CAT 2026 : Syllabus

CAT Syllabus 2026

No CAT Syllabus is ever released officially by IIMs. The list of topics provided below has been created based on analysis of previous year papers for over a decade now, hence these are authentic pointers for you.

Each topic is assigned its own weightage. Being aware of mark distribution would certainly help you in your preparation.

CAT 2026 Syllabus at a Glance

Section	Questions	Marks	Key Focus
VARC	24	72	Reading Comprehension dominates
DILR	22	66	Sets, puzzles, and data analysis
QA	22	66	Arithmetic and Algebra
Total	68	204	—

1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

This section has two parts: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. It tests your language skills, comprehension, and verbal reasoning.

Reading Comprehension topics:

RC passages
Inference-based questions
Summary-based questions

Verbal Ability topics:

Para-jumbles
Para-summary
Odd sentence out
Sentence completion and correction
Grammar basics and subject-verb agreement
Verbal reasoning

Weightage: Reading Comprehension is the heart of this section, with around 16 of the 24 questions. The remaining 8 to 10 questions come from Verbal Ability. So daily reading practice matters more than anything else here.

2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

DILR combines Data Interpretation (DI) and Logical Reasoning (LR). It tests your analytical thinking rather than what you've memorised. Questions come in sets of 4 to 5, and each slot usually has about five sets.

Data Interpretation topics:

Pie charts, bar graphs, and line graphs
Tables and data caselets
Grid-based DI
Data sufficiency

Logical Reasoning topics:

Seating and circular arrangements
Blood relations
Venn diagrams
Series and pattern analysis
Binary logic
Games, tournaments, and puzzles

Weightage: DI and LR appear in a fairly balanced mix, so you need to be comfortable with both. In recent years the sets have blended the two, which means pure DI or pure LR sets are less common than before. Set selection is the real skill here — picking the right three sets often matters more than solving fast.

3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

The QA section covers a wide range of maths topics, mostly at a Class 9–10 level. You don't need advanced maths, but you do need speed and accuracy.

Arithmetic:

Ratios and proportion
Percentages
Time, speed, and distance
Time and work
Profit and loss
Averages and mixtures
Simple and compound interest

Algebra:

Linear and quadratic equations
Surds and indices
Logarithms
Inequalities
Functions

Geometry and Mensuration:

Triangles, circles, and quadrilaterals
Coordinate geometry
Area and volume formulas

Number System:

Factors, remainders, and divisibility
LCM and HCF

Modern Maths:

Probability
Permutations and combinations
Sequences and series (AP and GP)

Weightage: Arithmetic and Algebra together make up around 60–70% of this section. Arithmetic alone covers roughly 35–45%. So start there before you touch the advanced topics.

Key Highlights of the CAT 2026 Syllabus

VARC: Around 16 RC questions and 8–10 verbal ability questions. RC alone is nearly a quarter of the whole paper.
DILR: A balanced mix of DI and LR. Focus on puzzles, arrangements, and smart set selection.
QA: Heavily weighted towards Arithmetic and Algebra. Get your basics right first.

How to Use the Syllabus Smartly

There is no need to start from all aspects at once; begin with those which carry weight - Reading Comprehension, Arithmetic, and Algebra. Three topics alone could make up a sizable portion of your overall grade.

Having your basics sorted out, proceed to mocks. The regular practice and honest assessment will help you identify weak spots and address them far before the test day.