Changes in CAT Exam Pattern Over the Years
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
CAT 2026 application submission
3 Aug '26 - 22 Sep '26
There is no change in the CAT 2026 exam pattern. The exam pattern was last revised in 2024 with minor increase of 2 questions from 66 to 68. Major change in the CAT exam happened back in 2020, followed by a change in 2021. Check the evolution of CAT exam pattern in the last 15 years.
CAT Exam Pattern Changes in Last 15 Years
CAT exam pattern was revised majorly in 2020. The total time duration of the exam was reduced from 180 to 120 minutes and the sectional time-limit was reduced from 60 to 40 minutes for each section. The number of exam slots was also increased from two to three. Along with the reduction in CAT exam duration, the total number of questions were also reduced. The CAT 2020 question paper had only 76 questions in total. However, structure of the exam remained the same with three sections - Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. In CAT 2021 the exam pattern was further modified with a reduction in the number of questions from 76 to 66. Later in 2024, CAT exam saw an increase of 2 questions. CAT exam pattern has been stabilized since last 2 years.
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- CAT Exam Pattern 2026
- Evolution of CAT Exam Pattern
- CAT Marking Scheme Over the Years
- Changes in CAT Exam Pattern in Past 15 Years
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
Given below is latest CAT exam pattern. Candidates who have appeared for the exam in last three years, feel that the number of questions per section and sectional time limit complemented each other.
| CAT Sections |
Number of Questions |
Allotted Time |
|---|---|---|
| 24 |
40 minutes |
|
| 22 |
40 minutes |
|
| 22 |
40 minutes |
|
| Total |
68 |
120 minutes |
Commonly asked questions
In CAT 2025, the following changes were seen:
- The fee amount increased from INR 2,500 to INR 2,600 for General category candidates and from INR 1,250 to INR 1300 for Reserved category candidates.
- In DILR section, number of questions increased from 20 to 22.
- Total marks of CAT DILR section increased from 60 to 66.
- Total marks of CAT exam increased from 198 to 204.
- Candidates can select five cities instead of six.
In CAT exam, each candidate gets 120 minutes to solve the paper. There are three sections in CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. For each section 40 minutes are allotted as sectional time limit. For PwD candidates, the sectional time limit is 53.20 minutes per section. Candidates have to complete each section within the given time limit. Since the CAT is an online mode exam, the test screen will move from first section to the next section automatically as soon as the time limit gets over. Thus candidates have to be mindful of the on-screen timer and pre-decide the number of questions to solve in each section. The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section of CAT has 24 questions, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section has 22 questions and Quantitative Aptitude section has 22 questions. It is not mandatory to solve all the questions in CAT so candidates can devise a strategy to use 40 minutes per section as per their strength and weakness.
CAT has 68 questions. Each question carries three marks. There is negative marking of minus one for incorrect attempts. There is no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Total marks in 204.
Difficulty level in CAT exam is not specific to any of the three slots. The difficulty level across slots may vary every year. Know how the CAT scores are normalised: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/understanding-cat-normalization-process-blogId-9386.
Evolution of CAT Exam Pattern
The CAT exam pattern broadly remained unchanged from 2014 to 2019. There was no major change in the exam pattern and test structure, apart from a few changes in the distribution of questions and types of questions. For example, in CAT 2018 the Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) were less in number than MCQs which required selection of an option. In CAT 2019, the number of TITA questions were less than in 2018. But the VARC section was tougher than rest of the two section in both slot 1 and slot 2.
However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, the examination body had to overhaul the CAT exam pattern to accommodate maximum candidates at the limited number of examination centres as per the social distancing guidelines. Let's take a look at changes in CAT exam pattern in the past few years.
CAT Marking Scheme Over the Years
In the last six years, the marking scheme of CAT exam has also not changed.
- For every correct answer, 3 marks are awarded
- For every wrong answer -1 mark is deducted
- There is no deduction of marks for TITA questions and questions left unattempted
However, looking at the trends of the past 11 years of the CAT exam pattern one cannot fail but notice that the test structure of the CAT exam witnessed a huge change in 2013-2014 in terms of duration and number of questions. While in CAT 2013, the number of questions was 60 and the time duration was 140 minutes, in CAT 2014, the number of questions increased to 100 and the time duration was increased to 170 minutes.
On the other hand, the number of sections kept changing from three to two to three again between 2010 and 2015. Between 2011 to 2014, the number of sections were two. The DI section of CAT exam was clubbed with QA and LR section was clubbed with VARC. Given below is a table indicating changes in CAT exam pattern over the years.
Commonly asked questions
CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Response sheet hosts CAT exam questions and answers.
Candidates should practice CAT mock test during the day. Once, CAT admit card is released, they should practice CAT mocks at the same time as their exam slot. This will help them align their mind and body to 2 hours of rigorous test so that they can utilize their time in the CAT exam well. For example, CAT exam starts are early as 8:30 am. So, those who are not used to studying early morning will face difficulty in performing optimally if they get morning slot.
Profit and Loss is one the main topics of CAT Arithmetic, which dominates the question paper every year. About 2-4 questions are asked from Profit and Loss every slot of CAT exam.
There is no difference between slot 1, 2 and 3 of CAT exam paper in terms of structure and patten. The sectional break up, marking scheme and time limit are the same in all slots. However, due to unique sets of questions in each slot leads to difference in difficulty levels. There is usually a slight difference in the CAT question papers of different slots. Sometimes, topic wise weightage of the questions also vary. To negate advantage or disadantage to candidates due to difference in difficulty level of slots, CAT scores are normalised for result preparation.
Changes in CAT Exam Pattern in Past 15 Years
The CAT question paper and exam pattern has evolved a lot since it became an online exam in 2009. Check the table below to know the changes in number of questions, exam duration and sections of CAT exam:
| CAT Year |
Number of questions |
Time duration |
Sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
68 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2024 |
68 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2023 |
66 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2022 |
66 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2021 |
66 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2020 |
76 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2019 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2018 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2017 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2016 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2015 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
| 2014 |
100 |
170 minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
| 2013 |
60 |
140 minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
| 2012 |
60 |
140 minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
| 2011 |
60 |
140 minutes |
QA & DI, LR & VARC |
| 2010 |
60 |
150 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
Also Read: CAT Question Paper Analysis of Previous Years
Download slot-wise CAT question paper PDFs with exam difficulty.
If you are planning to appear for CAT 2026, study the CAT syllabus and solve previous years' CAT question papers for effective exam preparation. Also, practice a good number of CAT mock tests. Shiksha has created free CAT Mock Tests for practice. Check below:
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 6 days ago
As of September 2026, IIM Indore has not announced the CAT form correction dates. Past trends indicate that the application form correction window opens a few weeks after the registration window is closed.
Check: CAT Correction Window 2026
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, candidates are facilitated with a window to edit exam form once the CAT registration concludes. However, candidates will only be able to edit photo, signature, and test city preference using CAT correction window. IIM Indore will announce the dates for CAT form correction window once the regist
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
IIM Indore has not announced the last date extension for CAT 2026 yet. However, past trends indicate CAT registration extends by a few days. If CAT 2026 registration is extended, candidates will find an update on the official website.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Yes, both Oral Extempore Presentation and PI round are mandatory for candidates who apply forAlliance School of Business MBA admission with CAT results.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, in recognition of outstanding performance in CAT, MSB awards special scholarships as follows:
- INR 1,50,000 for students securing a minimum 90 percentile
- INR 1,00,000 for students securing a minimum 85 percentile
- INR 75,000 for students securing a minimum 75 percentile
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Students pursuing PGDM from Jaipuria Institute of Management Jaipur and having 65% CAT score can get scholarship of INR 1.50 lakh. Students must have documents proving their eligibility to avail the scholarship benefit.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, you can strongly aim for interview calls from IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta if you have a stellar high school profile and a high CAT score. Top IIMs calculate interview shortlists using strict mathematical formulas. These formulas evaluate your CAT score, Class 10 marks, Class 12 marks
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, you can and should attempt previous year papers and mock tests as part of your preparation for CAT 2026. You can attempt it on official CAT website.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Students interested in MBA at any of the Symbiosis Institutes need to take the Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP) Computer Based Test which will be conducted at designated test centres.
However, the institute does offer special pathways to Indian students allowing them to register for classes even i
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes. Candidates can apply for Executive MBA course at IIM Kashipur Dehradun campus, without CAT or GMAT score, because the institute also accepts candidates score in EMAT exam, which is conducted directly by IIM Kashipur.
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Contributor-Level 9
Abhishek Dhawan is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He holds a BA degree from the University of Delhi. At Shiksha, Abhishek primarily covers MBA and BBA entrance
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