The Common Admission Test is a very important management entrance exam for the students who want to pursue their management degrees from some of the best institutions out there. Students can use their CAT scores to enter the various reputed IIMs and business schools of the country that give the right opportunity to the students to flourish. This becomes extremely important for the students because when they have the right institution that they study in, then their whole life is changed for the better. It not only gives the students a degree but also adds so much to their personality that helps them to become better in their workspace later on. Every student has a dream of studying in amazing institutions, and for this reason, students prepare in the best capacity possible. One of the essential tools for the students' preparation is also the CAT exam pattern, and through the article, we will understand what all important information students get to know as a part of the exam pattern.
Sections Of CAT Exam
There are broadly 3 sections in which the CAT exam is divided into different sections and has different numbers of questions. The first section of the exam, which is Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, has 24 questions. Then coming to the next section which is Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. This section has 22 questions. And when it comes to the last section which is Quantitative Aptitude, there are 22 questions.
Time Duration of the CAT Exam Pattern
The CAT exam is overall for 120 minutes, but students have to keep in mind that for the CAT examination, there is a sectional time limit. This means that each section of the CAT examination has a different time duration. Each section is supposed to be completed within 40 minutes. If students are not able to complete the section within this time limit, it will automatically move to the next section. Students in the CAT examination are not allowed to then go to the previous section and make any changes. Therefore, students have to keep the 40 minutes of time duration very much in their mind.
Types of Questions in the CAT Exam
There are two main types of questions that are often put in the CAT examination. According to the CAT exam pattern, the first kind of questions are the multiple-choice questions. Students will find that the majority of the exam, which is 70 to 80%, is covered with multiple-choice questions. These questions have options provided to the students, and they have to select the right option. Then there are the type and the answer type questions. For these types of questions, there will be questions put, and the students will have to type the answers from the keyboard that they think is the right answer. These types of questions are fewer in number in the CAT exam.
Types of Questions in Different Sections According to CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension - This section includes fact-based Questions, Inference-based Questions, Author’s Viewpoint, Main Idea / Central Theme, Purpose of the Paragraph, Application-based Questions, Vocabulary in Context, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out, Sentence Completion, Critical Reasoning etc.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning – This section includes questions on Tables, Bar Graphs / Column Charts, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Mixed Graphs / Combination Set, Arrangements, Linear Arrangement, Matrix Arrangement, Selection & Grouping, Scheduling / Ordering, Venn Diagrams, Networks & Routes, Binary Logic, Puzzles, Games & Tournaments, Mixed DI–LR Sets etc.
3. Quantitative Ability - This section includes questions on Percentages, Profit, Loss & Discount, Simple & Compound Interest, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Time, Speed & Distance, Time & Work, Algebra, Linear & Quadratic Equations, Maxima–Minima, Number System, Remainders & Modular Arithmetic, HCF & LCM etc.
Eligibility for CAT Exam
Students who want to be eligible for the CAT exam need to fulfill the following eligibility criteria-
They should have a Bachelor’s degree from a UGC- recognised institute with at least 50% marks ( 45% for SC/ST/PwD)
For Engineering degree holders, they should have B.Tech/B.E. from AICTE/MHRD- recognised university with 50% marks ( 45% for SC/ST/PwD)
For final year students they should also meet the 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
Conclusion
Studying the CAT pattern is one aspect of preparing for the exam, but the students also need to make sure that with this, they are keeping the other factors in check as well. Students need to have knowledge about the CAT paper pattern; they need to study all the upcoming information that is being released on the official website, students also have to take care of the exam syllabus and the fact that they're covering up everything. There are so many things that are essential when it comes to having a holistic preparation; it is entirely the student's responsibility to make sure that they are keeping themselves accountable for each of these aspects. Students cannot take anything lightly because if they truly want to break through the competition out there, then they have to put in extra effort. There are so many students who are equally preparing hard for the same entrance exam, and therefore it is going to be tough for the students to fight through the competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many sections are there in the CAT exam?
Students will find that the CAT exam is mainly divided into 3 sections. In each section there are different numbers of questions, and the first section is Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. The second section is Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and the third section is Quantitative Aptitude.
2. Is the CAT exam easy?
Students will find out that the CAT exam is not extremely difficult, but it depends upon the preparation of the students. If the students are prepared in a good and holistic manner, then they will find the preparation to be useful while they're attempting the exam. Students can use the right study material and truly enhance their preparation in the right capacity.
3. What is the marking scheme of the CAT exam?
The marking scheme of the CAT exam is pretty simple. 3 marks in the exam are awarded for every correct answer that the students give. There is only negative marking of 1 mark for incorrect multiple-choice questions. There is no negative marking for the type in the answer-type questions in the exam.
