Do Questions Get Repeated in CAT 2026? Check Previous Year Question Trends

Do Questions Get Repeated in the CAT Exam?

Many candidates have questions about whether previous CAT questions are repeated in the actual exam. While exact repetition is rare, there are instances where similar questions reappear. Typically, these questions are not repeated word-for-word but are asked in an indirect or slightly altered manner, testing the same underlying concepts.

• For example, A function f(n+2) = f(n+1) - f(n) appears twice in CAT and is represented differently both times.

So, candidates should practice more on previous years' CAT question papers to know the difficulty level of the exam and prepare for it.

How Many Questions Get Repeated in the CAT?

Candidates preparing for CAT 2026 can expect around 10 to 15 repeated or similar questions in the exam. These questions may not appear in the same form but often follow the same concept, pattern, or application as seen in previous years' CAT question papers. Practising these past papers helps candidates become familiar with frequently asked question types and enhances problem-solving speed. Therefore, solving previous year CAT papers is a crucial part of preparation, giving candidates a clear advantage and helping improve their overall CAT 2026 score.

Topics With Repeated Questions in the CAT

The topics that are most expected to have a repeated set of questions are arithmetic and TITA (type in the answer). Due to the limited number of questionable concepts, the questions formulated for the CAT exam tend to remain mostly similar. Even if the candidates practice the most asked type of questions from these concepts, they can expect to find a few questions to be the same.

CAT 2026 VARC Recommended Ebooks

Types of Repeated Questions in the CAT 2026 VARC

In the CAT exam, questions are generally of two types: MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) and TITA (Type In The Answer). Among the questions that are repeated or follow similar patterns, TITA-type questions are more frequently observed compared to MCQs. Based on feedback from previous CAT aspirants, both MCQ and TITA questions have shown a tendency to recur in different forms in the upcoming CAT 2026 exam.

A significant portion of these repeated question types is found in the VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) section. In CAT, every Reading Comprehension (RC) question is linked to a passage that can range from 3 to 7 paragraphs. The VARC section comprises 24 questions, with around 6 passages—most being 3-4 paragraphs long, and one or two slightly longer.

These RC passages in CAT are selected from diverse sources, including biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, business, and general topics, often adapted from academic or non-academic texts and periodicals.

To tackle RC questions effectively, candidates must develop skills like:

• Identifying the main idea or summary of a passage

• Differentiating between major and minor points

• Analysing the structure of the text and how the parts relate

• Drawing inferences and conclusions

• Evaluating the author’s assumptions and perspective

• Interpreting word meanings and sentence implications

• Considering alternative explanations and identifying strengths and weaknesses in arguments

These are the key reading comprehension abilities assessed in CAT 2026. Mastering these can significantly enhance performance, especially since repeated RC question types are often built around such critical reading skills.

Check the CAT 2026 Subject-wise Syllabus

To plan your CAT 2026 preparation effectively, it’s important to understand the complete CAT 2026 syllabus for all three sections: VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude. The CAT 2026 syllabus for VARC includes topics such as reading comprehension passages, para jumbles, para summaries, odd-one-out, and grammar-based questions. The CAT DILR syllabus 2026 focuses on data interpretation through tables, charts, and graphs, as well as logical reasoning topics like seating arrangement, puzzles, blood relations, and syllogisms. The CAT syllabus 2026 for Quantitative Aptitude covers arithmetic (percentages, profit and loss, time and work), algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern math topics like permutations and combinations and probability. Understanding these topics well will help candidates prepare strategically and boost their chances of scoring high.

CAT Previous Year Question Paper with Solution PDF (2010-2025)

Explore the past 15 years of CAT question papers in the table below. Click on the PDF links provided for each year and slot to download the CAT exam question paper PDFs. Save these CAT previous year papers and begin practising to strengthen your preparation.

Benefits of Practising Previous Year CAT Question Papers

Do questions get repeated in the CAT exam after being asked once? While exact repetition is rare, similar question types often reappear. This is why solving the CAT previous year question papers is a key part of effective preparation. Practising past year CAT papers offers multiple benefits that can enhance a candidate’s performance in CAT 2026. Here are the key advantages:

• Boosts confidence by familiarising candidates with the CAT exam pattern and question types

• Aids in performance analysis, helping identify strengths and weaknesses

• Improves speed and time management through regular timed practice

By working through previous year CAT papers, candidates gain a clear understanding of the difficulty level, question formats, and commonly tested concepts, ultimately giving them a competitive edge in the exam.