Types of questions asked in the CAT exam - Meaning & Distribution of Questions

Common Admission Test (CAT)

Exam Date
30th November, 2025

Ridhima Jindal
Ridhima Jindal

Table of Content

The CAT exam is being conducted as an online computer-based-test (CBT) in November 2025. The CAT exam has 66 questions in total, and the questions comprise of both MCQ form and TITA questions. While 1 mark is deducted for an incorrect MCQ answer, no marks are deducted for incorrect answers in Non-MCQ or TITA questions.

Also read in detail about what is CAT exam here

In this article, we aim to give a detailed view about what are the MCQ questions and TITA questions, marks distribution in these questions, number of questions asked in each form, and negative marking. The CAT exam is conducted for 120 minutes (2 hours) and 40 minutes are given for each section.

Also see → CAT exam analysis for CAT 2019 exam (IIM Kozhikode)

CAT question types → MCQ Vs. TITA questions (an analysis)

Candidates in this section can check a comparative analysis between the MCQ and TITA questions.

Feature

MCQ (Multiple Choice Question)

TITA / Non-MCQ (Type In The Answer)

Answer Options

Yes (typically 4 options)

No options provided

Input Method

Click the correct option

Type the answer manually

Marking (Correct)

+3 marks

+3 marks

Marking (Incorrect)

−1 mark

0 mark (no negative marking)

Marking (Unattempted)

0 mark

0 mark

Guessing Possible?

Yes

Difficult / Not effective

Sections Appeared In

All sections

Mostly in QA and DILR

Difficulty Level

Varies (can use elimination)

Often higher (no elimination aid)

Typical Count (2023-24)

47–53 questions

13–19 questions

Download CAT Preparation materials here -

Typical Section-wise Distribution

While exact numbers vary each year, based on recent CAT exams, the question type distribution generally looks like this:

Section

Total Questions

Approx. MCQs

Approx. TITA Questions

Verbal Ability & RC

24

19–21

3–5

DILR

20

14–16

4–6

Quantitative Ability

22

14–16

6–8

Total

66

47–53

13–19

Note: The exact number of TITA vs. MCQ questions can change slightly each year depending on the exam-conducting IIM’s decision.

Key Observations → Questions in the CAT exam

Given below are a few key observations that the candidates must keep in mind while answering these questions.

  • TITA questions are risk-free in terms of negative marking. Use this to your advantage.
  • MCQs require more caution due to penalty for wrong answers.
  • TITA questions are more concept-driven; no answer cues mean a better conceptual understanding is necessary.
  • Time management becomes important—TITA questions may take longer, especially without options to guide your thinking.

must read → CAT 2025 exam fees hiked

Preparation Tips by Question Type

Each question type asked in the CAT exam has a different preparation methodology and a different solving approach. Given below are a few tips to solve each of these types.

For MCQs -

  • Focus on speed and accuracy.
  • Learn techniques like option elimination and back-solving.
  • Be careful with negative marking.

For TITA -

  • Practice exact calculations.
  • Avoid careless mistakes, especially in Quant.
  • Attempt all TITA questions as there's no penalty.

Top Colleges Accepting CAT

View All

Related Articles

Exam

19th September, 2025 , 4 min read

IIM JAP 2026, Admission in IIM, Eligibility, Process & Cutoffs for MBA Understand IIM JAP 2026: The mandatory joint admission process for IIM Raipur, Kashipur, Ranchi & Tiruchirappalli. Check eligibility, application steps & expected 95 percentile cutoffs. Learn more! By - Tushar Read More >
Exam

19th September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT Admit Card 2025 Release Date and Time, How to Download @iimcat.ac.in Get your CAT Admit Card 2025! Download hall ticket from Nov 5, 2025, at iimcat.ac.in. Find steps, release date, exam day info & error correction process here. By - Tushar Read More >
Exam

10th September, 2025 , 2 min read

MBA Colleges Accepting 50-60 Percentile in CAT Exam Scored 50-60 percentile in CAT 2025? Don't fret! Explore a curated list of MBA colleges accepting these scores, with fees & placement details. Find your ideal B-School now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

10th September, 2025 , 2 min read

MBA Colleges for 60-70 Percentile in CAT, Fees & Admission List Explore top MBA colleges accepting CAT score 60-70 percentile in 2025. Find the complete list of institutes with approximate fees and admission details. Check & apply now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

23rd September, 2025 , 4 min read

3 Days Left for CAT Registration, What You Should Do CAT Registration 2025 ends Sep 13! Discover eligibility, step-by-step process, and benefits of applying for IIMs & 1000+ B-schools. Register now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
More Articles

Related News

Exam

21st September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT 2025 registration is now closed, Check Next Steps CAT 2025 registration closed? Learn about the CAT application form correction window & how to make changes. Get step-by-step guide to download your CAT admit card 2025. Find official links & image guidelines. By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

11th September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT Registration Deadline Tomorrow! Register Now & Apply CAT registration closes tomorrow! Don't miss your last chance to apply. Get step-by-step guidance, official website link (iimcat.ac.in), and essential document upload tips. Register now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

13th September, 2025 , 2 min read

CAT Registration 2025 Extended, Dates, How to Apply & Docs CAT 2025 registration date extended till September 2025! Get a step-by-step guide to fill the CAT application form, check all important dates & required documents. Apply online now! By - Ridhima Jindal Read More >
Exam

31st July, 2025 , 3 min read

CAT Registration 2025 LIVE Now: How to Fill IIM CAT Application Form? he CAT registration for 2025 has now been officially launched, and thus the window to submit the application for one of India's most sought-after MBA entrance exams has also opened. By - Tushar Read More >
Exam

31st December, 2024 , 2 min read

CAT 2024 Result Controversy - Petition Filed in Delhi High Court, CAT Final Answer Key To Be Released Again? Delhi High Court has received a petition filed against CAT 2024 Result. Candidates claim that IIM Calcutta has released the answer key without considering the objections raised by them. By - Avantika Bhardwaj Read More >
More News

Latest Articles on CAT 2025

IIM JAP 2026, Admission in IIM, Eligibility, Process & Cutoffs for MBA

19th September, 2025

Understand IIM JAP 2026: The mandatory joint admission process for IIM Raipur, Kashipur, Ranchi & Tiruchirappalli. Check eligibility, application steps & expected 95 percentile cutoffs. Learn more!

CAT Admit Card 2025 Release Date and Time, How to Download @iimcat.ac.in

19th September, 2025

Get your CAT Admit Card 2025! Download hall ticket from Nov 5, 2025, at iimcat.ac.in. Find steps, release date, exam day info & error correction process here.

MBA Colleges Accepting 50-60 Percentile in CAT Exam

10th September, 2025

Scored 50-60 percentile in CAT 2025? Don't fret! Explore a curated list of MBA colleges accepting these scores, with fees & placement details. Find your ideal B-School now!

MBA Colleges for 60-70 Percentile in CAT, Fees & Admission List

10th September, 2025

Explore top MBA colleges accepting CAT score 60-70 percentile in 2025. Find the complete list of institutes with approximate fees and admission details. Check & apply now!

3 Days Left for CAT Registration, What You Should Do

23rd September, 2025

CAT Registration 2025 ends Sep 13! Discover eligibility, step-by-step process, and benefits of applying for IIMs & 1000+ B-schools. Register now!

More Articles

Other MBA / PGDM Exams

CAT logo
CAT CAT | 30th November, 2025
XAT logo
XAT XAT | 04th January, 2026
MAT logo
MAT MAT | 28th September, 2025
TS ICET logo
TS ICET TS ICET | 08th June, 2025
GMAT logo
GMAT GMAT | Date not available
View All