CUSAT CAT MCA Pattern 2026: Know Marking Scheme & Exam Duration
Cochin University of Science and Technology - Common Admission Test 2026 ( CUSAT CAT )
CUSAT CAT 2026 Fee Remittance (B.Tech Third Allotment)
17 Jul '26 - 21 Jul '26
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.
- 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
CUSAT CAT 2026 Exam Pattern Key Highlights
CUSAT has introduced a major revision in the marking scheme for CUSAT CAT 2026.
| What's New?
|
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 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:
- If there is a tie, the scores in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry from the CAT will be taken into account in that specific order.
- 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:
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
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.
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 |
Commonly asked questions
The CUSAT CAT syllabus is based on the class 10+2 Board syllabus for Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Yes. NCERTs should form the base of your preparation since the CUSAT CAT syllabus is the same as mentioned in the NCERTs.
The CUSAT CAT exam will have 3 subjects- Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
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.
Commonly asked questions
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).
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.
CUSAT CAT 2026 Pattern FAQs
Check some important FAQs on CUSAT exam pattern 2026 below:
Commonly asked questions
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
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.
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.
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
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 days ago
CUSAT first releases a provisional (preliminary) key to let candidates spot errors and submit formal complaints. After a panel of subject experts reviews these inputs, a rectified final answer key is published, which cannot be challenged further.
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
No, the CUSAT CAT B.Tech test (Test Code 101) does not include English or Logical Reasoning. It consists strictly of PCM questions.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
The syllabus of CUSAT CAT is aligned with the NCERT/CBSE Class 11 and 12 curriculum. Because Kerala State Board textbooks closely follow NCERT guidelines, preparing with standard NCERT resources covers both boards effectively.
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
Yes. Candidates belonging to SEBC (Socially and Educationally Backward Classes), EWS, and SC/ST categories receive relaxation in cutoff ranks compared to the General category.
Y
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
Yes. CUSAT has two main campuses offering B.Tech: the main campus in Kochi (School of Engineering) and the Kuttanad campus (CUCEK). The main campus cutoffs are significantly tighter than those for CUCEK.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
A rank under 500 is generally required to secure top-tier branches like CSE, ECE, or Naval Architecture in the primary campus of CUSAT.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at the School of Engineering (SOE), Thrikkakkara is highly competitive, typically closing around ranks 700 to 750 for the general category.
C
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
CUSAT releases the cutoff in the form of last ranks rather than raw marks. These ranks are categorised by All India Quota, State Quota, and specific caste/community reservations.
A
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month 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
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Your registered CUSAT CAT email address functions as your permanent user ID for all subsequent logins, admit card downloads, and counselling updates.
M
Contributor-Level 8
2 Institutes accepting CUSAT CAT
4.5
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