Knowing the CAT exam syllabus is the first step of preparation. If you want to achieve 99+%ile, you must know what to study. CAT is held for admission to top MBA colleges. The syllabus is not officially prescribed. The CAT syllabus covers topics/concepts asked in previous years. It mainly covers three sections: VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Candidates need to learn and master every topic of all subjects. Skipping any section can affect their overall scores. They need to build a strong foundation. They must understand the syllabus and integrate it. Read ahead to know the complete CAT syllabus 2026. This includes section-wise topics, important areas, and prep tips.
What is the CAT Exam Syllabus for MBA?
The CAT syllabus comprises three sections. It mainly assesses a candidate’s reading ability, logical thinking, and numerical skills.
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
There is no fixed syllabus announced officially. But questions are based on the concepts asked previously. Hence, you must understand the CAT exam syllabus well. It helps you cover almost the entire CAT paper.
CAT Syllabus 2026 Overview
Here is a snapshot of the latest syllabus for CAT 2026 in the table below.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Sections | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA) |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Sections | 3 |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Maximum Marks | 204 |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes each |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct answer-1 for incorrect answer (MCQs) |
CAT Exam Pattern 2026 (Latest)
Candidates should review the CAT exam pattern and marking scheme. It offers clear insights into the number of questions, maximum marks, exam duration, and more. In recent years, the number of questions has increased from 66 to 68. The overall duration of the exam is 120 minutes (40 minutes for each paper). 3 marks are awarded for every correct answer. And 1 mark is deducted for every wrong answer in MCQs. The latest CAT exam pattern 2026 is below:
| Section | Number of Questions | Exam Duration |
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 120 minutes |
CAT Syllabus 2026- Section-wise Breakdown
Analysing the section-wise CAT syllabus is crucial. It helps you understand which topics hold higher weightage. However, candidates should cover all the topics. The CAT topic-wise weightage helps them refine their strategy. Check the section-wise breakdown of the CAT exam syllabus below:
CAT Exam Syllabus for VARC
A total of 24 questions are asked in the CAT VARC section. Below is the topic-wise weightage with the number of questions asked over the years.
| Topic | No. of Questions (Approximate) | Approximate Weightage |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 questions | 67-68% |
| Para Jumble | 3-4 questions | 12-13% |
| Summary | 3-4 questions | 12-13% |
| Odd Questions | 2-3 questions | 7-8% |
CAT Exam Syllabus for DILR
A total of 22 questions are asked in the CAT DILR section. Below is the topic-wise weightage with the number of questions asked over the years.
| DI & LR Topics | No. of Questions (Approximate) | Approximate Weightage (%) |
| Tables and Charts | 3-6 | 45–50% |
| Puzzle and Seating Arrangements | 2-4 | 55-60% |
| Scheduling and Blood Relations | 2-4 | 5-10% |
| Games and Tournaments | 4-5 | 10-20% |
| Scheduling and Blood Relations | 4-5 | 5-10% |
| Venn Diagrams & Hybrid Sets | 2-3 | 5-10% |
CAT Exam Syllabus for Quantitative Ability (QA)
A total of 22 questions are asked in the CAT QA section. Below is the topic-wise number of questions asked over the years.
| Topic Name | No. of Questions (Approximate) |
| Number System | 2-3 |
| Averages, Ratios and Proportion | 4-5 |
| Progressions and Series | 1-2 |
| Time, Work and Distance | 2-3 |
| Logarithms, Surds and Indices | 2-3 |
| Profit, Loss and Interest | 2-3 |
| Geometry | 2-3 |
| Inequalities and linear equations | 1-2 |
| Functions and Graphs | 1-2 |
| PnC and Probability | 1-2 |
| Quadratic Equations | 2-3 |
CAT Quant Topic-Wise Weightage
| Topic | Weightage |
| Number System | 5-10% |
| Arithmetic | 35-50% |
| Algebra | 30-35% |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 10-15% |
| Modern Maths | 5-10% |
Important Topics in CAT Syllabus 2026 (High Weightage)
Knowing important topics in the CAT exam syllabus is crucial. You must solve the previous year’s papers. It helps you identify important topics. You will learn about exam-level questions. Practice can improve your speed and accuracy. It will make your preparation more focused. Some of the high-weightage topics for the CAT exam are:
| Subject | CAT Topic-Wise Weightage |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading ComprehensionPara JumbleSummaryOdd Questions |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Tables and ChartsPuzzle and Seating ArrangementsScheduling and Blood RelationsGames and TournamentsScheduling and Blood RelationsVenn Diagrams & Hybrid Sets |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | Number SystemArithmeticAlgebra Geometry & MensurationModern Maths |
CAT Exam Syllabus PDF Download
Many students prefer a CAT exam syllabus PDF for quick revision. You can maintain your own short notes. Jot down formulas and key concepts in one place. You must revise those notes regularly. This helps you retain concepts for a longer period.
Preparation Tips Based on CAT Syllabus 2026
Knowing the CAT exam syllabus is not sufficient. You need a smart plan and consistency. Start with the fundamentals. Then move to practice. You must analyse every mock. That is where real improvement happens. Some preparation tips for the CAT exam 2026 are:
| Subject | CAT Exam Preparation Tips |
| VARC | Read daily (newspapers, articles, editorials)Practice RC regularlySolve VA questions daily |
| DILR | Solve 2-3 sets daily. Start with simple sets.Focus on accuracyPractice past papers to understand the question type |
| QA | Clear concepts firstPractice topic-wise questionsSolve mocks and past papers to improve time management.Learn formulas and shortcut tricks for quick calculation. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the CAT syllabus change every year?
No. The core topics typically remain the same. Only the CAT exam pattern may change slightly.
What subjects are included in the CAT exam?
The CAT syllabus covers three sections: VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Is the CAT syllabus very difficult?
The CAT paper syllabus is not very massive or tough. But the high-level competition makes it difficult.
How many months are needed to complete the CAT syllabus?
Most students take 9-12 months to cover the CAT exam syllabus.
Can I crack the CAT without coaching?
Yes, you can. But a structured platform like MBA Karo offers the right guidance and helps you maintain consistency. They offer high-quality CAT courses, mocks, and personalised mentorship.
What is the CAT syllabus for VARC?
The CAT VARC syllabus includes RC, Para Jumble, Summary, etc.
What is the CAT syllabus for DILR?
The CAT DILR syllabus includes Tables, Puzzle, Games and Tournaments, etc.
What is the CAT Syllabus for QA?
The CAT QA syllabus includes Number System, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, etc.
Is there any negative marking in the CAT exam?
Yes. There will be negative marking in the CAT exam.
How to download the CAT exam syllabus PDF?
You can download the CAT exam syllabus PDF on this page.
