CAT Syllabus 2025: Sections, Topics Weightage, & Exam Pattern

Latest CAT Syllabus 2025: The syllabus for CAT exam 2025 includes three main sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Candidates are evaluated on various skills, such as verbal ability, quantitative ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation.

The CAT Exam syllabus has been changed twice in recent years. Candidates preparing for the CAT 2025 exam should note the latest updates in the syllabus. They shouldn’t begin their CAT prep without first going through the exam pattern and the previous year’s exam analysis.

We have compiled everything in this blog, including topics, types of questions, weightage for each section, and CAT 2024 analysis.

CAT Syllabus 2025 – Exam Pattern and Other Highlights

The CAT syllabus and exam pattern will have 68 questions worth 3 marks each to be attempted in 120 minutes. The CAT Syllabus includes 3 sections presented below:

 

 

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension: This section has 24 questions, with 12-14 for reading comprehension. The CAT VARC syllabus section covers Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. As a candidate, you must study English grammar and vocabulary to crack RC.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning: This section has 22 questions and evaluates candidates’ logical reasoning and data interpretation capabilities. The CAT DILR syllabus covers topics that require analytical data interpretation. The data is presented through Puzzles, Family Trees, Blood Relations, Series, Pie Charts, Bar Graphs, Tables, Syllogisms, etc.
3. Quantitative Aptitude: The quant (QA) has 22 questions from Arithmetic and Algebra to evaluate the mathematical aptitude of candidates. The CAT Quant syllabus includes Mathematics topics from Class 9 to 10.
   

 

CAT Syllabus Overview

Please take a look at the table below for a more detailed overview of the CAT syllabus and exam pattern 2025. 

CAT Exam Details	CAT Exam Highlights
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 questions have no negative marking
Section-wise marks (3 marks for each correct answer)	VARC – 72 questions DILR – 66 questions QA-  66 questions
Section-wise exam duration	40 minutes per section
Total marks	204

 

Note: 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 return to them within their 40-minute time limit. 

 

What Type of Questions are Asked in CAT Syllabus?

Two kinds of questions 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.

Watch a Quick Video on the CAT Syllabus 2025

This video will help you understand the CAT syllabus by analyzing the past 5 years question papers.

Sections-Wise CAT Syllabus 2025: Important Topics, Questions, & Weightage

This section will make more sense once you’ve watched the video above. We have 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 less time on topics with lesser weightage.

CAT VARC Syllabus: Weightage and Pattern

VARC or Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension usually dedicates 66% of the weightage to RC passages and 33.33% to the VA section. Each passage in RC has around 600 words and 4-5 questions that follow. The remaining 34% comes from verbal ability, consisting of para-jumbles, para-summary, and odd-one-out.

 

• Types of Questions in the CAT Reading Comprehension Section

Here are the type of questions that can be asked in the RC section. Go though the question types and it will help you to prepare better.

Question Types	Description
Inference-based	VARC often asks inference questions, and you’re required to draw conclusions based on the information provided.
Specific Details Question	Identify the writer’s tone toward the subject matter.
Detail-Oriented Question	Answer for the specific details or facts within the text.
Application/Purpose Question	Find the application or the purpose of a particular part.
Logical Structure	These questions test you on the logical structure of a paragraph.
Vocabulary Question	Provide the contextual meaning of words.

 

Read More: CAT Exam 2025 – Everything you need to know about the exam | CAT Exam Pattern – Marking scheme and sectional pattern

 

• Types of Questions in the CAT Verbal Ability Section

Check the type of questions that can be asked in the VA section and understand how you need to answer them. It will help you know the evaluation pattern in the VA section.

Topics	Description
Para-jumbles	Arrange a set of jumbled sentences into a paragraph.
Sentence Correction	Grammar and language proficiency are assessed by identifying your ability to find the errors.
Analogies	Identify similar relationships between words.
Odd-one-out	Identify the most incoherent or incorrect sentence.
Para-completion	Select the correct sentence to complete a paragraph.

 

• Types of Passages in the CAT VARC section

Check the various types of passages in the VARC section and their weightage. This will help you plan for CAT prep and dedicate time accordingly.

Reading Passage Type	Weightage
Descriptive Passages	Less
Narrative Passages	Less
Argumentative Passages	Most
Analytical Passages	Most
Abstract Passages	Less

 

• CAT VARC Syllabus – Topic Wise Weightage

The VARC section in CAT includes questions that check how well you can understand what you read and how good
you are with arranging and understanding sentences. It has four main types of questions as given below, along with the number of questions along with the difficulty-level from the previous year’s CAT syllabus:

VARC Topics for CАТ	No. of Questions in CAT Exam	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

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How to Prepare for CAT VARC Section

The CAT VARC section asks questions on verbal ability that check how well you can read and understand a content or a passage. It also evaluates your command over sentence arrangement and understanding the sentence flow.

Watch this video to get expert strategies to complete the CAT VARC syllabus and prepare for the exam.

Read More – CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

CAT Syllabus 2025 – CAT DILR Syllabus

DILR is considered the hardest yet easiest to score on with the right approach. The DILR section has 22 questions and this section appears after the VARC. To refine your approach, you need to work extensively with different types of data sets. CAT syllabus 2025 for DILR involves topics, like circular arrangements, cubes, games & tournaments, pie charts, line & bar graphs, etc.

• Key Topics Covered in Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

Following topics and concepts are asked in DILR section. These topics evaluates candidates on some skills, such as deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

DI	LR
Percentages and Ratios	Seating Arrangements
Averages and Weighted Averages	Blood Relations
Profit and Loss	Direction Sense
Growth Rates	Syllogisms
Data Comparison	Clocks and Calendars
Venn Diagrams	Coding-Decoding
Tables-Based DI	Number Series
Routes and Networks	Logical Sequences
Mathematical Puzzles	Puzzles
Graphs	Games and Tournaments

 

• Types of Questions in DILR Section

Have a look at the important DILR questions covered in the CAT Syllabus:

Question Types	Description
Graph based Questions	Interpret the data from various graphs, such as bar graphs, line graphs, Venn diagrams, and pie charts, and provide conclusions.
Calculation-intensive Questions	Complex calculations based on the given data. To find the right answers, you need to do these calculations accurately and efficiently.
Caselets	If you receive a caselet or a passage with data, you will have to analyze the information and answer the questions.
Mixed Data Interpretation	Such questions combine different data sets in the form of tables, graphs, and caselets, in a single question.

 

• No. of Questions in CAT DILR Syllabus

DILR Syllabus	No. of Questions	Level of Difficulty
DI	11	Easy to Moderate
LR	11	Moderate to Difficult
Overall	22	Moderate

 

Important Note: The DILR section pattern may change. Therefore, practice different types of question sets.

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CAT Quant Syllabus 2025

The CAT QA syllabus is largely divided into five parts: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, modern math, and number system. The section is dominated by Arithmetic and Algebra, with the remaining parts divided between geometry, number system, and modern math.

• CAT Quant Syllabus: Key Topics and Weightage in Quantitative Aptitude

The CAT Quant syllabus involves following topics, questions types, and their weightage. These questions are calculation based. It’s a speed based test, so you must practice mental maths for better performance.

Quant Sections	Topics	No. of   Questions	Weightage
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	8-10	40%
Algebra	Linear Equations Quadratic Equations Inequalities Functions Logarithms Progressions (AP, GP, HP) Sequences and Series Maxima and Minima Polynomials	5-7	30%
Geometry	Lines and Angles Triangles Circles Quadrilaterals Polygons Mensuration (2D and 3D) Coordinate Geometry Trigonometry Similarity of Triangles Properties of Circles	1-3	15%
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	1-2	5%-7%
Modern Math	Permutations and Combinations Probability Set Theory Venn Diagrams Binomial Theorem Functions and Graphs	2-4	5%-7%
Overall		22

 

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How Can I Prepare CAT Quant Syllabus?

If you have a detailed info about the section-wise syllabus and valuable insights from the experts, you can prepare and crack the Quant section of CAT exam confidently. Watch this video for expert guidance on how to prepare the CAT quant section with a 1 year plan.

 

CAT Syllabus 2025 – Latest changes in the exam pattern

1. The total number of questions went up from 66 to 68.
2. 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.
3. According to the CAT 2024 exam analysis by our expert mentors, the overall difficulty level of the CAT exam 2024 was lower than that of the CAT 2023, especially in the DILR and Quant sections.
4. The difficulty level across the three slots was also varied. Slot 1 was the easiest, and slot 3 was the hardest.
5. The difficulty level of VARC was essentially the same as last year, while the DILR and Quant sections were on the easier side.
6. According to our expert mentors, CAT 2024’s overall difficulty level was similar to that of CAT 2021.
7. 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 95%ile benchmarks climbing upwards to 47-51 marks and 58-61 marks, respectively.

Get CAT Exam Previous Years’ Papers:

You can find an analysis of the previous CAT 2024 paper here. CAT Previous Years’ Papers – Click here to take the CAT 2022 in test format

CAT Syllabus: 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 of CAT 2024 Exam

 

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

 

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Pattern in CAT 2024: 

Below is the complete analysis of the CAT VARC test pattern with number of questions, their types, and level of difficulty. You can also look at the various topics asked in the RC section and their number of questions.

 

Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Paper Pattern in 2024:

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the CAT DILR exam pattern. You can check the total number of questions in each DI and LR, question types, and their level of difficulty. Total 22 questions were asked in DILR with difficulty level of easy to 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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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 the CAT Syllabus 2025

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. 

1. Choose the right books to achieve conceptual clarity and a strong foundation for the CAT exam. After clearing the basics, one can solve questions of varying complexity.
2. 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.
3. Maintain a notebook to keep track of tricks and formulas that require constant revision.
4. Stick to the IIM CAT Syllabus to avoid preparing for topics that will not be asked in the exam.
5. Test your level of preparedness by taking the CAT online mock tests after completing each topic. Analyze each test afterwards and improve upon your mistakes while practising the CAT Syllabus.

Getting an understanding of the full CAT syllabus 2025 is the first move in preparing a smart study plan. Though the exam evaluates your aptitude, logic, and language abilities, diligent practice, taking mock tests, and having a solid study strategy can really set you apart. Keep an eye out for any updates to the syllabus, concentrate on the areas where you’re struggling, and play up your strengths to boost your score. Remember, succeeding in CAT is not just about putting in the hours—it’s about working smart, too.

 

How to Prepare for CAT VARC Syllabus in One Year

One year is enough time to prepare for the CAT VARC Section which allows ample amount of time to revise the CAT syllabus and appear for the CAT mock tests. Watch this video to prepare for more expert advice on 1 year plan to crack the CAT VARC.

Read More – CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

 

How to Crack CAT DILR Syllabus

You can prepare and crack the DILR section in CAT syllabus with just 10 months of preparation. It’s enough time to prepare for the CAT LRDI Section which allows ample amount of time to revise the syllabus and appear for the mock tests. Watch this video to prepare for more expert advice on CAT DILR.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions on CAT Syllabus 2025:

What is CAT exam syllabus for MBA?

The CAT exam syllabus for MBA programs includes 3 sections: VARC, DILR, and Quant. Each section has a specific syllabus, question types, and time limit. Candidates are evaluated on various skills, such as verbal ability, quantitative ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation.

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.

What are the subjects in the CAT exam Syllabus 2025?

The CAT syllabus is divided into three sections: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR),
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Quantitative Aptitude (Q) includes various topics at a Class 10 level.

What is the CAT syllabus 2025 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.

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 the experts’ recommended books, and prepare a strategy.

 

How to complete CAT syllabus in 2 months?

You must have a structured study plan mainly for the high-weightage topics and consistent practice to complete the CAT exam syllabus in 2 months. We suggest that you begin your preparation at least in 6 months advance and create a Study plan, make time slots for each section and practice mock test. We suggest if you have enough time, say 6-9 months, then watch this video on CAT preparation strategy.

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 memorize besides formulas. 

 

What is the CAT Syllabus 2025 for VARC?

The CAT exam syllabus 2025 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.

 

Is the CAT syllabus 2025 the same as other MBA entrance exams?

The CAT Syllabus has the same basic features as other MBA entrance exams, covering quantitative, verbal, and logical reasoning. Exams like the CMAT have more sections, such as entrepreneurship, general awareness, and innovation.

 

What subjects are covered in the CAT exam syllabus 2025?

The CAT exam syllabus 2025 has three sections: data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR), verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC), and quantitative aptitude (QA).

 

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.

 

Is the CAT Syllabus 2025 difficult?

The CAT exam 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.