CAT 2025 Exam will be conducted on November 30, 2025. All the aspiring candidates who are planning to secure a seat in the leading IIMs should consider giving this exam. The CAT syllabus 2025 includes three main sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). In this article, all the CAT aspirants will get to know about the detailed Syllabus of CAT & topic-wise weightage of the syllabus. Candidates can download the CAT Exam Syllabus PDF for reference from here!
| 🚀 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 Syllabus
The CAT 2025 syllabus covers Quants, English, and Logical reasoning topics from Class 10th level but with higher difficulty. The paper includes MCQ and non-MCQ with 40 minutes for each section. Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry carry more weight, so candidates should prepare these well. One mark is deducted for wrong MCQ answers.
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CAT 2025 Syllabus Topics |
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Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus |
Covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Mensuration from Class 10 level, tested at higher difficulty. |
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Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Syllabus |
Focuses on reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and verbal ability questions like para jumbles and sentence correction. |
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Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation Syllabus |
Includes puzzles, seating arrangements, data interpretation, and logical problem-solving questions. |
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includedCAT MBA Syllabus 2025 PDF Download
The CAT Syllabus 2025 PDF includes access to the complete syllabus for the Common Admission Test (CAT). The syllabus encompasses three major sections Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The direct link to download CAT MBA Syllabus 2025 PDF shared below.
CAT Syllabus 2025 - Section Wise
The syllabus of the CAT Exam is divided into three sections – Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation (DILR). Candidates must manage their time well to attempt all questions of every section. The table below provides the number of questions and time allotted to each section.
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CAT 2025 Section |
Questions |
Time (in minutes) |
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Quantitative Ability (QA) |
22 |
40 |
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Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
40 |
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Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
22 |
40 |
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Total |
68 |
120 |
CAT VARC Syllabus 2025
The Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section in CAT 2025 has 24 questions in total. It includes passages from different genres and verbal ability questions that test a candidate’s reading skills, grammar, and logical arrangement of ideas. The Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension sections are divided into two parts.
- The Total number of questions asked in this section are 24.
- The Verbal Ability questions are of Non-MCQ type, all the RC Passage-based questions are of MCQ type with a penalty of 1/3rd negative marking.
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CAT VARC 2025 Syllabus |
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Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension |
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Odd- Sentences |
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Facts- Inferences- Judgements |
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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 at arranging and understanding sentences. It has four main types of questions. Every year, the number of questions from each topic stays almost the same. Below is the number of questions along with the difficulty-level of the questions in the last CAT exam:
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VARC Topics for CAT |
No. of Questions in CAT Exam |
Level of Difficulty |
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Reading Comprehension |
16 |
Moderate to Difficult |
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VA - Parajumbles |
3 |
Moderate to Difficult |
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VA - Odd Sentence |
2 |
Easy to Moderate |
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VA - Summary |
3 |
Easy to Moderate |
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Overall |
24 |
Moderate to Difficult |
CAT DILR Syllabus 2025
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) portion of the CAT exam tests an individual's skills in analyzing, interpreting, and working with data along with their logical reasoning abilities. The DILR syllabus includes many topics, covering tables, and graphs, along with caselets based on conditions.
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CAT DILR 2025 Syllabus |
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Logical Reasoning |
Routes and networks |
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Scheduling and allocation |
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Grids |
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Games and tournaments |
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Data Interpretation |
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Tables |
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Gantt charts |
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Radar charts |
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CAT DILR Syllabus - Topic Wise Weightage
In the CAT exam, Data Interpretation questions come from charts and tables, while questions related to puzzles and arrangements are asked from the logical reasoning section. The difficulty of these questions can vary from easy to tough. Below is a table showing how the DILR section is divided, based on previous year papers:
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Section |
No. of Questions |
Level of Difficulty |
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Data Interpretation |
4 |
Easy |
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Data Interpretation |
4 |
Moderate |
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Logical Reasoning |
6 |
Moderate to Difficult |
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Logical Reasoning |
6 |
Easy to Moderate |
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Overall |
22 |
Moderate to Difficult |
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2025
The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section of the CAT exam is designed to assess a candidate's proficiency in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills. The questions and topics asked are based on classes 10 & 12.
- Previously this section had 34 questions but the CAT exam 2025 will contain 22 questions.
- Out of which 6-8 questions will be of Non-MCQ type without any negative marking.
- All the questions in Quantitative Aptitude carry 1-2 questions.
Therefore, candidates must practice the Quant section by considering all the topics mentioned in it.
Check the detailed CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus below –
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CAT QA 2025 Syllabus |
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Arithmetic |
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Algebra |
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Binomial Theorem |
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Geometry |
2D |
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3D |
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Number Theory |
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Base systems |
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Modern Math |
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Surds and Indices |
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CAT Quants Syllabus - Topic Wise Weightage
The Quant section in the CAT is considered difficult and requires a quick way of thinking. As most Quant questions require calculations, it would become easier and quicker if you have good practice in mental maths. To score well, you need to focus on understanding mathematics fundamentals and practicing your problem-solving processes languidly too. Here’s a breakdown of potential questions and difficulty levels based on previous years.
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Topic |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
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Arithmetic |
8–10 |
Moderate to Tough |
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Algebra |
5–7 |
Moderate to Tough |
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Geometry |
1–3 |
Moderate to Tough |
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Modern Maths |
2–4 |
Moderate to Tough |
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Total |
22 |
Moderate to Tough |
CAT Exam Pattern 2025
It is necessary to be aware of the exam pattern before you start preparing for the CAT 2025. The CAT consists of three sections and is conducted in the mode of Computer-Based Test (CBT). Each section is separately timed. Here is a brief overview of the pattern:
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CAT 2025 Exam Pattern |
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Section |
No. of Questions |
Time Allotted |
Question Type |
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Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
40 minutes |
MCQ + Non-MCQ |
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Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
22 |
40 minutes |
MCQ + Non-MCQ |
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Quantitative Aptitude (QA) |
22 |
40 minutes |
MCQ + Non-MCQ |
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Total |
68 |
120 minutes |
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CAT Exam Preparation Strategy 2025
To prepare for the CAT, first gain a complete understanding of the syllabus. Identify the topics that you are least comfortable with and start working through them. Then, move to the topics you are at least somewhat comfortable with, and finally into the topics you are comfortable with, expanding each time. Allocate more time to your weaker areas but ensure you cover a section you feel comfortable with and each section has some time allotted to it. Here's a few tips for each section:
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CAT Exam 2025 Preparation Strategy |
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Section |
Preparation Focus |
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VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) |
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DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) |
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Quantitative Aptitude |
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Tips to Crack CAT MBA Exam 2025
If you are preparing for CAT 2025, then you might think that it is tough to score well in this exam. However, the right plan and regular practice can definitely help you to improve their performance in the exam. Some of the tips that can help you crack the CAT MBA Exam 2025 are listed down below:
- Know the syllabus thoroughly and focus more on weak areas.
- Create a study plan that covers all three sections and gives time for revision.
- Solve CAT mock tests regularly and analyze performance after every test.
- Use previous year papers to understand question patterns.
- Don’t skip any section. Balanced preparation is key.
- Work on speed and accuracy by solving sample questions with a timer.
- Stay consistent in preparation, even if you start small.
- Stay calm and positive, especially during practice and exam time.
We hope we have provided all the information to you. For a clear understanding and better scores, download the Testbook App today for interactive concept-based learning. Prep up your learning journey with Testbook!
