Although the Common Admission Test does not have any prescribed syllabus as declared by the conducting authority, it can be derived based on past trends and patterns in exams. The CAT exam is a very important management aptitude test that is conducted by IIMs to evaluate and shortlist candidates for MBA programs. This article discusses a section-wise strategy to cover the CAT 2025 Syllabus. Aspiring candidates must stay updated on the topics and patterns in the CAT exam Syllabus. Find the latest CAT 2025 syllabus below with a section-wise breakdown and effective preparation strategies.
Check below the CAT exam structure given in detail:
| Particulars | Details |
| Full Form | Common Admission Test |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Exam Date | November 2025 (The exact date will be announced closer to the exam) |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Sections | – Quantitative Ability (QA) |
| – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | |
| – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | |
| Number of Questions | 66 questions (subject to change) |
| Question Format | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions |
| Sectional Distribution | – QA: Approximately 22 questions |
| – VARC: Approximately 24 questions | |
| – DILR: Approximately 20 questions | |
| Marking Scheme | – +3 marks for each correct answer |
| – -1 mark for each incorrect answer (for MCQs) | |
| – No negative marking for TITA questions | |
| Scoring | – Total Marks- 198 (66 questions × 3 marks each) |
| Sectional Time Limit | 40 minutes per section |
| Total Time | 120 minutes |
CAT Exam Pattern 2025
CAT candidates must know about the CAT exam pattern because it helps to understand the CAT exam easily. The CAT exam pattern consists of three sections with a total of 66 questions for a duration of 2 hours. Check below the CAT exam pattern given below:
| Sections | Number of Questions | Time (minutes) |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 |
CAT 2025 Syllabus – Weightage Assigned to Different Topics
The weightage assigned to the different topics mentioned in the CAT exam syllabus:
| Section | Topics | Weightage | No. of questions |
| VARC | RC – passages | 67% | 16 |
| VA – Para jumbles, Odd one out, etc. | 33% | 8 | |
| DILR | DI – Tables, graphs, etc. | 50% | 10 |
| LR – Vein Diagram, Arrangements, etc. | 50% | 10 | |
| QA | Arithmetic | 55% | 10 to 12 |
| Algebra | 25% | 6 to 8 | |
| Modern Math | 12% | 3 to 4 | |
| VA – Para jumbles, Odd one out, etc. | 8% | 2 |
The exact number of questions varies slightly depending on the level of difficulty. This is roughly the weightage that remains the same across years.
Topic-Wise Distribution of CAT 2025 Syllabus
Check below for the detailed analysis of the CAT exam syllabus 2025 for all the sections of the CAT exam through the given topic-wise distribution:
CAT 2025 Syllabus: VARC or Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Verify the topic-wise distribution of the VARC section of the CAT exam from previous years' analysis:
| Topics | No. of Questions | Level of Difficulty |
| Reading Comprehension | 16 | Moderate to Difficult |
| VA-Para jumbles | 3 | Moderate to Difficult |
| VA-Odd Sentence | 2 | Easy to Moderate |
| VA-Summary | 3 | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | 24 | Moderate to Difficult |
LRDI CAT 2025 Syllabus
The topic-wise distribution of the DILR section of the CAT exam based on previous years’ analysis:
| Topics | No. of Questions | Level of Difficulty |
| Set 1 (Data Interpretation) | 5 | Easy |
| Set 2 (Data Interpretation) | 5 | Moderate |
| Set 3 (Logical Reasoning) | 5 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Set 4 (Logical Reasoning) | 5 | Moderate |
| Overall | 20 | Moderate to Difficult |
Quantitative Ability CAT 2025 Syllabus
Check the topic-wise distribution of the QA section of the CAT exam based on previous years’ analysis:
| Topics | No. of Questions | Difficulty Level |
| Arithmetic | 8 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Algebra | 7 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Geometry | 3 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Modern Maths | 2 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Number System | 2 | Moderate to Difficult |
| Overall | 22 | Moderate to Difficult |
Tips to Ace Each Section of the CAT Exam Syllabus
Note below the preparation tips to ace each section of the CAT 2025 syllabus easily:
Overview of CAT 2025 Syllabus
Although the Common Admission Test does not have any prescribed syllabus as declared by the conducting authority, it can be derived based on past trends and patterns in exams. The paper has three primary divisions: VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability). Every division tests for the skills to be used while undertaking management studies, among others.
In the VARC section, the candidate is tested on his English language proficiency by reading comprehension passages, sentence rearrangement, para jumbles, and grammar-based questions. Reading comprehension passages vary in length and cover topics that are diverse and related to social issues, science, technology, and literature.It requires the candidate to analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions. Grammar and vocabulary questions test the understanding of the rules of the language and usage of words.
The DILR section consists of questions that test the candidate's ability to analyze data and solve logical puzzles. Data interpretation involves charts, tables, graphs, and caselets where the candidate needs to interpret numbers, patterns, and trends. Logical reasoning questions include arrangements, blood relations, seating plans, and other puzzles that demand critical thinking and structured problem-solving skills.
QA is focused on the mathematical aptitude of the candidates, which means it is mostly based on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems. Topics include percentage, profit, loss, time and work, probability, and logarithm. It concentrates on speed and accuracy in solving problems, demanding a strong base of fundamental mathematical concepts from the candidate.
Overall, the CAT 2025 syllabus is dynamic, and candidates are expected to master analytical, linguistic, and quantitative skills. It involves mastering all these areas with varying levels of difficulty in the exam.
Conclusion
Understanding the details of the CAT exam syllabus 2025 is essential for effective preparation. By familiarizing yourself with the topics and question types, you can tailor your study plan to address each area comprehensively. Regular practice, combined with a strategic approach to time management and mock tests, will equip you with the skills needed to excel in the CAT exam. Remember, a well-rounded preparation strategy that covers all aspects of the CAT exam syllabus will help you approach the exam with confidence and clarity.
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