CAT 2025 Exam Pattern, Section Wise Total Marks, Download PDF
The CAT Exam Pattern 2025 has been officially released by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) through the information bulletin and notification on the official website, iimcat.ac.in. It is similar to the CAT 2024 format with the total number of 68 questions across three sections- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude. The test will be conducted online over two hours and is divided into three shifts on the exam day. In this article, candidates preparing or planning for CAT 2025 can check the latest exam pattern, syllabus, section wise weightage, and total marks.
| 🚀 Download FREE CAT 2025 Section-Wise Notes PDFs Here! |
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| 📘 CAT DILR Study Notes by IIM Alumni 👉 Click to Download |
| 📗 CAT Quantitative Aptitude Notes trusted by toppers 👉 Click to Download |
| 📕 CAT VARC Notes for Verbal and Reading Comprehension Mastery 👉 Click to Download |
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
The CAT 2025 exam pattern is finally out. Knowing the latest format helps you plan your preparation smartly and manage time during the exam. Below is an overview of the CAT 2025 exam pattern in a simple table.
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CAT Exam Pattern 2025 |
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Total Questions in Common Admission Test 2025 |
The paper will include 68 questions, similar to last year’s structure. |
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Sections in the Management Entrance Exam |
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Overall Duration of CAT Exam 2025 |
2 hours (120 minutes). |
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Time Limit for Each Section |
40‑minute (fixed for each section) |
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Mode of IIM MBA Entrance Test |
Computer‑based test |
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Types of Questions in CAT Exam |
MCQs & non‑MCQs (TITA) |
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Marking Scheme for the Paper |
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Exam Day Shifts |
Three shifts (on a single day) |
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CAT Official Website |
iimcat.ac.in |
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includedCAT 2025 Paper Pattern
Understanding the CAT 2025 paper pattern is the first step towards preparation. It tells you how many questions to expect, marking scheme, and which section may be the toughest. The Table given below gives a detailed overview of the paper pattern.
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CAT Paper Pattern 2025 |
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Mode of Management Entrance Test |
Computer‑based (CBT) mode |
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Total Exam Duration |
120 minutes (2 hours) |
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Sections in CAT Paper |
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Total Questions in CAT 2025 Paper |
68 |
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Overall Marks for the Test |
204 |
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Type of Questions Asked |
A mix of MCQs and TITA (Type In The Answer) questions |
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Marking Scheme in IIM CAT 2025 |
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Sectional Time Limit in the Exam |
40‑minute |
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Negative Marking |
‑1 mark for each incorrect answer |
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Toughest Section of the Test |
DILR |
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Language of the Common Admission Test |
English |
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Exam Shifts for CAT 2025 |
three shifts |
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Difficulty Level of CAT Paper |
moderate to high in difficulty level |
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Number of Questions Asked |
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Calculator Usage in the Exam |
An on‑screen calculator will be provided during the test. |
CAT 2025 Section Wise Exam Pattern
CAT paper pattern 2025 helps candidates to know the number of questions, marks, timing, and sections. Check the table below to plan your preparation better.
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CAT Exam Sections |
Total Questions |
MCQs (Approx.) |
TITA (Non-MCQs) (Approx.) |
Marks per Correct Answer |
Negative Marking (MCQs) |
Total Marks |
Duration |
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Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
22 |
2 |
+3 |
-1 |
72 |
40 min |
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Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
22 |
14 |
8 |
+3 |
-1 |
66 |
40 min |
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Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
22 |
14 |
8 |
+3 |
-1 |
66 |
40 min |
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CAT Total |
68 |
50 |
18 |
+3 |
-1 |
204 |
120 min (2 hours) |
CAT Exam Pattern - Year Wise Changes
Since 2020, CAT has followed a 120-minute format with 66-76 questions. Earlier, the exam had 100 questions in 180 minutes. In 2015, three sections (QA, DILR, VARC) replaced the earlier two-section pattern(Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning). Check the Year Wise Changes made in the CAT Exam Pattern in table below.
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CAT Year |
Number of Questions |
Exam Duration |
Sections |
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CAT 2024 |
68 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
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CAT 2023 |
66 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
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CAT 2022 |
66 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
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CAT 2021 |
66 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
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CAT 2020 |
76 |
120 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
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CAT 2019 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
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CAT 2018 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
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CAT 2017 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
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CAT 2016 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
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CAT 2015 |
100 |
180 minutes |
QA, DILR, VARC |
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CAT 2014 |
100 |
170 minutes |
2 Sections (QA & DI, LR & VARC) |
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CAT 2013 |
60 |
140 minutes |
2 Sections (QA & DI, LR & VARC) |
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CAT 2012 |
60 |
140 minutes |
2 Sections (QA & DI, LR & VARC) |
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CAT 2011 |
60 |
140 minutes |
2 Sections (QA & DI, LR & VARC) |
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CAT 2010 |
60 |
150 minutes |
3 Sections (QA, DILR, VARC) |
What Does Each Color on the CAT 2025 Exam Panel Indicate?
Below is a table that shows what each colour on the panel indicates when candidates are appearing for the CAT exam.There will be 5 colours that indicate whether the candidate has answered the question or not, reviewed it or not, etc. Candidates must be aware of the CAT answer marking pattern before so that they don’t panic at the time of the examination.
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CAT Exam Panel Indicator |
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Red Panel |
The question is unanswered and not marked for review. |
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Green Panel |
The question is answered and not marked for review. |
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Grey Panel |
The question has not been visited or opened yet. |
If you are preparing for the exam then you can download CAT Exam Previous Year Papers here!
Going through this article candidates must have got to know the CAT exam pattern 2024 and also the new changes made last year. As the exams are coming close candidates must start revising, for that download our Testbook App. This App will provide the applicants to practice with various mock tests, previous year papers, practice series, and much more.
