{"id":17664,"date":"2025-09-26T10:21:03","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T10:21:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/?p=17664"},"modified":"2025-10-07T06:13:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T06:13:18","slug":"complete-guide-to-cat-exam-2026-syllabus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/complete-guide-to-cat-exam-2026-syllabus\/","title":{"rendered":"Complete Guide to CAT Exam 2026: Syllabus, Fees, Eligibility &#038; More"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Common Admission Test (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/exam\/6\/cat-2024\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) 2025 is the gateway to India\u2019s top IIMs and several other reputed B-schools. If you&#8217;re an MBA aspirant planning to appear for CAT 2026, this blog provides you with a detailed guide including the latest<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/exam\/6\/cat-2024\/Syllabus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> syllabus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/exam\/6\/cat-2024\/Pattern\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exam pattern<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, fees, eligibility, and preparation resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>CAT 2026 Overview<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Details<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exam Name<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conducting Body<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Institute of Management (IIM)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mode of Examination<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Computer-Based Test (CBT)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequency<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once a year<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exam Duration<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">120 minutes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tentative Exam Date<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last Sunday of November 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><b>CAT 2026 Syllabus<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CAT exam comprises three key sections. Although IIMs do not release a fixed syllabus, the topics generally follow a consistent pattern:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reading Comprehension<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Para Jumbles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sentence Correction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Para Summary<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Odd Sentence Out<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bar Graphs and Charts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tables and Caselets<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Logical Puzzles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arrangements and Grouping<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood Relations and Directions<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arithmetic (Percentages, Time-Speed-Distance, Ratio-Proportion)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Algebra (Equations, Inequalities)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Number System<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Geometry and Mensuration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modern Math (Permutations, Combinations, Probability)<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparation Tip: Focus on arithmetic fundamentals, build reading habits, and practice DILR sets with time constraints.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>CAT 2026 Exam Fees<\/b><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Category<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Application Fee<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General \/ NC-OBC<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u20b92,400<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SC \/ ST \/ PwD<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u20b91,200<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To be eligible for CAT 2025, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Must hold a Bachelor&#8217;s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC\/ST\/PwD)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final-year graduation students are also eligible<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No minimum or maximum age limit<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No restriction on the number of attempts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>CAT 2025 <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/exam\/6\/cat-2024\/Pattern\"><b>Exam Pattern<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Section<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>No. of Questions<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Time Allotted<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verbal Ability &amp; Reading Comprehension (VARC)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40 minutes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data Interpretation &amp; Logical Reasoning (DILR)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40 minutes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quantitative Aptitude (QA)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40 minutes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Total<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">66 Questions<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">120 minutes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marking Scheme:<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">+3 for each correct answer<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-1 for each incorrect answer (only for MCQs)<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No negative marking for non-MCQs (TITA \u2013 Type In The Answer)<\/span>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Best Books for CAT 2026 Preparation<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Section<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Recommended Books<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VARC<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DILR<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">QA<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Final Thoughts<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT 2025 is a highly competitive exam, but with the right preparation strategy, study material, and consistent practice, you can achieve a top percentile. Begin your preparation early, solve mock tests regularly, and analyze your performance to continuously improve.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the latest updates on CAT 2025 registration, admit cards, and result dates, visit the official website at<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Career Mantra.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>\u00a0Keywords to Use:<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/?s=MBA+schools+by+CAT+percentile\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MBA schools by CAT percentile<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/?s=CAT+percentile+vs+MBA+college\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT percentile vs MBA college<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/?s=CAT+cutoff+for+IIMs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT cutoff for IIMs<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/?s=MBA+admission+by+CAT+score\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MBA admission by CAT score<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/?s=CAT+accepting+colleges+\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT accepting colleges 2025<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/?s=MBA+colleges+for+70+percentile+in+CAT\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MBA colleges for 70 percentile in CAT<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/?s=Top+B-schools+by+CAT+score\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top B-schools by CAT score<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is the gateway to India\u2019s top IIMs and several other reputed B-schools. If you&#8217;re an MBA aspirant planning to appear for CAT 2026, this blog provides you with a detailed guide including the latest syllabus, exam pattern, fees, eligibility, and preparation resources. &nbsp; CAT 2026 Overview &nbsp; Feature Details [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18508,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[590,593,592,589,591],"class_list":["post-17664","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-mba-colleges","tag-cat-2026-eligibility-criteria","tag-cat-2026-important-dates","tag-cat-2026-preparation-guide","tag-cat-exam-2026-complete-guide","tag-cat-exam-2026-registration-fees"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17664"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17664\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18510,"href":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17664\/revisions\/18510"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}