CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Check CAT Paper Pattern, Total Marks & Marking Scheme
CAT Exam Pattern 2025: IIM Kozhikode is expected to conduct the CAT 2025 exam in CBT mode. While IIM Calcutta threw a few curveballs in CAT 2024, we expect no major impinges on the CAT 2025 exam. The exam pattern should largely remain similar to the CAT 2024 pattern, comprising 68 questions. Continue reading to gain a comprehensive understanding of the CAT exam syllabus and paper pattern.
The CAT exam pattern has been modified several times in the past years. The total number of questions has been brought down to 66 from 100 and raised back to 68 in CAT 2024. The sectional distribution of questions has also been played around with. Before we delve into the CAT exam pattern, let’s first glance at the CAT exam pattern changes introduced in CAT 2024
CAT Exam Pattern 2025 – Latest changes in the exam pattern
- The total number of questions went up from 66 to 68.
- The number of questions in the DILR section was increased from 20 to 22. Instead of 4 sets of 5 questions each, as has been the norm, CAT 2024 had 3 sets of 4 questions and 2 sets of 5 questions.
- According to the CAT 2024 exam analysis by our expert mentors, the overall difficulty level of CAT exam 2024 was lower than that of CAT 2023, especially in the DILR and Quant sections.
- The difficulty level across the three slots was also varied. Slot 1 was the easiest, and slot 3 was the hardest.
- The difficulty level of VARC was largely the same as last year, while the DILR and Quant sections were on the easier side.
- According to our expert mentors, CAT 2024’s overall difficulty level was similar to that of CAT 2021.
- The overall cutoffs for the top colleges are expected to go up,, and the CAT score vs. percentile report will also change, with the 90%ile and 95ile benchmarks climbing upwards to 47-51 marks and 58-61 marks, respectively.
Read More: CAT Exam 2025: Date, Registration, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation Tips, Cutoff
What is the CAT Exam Pattern 2025?
The organization that administers the CAT designs exam patterns annually to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude for resolving mathematical and reasoning problems. According to the pattern, there are three exam portions: DILR, VARC, and QA.
- The CAT VARC section included 24 questions and a weightage of 72 marks.
- The CAT DILR section comprised 22 questions and a weightage of 66 marks.
- The CAT Quantitative Aptitude section consisted of 22 questions and a weightage of 66 marks.
Read More – CAT Syllabus 2025: Sections, Weightage, Exam Pattern, Tips to Prepare
Overview of CAT Exam Pattern 2025
Last year, the exam had 68 questions and a total examination time of 120 minutes, with a 40-minute sectional time limit. According to the CAT exam pattern, officials can quickly assess a candidate’s logical and mathematical abilities. Candidates who intend to take future exams should become familiar with the CAT exam Pattern 2024.
CAT exam pattern 2025 & exam mark distribution
Here is a detailed analysis of the latest CAT marks distribution based on last year’s exam pattern:
| Section | MCQs | Non-MCQs | Total No. of Questions | CAT Exam Duration |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 22 | 2 | 24 | 40 min |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR) | 12 | 10 | 22 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 14 | 8 | 22 | 40 min |
| Total | 48 | 20 | 68 | 120 (2 hours) |
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CAT Exam Duration
CAT sections have a fixed time limit. The following are the sectional timings and slot-by-slot information for the most recent CAT Exam Pattern:
| CAT Exam Sections | CAT Sectional Time |
| VARC | 40 minutes |
| QA | 40 minutes |
| DILR | 40 minutes |
| Total | 120 minutes |
Read More – MBA from IITs – Admission, eligibility, fees, placements.
Quantitative Aptitude – CAT Exam Pattern 2025
CAT Quantitative Aptitude consists of numerical-based questions drawn from various math topics. There were a total of 22 questions in this section in CAT 2024. We can safely expect CAT 2025 to continue following the same pattern.
| CAT 2024 Slot-wise weightage | |||
| Area | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
| Arithmetic | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Algebra | 7 | 5 | 7 |
| Geometry | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Modern Math | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Numbers | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 14 MCQs, 8 TITA | |||
| 30% | |
| Geometry | 15% |
| Number system | 5%-7% |
| Modern math | 5%-7% |
Arithmetic:
| Arithmetic |
| Percentages |
| Ratio and Proportion |
| Averages and Mixtures |
| Profit, Loss, and Discount |
| Simple and Compound Interest |
| Time, Speed, and Distance |
| Time and Work |
| Pipes and Cisterns |
| Boats and Streams |
| Partnerships |
Read More – CAT Cutoffs 2025 (Expected)
Algebra:
| Algebra |
| Linear Equations |
| Quadratic Equations |
| Inequalities |
| Functions |
| Logarithms |
| Progressions (AP, GP, HP) |
| Sequences and Series |
| Maxima and Minima |
| Polynomials |
Geometry:
| Geometry |
| Lines and Angles |
| Triangles |
| Circles |
| Quadrilaterals |
| Polygons |
| Mensuration (2D and 3D) |
| Coordinate Geometry |
| Trigonometry |
| Similarity of Triangles |
| Properties of Circles |
Modern Math:
| Modern Math |
| Permutations and Combinations |
| Probability |
| Set Theory |
| Venn Diagrams |
| Binomial Theorem |
| Functions and Graphs |
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Number System:
| Numbers |
| Number System:
Natural Numbers, Whole Numbers, Integers Rational and Irrational Numbers Real Numbers |
| Divisibility and Remainders |
| Factors and Multiples |
| HCF and LCM |
| Prime Numbers and Composite Numbers |
| Cyclicity and Factorials |
| Base System |
| Indices and Surds |
Marks distribution graph of Quantitative Aptitude topics:
Below is the marks distribution graph of quantitative aptitude question distribution based on the 2024 CAT exam pattern:
- 12-15 questions related to arithmetic and algebra were there.
- 7-8 TITA questions (Non-MCQs) were there.
- With the proper practice of the syllabus topics, the CAT quantitative aptitude section is moderate to difficult.
Read More – CAT Score vs Percentile 2025 – Section-wise analysis of CAT scores and percentiles.
VARC – CAT Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates will be tested on their English language skills, their ability to interpret paragraphs, and their understanding of the core ideas. CAT 2024 had 24 questions in VARC, and CAT 2025 should have the same.
In 2024, 2 TITA questions were included, for which no options were provided, and candidates were required to type their answers. Besides, the difficulty level of the reading comprehension section and the verbal ability section of the CAT has been moving upwards.
Read More – CAT Cutoff – Find out CAT cutoffs for IIMs and other top colleges.
Reading Comprehension:
| Reading Passage Type | Weightage |
| Abstract Topics | 50% |
| Specialised Subjects | 25% |
| Politics and Law | 15% |
| Fiction | 10% |
Verbal Ability:
| Verbal Ability Question Types |
| Para-jumbles |
| Para-summary |
| Odd-one-out |
| Para-completion |
Read More – CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025
DILR – CAT Exam Pattern 2025
This section of the CAT exam pattern evaluates the candidates’ ability to interpret data and understand logical assumptions. This year, the data interpretation and logical reasoning section had 22 questions.
The questions will vary from inequalities to symbol operations, direct sense tests, etc. Besides, this section’s questions are easily solvable, and hence, they are highly scored.
Interpreting the data is difficult and time-consuming. However, candidates should be able to comprehend the data sets thoroughly so that they can answer the full set of questions. Meanwhile, data interpretation on the CAT should be conducted cautiously, as a single mistake may result in candidates incorrectly attempting all questions from each set.
Data Interpretation:
| Data Interpretation – Types of Graphs |
| Bar graphs |
| Pie charts |
| Line graphs |
| Venn diagrams |
| Caselets |
| Combination of multiple graphs |
Logical Reasoning:
| Types of Puzzles |
| Games and Tournaments |
| Calendars |
| Sequences |
| Seating arrangements |
| Direction-based puzzles |
| Grids |
| Visualisation-based puzzles |
| Scheduling problems |
| Routes and networks |
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Key points to keep in mind for the CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
- The exam is a computer-based test.
- The use of an onscreen calculator allows for computation during the exam.
- The CAT exam will be conducted in three slots of 2 hours each on a single day.
- In 2024, the CAT exam had a total of 204 marks. However, candidates cannot switch between sections, so keep this in mind while preparing for the exam.
- The onscreen clock will help candidates to keep a tab on the time during the exam.
- For each incorrect answer, 1 mark will be deducted.
- The sheets of paper are provided for rough work. As soon as the exam is over, they must be submitted to the exam centre.
- Candidates are not allowed to start their tests before the time is up and can only log in after the invigilator announces it.Read More – CAT Exam 2025: Date, Registration, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation Tips, Cut Off
Evolution of CAT exam pattern over the years
CAT exam patterns have been modified several times over the years.
Below is a table that provides an overview of how it has evolved over time.
| Year | Number of Question | Difficulty Level | CAT exam time 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 |
The CAT exam pattern has been changed multiple times.
CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Conclusion
CAT 2024 was a computer-based test (CBT) divided into 3 sections of 68 questions: VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section will have 40 minutes. Meanwhile, the exam paper will have MCQ and TITA, and most questions will be MCQ-based. This guide on CAT paper patterns will help the CAT aspirants to get familiar with the latest patterns and prepare accordingly.
FAQs – CAT 2025 exam pattern
1. How many sections will be there in CAT 2025?
The CAT 2025 will have three sections:
a. Section 1: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
b. Section 2: Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation
c. Section 3: Quantitative Ability
2. Is there a negative marking in CAT, and did the CAT pattern change in 2024?
Yes, 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. The CAT exam pattern also changed from last year.
3. What is the marking scheme for the CAT exam?
According to the CAT exam marking scheme, the candidates will get +3 for every correct answer. Furthermore, each incorrect answer will result in a deduction of -1.
4. According to the CAT exam pattern, How many non-MCQs are in each section?
The IIMs have provided no information regarding the number of non-MCQ questions. However, the number may differ depending on the section and the year.
5. What are the total marks for CAT, and is it a difficult exam?
CAT is considered to be the most difficult MBA entrance exam in India. However, the difficulty of the exam is expected to be moderate to high. Meanwhile, the CAT total mark is 204.
