• Updated on 13 Aug, 2026 by Tiyasa Khanra
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CAT Syllabus 2026 consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Candidates must prepare effectively for all three CAT subjects for 2026, with an increased focus on Reading Comprehension in VARC, set-based reasoning and data interpretation in DILR, and Arithmetic and Algebra in QA. The high-priority CAT topics include Reading Comprehension, Para Summary, Para Jumbles, and Odd Sentence Out from VARC; Tables, Charts, Arrangements, Games and Tournaments, Distribution, Scheduling, Caselets, etc. from DILR; and Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, Averages, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Time, Speed and Distance, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, etc. from QA.
The Institutes of Management (IIMs) are not responsible for releasing the CAT exam syllabus for MBA in a fixed chapter-wise format. The topics from which the maximum number of questions have been asked in CAT question papers over the last 10-15 years will carry significant weightage in the CAT syllabus 2026.
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Table of Contents
- CAT Syllabus 2026
- What is the Syllabus for the CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Section 2026?
- CAT Syllabus 2026 for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- What are the Key Topics in Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT Exam 2026?
- What is the Topic-wise Weightage for the CAT 2026 Exam?
- What are Some Good Topics to Study for the CAT Exam 2026?
- CAT Exam Pattern 2026
- CAT Exam Preparation 2026
- CAT Syllabus 2026: Best Books for Preparation
- CAT Syllabus 2026 FAQs
CAT Syllabus 2026
CAT Syllabus 2026 will comprise three sections, VARC, DILR and QA, from which 66 to 68 questions will be asked in total. There is no fixed, publicly prescribed chapter-wise syllabus for the CAT exam 2026. No changes have been made to the CAT subjects for 2026, but question types, topic distribution, and difficulty may vary between slots. An overview of the section-wise CAT exam syllabus 2026 is provided below.
No separate CAT syllabus for IIM will be prescribed, as CAT is conducted as the common entrance examination for admission to all IIMs. However, qualifying the CAT exam 2026 does not automatically guarantee admission to an IIM. The final admission will be based on the candidates’ academic profile, CAT overall and sectional percentiles, category, and work experience, etc.
What is the Syllabus for the CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Section 2026?
CAT Syllabus 2026 for VARC is divided into two broad areas: Reading Comprehension (RC) and Verbal Ability (VA). A candidate's ability to understand and analyze the information provided in an unfamiliar passage, identify arguments, draw inferences, understand the author's viewpoint, and arrange ideas logically will be tested in this section.
CAT Syllabus 2026 for Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension carries maximum weightage in this section and can be drawn from topics that can be drawn from areas such as literature, history, culture, science, philosophy, business, economics, and social sciences.
- CAT Syllabus 2026 for Reading Comprehension will have Main Idea-based questions, Fact-based or Detail-based questions, Inference-based questions, Tone and Attitude-based questions, Vocabulary-based questions, Title-based questions, and Logical Structure-based questions.
- CAT RC passages are framed on various topics, such as:
- Social Sciences and Humanities encompassing History, Sociology, Philosophy, Psychology, Political Science, Society, Culture, etc.
- Science and Technology covering Robotics, AI, Climate Change, Space Science, etc.
- Business and Economics including Global Economy, Financial Systems, Market Trends, and Corporate Strategies.
- Current Affairs and Politics including International Relations, Governance, and Public Policy.
- Literature and Art covering Literary Criticism, Art History, and Classical Literature.
CAT Syllabus 2026 for Verbal Ability
CAT Syllabus 2026 for Verbal Ability includes topics such as Para Summary, Para Jumbles, Odd Sentence Out, Sentence arrangement, Paragraph completion, etc. Verbal Ability questions account for nearly 30-35% of the VARC section.
- Para Summary: A short paragraph will be provided and candidates will be required to choose the most logical and contextually appropriate summary from the given options, by eliminating the irrelevant information.
- Para Jumbles: Four to five jumbled sentences will be provided, which must be arranged in the correct logical order, with appropriate introductory and concluding statements, forming a coherent paragraph.
- Para Completion: A paragraph will be provided with the final sentence missing and candidates must choose the most appropriate concluding sentence from the given options.
- Odd Sentence Out: A set of 4 to 5 sentences will be provided, out of which the one that does not fit into the sequence must be identified.
- Critical Reasoning (Inference-Based Questions): Short arguments, assumptions, or statements will be provided and the most accurate conclusions, implications, or inferences must be derived.
- Grammar-Based Questions: Error detection, sentence correction, and phrase substitution may be asked.
- Sentence Structure: Logical relationships and coherence between a set of statements must be determined.
- Vocabulary & Word Usage: Questions will be based on One word substitution, Idioms, Antonyms, Foreign language words used in English, Different usage of the same word.
- Grammar & Syntax: Subject-verb agreement, Parts of speech, Preposition, Types of clauses, Phrases modifiers in tenses, Articles Usage, Sentence Correction are the core areas.
- Sentence-Level Skills: Questions will be based on Fill in the blanks, Sentence completion, Sentence correction
- Para-Based Questions: Parajumbles, Jumbled paragraphs completion and inference will be asked.
- Logical & Verbal Reasoning: Questions on Verbal logic, Verbal reasoning, Syllogisms, and Analogies will be found.
CAT Syllabus 2026 for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
The CAT syllabus 2026 for DILR assesses candidates’ analytical thinking, ability to interpret graphical data, identify relationships, ability to solve complex problems using logical reasoning, and decision-making skills. It is widely regarded as one of the most unpredictable sections of the CAT Exam and covers the topics mentioned below.
CAT Exam Syllabus 2026 for Data Interpretation
CAT syllabus 2026 for DI will cover the question types as mentioned below.
- Data Tables: Numerical data will be presented in tabular format that requires calculations like percentages, ratios, and averages.
- Bar Graphs: Comparative data will be displayed using vertical or horizontal bars that require analysis of trends and patterns.
- Line Charts: Data trends will be represented over time, which will require interpretation of growth rates, slopes, and intersections.
- Pie Charts: Data will be presented as a percentage of a whole, and candidates will be required to perform calculations related to proportions and comparisons.
- Venn Diagrams: Overlapping sets will be provided that will require calculations related to union, intersection, and complements.
- Mixed Graphs: A combination of two or more types of data representations will be provided that will require multi-perspective analysis.
- Data Sufficiency: It will evaluate whether the data provided in the problem is sufficient to answer a question instead of solving it directly.
- Logical DI: Complex reasoning-based DI sets requiring both mathematical and logical deduction will be given.
CAT Exam Syllabus 2026 for Logical Reasoning
The question types covered in the CAT Syllabus 2026 for LR are provided below.
- Seating Arrangements: Questions based on linear, circular, grid-based, or rectangular arrangements, requiring logical placement of people or objects, will be asked based on given conditions.
- Blood Relations: Analysis of family relationships and determining connections between individuals will be required.
- Syllogisms: Logical deductions based on given statements using concepts like "All," "Some," and "None" will be required.
- Coding-Decoding: Questions where words, letters, or numbers follow a pattern or code will be asked and they must be identified to decode information.
- Direction Sense: Understanding movement-based clues to determine direction and final positions is required.
- Puzzles: Logical sets involving constraints and conditions are given that require systematic analysis to reach a solution.
- Venn Diagrams & Set Theory: Questions are based on overlapping sets, intersections, and unions that require logical grouping of data. Hybrid sets are also found.
- Input-Output: Sequences of inputs are processed through a logical pattern, and identification of underlying rules is required.
- Clocks & Calendars: Questions are based on time calculations, angles in clocks, and calendar-based date problems.
- Logical Sequences: The missing element in a given pattern or sequence must be identified based on logical rules.
- Data Sufficiency (Logical Reasoning): It evaluates whether the information provided by the given statements is sufficient to answer a logical reasoning question.
- Games & Tournaments: Questions based on Round-Robin, Knockout, and Scoring-System are found.
- Scheduling: Direct Reasoning and Task Allocation-related questions are asked.
Know more:
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2026
- Important Quant Formulas for CAT Preparation 2026
- Important CAT Geometry Formulas 2026
What are the Key Topics in Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT Exam 2026?
CAT Syllabus 2026 for Quantitative Aptitude covers topics from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics that evaluate mathematical conceptual clarity, numerical reasoning, logical application, and time management skills of candidates. The important topics for CAT QA are provided in the table below based on the latest topics that were asked in previous years' CAT exams.
What is the Topic-wise Weightage for the CAT 2026 Exam?
Topic-wise weightage for the CAT 2026 exam indicates that the high-weightage areas in Quantitative Aptitude are Arithmetic (nearly 40%) and Algebra (nearly 30%). Reading Comprehension covers 66-67% of VARC. 60% of the DILR section contains Logical Reasoning sets.
- Arithmetic comprises the maximum number of questions from Percentages, TSD, Profit & Loss, and Ratios.
- The high-weightage topics from Algebra include Equations, Logarithms, Functions, and Inequalities.
- Geometry & Mensuration has approximately 15% weightage with questions from Triangles, Circles, and Coordinate Geometry.
- Number System has 7–8% weightage, with Divisibility, Remainders, and HCF/LCM being the high-weightage topics.
- Modern Mathematics has 6–7% weightage with questions based on Permutation & Combination and Probability.
- Reading Comprehension (RC) has approximately 66–67% weightage with roughly 16 questions from 4 passages.
- Nearly 33% weightage is allotted to Verbal Ability (VA) with Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd One Out being the high-weightage areas.
- Logical Reasoning (LR) has approximately 60% weightage with the maximum number of questions from Arrangements, Games & Tournaments, and Venn diagrams.
- Mixed DI-LR Caselets have nearly 22% weightage.
- Pure Data Interpretation has nearly 18% weightage with Charts, Graphs, and Tables being the dominant areas.
VARC Topic-Wise Weightage in CAT 2026
The majority of the questions in CAT VARC are based on Reading Comprehension, with approximately 16 questions spread across four passages, and nearly 8 questions are asked from the Verbal Ability portion, covering topics such as Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd One Out, and Sentence Completion/Inference. The important CAT VARC topics for 2026, topic-wise expected questions and difficulty levels, are provided below, based on previous-year trends.
CAT DILR Topic-wise Weightage
Questions in the CAT DILR section will be asked from caselet-based reasoning, tables, charts, puzzles, arrangements, games and tournaments, Venn diagrams, and scheduling, with the overall difficulty ranging from moderate to difficult. The candidates’ data analysis, logical reasoning, critical thinking, pattern recognition, decision-making, and problem-solving skills are evaluated in the CAT DILR section. The important CAT DILR topics for 2026, topic-wise expected questions and difficulty levels are provided below, based on previous-year trends.
CAT Quant Topic-wise Weightage
CAT QA overall difficulty level for 2026 is expected to range from moderate to difficult. Based on previous-year CAT trends, Arithmetic and Algebra are expected to carry the highest weightage, while Geometry, Number System, and Modern Mathematics are expected to contribute fewer questions. The important CAT QA topics for 2026, expected number of questions and difficulty levels are provided below.
Also Check CAT Exam Duration 2026
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
CAT exam pattern 2026 indicates that the exam will be conducted in the Computer-Based Test mode over 2 hours, in three slots: Slot 1 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, Slot 2 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, and Slot 3 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. 66 to 68 questions will be asked in total, with 24 questions from VARC, 22 questions from DILR, and 22 questions from QA. Both Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions will be found in the CAT exam paper 2026. The total marks of the CAT exam 2026 are expected to be 204. The current CAT exam pattern 2026 is provided below.
CAT Exam Preparation 2026
CAT exam preparation 2026 involves covering the major topics in all three sections, solving CAT previous-year questions, practising RC passages regularly, completing different types of DILR sets, revising important QA formulas and concepts, and taking sectional tests and full-length mock tests.
- Begin CAT preparation by strengthening basic concepts of VARC, DILR, and QA before attempting advanced questions. A daily study schedule will help in balancing time for all three sections. Revise formulas, vocabulary, shortcuts, and important concepts consistently.
- Finish the CAT syllabus 2026 at least 2–3 months before the exam to allocate enough time for revision and mocks.
- Full-length mock tests for CAT help to improve speed, accuracy, time management skills, and confidence, and develop a question-selection strategy before the actual exam. Sectional tests will also help to increase speed and complete each section within 40 minutes. Candidates must analyze every mock test to identify the topics where they make repeated mistakes, determine which questions consume excessive time and must be skipped, and improve their weak areas.
- Solve Previous Year CAT Question Papers to know the frequently tested concepts, framing of questions, difficulty level of questions, time requirements, recurring patterns, and changes in section structure.
- Maintain an error log and note down the conceptual mistakes, calculation errors, misread questions, guessing mistakes, and time-management errors in it. Revise this log regularly to avoid making these mistakes in the future.
CAT Syllabus 2026: Best Books for Preparation
While preparing for CAT 2026, it is important to refer to good books as they provide comprehensive coverage of the syllabus, detailed explanations, and ample practice questions. Along with these, they also offer insights into CAT Exam Pattern 2026, which helps students understand the questions and the strategic way to approach them. By using the right books, CAT aspirants will be able to save time, improve their understanding of concepts, and build confidence to tackle the questions well. Listed below are some of the recommended books that students can refer to when preparing for CAT 2026:
CAT Syllabus 2026 FAQs
What is the CAT Syllabus for MBA?
The CAT Syllabus for MBA includes Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System, Probability, and Modern Mathematics. Candidates seeking MBA admission through CAT should prepare all three sections comprehensively.
What is the weightage of each section of CAT 2026 syllabus?
The highest weighted topic of CAT syllabus is quantitative aptitude, which is 34%. The reading comprehension holds nearly 24% of the weightage, followed by data interpretation and logical reasoning, which are 16% each.
Which are the important topics from CAT VARC section 2026?
VARC is one of the most crucial sections from CAT syllabus 2026. The key areas that are included in this section are Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Sentence Completion, Inferences, RC Passages on Politics, History, Society, Literature, Science, Environment, Abstract, Mythology, Technology, Culture, etc.
Is there any fixed syllabus for CAT 2026?
There is no fixed syllabus for CAT 2026. However, based on previous years’ trends, it is expected that the test will include questions from English, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability, Basic Mathematics, and Data Interpretation.
What kind of questions can come from the DILR section in CAT 2026?
DILR section involves two sub-parts: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Data Interpretation involves questions from tables, pie charts, graphs, etc. The Logical Reasoning area has questions related to Syllogism, Blood Relations, Family Tree, Coding-Decoding, etc.
How many questions can come from the QA part in CAT 2026?
The QA section usually involves a total of 22 mathematical questions. Students can expect 8-10 questions from Arithmetic, 5-7 questions from Algebra, and 6-7 questions from Geometry and Modern Maths.
Which topics shall I practise for the QA section for CAT 2026?
For CAT 2026, the QA section is expected to hold at least 32% of the weightage. The topics students should practise to master this section include Mean, Median, Mode, Linear Equations, Divisibility Rules, Lines and Angles, Sequence and Series, etc.
Which is the best book for Logical & Reasoning in CAT 2026?
While preparing for CAT 2026, it is important for students to refer to good study materials. For the Logical & Reasoning section, students can study How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma and A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Agarwal.
Is the DILR syllabus in CAT 2026 tough?
The DILR syllabus involves data interpretation from tables, charts, graphs, etc. At the same time, logical reasoning involves topics of verbal, non-verbal, and abstract reasoning. As per last year's exam analysis, the data interpretation part was considered easy; however, the difficulty level of the logical reasoning part was moderate. Overall, the difficulty level of the paper was moderate to difficult.
How to prepare for CAT 2026?
Students are required to adopt a preparation strategy to crack CAT 2026. Students should concentrate on regular practice of mock tests, time management and improving accuracy. It is equaly important to understand the concepts and formulas really well, especially for the QA section.
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