The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is expected to be conducted by IIM Indore on November 29, 2026.
Topic wise marks distribution in CAT 2026 consists of 68 questions with a total of 204 marks distributed across 3 sections:
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (VARC) | 24 | 72 |
| (DILR) | 22 | 66 |
| (QA) | 22 | 66 |
| Total | 68 | 204 |
- Each correct answer fetches +3 marks, while incorrect MCQs deduct -1.
- The CAT Quant Syllabus 2026 tests students based on basic mathematical concepts up to class 10.
- THE CAT VARC Syllabus 2026 comprises the verbal and reading ability of the students, and the DLR section tests candidates' analytical and logical thinking ability.
- According to the previous years' CAT question pattern, focus on Arithmetic, Algebra, Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation topics across three sections to achieve a good CAT 2026 percentile.
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- CAT 2026 Exam Dates (Soon): Check Registration, Schedule, Admit Card & Result
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Key Summary
- The CAT 2026 exam is tentatively scheduled for November 29, 2026 for admission to MBA and PGDM programs in top B-schools.
- CAT 2026 syllabus comprises three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
- Based on past years' trends, Arithmetic and Algebra have contributed to 45–50% of Quantitative Aptitude questions, while Reading Comprehension forms about 70% of the VARC section.
Overview of the Topic Wise Marks Distribution in CAT 2026
To know the topic wise marks distribution in CAT 2026 you need to understand the exam pattern as tabulated below:
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 72 | 40 minutes |
| DILR | 22 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| QA | 22 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 120 minutes |
Related Article: CAT Exam Pattern: Check Topic Wise, Marking Scheme, Duration, Type of Questions, and Syllabus
Ques. What is the syllabus for CAT exam 2026?
Ans. The CAT 2026 syllabus consists of three sections, which include Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). It is a 3-hour CBT mode paper which comprises a total of 68 questions.
Topic Wise Marks Distribution in CAT 2026 for VARC, DILR and QA
The CAT 2026 section wise weightage for VARC, DILR and QA is described below.
- According to previous years' trends, Arithmetic and Algebra are the high-weightage topics that contributed nearly 30-40% of the QA section.
- In VARC, reading comprehension dominates this section, which accounted for nearly 60% of the questions, followed by para jumbles.
- The logical reasoning and data interpretation contain nearly 8- 10 questions each in the DILR.
You can check the CAT 2026 section wise weightage from the table below:
| CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2026 |
| CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Syllabus 2026 |
| CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2026 |
Topic Wise Marks Distribution in CAT 2026: QA Section
The CAT 2026 section wise weightage for QA section is tabulated below based on the previous year’s trends. You should focus on Arithmetic and Algebra to score maximum marks in the QA section.
| Topics | Questions (Approx.) | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 8- 10 | 40 |
| Algebra | 7- 8 | 30 |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 4- 5 | 20 |
| Number System | 2- 3 | Around 10 |
| Modern Maths | 2-3 | Around 10 |
Related Article: Check CAT QA Mock Test: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests
Topic Wise Marks Distribution in CAT 2026: VARC Section
The CAT 2026 section wise weightage for VARC section is tabulated below based on the previous year’s trends. You should focus on Reading Comprehension to score good marks in the VARC section.
| Topics | Questions (Approx.) | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 10- 16 | Nearly 60 |
| Para Jumbles | 2- 3 | 10 |
| Para Summary | 2- 3 | 10 |
| Odd One Out | 2- 3 | 10 |
| Para Completion | 1- 2 | 5 |
Related Article: Check CAT VARC Mock Test: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests
Topic Wise Marks Distribution in CAT 2026: DILR Section
The CAT 2026 section wise weightage for DILR section is tabulated below based on the previous year’s trends. You should focus on Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation to score good marks in the DILR section.
| Topics | Questions (Approx.) | Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | 8- 10 | 40- 50 |
| Data Interpretation | 8- 10 | 40- 50 |
| Mixed Sets and Advanced Puzzles | 2- 6 | 20 |
Source: The above CAT 2026 section wise weightage has been prepared from a YouTube video by “ CAT Preparation- iQuanta”. You can watch the video by clicking on the link below to know the previous years' trends:
Related Articles:
- Check CAT DILR Mock Test: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests
- Check CAT Topic Wise Weightage for QA, VARC and DILR, Check Previous Years’ Question
Ques. Which books are good for CAT 2026?
Ans. For Quant, you can follow NCERT and RS Aggarwal, focus on reading and solving passages for VARC books like Word Power Made Easy, but RC practice is more important and for DILR practice, mix sets of questions to score well in CAT 2026. In short, RS Agarwal and NCERT books are good for CAT 2026.
Ques. Who will conduct the CAT 2026?
Ans. IIM Indore is expected to conduct the CAT 2026 around November 29, 2026. You must visit the official website of IIM Indore for updates.
Important Topic Wise Marks Distribution in CAT 2026: Last 7 Years’ Trend Analysis
The CAT 2026 important topics based on the last seven years’ trend analysis have been tabulated below:
CAT Important Topic Wise Weightage QA Section
| Quant Topic Wise Weightage from CAT 2017- 2024 | Questions Covered (CAT 2017- 2024) |
|---|---|
| Time, Speed and Distance | 45 |
| Sequence and Series | 36 |
| Logorithms | 33 |
| Time and Work | 31 |
| Quadratic Equations | 29 |
| Functions | 29 |
| Percentage | 26 |
| Profit and Loss | 26 |
| Average | 26 |
| Mixture and Alligation | 26 |
| Factorials, GIF, Misc | 20 |
| Ratio and Proportion | 20 |
| Triangles | 20 |
| PNC | 18 |
| SI and CI | 17 |
| Mensuration | 16 |
| Linear Equation | 15 |
| Coordinate | 14 |
| Geometry | 12 |
| Surds and Indices | 12 |
| Quadrilaterals | 12 |
| Polygons | 12 |
| Circle | 12 |
CAT Important Topic Wise Weightage VARC Section
| VARC Subtopic Wise Weightage from CAT 2017- 2024 | Questions Covered (CAT 2017- 2024) |
|---|---|
| Science and Technology | 21 |
| Philosophy | 14 |
| Business and Economics | 11 |
| History | 11 |
| Art and Culture | 10 |
| Culture and Society | 10 |
| Environment | 9 |
| Psychology | 4 |
CAT Important Topic Wise Weightage DILR Section
| DILR Topic Wise Weightage (Subtopics) from CAT 2017- 2024 | Questions Covered (CAT 2017- 2024) |
|---|---|
| Caselets | 18 |
| Reasoning-Based DI | 16 |
| Quant-Based Reasoning | 13 |
| Venn Diagram | 10 |
| Special Charts | 9 |
| Scheduling-Based Puzzle | 9 |
| Distribution-Based Puzzle | 8 |
| Tables | 7 |
| Games and Tournaments | 7 |
| Bar Graphs | 6 |
| Network and Routes | 5 |
| Ranking and Ordering | 3 |
| Arrangement | 3 |
Source: The above CAT 2026 section wise weightage has been prepared from a YouTube video by “ CAT Preparation- iQuanta”.
Related Articles:
- Check CAT Study Material 2026: Download Free CAT Study Material PDF for VARC, DILR, and Quant
- Check CAT 2026 Books pdf: Arun Sharma, Oswal and Best Books pdf Free Download
Ques. How to score 99% in CAT 2026?
Ans. You can score 99% in CAT 2026 by following a smart preparation strategy as listed below:
- Focus on covering the high-weightage topics in CAT from Quant, VARC and DILR
- Practice as many mock tests as you can in the last three months
- Analysing the mistakes made in the mock test helps you know the corrections or revisions required for CAT 2026.
Preparation Strategy for Topic Wise Marks Distribution in CAT 2026
The following preparation strategy has been prepared from a YouTube video by “Shweta Arora”. In the video, she has described a perfect 6-month roadmap for CAT 2026 exam.
| Timeline | Preparation Strategy for CAT 2026 |
|---|---|
| June | In these three months, you should target to finish the syllabus by starting with the CAT 2026 high-weightage topics for QA, Practice reading passages for VARC, mixed level of questions for DILR |
| July | |
| August | |
| September | In the last three months, you should practice mock tests regularly to improve your marks and analysing the mistakes made in mock tests helps you score better in CAT 2026. |
| October | |
| November |
Related Articles:
- CAT Preparation 2026: 6 Month Strategy, Self-Preparation, Books, Mock Tests & Online Coachings
- Check CAT Mock Test 2026: Free Mock Test Series, Topic, Sectional, Full CAT Mock Tests
Ques. What are the most important topics to focus on for the CAT exam's quantitative section?
Ans. As per Quora post, a user answered that you should focus on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Number System and modern maths to score well in the CAT exam quant section.
Topic Wise Marks Distribution in CAT 2026: Reddit Discussion
According to a Reddit post, a user shared the topic wise question distribution in CAT 2026 Quant section, which stated that 8-9 questions are expected from arithmetic, 6- 7 questions from algebra, 3- 4 questions from geometry, number system and probability, each with 1-2 questions.
Source: Reddit
Related Article: Check CAT Question Paper (Available): Download CAT Previous Year Question Paper with Solutions PDF (2025-1988)
Ques. What is the most important section in CAT?
Ans. All the sections are important in CAT 2026, so candidates should focus on the three VARC, DILR and QA. Scoring a high mark alone in one section will not help you achieve a good percentile in your overall CAT 2026 exam.
Ques. What study materials should I study for CAT 2026?
Ans. Candidates should focus on practising previous years' question papers, conceptual books like NCERT, Word Power Made Easy, RS Aggarwal and practice mock tests regularly.
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