CAT 2026 pattern: three sections in 120 minutes, Verbal first, Quant last
The IIMs confirm CAT 2026 runs 120 minutes with three sections in this order: VARC, DILR, Quant. Section timings and question counts are not yet official; based on CAT 2025, expect 40 minutes per section and 68 questions.
The CAT 2026 media release confirms the test will run for 120 minutes and have three sections, in this order: Section I Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Section II Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Section III Quantitative Ability (QA).
The IIMs have not yet released section-wise timings or question counts for 2026. Based on the CAT 2025 pattern, this is what students should expect (expected, not yet officially confirmed for 2026):
VARC: 40 minutes, 24 questions
DILR: 40 minutes, 22 questions
QA: 40 minutes, 22 questions
Total: 120 minutes, 68 questions
Session timings in CAT 2025 (past year, for reference only):
Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Session 2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Session 3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
CAT 2026 session timings will be printed on your admit card, out on 4 November 2026.
Why the order matters. Each section has its own clock, and you cannot switch between sections. Starting with VARC means your reading speed sets the tone for the paper. DILR in the middle is where most candidates lose time choosing sets. QA comes last, when you are most tired, so practise Quant at the end of your mocks, not the start.
Official website (type it in your browser): iimcat.ac.in
Key facts
| Pattern note | Section timings and question counts are expected, based on CAT 2025; not yet official for 2026 |
| Duration minutes | 120 |
| Questions cat 2025 | QA: 22 · DILR: 22 · VARC: 24 · Total: 68 |
| Section order 2026 | VARC, DILR, QA |
| Session times cat 2025 | Session 1: 8:30-10:30 AM · Session 2: 12:30-2:30 PM · Session 3: 4:30-6:30 PM |
| Section minutes expected | QA: 40 · DILR: 40 · VARC: 40 |
Source: IIM media release, 15 Sep 2026 (official notice) (official notice)
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