CAT has three sections in a fixed order: VARC, then DILR, then QA. Each section has its own 40-minute timer and you cannot move between sections. Questions are a mix of multiple choice (MCQ) and type-in-the-answer (TITA). In 2024 and 2025 there were 68 questions in total.
| Part | Questions | Marks | Time | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 (16 RC + 8 verbal ability) | 72 | 40 min | -1 for wrong MCQ; none for TITA |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 (4 sets) | 66 | 40 min | -1 for wrong MCQ; none for TITA |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 66 | 40 min | -1 for wrong MCQ; none for TITA |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 120 min | Unanswered questions get 0 |
Notes
- +3 for every correct answer in both MCQ and TITA questions.
- TITA questions have no options. You type the answer with an on-screen keypad, so there is no negative mark for a wrong TITA answer.
- A basic on-screen calculator is provided. Rough sheets are given and collected at the end.
- PwBD candidates get 160 minutes in total (53 min 20 sec per section).
- The pattern is confirmed only in the official notice each year. Section question counts have changed several times: 100 questions in 180 minutes until 2019, 120 minutes from 2020, and DILR sets moved from 4 to 5 questions to a 6-6-5-5 split in 2024.
- Scores from the three slots are normalised before percentiles are calculated.
Not yet confirmed on the official website. Check the official notice before you act on it.
Source: bschool.careers360.com