CUSAT CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Total questions, Marking scheme, Duration

Cochin University of Science and Technology - Common Admission Test 2026 ( CUSAT CAT )

Mamona Majumder
Updated on May 3, 2026 22:51 IST

By Mamona Majumder, Assistant Manager

Overview

CUSAT CAT Exam Pattern 2026: The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has released the CUSAT CAT 2026 exam pattern. This year, the authorities have revised the CUSAT CAT exam pattern. Aspirants of CUSAT CAT 2026 must check the revised paper pattern here. It provides details related to the marking scheme, exam duration, number of questions, subject-wise distribution, and other important details. The entrance test will be conducted in online (CBT) mode. As per the revised B.Tech exam pattern, the question paper will consist of 225 questions for a total of 900 marks to be attempted in 3 hours.

Knowledge of both the CUSAT CAT pattern and the CUSAT CAT syllabus will help candidates strategise their preparation. Students must practice the CUSAT CAT previous year's question papers while preparing for the exam. Check the complete details on the CUSAT CAT exam pattern 2026 below.

Table of contents
  • What's New in CUSAT CAT Exam Pattern 2026?
  • CUSAT CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
  • CUSAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Marking scheme
  • CUSAT CAT 2026 Syllabus
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What's New in CUSAT CAT Exam Pattern 2026?

CUSAT has introduced a major revision in the marking scheme for CUSAT CAT 2026.

What's New?

  • From 2026 onwards, each correct answer will now carry 4 marks
  • Earlier, each correct answer was awarded 3 marks
  • Negative marking remains unchanged
  • The number of questions, exam duration, subject distribution and syllabus remain the same

This increases the overall weightage of correct answers and raises the maximum marks of the exam.

CUSAT CAT Logo

CUSAT CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The revised CUSAT CAT 2026 exam pattern has been published along with the official notification. The entrance test will consist of MCQ-type questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, to be completed within 180 minutes.

CUSAT CAT 2026 Exam Pattern: Test Code 101 (PCM)

Subject

Total Questions

Marks

Duration (Minutes)

Mathematics

90

360

75

Physics

75

300

60

Chemistry

60

240

45

Total

225

900

180

Some Key Points:  

  1. For every correct answer, four (4) marks will be given, while for each incorrect answer, one (1) mark will be subtracted.
  2. If there is a tie, the scores in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry from the CAT will be taken into account in that specific order.
  3. To be ranked for B.Tech. programs, candidates must achieve at least 10 marks individually in Mathematics and at least 10 marks in total for Physics and Chemistry combined in the CAT examination.

Also Read: 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the CUSAT CAT marking scheme?
A: 

As per the CUSAT CAT marking scheme, candidates will get 3 marks for every correct answer while 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect response. 

Q:   What is the CUSAT CAT exam pattern?
A: 

As per the CUSAT CAT exam pattern there will be 225 MCQs. The mathematics section will have 90 questions, physics will have 75 questions, while chemistry will have 60 questions. The exam duration is 3 hr and the maximum mark is 675.

Q:   What is the CUSAT CAT exam duration?
A: 

The total duration of CUSAT CAT exam is 3 hours. There is also a subject-wise time limit. The Physics section will be conducted in the first 60 minutes, the Chemistry section will be held in the next 45 minutes and finally the mathematics section for 75 minutes.

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CUSAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Marking scheme

According to the updated CUSAT CAT exam format, participants will earn 4 points for each correct answer, whereas 1 point will be subtracted for each incorrect response.

CUSAT CAT 2026 Marking Scheme for B.Tech

Paper

Subject

Total Marks

Paper 1

Mathematics

360 marks

Paper 2

Physics

300 marks

Chemistry

240 marks

Total

 

900 marks

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the CUSAT CAT syllabus?
A: 

The CUSAT CAT syllabus is based on the class 10+2 Board syllabus for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Q:   Can I use NCERTs for my CUSAT CAT preparation?
A: 

Yes. NCERTs should form the base of your preparation since the CUSAT CAT syllabus is the same as mentioned in the NCERTs.

Q:   How many subjects are there in CUSAT CAT exam?
A: 

The CUSAT CAT exam will have 3 subjects- Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

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CUSAT CAT 2026 Syllabus

The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has made the syllabus for the CUSAT CAT 2026 exam available at admission.cusat.ac.in. Students need to review the CUSAT CAT syllabus to understand the subjects and chapters included in the exam. By referring to the syllabus, students can create a plan to excel in the exam.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is CUSAT private or government?
A: 

Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) is a state-government owned autonomous University in Kochi. It has 3 campuses in- Kalamassery, Ernakulam (Kochi) and Kuttanad (Alappuzha).

Q:   Is CUSAT CAT exam conducted once a year?
A: 

Yes. The CUSAT CAT exam is conducted once a year. Since the exam is held for multiple courses, it is conducted over a few days. Candidates must check the CUSAT CAT exam date 2026 to know the exam date for their course.

View Syllabus

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CUSAT CAT Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a week ago

The final answer keys of CUSAT CAT will be out a few days before the result or with the result.

M

Mamona Majumder

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

Yes, candidates can raise objections to the CUSAT CAT provisional answer key.

V

Virajita Choudhury

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

The CUSAT CAT 2026 answer keys were released on May 14.

C

Chanchal Pandey

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

On the CUSAT CAT admit card, candidates can check these details: test centre details, exam date, and exam timing.

M

Manori Patra

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

The details needed to download the CUSAT CAT 2026 admit card are the email address and password.

V

Vipra Mehra

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

Candidates will be able to download their CUSAT CAT admit card until the exam day.

A

Abhishek Chaudhary

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

The CUSAT CAT 2026 admit card has been released. The candidates can download the admit card from the official website of CUSAT CAT.

N

Nishtha Shrivastava

Contributor-Level 8

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