CAT 2026 Syllabus covers three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). IIM Indore is conducting the Common Admission Test 2026 on November 29, 2026, at iimcat.ac.in. Unlike engineering or medical entrances, the IIMs do not publish a standalone topic-by-topic syllabus document — the topics on this page are derived from a five-year pattern analysis of CAT papers from 2021 to 2025.
- CAT 2026 has three sections: VARC (24 questions), DILR (22 questions), and QA (22 questions) — 68 questions in total.
- Each section has a strict 40-minute time limit; you cannot switch between sections or carry over unused time.
- Correct MCQ answers earn +3 marks; wrong MCQ answers attract a –1 mark penalty.
- TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) questions carry no negative marking — attempt them even when unsure.
- Reading Comprehension dominates VARC — roughly 16–20 out of 24 questions come from RC passages alone.
- Arithmetic and Algebra together account for nearly 65–70% of QA questions, based on CAT 2021–2025 trend data.
- The official CAT 2026 Information Bulletin is available at iimcat.ac.in.
You should download the CAT 2026 Information Bulletin from iimcat.ac.in and use this topic-pattern guide alongside it for a reliable preparation plan.
CAT 2026 Syllabus: Section-wise Overview
CAT 2026 tests students across three fixed sections in a mandatory order. You cannot skip or revisit a section once its 40-minute window closes. The table below maps each section to its key topic areas and question count.
| Section | Key Topics (Based on Past 5-Year Trend) | Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | RC Passages, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentence Out | 24 | 40 min |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Tables, Bar/Line Charts, Games & Tournaments, Scheduling, Venn Diagrams, Hybrid Sets | 22 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry & Mensuration, Modern Mathematics, Number System | 22 | 40 min |
| Total | — | 68 | 120 min |
CAT 2026 Syllabus: Overview
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the primary gateway to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,200 MBA programmes across India. IIM Indore is the conducting body for CAT 2026. Unlike JEE or NEET, the IIMs do not release an official chapter-by-chapter syllabus document for CAT.
The topic pattern on this page is built from a five-year analysis of CAT papers (2021–2025). You can treat this list as the working syllabus for your preparation — it reflects what has been tested and what is likely to appear in CAT 2026.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| Conducting Body | IIM Indore (on behalf of all IIMs) |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Sections | 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Duration | 120 minutes (40 minutes per section) |
| Official Syllabus PDF | Not published — based on past-paper trend analysis |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) |
CAT 2026 Important Dates
Upcoming events appear first in the table below, followed by past events in chronological order. The admit card download window opens on November 4 — download and verify your details before exam day.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Admit Card Download | November 4 – November 29, 2026 | Upcoming |
| CAT 2026 Exam | November 29, 2026 (Sunday, three sessions) | Upcoming |
| CAT 2026 Result | Expected January 2027 | Upcoming |
| IIM WAT-PI Shortlisting and Calls | Expected February – March 2027 | Upcoming |
| CAT 2026 Notification Released | July 26, 2026 | Over |
| CAT 2026 Registration Window | August 3 – September 15, 2026 | Over |
Source: iimcat.ac.in
CAT 2026 Syllabus for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
VARC has 24 questions and a 40-minute time limit. The section divides into two parts: Reading Comprehension (MCQ, –1 penalty) and Verbal Ability (TITA, no penalty). Plan your VARC strategy around RC first — it carries roughly 65–83% of the section’s questions.
Reading Comprehension (RC) Topics
Each CAT slot typically has 4–5 RC passages, each 400–600 words long with 3–5 questions. RC questions are always MCQ and carry –1 negative marking for wrong answers.
| Passage Type | Common Sources / Themes | Key Sub-topics |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Economics | Financial Times, HBR, The Economist | Sub-topics of Business & Economics RC — Click Here Market economics, trade policy, business strategy, macroeconomic trends, corporate governance, globalisation, inflation, supply chain analysis, and the economics of technology firms. |
| Science & Technology | Scientific American, Nature, New Scientist | Sub-topics of Science & Technology RC — Click Here Artificial intelligence, climate science, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, space exploration, genomics, quantum computing, digital ethics, and the philosophy of science. |
| Social Science & Politics | The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, Harper’s | Sub-topics of Social Science & Politics RC — Click Here Democracy, governance theory, political philosophy, identity politics, sociology of institutions, post-colonial studies, history of ideas, and cultural critique. |
| Literature, Arts & Philosophy | Literary journals, philosophical essays | Sub-topics of Literature & Philosophy RC — Click Here Ethics and moral philosophy, aesthetics, literary criticism, cultural analysis, arguments about knowledge and belief, and the philosophy of language. |
Verbal Ability (VA) Topics
VA questions in CAT are TITA — you type the answer directly with no options provided. Zero negative marking applies to all TITA questions. Attempt them all, even when uncertain.
| Question Type | Format | Negative Marking | Key Skill Tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Para Jumbles | 4–5 sentences to arrange in logical order; type the correct sequence | None (TITA) | Logical flow, pronoun references, transitional connectors between sentences |
| Para Summary | Select or write the best one-line summary of a short paragraph | None (TITA) or –1 (if MCQ in some slots) | Identifying the central idea; separating the main point from supporting detail |
| Odd Sentence Out | Identify the one sentence that does not fit the paragraph’s central theme | None (TITA) | Thematic coherence; spotting a tangential or contradictory idea |
CAT 2026 Syllabus for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
DILR has 22 questions in 40 minutes. All questions appear in sets of 3–6 sharing a common data source or puzzle. Set selection is the defining DILR skill — scan all sets in the first two minutes and commit to the two most approachable ones first.
Data Interpretation (DI) Set Types
| Set Type | Sub-topics | Typical Questions per Set |
|---|---|---|
| Tables | Sub-topics of Tables — Click Here Two-way and three-way data tables, percentage calculation from rows and columns, ranking from table data, missing-value inference, multi-table caselets, and ratio-based comparison across categories. | 3–5 |
| Bar & Line Charts | Sub-topics of Bar & Line Charts — Click Here Clustered and stacked bar charts, line charts with multiple data series, combination charts (bar + line), percentage change across periods, trend identification, and comparative ratio calculations from graphs. | 3–4 |
| Caselets / Text-Based DI | Sub-topics of Caselets — Click Here Numerical data embedded in prose paragraphs; requires building your own table before computing answers. Tests data extraction and organisation skills alongside arithmetic ability. | 4–6 |
Logical Reasoning (LR) Set Types
| Set Type | Sub-topics | Typical Questions per Set |
|---|---|---|
| Games & Tournaments | Sub-topics of Games & Tournaments — Click Here Round-robin league tables, knockout bracket progressions, mixed league-knockout formats, point-based scoring systems, elimination logic, and multi-round seeding puzzles. | 4–5 |
| Scheduling & Arrangement | Sub-topics of Scheduling & Arrangement — Click Here Linear seating arrangements, circular seating, parallel scheduling across time slots, room and shift assignments, calendar-based task allocation, and multi-attribute ordering puzzles with binary or graded conditions. | 3–5 |
| Venn Diagrams & Set Theory | Sub-topics of Venn & Set Theory — Click Here Two-set and three-set Venn diagrams, overlap calculation with given constraints, membership conditions for categorical groups, and sets combined with numerical data from tables. | 3–4 |
| Hybrid DI-LR Sets | Sub-topics of Hybrid Sets — Click Here Sets that combine tabular or chart data with logical conditions — for example, a tournament result table where additional constraints limit valid outcomes. CAT has increased hybrid set frequency since 2021. | 4–6 |
CAT 2026 Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
QA has 22 questions in 40 minutes. Arithmetic and Algebra together account for about 55–70% of QA questions — these two areas give the highest return on preparation time.
| Topic Area | Chapters / Units | Key Sub-topics |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Mixtures, Averages, Ratios & Proportions, Simple & Compound Interest | Sub-topics of Arithmetic — Click Here Percentage change and successive percentages, cost-price and selling-price problems, profit margin, discount and marked price, relative speed, boats and streams, pipes and cisterns, weighted averages, alligation, partnership ratios, simple interest, compound interest, and combined work efficiency problems. |
| Algebra | Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Functions, Inequalities, Progressions (AP & GP), Logarithms | Sub-topics of Algebra — Click Here Systems of linear equations, discriminant and roots of quadratics, AM-GM inequality, modulus inequalities, floor and ceiling functions, sum formulas for AP and GP, log product and base-change rules, exponential equations, and functional equations. |
| Geometry & Mensuration | Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Coordinate Geometry, Solid Geometry | Sub-topics of Geometry & Mensuration — Click Here Triangle similarity and congruence, Pythagoras theorem and common triples, special triangle properties (30-60-90, 45-45-90), circle theorems (tangent-secant, chord bisector), areas of polygons and composite figures, coordinate geometry (distance, slope, midpoint), and volumes of 3D solids (cube, cylinder, cone, sphere, frustum). |
| Modern Mathematics | Permutations & Combinations, Probability, Set Theory | Sub-topics of Modern Mathematics — Click Here Factorial calculations, arrangement and selection (nPr, nCr), circular arrangements, restricted P&C with conditions, basic probability, conditional probability, complement rule, set union and intersection, and counting using Venn diagrams. |
| Number System | Divisibility Rules, HCF & LCM, Remainders, Surds & Indices | Sub-topics of Number System — Click Here Divisibility tests (2 through 11), prime factorisation, HCF and LCM in word problems, remainder theorem, unit digit and last-two-digit problems, surds simplification, laws of indices, cyclicity of remainders, and BODMAS-based number puzzles. |
CAT 2026 Topic-Wise Weightage (Based on 2021–2025 Trend Analysis)
The IIMs do not publish official topic weightages. The data below is derived from five-year coaching-institute paper analyses (CAT 2021–2025). Treat it as directional guidance — individual slots vary, and no year exactly matches the average.
VARC Section Weightage
| Topic | Approx Questions (out of 24) | Approx Weightage | Question Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (RC) | 16–20 | 65–83% | MCQ (–1 penalty) |
| Para Jumbles | 2–4 | 8–17% | TITA (no penalty) |
| Para Summary | 2–3 | 8–13% | TITA / MCQ (varies by slot) |
| Odd Sentence Out | 1–2 | 4–8% | TITA (no penalty) |
DILR Section Weightage
| Set Type | Approx Questions (out of 22) | Approx Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Tables / Caselets | 8–10 | 36–45% |
| Games & Tournaments | 4–5 | 18–23% |
| Scheduling & Arrangement | 4–5 | 18–23% |
| Bar / Line Charts | 3–4 | 14–18% |
| Venn Diagrams / Hybrid Sets | 2–3 | 9–14% |
QA Section Weightage
| Topic Area | Approx Questions (out of 22) | Approx Weightage | Key Chapters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 7–9 | 32–41% | Percentages, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Profit & Loss |
| Algebra | 5–7 | 23–32% | Equations, Functions, Progressions, Logarithms, Inequalities |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3–4 | 14–18% | Triangles, Circles, Coordinate Geometry, Solid Geometry |
| Modern Mathematics | 2–4 | 9–18% | P&C, Probability, Set Theory |
| Number System | 1–2 | 5–9% | Remainders, HCF/LCM, Divisibility, Surds |
Note: Weightages above are estimates from coaching-institute analyses of CAT 2021–2025. They vary across slots and years.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CAT 2026 exam pattern is unchanged from CAT 2025. The test is computer-based and held in three sessions on November 29, 2026. The section order is fixed: VARC is first, DILR is second, QA is third.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Number of Sessions | 3 slots on November 29, 2026 |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Section Order (fixed, mandatory) | VARC → DILR → QA |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes per section — unused time does not carry over |
| MCQ Correct Answer | +3 marks |
| MCQ Wrong Answer | –1 mark |
| TITA Correct Answer | +3 marks |
| TITA Wrong or Unattempted | 0 marks (no penalty) |
| Unattempted MCQ | 0 marks |
| On-screen Calculator | Basic calculator provided during the exam |
| Score Reporting | Scaled score and percentile per section, plus overall percentile |
Best Books for CAT 2026
No single book covers the complete CAT topic pattern. The titles below are consistently recommended by toppers and coaching institutes, and align well with CAT’s difficulty level and question style.
| Section | Book Name | Author / Publisher | Why This Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT | Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay (McGraw Hill) | Best all-in-one VARC guide; RC strategies closely match CAT passage difficulty and question types |
| Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis (Penguin) | Builds vocabulary in context — improves RC reading speed and inference accuracy | |
| DILR | How to Prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT | Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill) | Covers all major DI and LR set types with graduated LOD levels; builds speed on standard sets |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT | Nishit K. Sinha (Pearson) | Strong on hybrid and puzzle-based sets; mirrors recent CAT DILR style (2022–2025) | |
| QA | How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT | Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill) | All QA topics with Level of Difficulty (LOD) classification — ideal for structured topic-by-topic preparation |
| Quantum CAT | Sarvesh K. Verma (Arihant) | Massive question bank; excellent for Arithmetic and Algebra practice volume; used by 99+ percentile targeters | |
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Nishit K. Sinha (Pearson) | Concise theory with concept-driven questions; strong on Geometry and Number System sections |
CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy
With the CAT 2026 exam on November 29, you have approximately five weeks from today. Focus on consolidating high-weightage topics, increasing mock frequency, and sharpening section-wise accuracy.
VARC Preparation
- Read one long-form article or editorial daily. Sources like The Hindu editorial, The Economist, and Scientific American match CAT RC passage style and density.
- Practice RC by focusing on the central idea, author’s tone, and inference questions. Avoid re-reading the full passage for every question — build a passage map instead.
- For Para Jumbles and Odd Sentence Out: identify pronoun references, transition words, and cause-effect links to find the logical sequence.
- Attempt all TITA questions (Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence Out) even when unsure — zero negative marking makes them cost-free attempts.
- Target at least 75% accuracy in RC before exam day. One wrong RC MCQ costs you 4 effective marks (–1 lost plus +3 missed).
DILR Preparation
- Practice set selection daily. Spend the first two minutes of any DILR section scanning all sets. Commit to the two most approachable ones first.
- Master Tables and Caselets first — they appear most frequently and reward accurate arithmetic over complex logic.
- Solve 3–4 new DILR sets every day in addition to mocks. Mock tests alone do not provide enough new set variety.
- Games and Tournaments sets appear in almost every CAT — make sure you can solve round-robin and knockout formats within 10–12 minutes.
- If a set exceeds 12 minutes, move on and return only if time remains at the end of the section.
QA Preparation
- Clear all Arithmetic sub-topics before spending significant time on Geometry or Number System.
- Learn key Geometry shortcuts: Pythagoras multiples (3-4-5, 5-12-13), circle tangent properties, and triangle area formulas. These save critical seconds on exam day.
- Solve at least two Number System problems daily. CAT regularly includes 1–2 high-difficulty Number System questions that differentiate 99+ percentile scores.
- If Geometry is your weak area, cap your prep time there and redirect it to Arithmetic and Algebra — the marks-per-hour return is significantly higher.
- Attempt TITA questions in QA whenever you can narrow the range. Skip them only when completely stuck — no penalty, so any attempt is rational.
Mock Test Strategy
- Take at least one full mock per week from now until November 28. Analyse every mock the same day — pinpoint the specific question types you miss repeatedly.
- Use past CAT papers (2019–2025) as primary practice material for the most realistic difficulty calibration.
- Track section-wise accuracy and attempt rate across mocks. A steady drop in one section is a signal to reallocate study time that week.
- Toppers consistently spend as much time analysing mocks as taking them — error analysis is not optional.
How to Access CAT 2026 Information Bulletin
The CAT 2026 Information Bulletin is the official document from IIM Indore. It contains the exam structure, marking scheme, eligibility criteria, and broad section descriptions. Follow these steps to download it.
- Visit the official CAT website at iimcat.ac.in.
- Look for the "Information Bulletin" or "CAT 2026 Notification PDF" link on the homepage or the Downloads section.
- Click the link — the PDF will open in a new browser tab.
- Press Ctrl + S (Windows) or Cmd + S (Mac) to save the PDF to your device.
- Alternatively, click the download icon in your browser’s PDF viewer to save the file directly.
Note: The CAT Information Bulletin describes the broad three-section structure but does not provide a chapter-by-chapter topic list. For a detailed topic breakdown, refer to the section-wise coverage on this page, which is derived from five-year past-paper analysis.
CAT 2026 Syllabus FAQs
Ques. Is there an official CAT 2026 syllabus PDF?
Ans. No. The IIMs do not release a standalone, topic-by-topic syllabus document for CAT. The official Information Bulletin at iimcat.ac.in covers the broad section structure (VARC, DILR, QA) and the marking scheme — but not a granular topic list. The topics on this page are built from five-year past-paper trend analysis.
Ques. Is the CAT 2026 syllabus the same as CAT 2025?
Ans. Yes. The CAT 2026 topic pattern and exam structure are unchanged from 2025. The three-section format (VARC, DILR, QA), 68 questions, and 120-minute duration remain the same. No new sections or question types were introduced for 2026.
Ques. Which section has the highest weightage in CAT 2026?
Ans. All three sections carry equal maximum marks — VARC 72 marks (24 × 3), DILR 66 marks (22 × 3), and QA 66 marks (22 × 3). Within VARC, Reading Comprehension dominates with 65–83% of that section’s questions. IIMs use sectional percentiles alongside overall percentile, so no single section can be ignored.
Ques. Which are the most important topics in QA for CAT 2026?
Ans. Arithmetic is the highest-frequency QA area — it contributes roughly 32–41% of QA questions based on 2021–2025 trend data. Key sub-topics include Percentages, Time-Speed-Distance, Time and Work, and Profit & Loss. Algebra (Equations, Functions, Progressions, Logarithms) is second at 23–32%.
Ques. What is the marking scheme for CAT 2026?
Ans. CAT 2026 uses the following scheme: MCQ correct answer +3 marks, MCQ wrong answer –1 mark. TITA correct answer +3 marks, TITA wrong or skipped 0 marks (no penalty). Unattempted MCQ questions also score 0. You should always attempt TITA questions — the no-negative-marking rule makes them genuinely risk-free.
Ques. How many RC passages are there in CAT 2026 VARC?
Ans. Each CAT slot typically includes 4–5 RC passages, each 400–600 words long with 3–5 questions attached. RC questions are MCQ-type with –1 negative marking for wrong answers. Reading Comprehension accounts for 65–83% of the VARC section — it is the single most important topic in the entire CAT paper.
Ques. Which IIM is conducting CAT 2026?
Ans. IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026. The exam will be held on November 29, 2026 (Sunday) in three sessions across multiple cities. The official portal for registration, admit card, and results is iimcat.ac.in.
Ques. Are all DILR questions in sets in CAT?
Ans. Yes. Every DILR question in CAT comes as part of a set — a group of 3–6 questions built around shared data or a common puzzle. There are no standalone DILR questions. If you crack a set’s core premise, you can attempt all 3–6 questions from it efficiently. This makes set selection the single most important DILR skill.
Ques. What books should I follow for DILR in CAT 2026?
Ans. The two most recommended books are How to Prepare for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill) and Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for the CAT by Nishit K. Sinha (Pearson). Supplement both with past CAT papers (2019–2025) — they provide the most accurate set types and difficulty calibration.
Ques. How much preparation time is enough for CAT 2026?
Ans. Most toppers recommend 6–12 months of structured preparation. The first 4–6 months should cover concept-building across all three sections. The final 2–3 months should focus on full-length mocks, error analysis, and section-wise speed improvement. If you are starting in October 2026, concentrate entirely on mocks and weak-area revision — the concept phase should already be complete.
Ques. Is there negative marking for TITA questions in CAT 2026?
Ans. No. TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) questions carry zero negative marking. A wrong typed answer scores 0; a skipped TITA also scores 0. Only wrong MCQ answers attract –1. In VARC, Para Jumbles and Odd Sentence Out are typically TITA. Some QA and DILR questions are also TITA — always attempt them since the downside is zero.
Ques. What is the total marks for CAT 2026?
Ans. The total marks for CAT 2026 is 204 (68 questions × 3 marks per correct answer). Section-wise maximum: VARC 72 marks (24 × 3), DILR 66 marks (22 × 3), QA 66 marks (22 × 3). IIMs calculate percentile scores separately for each section and for the overall test. Sectional percentile cutoffs apply at most IIMs, so you cannot afford to neglect any single section.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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