Familiarity with the total questions in CAT and analysing past trends are crucial for aspirants. The CAT total questions in 2025 are expected to be 68 due to the recent changes in CAT 2024. The number of questions and the distribution pattern can differ every year. So, students must stay updated with past exam trends to understand the format, difficulty level, and other strategies. It will help them to prioritise important areas and boost their confidence. In this article, we have shared detailed insights into subject-wise and total questions in CAT asked over the years and other related details.
Total Questions in CAT- Overview
The CAT exam is divided into various sections to assess aspirant’s aptitude, reasoning, and time management skills. Knowledge of the total questions in CAT across all the sections can be helpful for aspirants. It will help them to create a section-wise strategy and devote time effectively during the test. Analysing CAT questions past year trends will provide a clear picture of the format and overall distribution for focused preparation.
In 2024, the CAT exam observed a few changes in its pattern, with the number of questions rising from 66 to 68. The 2025 exam is expected to adhere to this latest structure. Here is the subject-wise breakup of total questions in CAT shared below for the reference of the candidates:
CAT Total Questions- Overview
| Section | No. of questions |
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 |
| Total | 68 |
Total Questions in CAT- Subject-Wise Number of Questions
Understanding the distribution of questions across all the subjects is essential for effective preparation. The CAT exam is primarily divided into three sections i.e. VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section comprises a certain number of questions that assess the candidate’s skills. Thus, knowing the subject-wise total questions in CAT can help them plan their time and strategy. The trends in the CAT total questions over the years are discussed below:
Total Questions in CAT 2014
The total questions in CAT 2014 were 100 from two subjects i.e. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning. 50 questions were asked from each section. The total marks in CAT 2014 were 300. Each question carries 3 marks and a negative marking of 1 mark was applicable for wrong answers. The test duration was 170 minutes.
Total Questions in CAT 2015
The total questions in CAT 2015 were 100 from sections i.e. Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. QA, DILR and VARC comprise 34, 32 and 34 questions, respectively. The maximum mark was 300. Each question carries a 3 mark and a negative mark of 1 mark for wrong answers only in MCQs. The test duration was 180 minutes.
Total Questions in CAT 2016
The total questions in CAT 2016 were 100 from sections i.e. Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. QA, DILR and VARC consist of 34, 32 and 34 questions respectively. The total mark was 300. Each question is worth 3 marks with 1 mark negative marking for wrong answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 180 minutes.
Total Questions in CAT 2017
The total questions in CAT 2017 were 100 from sections i.e. Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. QA, DILR and VARC comprise 34, 32 and 34 questions respectively. The maximum mark was 300. Each question carries a 3 mark and a negative mark of 1 mark for wrong answers only in MCQs. The test duration was 180 minutes.
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Total Questions in CAT 2018
The total questions in CAT 2018 was 100 from sections i.e. Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. QA, DILR and VARC consist of 34, 32 and 34 questions respectively. The total marks shall be 300. Each question carries 3 marks with a negative marking of 1 mark for wrong answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 180 minutes.
Total Questions in CAT 2019
The total questions in CAT 2019 were 100 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. QA, DILR and VARC comprise 34, 32 and 34 questions respectively. The maximum mark was 300. Each question is worth 3 marks with 1 mark negative marking for wrong answers only in MCQs. The test duration was 180 minutes.
Total Questions in CAT 2020
The total questions in CAT 2020 were 76 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. DILR, VARC, and QA consist of 24, 26, and 26 questions respectively. The total marks was 228. Each question carries 3 marks with a negative marking of 1 mark for wrong answers only in MCQs. The test duration was 120 minutes.
Total Questions in CAT 2021
The total questions in CAT 2021 were 66 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. The total number of marks in the exam was 198. VARC, DILR, and QA comprise 24, 20 and 22 questions respectively. Each question is worth 3 marks with 1 mark negative marking for wrong answers only in MCQs. The test duration was 120 minutes.
Total Questions in CAT 2022
The total questions in CAT 2022 were 66 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. VARC, DILR, and QA consist of 24, 20 and 22 questions respectively. The maximum mark shall be 198. Each question carries 3 marks with a negative marking of 1 mark for wrong answers only in MCQs. The test duration was 120 minutes.
Total Questions in CAT 2023
The total questions in CAT 2023 were 66 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. VARC, DILR, and QA comprise 24, 20 and 22 questions respectively. The total mark was 198. Each question is worth 3 marks with 1 mark negative marking for wrong answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 120 minutes.
Total Questions in CAT 2024
The total questions in CAT 2024 were 68 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. VARC, DILR, and QA comprise 24, 22, and 22 questions respectively. The maximum mark was 204. Each question carries 3 marks with a negative marking of 1 mark for incorrect answers only in MCQs. The test duration was 120 minutes.
Total Questions in CAT- Previous Trend & Analysis (2014-2024)
Aspirants must be well-acquainted with the total questions in the CAT for top-notch preparation. In recent years, the CAT exam has undergone several changes in terms of number of questions, marks, and other factors. The format comprises multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions Here, we have compiled the CAT total questions from 2014-2024 for the reference purpose:
CAT Total Questions-Previous Trend & Analysis (2014-2024)
| CAT Year | Total Questions |
| 2024 | 68 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2022 | 66 |
| 2021 | 66 |
| 2020 | 76 |
| 2019 | 100 |
| 2018 | 100 |
| 2017 | 100 |
| 2016 | 100 |
| 2015 | 100 |
| 2014 | 100 |
Total Question in CAT- Difficulty Level
The difficulty level of questions in the CAT exam differs every year. It typically ranges between moderate and difficult questions across all sections. While the Quantitative Ability section comprises challenging questions, the DILR questions are time-consuming. Verbal Ability consists of a variety of question types that assess grammar and comprehension skills. We have discussed below the difficulty level of the CAT exam over the last few years to ease the candidate’s preparation.
CAT Total Questions- Difficulty Level
| CAT Year | Difficulty Level of Questions |
| 2024 | Moderate |
| 2023 | Difficult |
| 2022 | Moderate-Difficult |
| 2021 | Moderate-Difficult |
| 2020 | Moderate-Difficult |
| 2019 | Easy-Moderate |
| 2018 | Moderate-Difficult |
| 2017 | Moderate-Difficult |
| 2016 | Moderate |
| 2015 | Easy-Moderate |
| 2014 | Moderate-Difficult |
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Total Question in CAT- FAQs
As per the latest format, the total number of questions in CAT shall be 68.
The CAT question paper is divided into three sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability.
Yes. There is a negative marking of 1 mark for every incorrect answer only in MCQs in the CAT exam.
As per the recent changes, The total marks in CAT shall be 204.