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CAT 2026 exam will be conducted on November 29, 2026, that is, the last Sunday of November. This leaves candidates with limited time to prepare for the TITA strategy. In CAT 2025, candidates had to answer 23 TITA questions, including VARC, DILR, and QA. Although TITA questions are tricky, they have no options and do not award negative marks. As a result, even if a candidate leaves them blank, they will not be penalised; however, every correct answer will improve their score. Therefore, go through some interesting facts about CAT TITA questions and strategies to deal with them.
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Check Here: TITA Questions in CAT 2026
TITA (Type In The Answer) questions are non-MCQ questions in which candidates must enter the answer themselves instead of selecting an option. They can appear in VARC, DILR and QA. Unlike incorrect MCQs, TITA questions do not carry negative marking.
The candidates can go through the CAT TITA question trends of previous years, provided below, to have an estimate before appearing in the CAT exam slot 2.
| CAT Exam Year | VARC TITA | DILR TITA | QA TITA | Total TITA Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2025 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 23 |
| CAT 2024 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 18 |
| CAT 2023 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 17 |
| CAT 2022 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 17 |
| CAT 2021 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 18 |
| CAT 2020 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 21 |
| CAT 2019 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 25 |
| CAT 2018 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 27 |
| CAT 2017 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
| CAT 2016 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 25 |
| CAT 2015 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 32 |
CAT has had a significant number of TITA questions in recent years, with no definite pattern in VARC, DILR and QA.
The major difference between CAT TITA and MCQ comes from the method of answering - while the latter offers options and hence helps one to an extent in narrowing down on the correct answer, the former is free-response based. This makes it even more critical to know concepts thoroughly and not make calculation errors in attempting TITA questions in CAT.
| Factor | MCQ | TITA |
|---|---|---|
| Answer format | Choose from options | Type the answer |
| Negative marking | Yes, for incorrect answers | No negative marking |
| Elimination | Possible | Not possible |
| Key skill | Accuracy + option elimination | Conceptual clarity + calculation accuracy |
The TITA questions in CAT 2026 require extensive calculations and conceptual application as there are no options provided to cross-verify the answer. Accuracy can be achieved by focusing on estimations, verifications and correct answer entry.
Estimate whether the answer should be an integer, decimal and/or lie within a range to avoid calculation errors or unit conversion errors.
Plug in the answer in the given equations or conditions wherever applicable, especially in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry problems.
Use easy values like 10, 20, 100 etc. while solving questions involving percentage, ratios, mixtures etc., wherever the question can accept this approach.
Check which type of errors (conceptual, calculation, interpretation, entry) you generally commit in TITA questions to improve accuracy in CAT 2026.
Use CAT mock tests to improve your entry accuracy for integers, decimals, fractions etc. Also ensure to check the required format for decimal places, 0s, fractions etc.
TITA questions can be time-consuming as there are no options to cross-verify the answer. It is advised to skip complex TITA questions and return to them after solving other questions in the section. Additionally, the following time-saving methods can be applied to TITA questions:
Prioritise easy questions with direct answers or lesser calculation steps first in TITA questions.
Set time limits for TITA questions while giving the CAT mock tests. Try to maintain an approximate time-per-question benchmark across all TITA questions in each section.
In numerical CAT Quant TITA questions, apply reverse calculations to verify your answer wherever possible.
Use the on-screen answer entry system while practising under time limits to improve your calculation and entry speeds.
The absence of negative marking in TITA questions can often be an advantage to score better in CAT 2026. However, it is not advised to make random attempts in TITA questions as they can lead to loss of marks due to penalty. The following preparation strategies can help to score better with TITA questions in CAT 2026.
Focus on Accuracy-Based Questions in Arithmetic, Algebra and DILR
Practice solving questions without the help of Multiple Choice Options to improve accuracy. It will help you develop confidence in solving questions and arrive at the correct answer.
Save the easy MCQs for later, and secure the high-scoring, high-confidence questions first. In addition, do not let TITA questions affect your overall MCQ strategy.
Before entering the answer, double-check decimals, zeroes, fractions and other special instructions mentioned in the question to ensure that you have entered the answer correctly.
In case you are not able to figure out how to approach a specific TITA question or the calculation is getting too cumbersome, leave that question for the time being and move on to the next one.
TITA (type-in-the-answer) questions test a student’s conceptual and mathematical ability. Here are some methods to solve TITA questions in CAT 2026:
First of all, check what type of question it is, be it Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Probability, Permutation & Combination or DILR based.
Extract important values from the question and note down the units if any.
Apply the relevant conceptual formula and avoid assumptions
Break down long calculation steps. Try to avoid calculating large equations in your mind.
Verify the final answer against all the conditions/specifications mentioned in the question. Wherever possible, apply approximation techniques to check if the answer is correct.
The TITA questions can appear in various forms in the CAT 2026. The most common type of TITA questions are listed below:
The percentage, ratio, average, time-speed-distance, work, time, interest, and other basic arithmetic topics are included in this category. Questions in this category require calculation intensive approaches with accurate estimations
This category includes a wide range of questions that include equations, sequences and inequalities.
This category has area, perimeter, volume, coordinate and 3-D geometry problems that need extensive use of arithmetic and conceptual knowledge.
This category requires in-depth knowledge of permutation, combination and probability.
This category includes puzzles, sets, tabular data and other questions based on logical reasoning and data interpretation.
These CAT TITA sample questions are taken from the CAT 2025 question papers across the VARC, DILR, and QA sections. They provide a practical look at the type and difficulty of TITA questions asked in the actual exam.
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No. The absence of negative marking makes TITA lower-risk from a marking perspective, but it does not make every question worth attempting. A lengthy TITA can consume time that could be used on an easier MCQ or another solvable question.
Then give a simple rule:
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Answer is clear | Attempt |
| Short calculation required | Attempt |
| Long calculation but clear approach | Attempt if time permits |
| Solution approach unclear | Skip and return later |
| Random number required | Do not attempt |
Learn how to approach TITA questions with the right balance of accuracy, speed and smart question selection. Use these strategies to avoid calculation and answer-entry errors and maximise your CAT score.
Since TITA questions provide no options, understand the underlying concept before attempting advanced problems.
Solve previous CAT questions without viewing the answer choices to develop independent problem-solving skills.
Use CAT mock tests and timed practice sessions to improve calculation speed and accuracy under exam conditions.
No negative marking does not mean random attempts are useful. Prioritise TITA questions with a clear solving path and move on from lengthy problems.
Avoid common errors such as calculation mistakes, misreading questions, spending too much time on one problem and entering the answer incorrectly. These simple mistakes can affect your accuracy and overall CAT score.
Skipping rough work: Write important intermediate steps to reduce calculation errors.
Spending too long: Move on if the solution path is unclear and return later if time permits.
Ignoring answer format: Check decimals, fractions, units and other required formats before submission.
Random guessing: Avoid entering arbitrary answers simply because TITA questions have no negative marking.
Misreading the question: Carefully distinguish between terms such as average and total or percentage and fraction.
CAT Ebooks 2026 by Careers360 are a convenient part of study material for CAT, offering topic-wise theory, solved examples, and practice questions. They cover Quantitative Aptitude, VARC, and Logical Reasoning and help aspirants to study anytime and strengthen concepts efficiently.
eBook Title | Download Links |
3000+ Most Important Words - Vocabulary Builder | |
500+ Most Important Idioms and Phrases | |
300+ Most Important Phrasal Verbs | |
Mastering CAT Exam: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages | |
CAT 2026 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Study Material | |
CAT 2026 Exam's High Scoring Chapters and Topics | |
CAT Mock Test Series - 20 Sets, Questions with Solutions By Experts | |
Permutation & Combination - Video Lectures and Practice Questions | |
Boost your CAT preparation with a comprehensive 60-day study material by Experts | |
Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
TITA stands for Type In The Answer. These questions do not have options, and candidates must type the correct answer using the keyboard.
No, there is no negative marking for incorrect TITA answers, but marks are awarded only for correct entries.
TITA questions often appear in Quantitative Aptitude topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Number Systems, and Geometry. Some Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation questions may also be TITA, requiring precise calculation or reasoning.
Not every TITA is designed to be attempted, many are traps with heavy calculation or ambiguous framing. Prioritise only those TITA questions where data is clean and solvable within 2–3 minutes to maintain a healthy time-to-mark ratio.
To solve TITA (Type In The Answer) questions in CAT 2026, start by carefully reading the question to understand the requirement, as there are no answer options to guide you. Focus on logical reasoning and precise calculations, as these questions often test conceptual clarity. Avoid guesswork since there is no negative marking, but aim to attempt only those questions where you are confident.
Practice with previous CAT papers and mock tests specifically for TITA questions. Focus on shortcuts, formula memorisation, and mental calculations to reduce reliance on paper. Time management is essential to attempt all TITA questions correctly.
TITA questions appear in all three sections of the CAT 2026 examination: VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude.
The number of TITA questions in CAT varies each year but usually ranges between 10 to 14 questions across all three sections.
TITA questions may feel harder because there are no options to guess from, and accuracy in calculation and logic is required.
Students should practice calculation-based questions, improve accuracy, and solve previous year CAT TITA questions regularly.
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