CAT
Common Admission Test (CAT)
CAT is conducted every year by one of the IIMs, on rotation, for admission to IIM programmes and to the many other B-schools that use CAT scores.
It rewards accuracy and selection more than speed: there are fewer questions than in most MBA exams, each section has its own 40-minute clock, and wrong multiple-choice answers cost marks.
CAT at a glance
- CONDUCTED BY
- One of the IIMs (rotates yearly)
- WHEN
- Usually late November
- MODE
- Computer-based test
- DURATION
- 120 minutes (40 per section)
- QUESTIONS
- 66–68 in recent cycles
- NEGATIVE MARKING
- −1 on wrong MCQs only
Sections and marking
- +3 for every correct answer (MCQ or type-in-the-answer)
- −1 for a wrong multiple-choice answer
- No negative marking for type-in-the-answer (TITA) questions
- No marks lost for questions left unanswered
- Sections must be taken in a fixed order, 40 minutes each; you cannot switch between them
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 |
Question counts are from CAT 2025. The number per section has changed slightly between years.
What the exam rewards
Long RC passages, para-jumbles, summaries and odd-sentence questions test how well you read under time pressure.
DILR comes in sets of 4–6 questions. Choosing the right sets to attempt matters as much as solving them.
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry and number systems, with a mix of MCQ and TITA questions.
With negative marking on MCQs, a smaller number of accurate attempts usually beats guessing.
A simple preparation plan
- 01
Know the exam
Understand the sectional time limits and the MCQ/TITA marking before you plan your preparation.
- 02
Build the basics
Strengthen arithmetic, algebra and reading habits early; these carry the most marks.
- 03
Practise set selection
In DILR and RC, practise picking the right sets and passages in the first few minutes.
- 04
Test regularly
Take full-length mocks with the same 40-minute sections and review every mock in detail.
Colleges that accept CAT
In Maharashtra, scores from CAT, CMAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA and GMAT can be used for All India seats in the MBA/MMS Centralised Admission Process (CAP) alongside MAH-CET, subject to that year's admission rules.
Preparing for CAT with MBA Prof
Ask us about MBA Prof's CAT programmes, or get an exam and college strategy through Advanced India MBA Consulting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are there in CAT?
CAT 2025 had 68 questions: 24 in VARC, 22 in DILR and 22 in QA. The count has varied slightly between years.
Is there negative marking in CAT?
Yes, for multiple-choice questions: a wrong answer costs 1 mark. Type-in-the-answer questions have no negative marking.
Can I move between sections in CAT?
No. Each section has its own 40-minute time limit, and sections are taken in a fixed order.
When is CAT held?
CAT is usually held in late November. The conducting IIM announces the exact date in its notification, typically around July or August.
Patterns, dates and accepted colleges can change each year. Always confirm the latest details on the official website: iimcat.ac.in.