The CAT marking scheme 2026 plays a decisive role in shaping exam strategy. Scoring in CAT is not only about solving maximum questions but also about understanding how marks are awarded, where penalties apply, and which questions carry zero risk. A clear picture of the marking rules helps aspirants decide when to attempt, when to skip, and how to balance accuracy with speed.
The paper consists of two types of questions: MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) and TITA (Type in the Answer). While MCQs reward precision but penalize mistakes, TITA questions provide risk-free opportunities as they carry no negative marking. Sectional weightage, question distribution, and normalization further influence the final percentile. By decoding these factors, preparation becomes smarter and more focused.
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Table of Content
CAT Marking Scheme 2026 – Detailed Breakdown
CAT 2026 follows a high-stakes but simple marking structure. Each question is worth 3 marks for a correct response. But the risk comes with negative marking on wrong attempts.
| Question Type |
Correct Answer |
Wrong Answer |
Unattempted |
Marking Risk |
| MCQ |
+3 |
–1 |
0 |
High |
| TITA |
+3 |
0 |
0 |
Low |
- MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) reward accuracy but penalize mistakes.
- TITA (Type in the Answer) questions carry no penalty even if wrong, making them safer.
This is why the CAT exam marking scheme section-wise analysis is essential—accuracy matters more than attempting every question.
For practice, check out:
How Negative Marking Works in CAT 2026
The negative marking scheme applies only to MCQs.
- Every incorrect MCQ = –1 mark
- Every TITA = 0 penalty, even if incorrect
- Skipped questions = no effect on score
This means it’s always smarter to skip doubtful MCQs than to guess blindly. For TITA, however, you can attempt without fear since wrong entries don’t hurt your score.
CAT TITA vs MCQ – The No-Negative Advantage
CAT includes both MCQs and TITA in every section.
| Feature |
TITA Questions |
MCQ Questions |
| Options Provided |
No |
Yes (4 options) |
| Penalty for Wrong |
No (0 marks deducted) |
Yes (–1 mark) |
| Time to Solve |
Slightly More |
Slightly Less |
| Answer Format |
Typed by candidate |
Selected from options |
- TITA questions test true understanding and logical ability.
- MCQs test speed, elimination skills, and accuracy.
Strategy: Attempt all TITA first—they are risk-free scoring opportunities. Then carefully approach MCQs where accuracy is higher.
CAT Exam Pattern 2026 – Question Distribution (MCQ & TITA)
CAT 2026 will be conducted in 3 slots of 2 hours each, with 40 minutes per section.
Here’s the structure:
Total questions = 68
Total marks = 204
Each section is equally time-bound, and you cannot switch between sections during the exam.
Full breakdown of pattern + marking explained here: CAT Exam Pattern 2026 Guide.
Also, ensure you check the CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 before starting prep.
CAT Section-Wise Weightage 2026
The CAT marking scheme 2026 is structured around three sections: VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Each section carries equal importance in the final score and has a time limit of 40 minutes, making time management and accuracy essential. A candidate must also clear sectional cutoffs in all three areas to qualify for IIM shortlisting, so balanced preparation is non-negotiable.
VARC – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Total Questions: 24
- RC (Reading Comprehension): 16 questions, all MCQ-based.
- Verbal Ability: 8 questions, of which 3–4 are TITA.
- Focus Areas: Reading speed, comprehension accuracy, grammar, and logical reasoning in parajumbles and summaries.
Under the CAT exam marking scheme, every correct RC or Verbal Ability response gives +3 marks, but an incorrect MCQ in this section attracts a –1 penalty. TITA questions here provide an advantage since they are zero-risk scoring opportunities.
VARC Cheat Sheet (PDF): https://coachifylive.com/?pdf=VARC-Cheat-Sheet
DILR – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- Total Questions: 22
- Structure: Typically 4 sets (2–3 Data Interpretation + 2–3 Logical Reasoning).
- Mix: Both MCQs and TITA questions appear, with 6–8 TITA questions on average.
- Focus Areas: Tables, charts, puzzles, sequencing, and data analysis.
The CAT marking scheme for DILR encourages selective attempts. Since many questions are set-based, one incorrect MCQ can lower the overall score due to negative marking. But TITA in this section offers a safer route, helping aspirants maximize scores without fear of penalties.
CAT 2025 Syllabus (PDF): https://coachifylive.com/?pdf=CAT-2025-Syllabus
QA – Quantitative Aptitude
- Total Questions: 22
- MCQs: Around 14
- TITA: Around 8
- Focus Areas: Arithmetic (largest share), Algebra, Geometry, Number Theory, and Modern Math.
The CAT exam marking scheme for QA makes this section highly rewarding for those with strong numerical foundations. Correct answers earn +3 marks, while MCQ errors cost –1 mark. TITA here is significant—approximately one-third of the section—giving students ample risk-free scoring chances.
Quant Formula Book (PDF): https://coachifylive.com/?pdf=Download-CAT-Quant-Formula-Book
Section-Wise Weightage Overview
| Section |
Total Qs |
MCQs |
TITA |
Time Limit |
| VARC |
24 |
20–21 |
3–4 |
40 mins |
| DILR |
22 |
12–14 |
6–8 |
40 mins |
| QA |
22 |
14 |
8 |
40 mins |
Each section contributes equally under the CAT marking scheme, but clearing the sectional cutoff is essential. A high overall score without meeting cutoffs in one section may still lead to disqualification from IIM shortlisting.
Learn how IIMs shortlist: IIM Admission Criteria.
CAT Mock Analysis – Marking Scheme Explained
Applying the CAT marking scheme while reviewing mocks is essential to build exam-ready strategies.
- MCQ Attempts: Track how many you attempted and check accuracy. Even a few wrong answers can reduce your score sharply because of the –1 penalty.
- TITA Performance: Always attempt TITA since they carry no negative marking. Reviewing them shows how strong your conceptual clarity is.
- Raw vs Normalized Scores: Compare your mock scores with expected normalized scores in CAT to understand where you stand against cutoffs.
Mock analysis aligned with the CAT exam marking scheme ensures you focus on safe scoring, accuracy, and strategy refinement.
CAT Percentile Calculation Using Marking Scheme 2026
Percentile is not just raw marks. The process is:
- Raw Score → Correct answers – penalties.
- Normalized Score → Adjusted across slots (explained below).
- Percentile Rank → Shows your standing among all aspirants.
Formula:
Percentile = ((Total candidates – Your rank) ÷ Total candidates) × 100
Example: If 1,00,000 students appear and your rank is 1,000 → 99 percentile.
CAT Scaling & Raw Score Normalization – Step by Step
CAT uses score normalization to balance slot differences.
- Calculate Mean & SD for each slot.
- Adjust scores relative to top 0.1% of performers.
- Apply formula:
Normalized Score = Overall Mean + ((Your Score − Slot Mean) ÷ Slot SD) × Overall SD
- Convert normalized scores → percentile ranks.
This ensures fairness across different exam slots.
CAT Past Trends (2020–2024)
Here’s the year-wise trend table:
| Year |
Total Qs |
VARC (MCQ/TITA) |
DILR (MCQ/TITA) |
QA (MCQ/TITA) |
Difficulty |
| 2024 |
68 |
21/3 |
16/6 |
14/8 |
Moderate |
| 2023 |
66 |
20/4 |
12/8 |
15/7 |
Mod-High |
| 2022 |
66 |
21/3 |
15/5 |
14/8 |
Moderate |
| 2021 |
66 |
22/2 |
16/4 |
15/7 |
Moderate |
| 2020 |
76 |
25/3 |
20/4 |
17/7 |
Mod-High |
Insights:
- Question count reduced from 76 (2020) → 66 (2021–23) → 68 (2024 onwards).
- TITA share has gradually increased.
- VARC has fewer TITA, QA & DILR more.
To understand percentile mapping, read: CAT Score vs Percentile 2025.
CAT Marking Scheme Compared with Other Exams
Understanding the CAT marking scheme becomes even clearer when compared with other MBA entrance exams in India. Each exam has its own marking rules, and the differences significantly impact preparation strategy.
- CAT: The scheme awards +3 marks for correct answers and –1 mark for wrong MCQs, while TITA questions carry no negative marking. Another unique aspect is score normalization across slots, ensuring fairness.
- XAT: Awards +1 for correct answers and penalizes –0.25 for wrong attempts, with additional focus on decision-making questions that add complexity.
- NMAT: Has no negative marking at all, and follows an adaptive testing format where question difficulty changes based on performance.
- SNAP: A speed-intensive exam with +1 for correct answers and –0.25 for wrong ones, conducted in just 1 hour.
Unlike others, the CAT exam marking scheme balances risk (MCQ negatives) and reward (TITA safety) while also factoring in normalization to ensure fair percentile calculation. This makes CAT preparation strategy very different from NMAT or SNAP, where attempting maximum questions works better due to minimal or no penalties.
The CAT marking scheme 2026 is built to reward precision and punish random guessing. With +3/–1 for MCQs and zero-risk TITA, smart selection is key. Equal section weightage and normalization mean that balanced preparation across VARC, DILR, and QA is essential.
For best results:
Master the CAT exam marking scheme, and your strategy will align with what the test truly rewards—accuracy, planning, and smart execution.
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