Quick answer
CAT 2026 has 68 questions for 204 marks in 120 minutes (3 × 40). Sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (24 questions, 40 min), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (22 questions, 40 min), Quantitative Ability (22 questions, 40 min). +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.
Section-wise pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time | Time per question |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 72 | 40 min | 100 seconds |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 22 | 66 | 40 min | 109 seconds |
| Quantitative Ability | 22 | 66 | 40 min | 109 seconds |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 120 minutes (3 × 40) |
Marking scheme
+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.
On exam day
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.
Practise on the real CAT pattern
3 full mocks with the same sections, timer and marking. The first two are free.
Questions students ask
How many questions are there in CAT 2026?
68 questions for 204 marks, in 120 minutes (3 × 40).
Is there negative marking in CAT?
+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.
What is the CAT exam interface like?
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.
What is the CAT 2026 exam pattern?
Three sections in a fixed order (VARC, DILR, QA), 40 minutes each, 120 minutes in all. The IIMs do not announce question counts in advance; CAT 2025 had 68 questions (VARC 24, DILR 22, QA 22) for 204 marks, and our mocks follow that.
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.