CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Insights, Structure & Preparation Tips

CAT Exam pattern for 2025 is expected to remain similar to the previous year's pattern. In the year 2025, the CAT exam is expected to be conducted on the 30th November 2025. It is one of the most prestigious exams held in India and is a gateway to some of the top management institutes like IIMs. The exam is conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission into various top postgraduate programs. Every year lakhs of aspirants appear for CAT exam so it is important to know all about the CAT Exam Pattern & Syllabus for 2025.

Table of Contents

• CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Overview
• CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Changes over the years
• What is the section-wise syllabus for CAT 2025?
• • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
• • Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
• • Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Important Dates
• CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Preparation Tips
• Conclusion
• FAQs

CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Overview

CAT exam asses candidate's skills in solving Math, English and Logical Reasoning problems and more in a given time frame. If a candidate wants to clear the CAT exam, they should focus on understanding the CAT exam pattern 2025, as it will give clarity regarding the CAT exam. The exam consists of three sections which are given below:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Sections	Total Questions	Total Time (in minutes)	MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) based questions	TITA (Type In The Answer) type questions
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	40	21	3
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	22	40	14	6
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	40	14	8
Total	68	120	49	17

The official CAT exam pattern is not available however an aspirant can learn about the latest CAT exam structure and syllabus by referring to CAT Previous Year Question Papers.

CAT Exam Pattern 2025

Given below is mode of exam, duration of exam, slot details, CAT 2025 eligibility criteria and CAT 2025 marking scheme.

CAT Exam Pattern 2025
Mode of CAT exam	Computer Based Test (CBT) only
Duration of exam	120 minutes; 40 minutes per section
Number of answer choices	4
CAT exam slots	Morning: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Evening: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Language of question paper	English
CAT 2025 exam date	November 30, 2025 (expected)
CAT 2025 eligibility criteria	Graduation with 50 % aggregate  45 % for SC/ST students
CAT 2025 marking scheme	+3 marks for correct answer -1 mark for an incorrect answer No Negative marking for TITA
CAT fees 2025	INR 2,500 for General category INR 1,250 for SC/ST/PwD
CAT 2025 conducting body	IIM Calcutta
CAT 2025 official website	https://iimcat.ac.in

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CAT 2025 Marking Scheme

CAT marking scheme has remained consistent over the years. An aspirant must be aware of the marking scheme in order to prepare more efficiently for the CAT exam. The CAT exam has a negative marking for every incorrect answers that makes CAT a very difficult exam to crack. However, in case of TITA (Type in the Answer) type questions have no negative marking.

For every correct answer, the candidate is awarded +3 marks whereas every incorrect answer attracts -1 mark

Key highlights of the exam are given below-

No compulsion to attempt all the questions

CAT 2025 is expected to be of 204 marks as per CAT 2024

A few questions will be in non-MCQ format

Number of questions is expected to be 68

No deduction of marks for skipping questions

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

CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Changes Over the Years

Over the years there have been big changes to the CAT exam pattern. Most recently as a result of the pandemic there were fewer questions and less time. Here is a complete history of how the CAT exam has changed over the years.

Years	Total Questions in CAT	Duration of CAT exam
2024	68	2 hrs (120min.)
2021-2023	66	2 hrs  (120min.)
2020	76	2 hrs  (120min.)
2015 -2019	100	3 hrs  (180min.)
2014	100	2 hrs 50 min.  (180 min.)
2011- 2013	60	2 hrs 20 min. (140 min.)
2010	60	2hrs 30 min. (150 min.)



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What is the Section-wise Syllabus for CAT 2025?

The IIMs do not provide an official syllabus for CAT exam. Aspiring candidates should go for other resources for the CAT exam syllabus. Below is a concise syllabus outline for CAT 2025.

CAT Section	Section Wise  Topics
VARC	Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentence Out, Inferences, One-Word Substitution, Syllogism and Analogies, Verbal Logic, etc.
DILR	Charts, Caselets, Blood Relations, Syllogism, Directions, Clocks and Calendars, Tables, Graphs, Charts, Connectives, Logical Sequence, Matching/ Puzzles, Number and Letter Series, Seating Arrangement, Venn Diagrams, Coding-Decoding, Binary Logic, Caselets and Table, etc.
QA	Algebra, Arithmetic, Probability, Number System, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Simple Interest/Compound Interest, Time & Distance, Averages-Mixtures-Alligations, Mensuration, Logarithms, Functions & Graphs, Indices & Surds, Quadratic Equations, Special Equations, Statistics, Geometry, etc.

Get detailed list of the CAT 2025 syllabus.

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• Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability are the two main parts of VARC. The reading comprehension part of VARC is very important. It has paragraphs of different lengths and MCQ and TITA questions that go with them. Verbal Ability, on the other hand, includes things like Para Jumbles, Odd Sentences and more.
• Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
QA section of CAT consists of Math which is based on class 10th level. It covers topics like LCM & HCF, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Probability and more.
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
This section covers two areas i.e. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. Data Interpretation deals with analyzing information given in the form of Charts, Graphs, etc, and reaching the correct answer. On the other hand, the Logical Reasoning section has questions from areas like Puzzles, Blood Relations, Seating Arrangements etc. which tests the basic mental ability of a candidate.

CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Important Dates

Mentioned below are the important dates for the CAT 2025 exam-

Events	Important dates (Tentative)
CAT 2025 Notification	July 2025
Registration Start Date	August 2025
Last Date of Registration	September 2025
Exam Date	November 30, 2025 (expected)
Result Date	2nd week of January 2026

Get the Best study material for CAT 2025 exam

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern v/s Other MBA Entrnace Exam

The exam pattern for the CAT exam is nearly similar to other MBA entrance exams. However, there are a few distinctions like variation in the number of questions, type of questions, sections and other aspects. Given below is a comprehensive analysis of the differences in the exam pattern of the top MBA entrance exams in India.

Exam Name	Time Duration	No. of Questions	Sections	Total Marks
CAT	120 minutes	66	3	204
CMAT	180 minutes	100	5	400
XAT	180 minutes	95	4	95
MAT	120 minutes	150	5	150
SNAP	60 minutes	60	3	60
GMAT	187 minutes	70	4	200-800
NMAT	120 minutes	108	3	36-360

CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Preparation Tips

• Develop a Study Plan: Divide the CAT syllabus into small portions and plan out how you will study each one in the time you have available.
• Prioritize Mock Tests:Make practice tests a regular part of your schedule. These will give you an idea of how well you're prepared and help you figure out where you need to improve. Use the free CAT practice tests that are available to get ready for the real test.

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Question

1. Will CAT 2025 have 2 or 3 sections?
The CAT 2025 examination will maintain its traditional three-section structure, a format consistently followed since 2015. There will be 3 sections in the exam; Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) & Quantitative Ability (QA).
2. Is CAT 2025 going online or offline?
CAT has been conducted exclusively as a computer-based test since 2009, and the 2025 edition will continue in a similar mode.
3. What is the marking scheme for CAT 2025?
The CAT 2025 scoring system follows a precise +3/-1 framework where each correct answer earns three marks while incorrect MCQ responses deduct one mark. Notably, the Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions carry no negative marking, making them strategically valuable despite their higher difficulty level.
4. How many non-MCQ (TITA) questions are expected to appear in CAT 2025?
Based on recent trends, CAT 2025 is expected to include approximately 10-12 TITA questions distributed unevenly across sections. The Quantitative Ability section generally contains the majority (6-8 questions) of these non-MCQ items, primarily numerical problems testing calculation accuracy. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning typically incorporates 2-4 TITA questions within certain caselets, often requiring precise numerical inputs or brief text responses. The Verbal Ability section is expected to remain exclusively MCQ-based.
5. Can we use calculators in CAT 2025?
The examination permits only the use of the provided on-screen calculator during the Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation sections. Physical calculators, personal electronic devices, or any external computational aids are strictly prohibited.
6. What's the sectional time limit in CAT 2025?
Each of the three sections in CAT 2025 consists of a 40-minute time constraint, creating a total testing duration of 120 minutes. This sectional timing demands specialized strategies, such as allocating exactly 7 minutes per reading comprehension passage in VARC, dedicating 8-10 minutes per DILR caselet, and employing a two-phase approach in QA to solve easier questions first. The interface displays a countdown timer with color-coded warnings as section deadlines approach, helping candidates manage their pacing throughout the examination.
7. Are CAT 2025 questions syllabus-based?
While CAT doesn't publish an official syllabus, analysis of previous years reveals consistent content patterns. The Verbal Ability section emphasizes reading comprehension through passages averaging 600 words on diverse topics from philosophy to business trends, complemented by verbal reasoning questions testing grammar and logical flow. Data Interpretation focuses on extracting insights from tables, charts, and complex datasets while Logical Reasoning presents puzzles involving arrangements, sequences, and binary logic. Quantitative Ability systematically covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern math, with questions progressively increasing in difficulty to test a candidate's abilities.
8. How difficult is CAT 2025 expected to be as compared to past years?
Historical data suggests CAT 2025 will maintain its reputation as India's most challenging management entrance exam, with slight variations across sections. The VARC section typically shows consistent difficulty, though passage topics can unpredictably affect perceived complexity. DILR often introduces innovative question formats annually to prevent pattern recognition, while QA may see moderate difficulty adjustments through increased TITA questions or conceptual twists on standard problems. The examination's scaling system ensures that percentile scores remain comparable across years despite these variations in absolute difficulty.
9. How many attempts are allowed for CAT?
The CAT exam offers unlimited attempts, allowing aspirants to participate as many times as they like. But it is important for the candidates to meet the CAT eligibility criteria.
10. Is there any sectional cutoff in CAT 2025?
Yes, all IIMs have a minimum sectional cutoff along with the overall score cutoffs. For general category candidates, typical sectional cutoffs range between 85-90 percentiles, while reserved categories may have thresholds around 70-75 percentiles. This cutoff may vary from institute to institute.
11. What's new in the CAT 2025 pattern?
While the basic exam structure remains consistent, CAT 2025 may have slight variations in the number of questions and other aspects. Expected changes include an increased proportion of TITA questions (potentially reaching 15 total), more DILR sets combining data analysis with quantitative techniques, and possible innovations in RC question types assessing critical reasoning beyond basic comprehension. However, the fundamental three-section, computer-based format with sectional timing will certainly continue, maintaining the examination's standardized evaluation framework.
12. How to manage time in CAT 2025?
Effective time management in CAT requires section-specific strategies honed through extensive mock test practice. For VARC, allocate a maximum of 8 minutes per reading comprehension passage while solving verbal ability questions within 30 seconds each. In DILR, carefully select 3-4 most approachable caselets and dedicate 10 minutes per set. Quantitative Ability demands a two-phase approach: quickly solving 12-15 easier questions in the first 25 minutes before tackling more complex problems. Regular practice with sectional timers helps develop this precise pacing, while mock test analysis identifies personal time sinks requiring improvement.
13. Where to find official CAT 2025 pattern PDF?
The conducting IIM will release the authoritative CAT 2025 information brochure on its official website (iimcat.ac.in) typically in July or August 2025. This PDF document contains the exact exam pattern, registration guidelines, and important policies. Candidates should regularly check the website and avoid relying on unofficial sources, as even minor pattern changes significantly impact preparation strategies. The brochure also provides essential details about test center protocols, permitted identification documents, and scoring methodology directly from the examination authorities.