How Many Questions are Asked in CAT Exam? Get Section-wise, Year-wise Detailed Analysis

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09 Oct, 2026

CAT 2026 admit cards will be available for download from Nov 4, 2026, ahead of the Nov 29 exam.

CAT 2024 was a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of 68 questions divided across three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section had a time limit of 40 minutes. The exam included both MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer) questions, with the majority being MCQs.

Common Admission Test or CAT 2024 Question Paper: Section-wise Time Distribution

Common Admission Test or CAT exam 2024 candidates witnessed changes in question pattern. The total number of questions has increased from 66 to 68 in 2024 CAT exam. Candidates of 2025 CAT exam should note the section-wise time distribution as it was in the last year's exam, to prepare for CAT 2025 accordingly:

CAT Exam Sections	CAT Sectional Time
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	40 minutes
Quantitative Ability (QA)	40 minutes
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	40 minutes
Total	120 minutes

CAT 2024 Section-wise Exam Pattern

Candidates preparing for CAT 2025 exam can check the section-wise MCQ and non-MCQ question distribution of CAT exam 2024 in the table below:

Section	MCQs	Non-MCQs	Total No. of Questions
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	22	2	24
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)	12	10	22
Quantitative Ability (QA)	14	8	22
Total	48	20	68

CAT Exam Pattern: Year-wise Analysis

The CAT exam pattern has seen evolutions over the years. The total number of questions was first reduced from 100 to 66 in 2020 and then increased to 68 in CAT 2024. Check the table below to know more about last six years CAT exam trends:

CAT Exam Year	Sections	No. of Questions
2024	QA, DILR, VARC	68
2023	QA, DILR, VARC	66
2022	QA, DILR, VARC	66
2021	QA, DILR, VARC	66
2020	QA, DILR, VARC	76
2019	QA, DILR, VARC	100
2018	QA, DILR, VARC	100

Click CAT exam pattern to know more.

CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Key Points to Remember

Keep the following points in mind while preparing for CAT exam to ensure effective time management and strategy. Here are the key points to keep in mind for the CAT Exam Pattern 2025:

Number of Sections: The exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Total Questions: There are 68 questions in total, divided across the three sections.
Sectional Time Limit: Each section has a 40-minute time limit, with a total exam duration of 120 minutes.
Types of Questions: The paper includes both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type In The Answer (TITA) questions. MCQs form the majority.
Marking Scheme:
1. +3 marks for each correct answer.
2. -1 mark for every incorrect answer (only for MCQs).
3. No negative marking for TITA questions.
No Section Switching: Candidates must attempt sections in a fixed order, and switching between sections during the exam is not allowed.
Computer-Based Test (CBT): The exam is conducted in a computer-based format across designated test centres.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ans: The CAT 2025 exam consists of three sections: DILR, VARC, and QA with a total of 68 questions.

The VARC section includes 24 questions with a total weightage of 72 marks.
The DILR section has 22 questions carrying 66 marks.
The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section also comprises 22 questions with a weightage of 66 marks.

Each section will have a time duration of 40 minutes, and the total exam time duration would be 120 minutes.

Ans: Yes, you are allowed to use on-screen calculator during the Data Interpretation and Quantitative Aptitude sections, but you are not allowed to bring your own physical calculator.

Ans: Yes, the CAT exam does have negative marking. For each incorrect Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) -1 mark is deducted. However, there is no negative marking for Non-MCQ (TITA) questions

Ans: The CAT exam is a computer-based test where questions are displayed on a computer screen. Candidates select their answers using a mouse or keyboard.

Ans: As per the CAT exam marking scheme, candidates will receive +3 marks for each correct answer, while -1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.

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