IIM conducts the Common Admission Test (CAT) every year. The CAT exam 2025 provides admission to various postgraduate and fellowship/doctorate courses offered by the IIMs and other institutes. Notably, CAT is a computer-based test. It is organised annually by one of the IIMs on a rotation basis.
In terms of content, there is no official syllabus announced by the IIMs. However, most questions tend to be based on middle school mathematics and English comprehension. Therefore, it is crucial for candidates to focus on these areas.
In this article, we will look into the CAT exam syllabus 2025. We will also provide a brief overview of the common areas tested in the CAT examination. Moreover, we will also discuss the CAT exam pattern 2025.
Therefore, it is crucial for candidates to focus on these areas. Aspirants preparing seriously often benefit from expert guidance through structured CAT coaching that covers the complete syllabus and exam strategy.
CAT Exam Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Candidates planning to appear for the CAT exam 2025 should understand the exam structure. Additionally, they should prepare thoroughly by studying each topic deeply. This approach will help them gain clarity of concepts.
The CAT Exam Syllabus for 2025 focuses on the three main sections:
- VARC
- DILR
- QA.
The CAT Exam 2025 comprises 66 questions, each worth 3 marks. Furthermore, candidates have 2 hours (120 minutes) to complete the exam. Below is the overview of the CAT exam syllabus:
CAT Syllabus 2025: Highlights | |
Exam Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) |
Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT 2025) |
Category | Syllabus |
Examination Mode | Online Computer-Based Test |
Eligibility | Graduate |
Courses Offered | Post Graduate and Fellow/Doctorate programmes |
Name of the Section |
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Duration of the CAT Exam | 2 Hours (120 Minutes) |
Section-wise Duration |
|
Slot-wise Session |
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Number of Questions | 66 Questions |
CAT exam total marks | 198 marks |
Marking Scheme |
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Validity of the CAT score | 1 year |
CAT Exam Pattern 2025
Before getting into the CAT Exam Syllabus for 2025, let’s look at the CAT Exam Pattern 2025. Below is the CAT exam pattern 2025:
CAT Exam Pattern 2025 | |
Number of sections | 3 |
Duration of exam | 40 minutes per section |
Number of questions | 66 |
Total marks | 198 |
Language of the question paper | English |
Number of answer choices | 4 |
CAT Exam Syllabus 2025
After familiarising yourself with the exam pattern of the CAT exam, it is important to understand the syllabus for CAT 2025. Moreover, the CAT exam syllabus consists of various subjects. These subjects include Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Aptitude. By examining the detailed syllabus, you can better prepare for each section.
Below is the CAT section-wise exam syllabus 2025:
1. CAT Exam Syllabus: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
This section has two sub-parts: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension.
CAT VARC Syllabus 2025 | ||
Fill in the blanks | Para Completion and inference | Verbal Logic |
Verbal Reasoning | Subject-verb agreement | Para jumbles |
Sentence completion | Foreign language words used in English | Different usage of the same word |
Grammar | Reading Comprehension | Idioms |
Syllogisms | Analogies | Antonyms |
Jumbled paragraphs | Sentence correction | One word substitution |
Parts of speech | Preposition | Types of Clauses |
Phrases Modifiers | Errors in tenses | Articles usage |
The topic-wise questions in CAT VACR are given below:
Topics | Number of questions expected |
Para-Jumbles | 2-4 |
Sentence Completion & Correction | 2-3 |
Odd Sentences | 1-2 |
Others (Fill in the blanks, Vocabulary Based, etc.) | 1-2 |
2. CAT Exam Syllabus: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) is the second section of the CAT exam. This section is divided into two sub-sections: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
CAT DILR Syllabus 2025 | ||
Blood Relations | Clocks and Calendars | Syllogism |
Series | Statements | Venn Diagram |
Proposition | Data Arrangement | Data Structures |
Direction Sense | Family Tree | Tables |
Coding-Decoding | Binary Logic | Pie Charts |
Assumptions | Seating Arrangement | Data Sufficiency |
Puzzles | Sets & Caselets | Bars & Line Graphs |
The number of expected questions from the topics in the CAT DILR Section is given below:
Topics | Total Number of Questions |
Graph, Bar diagram | 6-8 |
Tables & Charts | 5-8 |
Graphs, Charts | 7-10 |
Tables, Pie chart | 4-5 |
3. CAT Exam Syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
Quantitative Aptitude is the final section of the CAT question paper. It must be solved in the final 40 minutes of the exam. Below are the important topics and some key points regarding this section.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2025 | ||
Geometry | Ratios and Proportions | Inequalities |
Trigonometry | Inequation: Quadratic and linear equations | Work and Time |
Algebra | Surds and Indices | Percentages |
Mensuration | Time-Speed-Distance | Logarithms |
Partnership (Accounts) | Number System | Square Root and Cube Root |
Profit & Loss | Geometric Progression | Probability |
Mean, mode, median | Binomial theorem | Simple interest and compound interest |
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2025 | |
Topics | Sub Topics |
Arithmetic |
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Algebra |
|
Number System |
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Geometry |
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Modern Maths |
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The number of topics and expected questions in the CAT QA Section:
Topics | Total Number of Questions |
Arithmetic Questions | 10-12 |
Geometry & Mensuration | 7-8 |
Algebra | 6-7 |
Number System | 4-5 |
Others | 2-3 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CAT Exam Syllabus 2025 is crucial for MBA aspirants. It specifically focuses on three main areas: Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, and Quantitative Aptitude. Therefore, it is essential for candidates to understand the exam structure thoroughly. With the right study plan and expert mentorship through CAT online coaching, aspirants can manage syllabus coverage more efficiently.
Additionally, careful preparation in these areas is key. Practising regularly will not only boost confidence but also improve the chances of admission to top institutions. Best of luck to all candidates!
Frequently Asked Question
How many sections are there in the CAT exam?
There are three sections in the CAT exam, namely quantitative ability, verbal ability, data interpretation and logical reasoning.
What is the time provided for each section in the CAT exam?
The candidates will be provided 40 minutes for each section in the exam. The test for that section will be over after 40 minutes.
How many questions are asked in each section of the CAT exam?
There are a total of 76 questions in the CAT exam. The section-wise question distribution is as follows: VARC-24, DILR-20, and QA- 22.
What is the marks distribution in the CAT exam?
The CAT written exam is of 198 marks. The marks distribution is as follows: VARC- 72, DILR- 60 and QA- 66.
When will the CAT Exam 2025 be scheduled to be held?
The CAT Exam 2025 is expected to be held on 30th November 2025.
For how many years is the CAT score valid?
The CAT score is valid for one year only.
