CAT 2025 Syllabus: Ace VARC, DILR, QA

CAT syllabus 2025 is divided into three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The syllabus for CAT exam 2025 has been curated by the Indian Institute of Management, and it is considered one of the most toughest exam syllabi among all the MBA entrance exams in India. The exam is going to be conducted on 30 November 2025.

Table of Contents

CAT Syllabus 2025: Highlights
CAT 2025 Syllabus Section Wise
- CAT VARC Syllabus 2025: Topics and Estimated Weightage
- CAT DILR Syllabus 2025: Topics and Estimated Weightage
- CAT VARC Syllabus 2025: Topics and Refined Estimated Weightage
- CAT DILR Syllabus 2025: Topics and Refined Estimated Weightage
How to Prepare for CAT 2025: Step-by-Step Plan
FAQs

The CAT syllabus and pattern of the exam are curated in such a way that there will be 68 questions (2 are added in DILR section) worth 3 marks, and these need to be attempted within 120 minutes. The CAT Exam Syllabus is divided into three sections :

Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
Quantitative Ability

CAT Exam Pattern

Event	Details
CAT 2025 Notification	July 27, 2025
Registration	August 1 - September 20, 2025
Admit Card	November 5 - 30, 2025
Exam Date	November 30, 2025
Result	First week of January 2026
Exam Pattern	3 Sections: VARC (24 questions), DILR (20-22 questions), QA (22 questions)
Duration	120 minutes (40 minutes/section)
Question Types	MCQs and TITA
Marking	+3 for correct, -1 for wrong MCQ, no negative for TITA

The CAT 2025 syllabus covers all key topics such as Geometry, Arithmetic, Algebra, and Percentage, besides other sections like Graphs, Coding-Decoding, and Series Completion. Reading Comprehension makes up a major portion of the VARC section, which typically consists of 12-14 questions. Before taking CAT, students should make it a point to study rigorously on all the topics that are included in the syllabus since the nature of the test may focus more on the areas that have been less focused upon so far. To know more about the CAT syllabus, do read the following:.

Complete CAT Exam Syllabus PDF

Here is the complete book enlisting the key topics of CAT along with preparation strategy for different sections:

Download Now

CAT Syllabus 2025: Highlights

The CAT 2025 exam will include sections on VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude, with questions formatted as MCQs. Below are the key highlights for CAT preparation:

Section	Description
VARC	Covers English Grammar, Verbal Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension, crucial for MBA syllabus alignment.
Quantitative Aptitude	Encompasses Mathematics topics typically taught in Classes 9 and 10, including Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry, and Mensuration.
DILR	Involves analytical interpretation of data, with questions crafted around Puzzles, Pie Charts, Tables, and Bar Graphs.

CAT 2025 Syllabus Section Wise

CAT VARC Syllabus 2025: Topics and Estimated Weightage

Topic	Approx. No. of Questions in CAT Exam	Level of Difficulty
Fill in the blanks	1	Moderate
Para completion and inference	2	Moderate
Verbal logic	1	Moderate
Verbal reasoning	2	Moderate
Subject-verb agreement	2	Moderate
Parajumbles	3	Moderate to Difficult
Sentence completion	4	Moderate
Foreign language words used in English	1	Easy
Different usage of same word	1	Moderate
Grammar	2	Moderate
Reading comprehension	3	Moderate to Difficult
Idioms	1	Easy
Syllogisms	4	Moderate
Analogies	1	Easy
Antonyms	1	Easy
Jumbled paragraphs	1	Moderate
Sentence correction	3	Moderate
One word substitution	1	Moderate
Parts of speech	1	Easy
Preposition	1	Moderate
Types of clauses	1	Moderate
Phrases modifiers	1	Moderate
Errors in tenses	1	Moderate
Articles usage	1	Easy

Suggested Action:

Kickstart Your Preparations with upto 80% instant Scholarship on CAT Prep courses
Take Test Now

CAT DILR Syllabus 2025: Topics and Estimated Weightage

Topic	Approx. No. of Questions in CAT Exam	Level of Difficulty
Blood Relations	1	Moderate
Clocks and Calendars	3	Moderate
Syllogism	3	Moderate
Series	1	Moderate
Statements	1	Moderate
Venn Diagram	1	Easy
Proposition	2	Moderate
Data Arrangement	1	Moderate
Data Structures	3	Moderate
Direction Sense	1	Moderate
Family Tree	1	Easy
Tables	1	Moderate
Coding-Decoding	1	Moderate
Binary Logic	3	Moderate
Pie Charts	1	Moderate
Assumptions	1	Moderate
Seating Arrangement	1	Moderate
Data Sufficiency	1	Moderate
Puzzles	1	Moderate
Sets & Caselets	1	Moderate

CAT VARC Syllabus 2025: Topics and Refined Estimated Weightage

Topic	Approx. No. of Questions in CAT Exam	Level of Difficulty
Fill in the blanks	1	Moderate
Para completion and inference	3	Moderate
Verbal logic	2	Moderate
Verbal reasoning	3	Moderate
Subject-verb agreement	1	Moderate
Parajumbles	3	Moderate to Difficult
Sentence completion	1	Moderate
Foreign language words used in English	1	Easy
Different usage of same word	1	Moderate
Grammar	1	Moderate
Reading comprehension	18	Moderate to Difficult
Idioms	1	Easy
Syllogisms	1	Moderate
Analogies	1	Easy
Antonyms	1	Easy
Jumbled paragraphs	1	Moderate
Sentence correction	1	Moderate
One word substitution	1	Moderate
Parts of speech	1	Easy
Preposition	1	Moderate
Types of clauses	1	Moderate
Phrases modifiers	1	Moderate
Errors in tenses	1	Moderate
Articles usage	1	Easy

CAT DILR Syllabus 2025: Topics and Refined Estimated Weightage

Topic	Approx. No. of Questions in CAT Exam	Level of Difficulty
Blood Relations	3	Moderate
Clocks and Calendars	1	Moderate
Syllogism	2	Moderate
Series	1	Moderate
Statements	2	Moderate
Venn Diagram	1	Easy
Proposition	2	Moderate
Data Arrangement	3	Moderate
Data Structures	1	Moderate
Direction Sense	1	Moderate
Family Tree	2	Easy
Tables	1	Moderate
Coding-Decoding	1	Moderate
Binary Logic	3	Moderate
Pie Charts	1	Moderate
Assumptions	2	Moderate
Seating Arrangement	1	Moderate
Data Sufficiency	1	Moderate
Puzzles	2	Moderate
Sets & Caselets	1	Moderate
Bars & Line Graphs	3	Moderate

Suggested Action:

Kickstart Your CAT-MBA Journey with FREE Live Masterclasses from the Test Prep Experts!
Register Now

How to Prepare for CAT 2025 – Step-by-Step Plan

Step 1: Understand the CAT Syllabus and Categorize Topics

Begin by familiarizing yourself with the CAT 2025 syllabus. The Quantitative Aptitude section focuses on advanced mathematics, and the VARC section tests grammar and comprehension skills.
List topics into three categories:
- Familiar: Topics you are confident about.
- Somewhat Familiar: Topics where you need more practice.
- Unfamiliar: New or difficult topics.

Step 2: Start with Unfamiliar Topics

Prioritize studying the unfamiliar topics to give yourself more time for mastery.
After completing them, move on to somewhat familiar topics and finally revise the familiar ones.
Alternatively, start with tougher topics if you feel confident.

Step 3: VARC Preparation Strategy

Reading Comprehension (RC) accounts for more than half the VARC section, so begin with RC practice early.
Revise grammar rules, improve vocabulary using dictionaries, and learn new words regularly.
Practice speed-reading by reading books, novels, magazines, and reports from diverse fields such as science, history, and philosophy.
Solve RC questions from mock tests and past CAT papers to understand the types of passages and questions you’ll face.
Focus on English grammar and idiomatic usage, which help with parajumbles and other verbal questions.

Step 4: DILR Preparation Strategy

For Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), practice questions related to tables, graphs, and charts.
Improve calculation speed by memorizing tables, squares, cubes, and roots.
Since DILR questions do not follow formulas, solving puzzles and practice papers is essential.
Familiarity with patterns in charts and tables will increase your accuracy.

Step 5: Quantitative Aptitude Preparation Strategy

Focus on conceptual clarity in algebra, arithmetic, geometry, and trigonometry.
Practice formulae and theorems to strengthen your basics.
Solve questions by increasing difficulty: Start with easy questions, then move to moderate, and finally attempt difficult ones.
Time yourself while solving questions to improve accuracy and speed.
Develop mental calculation skills to save time in the exam.

Step 6: Practice Mock Tests

Once you complete the syllabus, begin taking full-length and sectional mock tests to evaluate your preparation.
Solve each question at least three times:
1. First Attempt: Understand the question and solve it.
2. Second Attempt: Solve with 100% accuracy.
3. Third Attempt: Solve with both speed and accuracy.

CAT Mock Test

FAQs

What is the syllabus of CAT?

CAT consists of 3 sections: Verbal Ability Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Ability (QA) & Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR). The CAT exam is formulated to test the reasoning and decision-making skills of an aspirant as well as his conceptual understanding.

Is CAT exam very tough?

CAT exam can be challenging for a student who has not invested enough time in preparing for the exam. With strategic planning an aspirant can crack CAT exam.

Is CAT tougher than Jee?

In terms of the level of difficulty, the CAT & JEE exams are equally tough. Each of these exams requires in-depth preparation with complete conceptual clarity.

Is CAT exam very easy?

CAT is a national-level management entrance exam that is considered to be the toughest in the domain.

Is CAT harder than CA?

The skills required and tested in both of these exams are very different. It depends on the interests of the student.

Is CAT compulsory for MBA?

No, CAT is not compulsory for an MBA. However, if you wish to get admission in the top management schools in the country, you will have to qualify for the CAT exam.

Can I cover the CAT syllabus in 2-3 months?

Yes, you can complete CAT syllabus in about 2-3 months, if you prepare in a planned, focused, and efficient way.

Does the syllabus for CAT change every year?

Since there is no official syllabus prescribed for CAT, there is no such change in the topics. However, the weightage of different areas has witnessed modifications after every few years.

Is the CAT syllabus the same as that of other MBA entrance tests?

Yes, the syllabus for CAT is similar to that of other management entrance tests like XAT, MAT, etc.
Which section of CAT is the toughest?

CAT is generally difficult in nature. However, in terms of time, VARC mostly more time-consuming than other sections. This is because of the tricky and long Reading Comprehension passages.

Which section of CAT holds highest weightage?

There is very less difference in the weightage allotted to different sections of CAT. Of all three sections, VARC carries the highest marks.

By which month should I complete the CAT syllabus and start practising mock tests?

Although there is no fixed timeline for the CAT preparation schedule, most aspirants aim to complete the syllabus by September. In the rest two months, you can devote time to mock tests.

Do I need to be a graduate in English to ace CAT?

No, you do not need to have knowledge of college-level for the verbal section. But you must have good vocab to nail the section.

Do I need to be a graduate in Mathematics to crack CAT?

No, the syllabus for CAT is quite basic and doesn't require graduation-level knowledge.

Can I prepare for CAT just by taking mock tests?

No, this approach proves ineffective. You must gain a strong understanding of concepts before taking mocks.

Is there negative marking in CAT?

Yes, CAT carries a negative marking for MCQs, but there is no penalty for wrong answers in the Non-MCQ part.

Must Read Articles