The CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus are guides for managing one of India’s leading management entrance exams and gaining a competitive edge. Knowing the CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus makes it much easier to understand the marking scheme, total marks available, and types of questions asked in each section. This complete overview gives aspirants the strategy to maximize their scores and perform well.
The CAT exam 2025 is for 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allotted to each 3 sections. There are MCQs and Non-MCQs types of questions. In the Non-MCQ questions, you have to directly type the answer. 3 marks are awarded for every correct answer, whereas 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer in the mCQ section.
You can also view detailed information on the marking scheme, the total marks available, download the most current CAT Syllabus PDF, and plan your study schedule around it for your convenience.
- Sectional Time Limit: Each section must be completed within a strict 40-minute window. Once the time ends, the test will automatically proceed to the next section.
- Fixed Section Order: The exam must be attempted in the prescribed sequence, starting with VARC, followed by DILR, and ending with Quantitative Aptitude. Candidates are not allowed to start with a section of their choice.
- No Section Switching: Due to the fixed order format, moving back and forth between sections is not permitted. Each section must be attempted in the given sequence.
- On-Screen Calculator: A digital calculator will be available on the screen for rough calculations during the test.
- Answer Review Within Section: Candidates may mark answers for review, but only within the current section. All reviews and submissions must be completed within the section’s time limit; otherwise, answers will not be recorded.
- Negative Marking: Incorrect answers will result in a penalty of 1 mark. Candidates should select their responses carefully to avoid unnecessary loss of marks.
Also Check: CAT 2025 Registration Started
CAT Exam Pattern 2025
CAT 2025 is of 120 minutes, with 40 minutes given to each section. Given below in the table is the CAT exam pattern 2025.
| Parameter | Details |
| Mode | Computer-based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 120 minutes (2 hours), approx. 40 minutes per section |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Section 1: VARC | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (approx 24 questions) |
| Section 2: DILR | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (approx 22 questions) |
| Section 3: QA | Quantitative Ability (approx 22 questions) |
| Total Number of Questions | 68 |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for correct answer -1 for incorrect MCQ No negative for TITA (non-MCQ) |
| Exam Slots | 3 slots: Morning, Afternoon, Evening |
Latest Changes in the CAT Exam 2025 Pattern
The latest changes in the CAT exam pattern for 2025 are minor, primarily affecting the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section. The CAT 2025 pattern remains largely unchanged from last year, with the key difference being the increase in DILR questions and total marks. This pattern requires careful time management and strategy because of sectional time limits and a fixed question sequence.
| Section | No. of Questions (2024) | No. of Questions (2025) | Marks (2024) | Marks (2025) | Time Limit per Section |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 24 | 72 | 72 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 20 | 22 | 60 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 22 | 66 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| Overall (Total) | 66 | 68 | 198 | 204 | 120 minutes |
CAT 2025 Marking Scheme
There are two types of questions in the CAT exam 2025: MCQs and Type-In-The-Answer type questions. For every wrong answer, 1 mark will be deducted from the MCQ-type questions. Check out the CAT 2025 marking scheme given below in the table.
| Types of Questions | Marking for Correct Answers | Marking for Wrong Answers |
| MCQs | +3 | -1 |
| Non-MCQs or TITA | +3 | 0 |
CAT Section-wise Marking Scheme
Each section in the CAT exam consists of 22 to 24 questions with 3 marks per question. Check out the section-wise marking scheme for the CAT 2025 exam.
| CAT Sections | Number of Questions | Marks Per Question | CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ) |
| VARC | 24 | 3 | -1 |
| DILR | 22 | 3 | -1 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 3 | -1 |
Evolution of the CAT 2025 Exam Pattern Over the Years
Until 2019, the CAT was 3-hour exam evolving from 2 hours and 20 minutes. IIM Indore in the year 2020 conducted CAT with a time duration of 2 hours. The difficulty level of CAT has always been maintained to be Moderate to Difficult, with it seldom being as Easy. Given below is the evolution of the CAT 2025 exam pattern over the years.
| Year | Number of Questions | Difficulty Level | Duration | Conducting Body |
| 2024 | 68 | Easy to moderate | 2 hours | IIM Calcutta |
| 2022 | 66 | Moderate | 2 hours | IIM Bangalore |
| 2021 | 66 | Moderate to High | 2 hours | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2020 | 76 | Moderate to High | 2 hours | IIM Indore |
| 2019 | 100 | Moderate to High | 3 hours | IIM Kozhikode |
| 2018 | 100 | Moderate to High | 3 hours | IIM Calcutta |
| 2017 | 100 | Moderate | 3 hours | IIM Lucknow |
| 2016 | 100 | Moderate to difficult | 3 hours | IIM Bangalore |
| 2015 | 100 | Moderate to difficult | 3 hours | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2014 | 100 | Moderate to Easy | 2.50 hours | IIM Indore |
| 2013 | 60 | Moderate to Easy | 2:20 hours | IIM Indore |
| 2012 | 60 | Moderate to Easy | 2.20 hours | IIM Indore |
| 2011 | 60 | Moderate | 2.20 hours | IIM Calcutta |
Difference Between the CAT Exam Pattern and Other MBA Entrance Exams
While most MBA entrance exams follow a similar structure, each has its own unique features. Among them, the CAT exam stands out as one of the more student-friendly options, with a total of 68 questions to be completed in 120 minutes. It includes sectional time limits, which help candidates manage their time effectively across all sections without the burden of doing it themselves. Below is a comparison highlighting how the CAT exam pattern differs from other MBA entrance tests.
| Exam Name | Time Duration | No. of Questions | Sections | Total Marks |
| CAT | 120 minutes | 68 | 3 | 204 |
| XAT | 180 minutes | 95 | 4 | 95 |
| CMAT | 180 minutes | 100 | 5 | 400 |
| MAT | 120 minutes | 150 | 5 | 150 |
| GMAT | 187 minutes | 70 | 4 | 200-800 |
| NMAT | 120 minutes | 108 | 3 | 36-360 |
| SNAP | 60 minutes | 60 | 3 | 60 |
CAT Exam Syllabus for MBA Overview
Understanding the CAT exam syllabus is extremely crucial for preparation. All the eligible candidates need to go through the CAT exam pattern 2025 and the syllabus to get the optimum results. Given below is an overview of the CAT exam for MBA syllabus.
| Particulars | Sections |
| CAT Exam syllabus sections | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
| Number of questions from each section of the CAT Exam syllabus | VARC- 24 questions DILR- 20 questions QA- 22 questions |
| Total number of questions | 68 |
| Type of questions | Both MCQs and non-MCQs |
| Section-wise exam duration | 40 minutes per section53 minutes 20 secs for PwD candidates |
| Total marks | 204 |
CAT Exam 2025 Syllabus: Section-Wise Breakdown
Candidates should begin preparing for CAT 2025 with a clear understanding of its syllabus. The exam is designed to assess a candidate’s aptitude across three core areas: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). CAT exam 2025 syllabus section-wise breakdown is given below.
CAT VARC Syllabus
The VARC section appears first in the CAT exam and comprises 24 questions. It is split into two key areas: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. This section is generally considered to be of moderate to high difficulty. Given below is a list of important VARC topics you should focus on as part of the CAT syllabus.
| Fill in the blanks | Para completion and inference | Verbal logic |
| Verbal reasoning | Subject-verb agreement | Parajumbles |
| Sentence completion | Foreign language words used in English | Different usage of the same word |
| Grammar | Reading comprehension | Idioms |
| Syllogisms | Analogies | Antonyms |
| Jumbled paragraphs | Sentence correction | One word substitution |
| Parts of speech | Preposition | Types of clauses |
| Phrases modifiers | Errors in tenses | Articles usage |
CAT DILR Syllabus 2025
The next section is Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), which tests the candidate’s time management. With a number of reasoning questions, candidates are advised to practise this section beforehand to manage the time constraints.
| Blood Relations | Clocks and Calendars | Syllogism |
| Series | Statements | Venn Diagram |
| Proposition | Data Arrangement | Data Structures |
| Direction Sense | Family Tree | Tables |
| Coding-Decoding | Binary Logic | Pie Charts |
| Assumptions | Seating Arrangement | Data Sufficiency |
| Puzzles | Sets & Caselets | Bars & Line Graphs |
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2025
Quantitative Aptitude constitutes the final part of the CAT exam and is frequently seen as the most difficult. Test-takers need a solid understanding of fundamental topics in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Mensuration. Given the section’s heavy reliance on calculations, regular practice is crucial for achieving good results.
| Geometry | Ratios and Proportions | Inequalities |
| Trigonometry | Inequalities Quadratic and linear equations | Work and Time |
| Algebra | Surds and Indices | Percentages |
| Mensuration | Time-Speed-Distance | Logarithms |
| Partnership (Accounts) | Number System | Square Root and Cube Root |
| Profit & Loss | Geometric Progression | Probability |
| Mean, mode, median | Binomial theorem | Simple interest and compound interest |
CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Most Recommended Books For CAT Preparation 2025
Preparing for the CAT (Common Admission Test) 2025 requires a smart strategy, consistent effort, and the right study materials. With thousands of books in the market, selecting the most effective ones can be overwhelming. To help you with the preparation, we’ve compiled a list of the most recommended books for CAT 2025, trusted by toppers, coaching institutes, and experts alike.
These books thoroughly cover all exam sections and are recognized for their clear explanations, practice questions, and focus on exam preparation. Whether you’re beginning from the basics or aiming to improve particular areas, this guide will assist you in selecting the best resources for your path to a top B-school.
| Section | Book Title | Author(s) |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri |
| Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency | Ananta Ashisha | |
| How to Get Prepared for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma | |
| Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT | Nishit K Sinha | |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | How to Get Ready for CAT’s Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability Tests | Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay (Arihant) |
| High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin | |
| 30 Days to a Stronger Vocabulary | Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis (Simon & Schuster) | |
| How to Prepare for CAT’s Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Questions | Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay | |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | NCERT Mathematics Books (Class 9 & 10) | NCERT |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | Abhijit Guha | |
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Nishit Sinha | |
| How to Study for the Quantitative Aptitude Section of CAT | Arun Sharma | |
| Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT | Sarvesh Sharma |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the CAT exam syllabus?
The CAT 2025 syllabus is divided into three main sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), which features topics such as reading comprehension, para jumbles, sentence completion, sentence correction, one-word substitution, analogies, odd sentence out, inferences, and syllogisms. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
2. What are the total marks in a CAT?
The total marks in the CAT 2025 exam is 204.
3. What is the CAT 2025 registration last date?
The last date to register for CAT 2025 is September 13, 2025.
4. What is the pattern of a CAT exam?
CAT 2025 is a computer-based exam conducted for admission to MBA programs in India. The CAT exam pattern 2025 consists of 3 sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The exam duration is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allotted to each section. Questions are a mix of multiple-choice and non-MCQs (where answers must be typed). The total number of questions is around 68, and there is a negative marking of -1 for incorrect MCQ answers. and +3 is awarded for every correct answer.
5. What is the minimum qualification required to apply for CAT 2025?
To be eligible for the CAT 2025 exam, candidates need to have at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university or institution. Final-year students can also apply provisionally.
