IIM (Indian Institutes of Management)
CAT Exam Pattern 2027 — Complete Question Paper Structure
Understand the marking scheme, section weights, question distribution and time strategy for Common Admission Test
Exam Pattern at a Glance
Exam Mode
Online (CBT)
Language
English & Hindi
Negative Marking
-1
Sections
3
Section-wise Pattern
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks per Q | Total Marks | Time (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 22 | +3 | 66 | 40 min |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | +3 | 66 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | +3 | 66 | 40 min |
| Total | 66 | — | 198 | 120 min |
Time is indicative. Candidates can attempt sections in any order in CBT mode.
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer
+3
marks
Wrong Answer
-1
marks
Unattempted
0
marks
Marking Scheme
+3 for correct, -1 for incorrect (MCQ); +3/0 for TITA
Example Calculation:
If you attempt 40 questions, get 30 correct and 10 wrong:
Score = 30 × 3 − 10 × 1 = 80 marks
Skip questions you're unsure about — negative marking can reduce your score significantly.
Time Management Strategy
You have approximately 109.1 seconds per question on average.
| Phase | Time Budget | Target Questions |
|---|---|---|
| First pass (attempt easy Qs) | 72 min | 46 Qs |
| Second pass (attempt medium) | 36 min | 13 Qs |
| Review & guess | 12 min | Remaining |
Year-wise Pattern Changes
| Year | Questions | Duration | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 66 | 120 min | Current pattern |
| 2024 | 66 | 120 min | No major change |
| 2023 | 65 | 120 min | Section added |
Pattern history is approximate. Always check official notification.
Difficulty Distribution
Approximate question count: ~13 Easy | ~26 Medium | ~26 Hard
Based on difficulty level: very-hard. Actual distribution may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
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