CAT Syllabus 2025: Sections, Weightage, Exam Pattern, Tips to Prepare
CAT Syllabus 2025: The CAT exam will be held in November 2025 in online mode in 170 cities. The registration for CAT will begin in August 2025 and end in September 2025. The CAT (Common Admission Test) is a computer-based entrance exam conducted by one of the IIMs annually in India. Candidates are evaluated on their verbal ability, quantitative ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) began CAT to select candidates for business administration programs. The CAT Syllabus 2025 and exam pattern outline the types of questions and sections that will be asked in the exam.
As one of the toughest exams in the world with very low selection rates, preparing for CAT right from January should be a priority. But don’t dare to begin your CAT prep without first going through the CAT syllabus, CAT exam pattern, and CAT 2024 exam analysis. Each of those pieces of information will be critical to beginning your CAT preparation in the right direction.
The CAT Exam syllabus has been changed twice in recent years. The candidates preparing for the CAT 2025 exam should take note of the latest CAT Syllabus 2025.
In this blog, we’ve compiled everything, including topics, types of questions, and weightage for each section of the CAT syllabus.
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CAT Syllabus 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.
CAT Syllabus 2025 – Exam pattern and other highlights
The CAT syllabus and exam pattern dictate that there will be 68 questions worth 3 marks each to be attempted in 120 minutes. The CAT Exam Syllabus includes three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Ability
Candidates are given 40 minutes per section, while PwD candidates get slightly more than 50 minutes per section. The order in which the sections can be attempted is fixed, although moving within the sections is allowed; students can mark questions for review and come back to them within their 40-minute time limit.
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There are two kinds of questions that are asked in CAT, and your CAT syllabus coverage should encompass both – MCQs and TITA-type questions. While attempting MCQs, incorrect answers will yield a -1 negative marking, while there is no negative marking for TITA questions.
Refer to the table below for a more detailed overview of the CAT exam pattern.
| 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- 22 questions QA- 22 questions |
| Total number of questions | 68 |
| Type of questions | Both MCQs and non-MCQs |
| Marking scheme | +3 for every correct answer
-1 for every incorrect answer TITA-type questions have no negative marking |
| Section-wise exam duration | 40 minutes per section |
| Total marks | 204 |
CAT Syllabus 2025 – Important Topics and Weightage
Once you’ve watched the video above, this section will make more sense. We’ve structured the most important topics with their relevant expected weightage in CAT 2025 according to each section. This will give you more clarity about the CAT syllabus as well as direction for your CAT preparation. Spend more time working on topics with higher weightage and correspondingly lesser on topics with lesser weightage.
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CAT VARC Syllabus
VARC or Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension usually dedicates 66% of the weightage to RC passages. Each passage has around 600 words and 4-5 questions that follow. The remaining 34% comes from verbal ability consisting of parajumbles, parasummary, odd-one-out, and parajumbles.
Reading Comprehension:
| Reading Passage Type | Weightage |
| Descriptive Passages | Less |
| Narrative Passages | Less |
| Argumentative Passages | Most |
| Analytical Passages | Most |
| Abstract Passages | Less |
Types of RC Questions:
| Main Idea |
| Inference-based |
| Specific Details Questions |
| Tone, Style, and Source |
| Application Questions |
| Logical Structure |
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Verbal Ability:
| Verbal Ability Question Types |
| Para-jumbles |
| Para-summary |
| Odd-one-out |
| Para-completion |
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CAT DILR Syllabus
DILR is one of the easiest sections to score on with the right approach. And to refine your approach you need to work extensively with different types of data sets.
Data Interpretation:
| Data Interpretation – Types of Graphs |
| Bar graphs |
| Pie charts |
| Line graphs |
| Venn diagrams |
| Caselets |
| Combination of multiple graphs |
Key Concepts in Data Interpretation:
| Percentages and Ratios |
| Averages and Weighted Averages |
| Profit and Loss |
| Growth Rates |
| Data Comparison |
Logical Reasoning:
| Seating Arrangements |
| Blood Relations |
| Direction Sense |
| Syllogisms |
| Clocks and Calendars |
| Coding-Decoding |
| Number Series |
| Logical Sequences |
| Puzzles |
| Games and Tournaments |
Key Concepts in Logical Reasoning:
| Deductive Reasoning |
| Inductive Reasoning |
| Critical Thinking |
| Problem-Solving |
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CAT Quant Syllabus
The CAT QA syllabus is largely divided into 5 parts – arithmetic, algebra, geometry, modern math, and number system. The section is dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra with the remaining divided between geometry, number system, and modern math.
| Topic | Weightage |
| Arithmetic | 40% |
| Algebra | 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 |
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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 |
CAT Syllabus 2025 – CAT 2024 Slot-Wise Analysis
The following is the CAT 2024 Analysis, which can help you understand the important topics and prepare for the upcoming CAT 2025 examination.
Slot 1:
Overall Analysis:
| Section No. | Section Name | Duration | MCQs | TITA | Total |
| I | VARC | 40 min | 20 | 4 | 24 |
| II | DI and LR | 40 min | 12 | 10 | 22 |
| III | QA | 40 min | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| Total | 120 min | 46 | 22 | 68 |
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Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
| Area / Questions | No of Qs. | Type | LoD |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | MCQ | Overall: Medium |
| RC-1: Digital rights of content (Streaming and DVD/Blu-ray) | 4 | MCQ | Easy |
| RC-2: Craftsmanship and creativity | 4 | MCQ | Easy to Medium |
| RC-3: Revival of Bandicoots in Australia | 4 | MCQ | Medium |
| RC-4: Critique of behavioural economics | 4 | MCQ | Medium |
| Verbal Ability | 08 | MCQ & TITA | Overall: Medium |
| Paragraph completion | 3 | MCQ | 1 Easy, 2 Medium |
| Summary | 3 | MCQ | 1 Easy, 1 Medium, 1 Difficult |
| Odd Sentence Questions | 2 | TITA | 1 Easy, 1 Medium |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
| Set No. | Area | Set Description | No. of Questions | Question Type | LoD |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 22 | MCQ and TITA | Medium to Difficult | ||
| 1 | Data Interpretation | Stock price-based set Graph of candle stick for 7 stocks |
4 | 3 MCQ 1 TITA |
Easy |
| 2 | Data Interpretation | 3 people visiting different countries Bar graph | 4 | 2 MCQ 2 TITA |
Medium |
| 3 | Logical Reasoning | Tournament of 6 teams split into two groups
A team plays one match with teams in the same group and two matches with teams of the other group. |
5 | 5 TITA | Medium |
| 4 | Logical Reasoning | Web surfers had to assign thirty stars | 4 | 3 MCQ, 1 TITA | Easy to Medium |
| 5 | Data Interpretation | Two candidates contesting the election. Comparatively lengthy set |
5 | 4 MCQ, 1 TITA | Medium to Difficult |
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Quantitative Ability (QA)
| Area/Q Type | No of Questions |
| Quantitative Ability | 14 MCQs, 8 TITA Overall LOD: MEDIUM |
| Arithmetic | 8 |
| Algebra | 7 |
| Geometry | 3 |
| Modern Math | 3 |
| Numbers | 1 |
Slot 2 :
Overall Analysis
| Section No. | Section Name | Duration | MCQs | TITA | Total |
| I | VARC | 40 min | 22 | 2 | 24 |
| II | DI and LR | 40 min | 12 | 10 | 22 |
| III | QA | 40 min | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| Total | 120 min | 46 | 22 | 68 |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
| Area / Questions | No of Qs. | Type | LoD |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | MCQ | Overall: Medium |
| RC-1: Spice Trade | 4 | MCQ | Easy to Medium |
| RC-2: Unintended Consequences of Technology | 4 | MCQ | Easy to Medium |
| RC-3: Peer Review of Research | 4 | MCQ | Medium |
| RC-4: Carnivore-Human Conflict | 4 | MCQ | Medium |
| Verbal Ability | 08 | MCQ & TITA | Overall: Medium |
| Paragraph completion | 3 | MCQ | 3 Medium |
| Summary | 3 | MCQ | 1 Easy, 1 Medium, 1 Difficult |
| Odd Sentence Questions | 2 | TITA | 1 Easy, 1 Medium |
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Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
| Set No. | Area | Set Description | No. of Questions | Question Type | LoD |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 22 | MCQ and TITA | Easy to Medium | ||
| 1 | Logical Reasoning | Rating – 8 Gymnasts | 5 | 2 MCQ 3 TITA |
Easy – Medium |
| 2 | Data Interpretation | 6 firms, PAT, Es, PRD – 2 graphs | 4 | 4 MCQ 0 TITA |
Easy |
| 3 | Logical Reasoning | Schematic diagram of walkways – Lake | 4 | 2 MCQ, 2 TITA | Medium |
| 4 | Logical Reasoning | 1 to 10 numbers to be arranged in 10 slots with conditions | 5 | 2 MCQ, 3 TITA | Medium to Difficult |
| 5 | Data Interpretation | eCommerce rating distribution – cumulative | 4 | 2 MCQ, 2 TITA | Easy |
Quantitative Ability (QA)
| Area/Q Type | No of Questions |
| Quantitative Ability | 14 MCQs, 8 TITA Overall LOD: MEDIUM |
| Arithmetic | 8 |
| Algebra | 5 |
| Geometry | 3 |
| Modern Math | 3 |
| Numbers | 3 |
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Slot 3 :
Overall Analysis
| Section No. | Section Name | Duration | MCQs | TITA | Total |
| I | VARC | 40 min | 22 | 2 | 24 |
| II | DI and LR | 40 min | 12 | 10 | 22 |
| III | QA | 40 min | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| Total | 120 min | 48 | 20 | 68 |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
| Area / Questions | No of Qs. | Type | LoD |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | MCQ | Overall: Medium |
| RC-1: Success of Chinese liquor brand Moutai | 4 | MCQ | Easy |
| RC-2: Contamination of space | 4 | MCQ | Medium |
| RC-3: Languages have become endangered | 4 | MCQ | Medium |
| RC-4: The need to regulate AI | 4 | MCQ | Medium |
| Verbal Ability | 08 | MCQ & TITA | Overall: Medium |
| Paragraph completion | 3 | MCQ | 1 Easy, 2 Medium |
| Summary | 3 | MCQ | 1 Easy, 1 Medium, 1 Difficult |
| Odd Sentence Questions | 2 | TITA | 1 Easy, 1 Difficult |
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Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
| Set No. | Area | Set Description | No. of Questions | Question Type | LoD |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 22 | MCQ and TITA | Easy to Medium | ||
| 1 | Data Interpretation | Bar graph on App subscription | 4 | 4 MCQ | Easy |
| 2 | Data Interpretation | Line graph on Temperature of a room with AC in power mode | 5 | 2 MCQ 3 TITA |
Easy to Medium |
| 3 | Logical Reasoning | Network of roads and ATMs | 4 | 4 TITA | Medium to Difficult |
| 4 | Logical Reasoning | Proteins, Carbohydrates in food items | 5 | 3 MCQ, 2 TITA | Easy to Medium |
| 5 | Data Interpretation | Table on GDP of 10 countries | 4 | 3 MCQ, 1 TITA | Medium |
Quantitative Ability (QA)
| Area/Q Type | No of Questions |
| Quantitative Ability | 14 MCQs, 8 TITA Overall LOD: MEDIUM |
| Arithmetic | 8 |
| Algebra | 7 |
| Geometry | 3 |
| Modern Math | 3 |
| Numbers | 1 |
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Tips to prepare for CAT Syllabus
The candidates should familiarize themselves with the CAT sllabus and paper pattern before beginning their preparation. Below are some topics that one can follow to prepare for the CAT syllabus.
- Choose the right books to make conceptual clarity and a strong foundation for the CAT exam. After clearing the basics, one can solve questions of varying complexity.
- Solve the previous year’s question paper to learn how to approach the paper correctly and improve your level of accuracy for the CAT exam.
- Maintain a notebook to keep track of tricks and formulas that require constant revision.
- Stick to IIM CAT Syllabus to avoid preparing topics that will not be asked in the exam.
- Test your level of preparedness by taking CAT online mock tests after completing each topic. Analyze each test afterwards and improve upon your mistakes while practising the CAT Syllabus
Frequently Asked Questions on CAT Syllabus 2025
- Does the CAT exam syllabus change every year?
The CAT exam syllabus does not change very often. However, in recent years, its weightage distribution has been altered. The number of questions has increased from 66 to 68, including both multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions.
2. What are the sections in the CAT Syllabus 2025?
The CAT syllabus is divided into three sections:
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Quantitative Aptitude (Q) includes various topics of Class 10 level.
3. What is the CAT syllabus for Quantitative aptitude, and what are its sections?
The CAT exam syllabus for the quantitative section can be divided into five main sections: geometry and mensuration, number system, arithmetic, modern mathematics, and algebra. The Quantitative Aptitude syllabus is the most comprehensive and well-defined of all.
4. How can I prepare for the IIM Cat syllabus?
Analyse and devote dedicated time to each section of the IIM CAT syllabus. Complete your preparation, select experts recommended books, and prepare a strategy.
5. Is it possible to complete the CAT Syllabus in three months?
Completing the CAT exam syllabus within three months is possible if you prepare efficiently and plan. CAT is primarily an aptitude test, which means there are few other things to memorise besides formulas.
6. What is the CAT Syllabus for VARC?
The CAT exam syllabus for VARC is part of the section on VARC. The main topics asked in this section are para jumbles, reading comprehension, fill-in-the-blanks, odd one-out, and vocab-based.
7. Is the CAT syllabus the same as other MBA entrance exams?
The CAT Syllabus has the same basic features as other MBA entrance exams, covering quant, verbal, and logical reasoning. Exams like CMAT have more sections like entrepreneurship and general awareness and innovation.
8. What are the subjects covered in the CAT exam syllabus?
The CAT exam syllabus has three sections: data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR), verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC), and quantitative aptitude (QA).
9. Which section of the CAT syllabus 2025 is the most challenging?
Candidates may find the reading comprehension passages in the VARC section the most challenging. The exam authority usually assigns long and tricky passages to confuse the candidates.
10. Is the CAT Syllabus 2025 difficult?
The CAT syllabus is highly difficult compared to other MBA exams. To do well on it, you must have a basic understanding of it. Ensure that you prepare a timetable and complete all the chapters of the CAT exam syllabus on time.
