Full mocks
Sections open in a fixed order with 40 minutes each, and you cannot go back to a closed section. A basic calculator is on screen.
Exam pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 72 | 40 min |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 22 | 66 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Ability | 22 | 66 | 40 min |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 120 minutes (3 × 40) |
+3 for a correct answer. −1 for a wrong MCQ, no negative marking for a wrong TITA (type-in-the-answer) question. About a third of the questions are TITA. Always check the official notification for the latest pattern.
Exam dates
- CAT 2026 Exam29 Nov 2026, three sessions; admit card around 4 NovConfirmed
Questions students ask
What is the CAT 2026 exam pattern?
68 questions in 120 minutes: VARC 24, DILR 22 and QA 22, with 40 minutes for each section in a fixed order. Total 204 marks.
When is CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 is on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three slots, as per the notification. Admit cards are available from 4 November.
Is there negative marking for TITA questions in CAT?
No. A wrong TITA answer gets zero. A wrong MCQ costs 1 mark; a correct answer of either kind gets 3.
Is a calculator allowed in CAT?
Only the basic on-screen calculator. Our mocks have the same kind of calculator.