CAT syllabus 2026: VARC, DILR and QA topics, and the exam pattern

CAT has three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). IIM Indore is reported to conduct CAT 2026, with the exam reported for 29 November 2026. Check the official IIM CAT site for the final dates.

The pattern

• A correct answer scores +3, and a wrong multiple-choice answer costs -1.
• Questions where you type the answer (TITA) have no negative marking.
• Each section has its own 40-minute clock, and sections are taken in order, so time left in one section cannot be used in another.

The syllabus by section

CAT does not publish a syllabus. The topic lists below are what the exam has historically tested and what Vonedu's CAT mocks cover.

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (24 questions)

Core VARC Categories

• Reading Comprehension
• Para-jumbles
• Odd Sentence Out
• Para-summary

Verbal Ability Skills

• Fill in the Blanks
• Sentence Completion
• Grammar
• Subject-Verb Agreement

Verbal Logic

• Verbal Reasoning
• Syllogisms
• Analogies
• Antonyms
• Idioms
• One-word Substitution
• Sentence Correction
• Types of Clauses
• Parts of Speech
• Prepositions
• Phrases/Modifiers
• Errors in Tenses
• Articles Usage
• Foreign Words Used in English

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (22 questions)

DILR Topics

• Seating Arrangement
• Blood Relations
• Clocks and Calendars
• Series
• Statements and Assumptions
• Propositions
• Data Arrangement
• Direction Sense
• Family Tree
• Coding-Decoding
• Binary Logic
• Puzzles
• Sets and Caselets
• Syllogism
• Venn Diagrams
• Data Structures
• Tables
• Pie Charts
• Bar and Line Graphs
• Data Sufficiency

Quantitative Aptitude (22 questions)

Arithmetic

• Averages
• Mean/Median/Mode
• Percentages
• Ratio & Proportion
• Simple & Compound Interest
• Profit & Loss
• Mixtures & Allegations
• Time & Work
• Time-Speed-Distance

Algebra

• Basic Algebraic Formulae
• Linear Equations
• Problems on Ages
• Quadratic Equations
• Higher-Degree Equations
• Inequalities
• Logarithms
• Functions
• Graph Modifications

Number System

• Properties of Numbers
• Divisibility Rules & Factors
• HCF/LCM
• Last Digit / Last Two Digits
• Trailing Zeroes
• Remainders
• Base Systems and Conversions

Geometry

• Lines and Angles
• Triangles
• Similar Triangles
• Polygons
• Circles
• Mensuration (3D Geometry)
• Coordinate Geometry
• Trigonometry

Modern Maths

• Sequence and Series
• Binomial Theorem
• Set Theory
• Permutation and Combination
• Probability

Try the free first test on the CAT page to see where you stand.

Sources: the CAT exam pattern used in recent years; the official IIM CAT website. Dates, fees and eligibility can change, so check the official notification before you apply.