CAT Exam pattern


The CAT exam is divided into three sections:-

  • Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
  • Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  • Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

The duration of CAT 2023 exam is 120 minutes.

Since the inclusion of TITA (Type in The Answer) questions in 2015, there has been a slight change in the test pattern of the exam. The number of TITA questions varies, but there is no negative marking for their incorrect answers.

In the last few years, almost 25-33% of the questions have been non-MCQ (TITA) type.

There is a penalty of 1 mark for each incorrectly answered MCQ, and 3 marks are awarded for each correct response.

The order of the sections in the CAT exam is fixed, and students get 40 minutes for each section. Due to sectional time limits, the students cannot switch sections.