. This article covers the latest CAT syllabus, section-wise topics, expected weightage, CAT exam syllabus PDF, and preparation strategy to help candidates prepare effectively for CAT 2026.
CAT Syllabus 2026 Highlights
CAT Syllabus 2026 includes 66 questions across three sections with a 120-minute duration. The table below highlights the latest CAT exam syllabus, registration dates, exam pattern, and other key details.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | IIM Indore |
| CAT Registration 2026 | August 3 – September 15, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 66 (Expected) |
| Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Sections | VARC, DILR, QA |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for Correct, -1 for Incorrect MCQs |
| TITA Questions | No Negative Marking |
| CAT Exam Syllabus PDF | Available Below |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2026 Exam Date
CAT 2026 admission timeline spans from the notification release on July 26, 2026, to the expected result announcement in the first week of January 2027. Check the table below for a detailed overview of the CAT 2026 exam schedule.
| CAT 2026 Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | July 26, 2026 |
| CAT Registration 2026 Starts | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Submit CAT Application Form | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| CAT Application Form Correction Window | September 2026 (Expected) |
| CAT Admit Card Release | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| CAT Answer Key Release | First Week of December 2026 (Expected) |
| CAT Response Sheet Release | First Week of December 2026 (Expected) |
| CAT Result 2026 | First Week of January 2027 (Expected) |
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Best GD/PI CoachingIs There Any Change in CAT Syllabus 2026?
No. According to the CAT 2026 Notification released by IIM Indore, there are no major changes in the CAT Syllabus 2026. The CAT exam syllabus continues to comprise three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
Reading Comprehension remains the highest-weightage topic in VARC with around 16 questions, while Arithmetic (10 questions) and Algebra (5 questions) continue to dominate the CAT Quant syllabus. In DILR, candidates can expect four sets comprising 20 questions, featuring a balanced mix of Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
Candidates should therefore prepare according to the latest CAT syllabus, focusing on high-weightage topics and the current exam pattern rather than expecting significant syllabus changes. This strategy aligns with recent CAT papers and the examination pattern followed by the IIMs.
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
CAT Exam Pattern 2026 consists of 66 questions carrying 198 marks, with a 120-minute duration and 40 minutes allotted to each section. The table below outlines the latest CAT Exam Pattern .
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 120 Minutes |
| Sectional Time | 40 Minutes Each |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Total Questions | 66 |
| VARC | 24 Questions |
| DILR | 20 Questions |
| QA | 22 Questions |
| Total Marks | 198 |
| Marking Scheme | +3, -1 (MCQs) |
| TITA Questions | No Negative Marking |
CAT Syllabus 2026: Section-Wise Topics and Important Areas
CAT Syllabus 2026 covers more than 70 frequently tested topics across VARC, DILR, and QA. The table below lists the complete CAT exam syllabus.
| Section | Major Topics | Important Topics (High Weightage) | Expected Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out, Sentence Completion, Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentence Correction, Idioms & Phrases, One Word Substitution | Reading Comprehension (16 Questions), Para Summary, Para Jumbles, Odd One Out | 24 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Caselets, Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Blood Relations, Binary Logic, Venn Diagrams, Games & Tournaments, Data Sufficiency, Scheduling | Caselets, Tables & Charts, Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Logical Reasoning Sets | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Modern Mathematics, Mensuration, Probability, Permutation & Combination, Logarithms, Functions, Quadratic Equations, Progressions | Arithmetic (10 Questions), Algebra (5 Questions), Geometry, Number System | 22 |
CareerChoice360 Tip
Prioritize Reading Comprehension, Arithmetic, and Algebra during your preparation, as these topics contribute nearly half of the CAT paper. Combine daily practice with at least 20–30 full-length mock tests and analyze every mock to improve accuracy, speed, and sectional performance before CAT 2026.
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Looking for a daily preparation schedule? Access a CAT 2026 Study Plan featuring month-wise goals, subject-wise preparation strategies, mock test schedules, and revision techniques to maximize your CAT score.
CAT 2026 Study PlanCAT Syllabus 2026 Section-Wise Weightage
CAT Syllabus 2026 allocates 72 marks to VARC, 66 marks to Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and 60 marks to DILR. The table below outlines the section-wise marks, questions, and time allocation.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 72 | 40 Minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 60 | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 66 | 40 Minutes |
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Top Tier 1 MBA CollegesCAT Syllabus 2026 PDF Download
Candidates can use the CAT syllabus PDF to access the latest CAT exam syllabus, section-wise topics, and exam pattern in a single downloadable document for offline revision. Check the detailed PDF attached below.
Best Books for CAT Syllabus 2026
The recommended resources for the CAT Syllabus 2026 include Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis and Arun Sharma's preparation books. The table below features the most recommended titles for VARC, DILR, and QA.
| Section | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| VARC | Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis |
| VARC | How to Prepare for VARC – Arun Sharma |
| DILR | How to Prepare for Data Interpretation – Arun Sharma |
| QA | How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude – Arun Sharma |
CAT Syllabus 2026 Preparation Tips
Candidates appearing for CAT Exam 2026 should prioritize high-weightage topics such as Reading Comprehension, Arithmetic, Algebra, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning, as these account for a significant share of the CAT exam syllabus in recent years. Check the preparation tips listed below.
Understand the CAT syllabus first: Divide the CAT exam syllabus into VARC, DILR, and QA, and identify high-weightage topics before starting your preparation.
Build concepts before practice: Strengthen your fundamentals in Arithmetic, Algebra, Reading Comprehension, and Logical Reasoning before attempting advanced-level questions.
Follow a section-wise study plan: Allocate separate study hours to each section, giving additional time to Reading Comprehension and Arithmetic due to their higher question share.
Practice previous years' CAT papers: Analyze question trends and frequently tested topics to understand the difficulty level and coverage of the CAT Syllabus 2026.
Attempt sectional tests regularly: Solve weekly sectional tests for VARC, DILR, and QA to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
Take full-length mock tests: Attempt at least 20–30 full-length CAT mock tests before the exam and analyze every attempt to identify weak areas.
Revise formulas and short notes: Maintain a formula notebook for Quantitative Aptitude and revise vocabulary, grammar rules, and important DILR approaches regularly.
Focus on accuracy over attempts: With +3 marks for every correct answer and -1 mark for every incorrect MCQ, avoiding unnecessary guesses can significantly improve your overall CAT score.
Track progress using performance analysis: Review mock test reports to measure sectional accuracy, identify recurring mistakes, and refine your preparation strategy based on performance trends.
Read the Complete CAT 5-Month Strategy
Follow a structured preparation roadmap with month-wise goals, mock test planning, revision strategies, and expert guidance to maximize your CAT 2026 score.
CAT 5-Month StrategyCAT Syllabus 2026 FAQs
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the CAT Syllabus 2026, including the latest exam pattern, important topics, preparation strategy, books, and other key details.