CUSAT CAT MCA Pattern 2026: Know Marking Scheme & Exam Duration

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

Samridhi Mishra
Updated on Jun 3, 2026 17:14 IST

By Samridhi Mishra, Senior Executive

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
  • CUSAT CAT 2026 Exam Pattern Key Highlights
  • CUSAT CAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Subject Wise Weightage
  • CUSAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Total Marks & Marking scheme
  • CUSAT CAT Sections and Important Topics
  • CUSAT CAT 2026 Pattern FAQs
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CUSAT CAT 2026 Exam Pattern Key Highlights

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.

Important exam pattern highlights are as follows:

Particulars Details
Exam Mode Online (Computer-Based Test)
Total Questions 225 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Maximum Marks 900 Marks
Total Duration 3 hours (180 minutes)
Language Medium English only
Marking Scheme +4 for each correct answer
Negative Marking -1 for every incorrect answer
CUSAT CAT Logo

CUSAT CAT Exam Pattern 2026 - Subject Wise Weightage

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 (Weightage)

Mathematics

90

Physics

75

Chemistry

60

Total

225

Some Key Points:

  1. If there is a tie, the scores in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry from the CAT will be taken into account in that specific order.
  2. 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.

CUSAT CAT 2026 Exam Pattern: For Test Code 104 (PCB)

Subjects 

No of Questions (Weightage) 

Physics & Chemistry (combined) 

135 Questions (Physics - 75 Questions and Chemistry - 60 Questions) 

Biology 

90 Questions 

Total 

225 Questions 

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 - Total Marks & 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.

For Test Code 101

Subject Total Marks
Mathematics 360
Physics 300
Chemistry 240
Total 900

For Test Code 104 

Subject Total Marks
Biology 360
Physics 300
Chemistry 240
Total 900
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 Sections and Important Topics

Check below section wise important topics in CUSAT CAT 2026:

Mathematics

  • Calculus: Limits, Continuity, Differentiability, Definite & Indefinite Integrals, Application of Integrals, and Differential Equations.
  • Algebra: Matrices and Determinants, Complex Numbers, Sequences and Series, Permutations & Combinations, and Binomial Theorem.
  • Coordinate Geometry: Straight Lines, Circles, and Conic Sections.
  • Vectors & 3D Geometry: Dot and Cross Products, and Three-Dimensional Space Geometry.
  • Probability & Statistics: Basic Probability theorems, mean, variance, and standard deviation.

Physics 

  • Electrostatics & Current Electricity: Coulomb’s law, Gauss's Law, Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff's laws, and Potentiometers.
  • Mechanics: Laws of Motion, Kinematics, Gravitation, and Work, Energy, and Power.
  • Modern Physics: Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation, Atoms and Nuclei, and Electronic Devices (Semiconductors/Diodes).
  • Optics: Ray Optics, Wave Optics, and Optical Instruments.
  • Thermodynamics & Waves: Laws of Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Simple Harmonic Motion.

Chemistry

  • Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons (Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes), Aldehydes and Ketones, Carboxylic Acids, and General Organic Chemistry.
  • Physical Chemistry: Chemical Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics, Electrochemistry, Atomic Structure, and Solutions.
  • Inorganic Chemistry: Coordination Compounds, d- & f-Block elements, p-Block elements, and Chemical Bonding.
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 2026 Pattern FAQs

Check some important FAQs on CUSAT exam pattern 2026 below:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the most important topics for CUSAT CAT exam?
A: 

Check below the important topics in CUSAT CAT:

Mathematics

  • Calculus (Differential & Integral)
  • Matrices & Determinants
  • Coordinate Geometry (Conics & Circles)
  • Vectors & 3D Geometry
  • Probability & Statistics

Physics

  • Electrostatics & Current Electricity
  • Mechanics (Laws of Motion & Work-Energy)
  • Modern Physics (Atoms, Nuclei & Photoelectric Effect)
  • Optics (Ray & Wave)
  • Thermodynamics & Heat

Chemistry

  • Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure
  • Organic Named Reactions & Mechanisms
  • Chemical Kinetics & Equilibrium
  • P-Block & D-Block Elements
  • Coordination Compounds
Q:   What is the CUSAT CAT cutoff?
A: 

The CUSAT CAT cutoff is the minimum rank at which candidates are allotted a branch. The CUSAT CAT cutoff is different for each course and college. The authority will announce the cutoff of CUSAT CAT after each round of counselling.

Q:   What is CUSAT CAT?
A: 

CUSAT CAT is short name for Coachin University of Science and Technology Common Admission Test. The University conducts CAT for admission to various UG and PG courses offered at the University.

Q:   What is CUSAT CAT Pattern?
A: 

The CUSAT CAT question paper will have 225 questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Biology. Candidates will get three marks for every correct answer, while there is a deduction of one mark for every incorrect response.

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CUSAT CAT Exam

Student Forum

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

Answered a week ago

No. Course selection choices are locked permanently in the CUSAT CAT registration. Take extra care when picking your desired programme on the course allocation dashboard.

N

Nishtha Shrivastava

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

Your registered CUSAT CAT email address functions as your permanent user ID for all subsequent logins, admit card downloads, and counselling updates.

M

Manori Patra

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

No. The university does not enforce a restriction on the maximum number of attempts for the CUSAT CAT.

A

Abhay Aggarwal

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

Yes. The base fee covers up to 2 test codes in CUSAT CAT. Each extra test code requires an additional fee of INR 500 for General candidates and INR 250 for KSC/KST candidates.

A

Abhishek Chaudhary

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

Yes, you can apply for multiple programs in a single CUSAT CAT application form.

V

Vipra Mehra

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

The entire process consists of online registration for CUSAT CAT, choosing academic programs, uploading a recent photograph and signature, and paying the application fee online.

Y

Yatendra Singh

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

Candidates can fill out and submit the application form strictly online through the CUSAT Admission Portal. No hard copies of the application are accepted for standard UG/PG courses.

V

Virajita Choudhury

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 weeks ago

The final answer keys of CUSAT CAT were out on May 25.

M

Mamona Majumder

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

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

V

Virajita Choudhury

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 3 weeks ago

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

C

Chanchal Pandey

Contributor-Level 8

2 Institutes accepting CUSAT CAT

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Master of Computer Applications (MCA)
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