CAT Syllabus 2026
Full Breakdown.
The complete, data-driven CAT syllabus breakdown. Exact topic divisions, historical weightage, and structural analysis for VARC, DILR, and QA.
[ How to use this tracker ]
Topics are grouped by a 70/20/10 study-priority model, a planning heuristic, not official IIM weightage. Master the Core block first, then Secondary, then Niche.
[ Key Takeaways ]
- ›Structure: 68 questions across 3 sections in 120 minutes (40 mins per section).
- ›Sections: VARC (24 Qs), DILR (22 Qs), QA (22 Qs).
- ›Marking: +3 for correct answers, −1 for wrong MCQs, 0 penalty for TITA questions.
- ›Syllabus Source: No official IIM topic list exists; topics are rigorously inferred from past year papers. Pattern per the CAT 2026 notification at iimcat.ac.in.
- ›Provisional: Question counts and weightages above reflect recent CAT cycles and may shift slightly year to year.
VARC:Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
CAT VARC has 24 questions in 40 minutes. Reading Comprehension dominates with about 16 questions across 4 dense passages; Verbal Ability covers para jumbles, para summary, odd sentence out, and para completion. Grammar is not tested, and most VA items are TITA with no negative marking.
Grammar is not tested in CAT. Focus entirely on comprehension, logical flow, and paragraph structure.
Reading Comprehension
Dense passages from Philosophy, Sociology, History, Science, Economics, and Modern Technology. Question types: Central Idea, Inference, Tone, Author's Purpose, Fact vs Judgment.
StrategyAround 70% of VARC. Build a daily reading habit (Aeon, Guardian, philosophy, sociology) and analyse author intent, not just content.
Para Jumbles
Rearranging 4-5 sentences into a logically coherent paragraph. Primarily TITA format. Requires identification of transitional words, connectors, and logical flow.
StrategyUsually TITA (no negative marking). Lock mandatory pairs (pronouns, full-name→acronym) before scanning options.
Para Summary
Selecting the most accurate summary of a given paragraph from closely worded, deceptive distractor options. Tests comprehension and precision.
StrategyPick the core argument; reject options fixated on examples or using extreme language.
Odd Sentence Out
Identifying the contextually irrelevant sentence from a cluster of 5 sentences. Tests structural coherence and theme identification.
StrategyUsually TITA. Find the unifying theme; the outlier breaks the logical flow.
Para Completion
Selecting the sentence that logically completes a given paragraph. Tests inference, logical closure, and contextual continuity.
StrategyOften TITA. The missing line must conclude the argument without introducing new, unlinked ideas.
DILR:Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
CAT DILR has 22 questions in 40 minutes across 4–5 sets. Modern papers favour hybrid sets that mix logic with data: arrangements, games and tournaments, Venn diagrams, scheduling, and caselets with missing values. Set selection is the highest-leverage skill in the section.
Pure chart DI is rare. Modern CAT tests Hybrid Sets that mix logic with arithmetic and data.
Data Interpretation
Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Tables, Caselets, Combination Graphs, Scatter Plots, Tables with Missing Values. Data-driven decision-making under time pressure.
StrategyNever standalone now; learn calculation shortcuts (growth rates, pie-degree→%) to deploy inside Hybrid sets.
Logical Reasoning
Linear & Circular Seating Arrangements, Constraint-based Puzzles, Binary Logic, Scheduling, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relations, Truth & Lie, Selection with Conditions, Quant-based LR.
StrategyPractice full constraint parsing; hybrid sets dominate the modern paper.
Games & Tournaments
Knockout Tournaments, Round Robin formats, Seeding logic, League-based scoring, and Logic-driven games.
StrategyHigh ROI. Master win/loss/draw point logic and bracket structures.
Venn Diagrams & Sets
2-Set, 3-Set, 4-Set Venn diagrams, Maxima-Minima intersecting logic in sets.
StrategyMaster the algebraic equations for 3-4 variable intersections and at-least/at-most constraints.
QA:Quantitative Aptitude
CAT QA has 22 questions in 40 minutes. Arithmetic carries about 8–10 questions, Algebra 5–6, Geometry 4–5, Number System 1–2, and Modern Math 1–2. Arithmetic plus Algebra is the core block for most high-percentile attempts.
Sorted by the 70/20/10 rule. Arithmetic and core Algebra dominate the exam.
Arithmetic
Percentages, Successive Changes, Profit & Loss, Discounts, Simple & Compound Interest, Installments, Ratio & Proportion, Time Speed & Distance, Time & Work, Averages, Weighted Average, Mixtures & Alligations.
StrategyFoundation first: Percentages, Ratio, TSD, Time & Work, P&L under adaptive difficulty before anything else.
Algebra
Linear & Quadratic Equations, Polynomials, Inequalities, Logarithms, Functions, Sequences & Series, Maxima & Minima.
StrategyTreat Equations, Inequalities, Functions and Logs as one continuum; focus on integer/root behaviour.
Geometry & Mensuration
Lines & Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles, Polygons, Coordinate Geometry, 2D/3D Mensuration.
StrategyFormula fluency plus visualisation; triangles and circles carry the most tested sub-topics.
Number System
LCM/HCF, Divisibility Rules, Remainders, Factorials, Base Systems, Last Digits, Units Digit.
StrategyProperties, divisibility, cyclicity, quick wins once the concepts click.
Modern Math
Progressions, Permutations & Combinations, Probability, Set Theory.
StrategyPnC and Probability are Rank 1 priorities; link the Venn work heavily to DILR.