CAT 2026 exam will take place on November 29. It will have 68 questions to be attempted in 120 minutes, with 24 questions in VARC, 22 in DILR and 22 in QA.
Each section gets 40 minutes. A correct answer carries 3 marks, while an incorrect MCQ leads to a 1-mark deduction.
The number of correct-answer equivalents needed for the 99 percentile has also varied across recent CAT exams, ranging from 25 in 2023 to 34 in 2020.
This makes accuracy, question selection and section-wise preparation important for candidates targeting the 99 percentile.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Know the Numbers First
The CAT 2026 pattern has three sections with a total of 68 questions.
| Section | Questions | Time |
| VARC | 24 | 40 minutes |
| DILR | 22 | 40 minutes |
| QA | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 120 minutes |
Candidates get 40 minutes for each section. The section-wise time limit means that a strong performance in one section cannot compensate for leaving another section underprepared.
How Many Questions Are Needed for 99 Percentile in CAT?
Past CAT results show that the number of correct-answer equivalents linked with the 99 percentile has not remained fixed.
| CAT Year | Questions for 99 Percentile |
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2021 | 33 |
| 2020 | 34 |
The variation shows why candidates should not prepare around a fixed number of attempts. Mock-test performance should instead be evaluated through accuracy, question selection and overall score.
How to Prepare for CAT VARC 2026?
VARC has 24 questions, with Reading Comprehension forming the largest part of the section.
Around 16 questions are based on RC, while Para Jumble, Summary and Odd Questions account for the remaining questions.
| Topic | Approx. Questions | Approx. Weightage |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | 67-68% |
| Para Jumble | 3-4 | 12-13% |
| Summary | 3-4 | 12-13% |
| Odd Questions | 2-3 | 7-8% |
For first-attempt preparation, RC should receive the largest share of practice time. Candidates should track accuracy passage-wise and identify whether errors come from comprehension, option elimination or interpretation.
Para Jumble, Summary and Odd Questions should be practised separately because each requires a different solving approach.
How to Prepare for CAT DILR 2026?
DILR contains 22 questions and requires candidates to work with sets involving data, arrangements, conditions and logical relationships.
The major areas include tables and charts, puzzles, seating arrangements, scheduling, games, tournaments, Venn diagrams and hybrid sets.
| DILR Area | Approx. Questions |
| Tables and Charts | 3-6 |
| Puzzle and Seating Arrangements | 2-4 |
| Scheduling and Blood Relations | 2-4 |
| Games and Tournaments | 4-5 |
| Venn Diagrams & Hybrid Sets | 2-3 |
DILR preparation should focus on identifying manageable sets before spending time on calculations.
Candidates should solve previous CAT questions and analyse which sets consumed excessive time. This helps build a practical selection strategy for the 40-minute section.
How to Prepare for CAT QA 2026?
QA has 22 questions. Arithmetic and Algebra together form the largest part of the section, while Number System, Geometry, Modern Maths and other topics make up the remaining questions.
| QA Area | Approx. Weightage |
| Arithmetic | 35-50% |
| Algebra | 30-35% |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 10-15% |
| Number System | 5-10% |
| Modern Maths | 5-10% |
Important QA topics include Number System, Averages, Ratio and Proportion, Time, Work and Distance, Profit and Loss, Interest, Geometry, Algebra, Quadratic Equations, Functions, Progressions, PnC and Probability.
A first-attempt candidate should complete concept-based preparation before moving to mixed question sets. Topic-wise accuracy should be tracked so that weak areas receive additional practice.
How to Crack CAT 2026 in 1 Month?
A structured preparation cycle can be divided into three stages:
- Stage 1 – Build concepts: Complete the major VARC, DILR and QA topics. Focus on understanding question types rather than attempting a large number of questions.
- Stage 2 – Apply concepts: Start sectional tests and previous CAT questions. Record incorrect answers and questions that took too much time.
- Stage 3 – Improve performance: Take full-length mocks under the 120-minute CAT format. Analyse attempts, correct answers, wrong answers and unattempted questions after every test.
CAT 2026 Mock Test and Previous Year Paper Strategy
Previous-year CAT papers can help candidates understand the level and distribution of questions across sections. Mock tests should then be used to measure preparation under timed conditions.
Maintain a simple record after every test:
| Metric | What to Check |
| Attempts | Questions selected |
| Accuracy | Correct vs incorrect |
| Time | Time used per section |
| Errors | Concept or calculation mistakes |
| Unattempted | Questions skipped and why |
CAT 2026 Daily Study Plan
A daily plan should distribute time across all three sections instead of concentrating only on the strongest subject.
| Activity | Focus |
| VARC | RC + VA practice |
| DILR | Timed set practice |
| QA | Concepts + topic-wise questions |
| Previous Papers | CAT-level application |
| Error Analysis | Review wrong and time-consuming questions |
Conclusion
Candidates looking for structured preparation can consider MBA Karo CAT courses for concept learning, practice and mock-based preparation.
The courses can help bring VARC, DILR and QA preparation into one structured plan, while regular practice can be used to track accuracy and improve question selection.
For candidates targeting a high percentile in their first CAT attempt, combining topic-wise preparation with previous-year questions, sectional tests and full-length mocks can create a measurable preparation cycle.
