CAT Syllabus 2026: Section-Wise Topics, Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme

CAT Syllabus 2026 is the foundation for aspirants who are aiming to secure admission into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top-tier business schools in India. The Common Admission Test (CAT)  is conducted annually to evaluate a candidate's aptitude in verbal ability, data interpretation, and mathematical reasoning. Having familiarity with the latest CAT 2026 syllabus and exam pattern is important. This all helps to create a structured preparation strategy that balances speed and accuracy.

CAT Syllabus 2026 Overview

The CAT 2026 exam is expected to follow the consistent pattern of recent years, which features a three-section structure with a strict sectional time limit. There is no CAT 2026 syllabus official release by the IIMs. Based on past trends, the following highlights define the CAT 2026 exam syllabus basic overview:

CAT Syllabus PDF Download Section Wise Topics

The official body conducting the CAT exam does not release a detailed syllabus PDF. Instead, they outline the primary sections of the exam: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).

To understand the complete list of topics and subtopics, candidates often refer to past years’ question papers and expert-curated resources. For a detailed syllabus overview, you can download the CAT Syllabus PDF below. This PDF will help you track covered and uncovered topics easily.

CAT Syllabus PDF

Section Wise CAT Exam Syllabus 2026 

The CAT syllabus 2026 section wise is designed to test diverse mental faculties ranging from linguistic skills to logical consistency and numerical proficiency.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

The CAT syllabus 2026 VARC section is the first part of the paper. It primarily focuses on comprehension skills and the logical arrangement of ideas.

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

This is often considered the most unpredictable section, testing the candidate's ability to analyze complex data sets and solve intricate puzzles.

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

The CAT syllabus 2026 quantitative aptitude is dominated by high-school level mathematics, with a heavy emphasis on Arithmetic and Algebra.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

Understanding the CAT 2026 syllabus and exam pattern is important for time management, as candidates cannot switch between sections once a 40-minute block begins. Here are the expected exam pattern details for CAT 2026: 

CAT 2026 Marking Scheme Rules

The CAT marking scheme rewards accuracy and penalizes incorrect guesses in specific question types. Use the following breakdown for a clear understanding:

• Correct Response (MCQ/TITA): +3 Marks

• Incorrect MCQ: -1 Mark (Negative Marking)

• Incorrect TITA: 0 Marks (No penalty for wrong answers)

• Unattempted Question: 0 Marks

CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy

To master the CAT syllabus for MBA 2026, aspirants should adopt a structured and data-driven approach. Here are some important points which needs to be considered by candidates while preparing for CAT 2026:

• Strengthen Fundamentals: Start with NCERT Mathematics (Class 8-10) for QA and build a habit of reading diverse genres (Aeon, The Guardian) for VARC.

• Focus on High-Weightage Topics: Arithmetic and Algebra account for nearly 70% of the QA section. Similarly, Reading Comprehension forms 67% of the VARC section.

• Master TITA Questions: Since there is no negative marking for TITA questions, practice typing in accurate answers without the help of options.

• Simulate Exam Conditions: Take full-length CAT mock tests regularly to build stamina for the 2-hour duration and improve sectional time management.

• Analyze Previous Year Papers: Solving CAT previous year questions helps identify recurring themes and the actual difficulty level of the exam.

Most Recommended Books For CAT Preparation 2026

Here are the best CAT Preparation Books for all three sections covered in CAT Syllabus 2026:

For Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR):

• CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning by Gautam Puri

• Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K Sinha

• Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency by Ananta Ashisha

• How to Get Prepared for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma

For Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC):

• How to Get Ready for CAT's Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability Tests by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay (Arihant)

• 30 Days to a Stronger Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis (Simon & Schuster)

• How to Prepare for CAT's Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Questions by Sharma and Upadhyay

• High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin

For Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

• NCERT Mathematics Books of both 9th and 10th class (NCERT)

• How to Study for the Quantitative Aptitude Section of CAT by Arun Sharma

• Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh Sharma

• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations by Abhijit Guha

• Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha CAT Syllabus 

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