CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2025: Your Complete Guide to VARC, DILR, & Quant

CAT Exam Syllabus 2025: Your Complete Guide to VARC, DILR, & Quant

Are you aspiring to crack the Common Admission Test (CAT) and secure a seat in a top IIM or other premier B-school? Understanding the CAT syllabus thoroughly is the first and most crucial step in your preparation journey.

The CAT exam, conducted annually by one of the IIMs, is a gateway to prestigious MBA/PGDM programs across India. While the core structure remains consistent, it's vital to stay updated with the latest syllabus and exam pattern. This comprehensive guide will break down the CAT 2025 syllabus section by section, highlight important topics, and offer preparation tips to help you strategize effectively.

CAT Exam Pattern 2025: An Overview

Before diving into the syllabus, let's quickly review the expected CAT 2025 exam pattern. The CAT is a computer-based test (CBT) divided into three distinct sections, each with a sectional time limit.

Section	Number of Questions (Expected)	Time Allotted	Marking Scheme (MCQ)	Negative Marking (TITA)
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	40 minutes	+3 for correct, -1 for incorrect	No
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	22	40 minutes	+3 for correct, -1 for incorrect	No
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	40 minutes	+3 for correct, -1 for incorrect	No
Total	68	120 minutes	204 Marks

Key Points:

• Sectional Time Limits: You cannot move between sections until the allotted time for the current section is over.

• Question Types: The exam includes both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions. TITA questions typically do not have negative marking.

• Total Marks: The total marks for the CAT exam are 204.

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Cat exam pattern over the previous year

Understanding the number of questions asked in previous years can help you gauge the exam's difficulty level and structure your preparation accordingly. Here's a table summarizing the number of questions in each section over the past few years:

Year	VARC	DILR	QA	Total
2024	24	22	22	68
2023	24	20	22	66
2022	24	20	22	66
2021	24	20	22	66
2020	26	24	26	76
2019	34	32	34	100
2018	34	32	34	100

CAT Syllabus 2025: Section-Wise Breakdown

The CAT syllabus is extensive, covering concepts from various academic disciplines. Here's a detailed look at each section:

1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

This section assesses your English language skills, including reading speed, comprehension, and verbal reasoning. It is generally dominated by Reading Comprehension passages.

Important Topics:

• Reading Comprehension (RC):

  • Passages from diverse genres: Philosophy, Sociology, Economics, Science & Technology, Arts, History, Politics, Literature, Business, etc.

  • Questions focus on Main Idea, Author's Tone, Inferences, Arguments, Specific Details, and Vocabulary in Context.

• Verbal Ability (VA):

  • Para Jumbles: Rearranging jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph. (Often TITA)

  • Para Summary: Identifying the central idea of a given paragraph and choosing the best summary.

  • Odd One Out: Identifying the sentence that does not fit the theme of a given paragraph. (Often TITA)

  • Para Completion/Inference: Completing a paragraph or drawing logical inferences.

  • (Note: Direct Grammar or Vocabulary questions are rare in CAT VARC, but a strong foundation in these areas aids RC and VA.)

Preparation Tip for VARC: Focus heavily on reading diverse and complex articles daily (e.g., from Aeon, The Guardian, New York Times editorials, The Hindu). Practice identifying main ideas, arguments, and author's perspective. For VA, consistent practice with Para Jumbles, Odd One Out, and Para Summary is crucial.

2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

This section evaluates your ability to interpret data presented in various formats and apply logical reasoning to solve problems. Questions often appear in sets.

Important Topics:

• Data Interpretation (DI):

  • Tables: Analyzing data presented in tabular format.

  • Graphs: Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Scatter Plots, Radar Charts, etc.

  • Caselets: Paragraphs containing data that needs to be organized and interpreted.

  • Combination of Graphs: Interpreting data from multiple charts simultaneously.

• Logical Reasoning (LR):

  • Arrangements: Linear, Circular, Matrix, Seating Arrangements.

  • Puzzles: Constraint-based Puzzles, Distribution Puzzles, Selection Puzzles, Scheduling.

  • Venn Diagrams: Problems involving overlapping sets.

  • Blood Relations: Analyzing family trees and relationships.

  • Syllogisms: Deductive reasoning based on given statements.

  • Games & Tournaments: Analyzing outcomes and rankings in competitive scenarios.

  • Cubes & Dice: Problems related to spatial reasoning.

Preparation Tip for DILR: Practice is key! Solve a variety of DILR sets daily. Focus on understanding the underlying logic and data representation. Don't be afraid to skip a set if it's too complex initially; time management is critical. Develop a systematic approach to analyze data and deduce conclusions.

3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

This section tests your mathematical skills, covering topics typically taught up to Class 10, but with a higher level of application and problem-solving.

Important Topics:

• Arithmetic (High Weightage):

  • Percentages,

  • Profit & Loss,

  • Simple & Compound Interest

  • Ratio & Proportion,

  • Mixtures & Alligations

  • Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns

  • Time, Speed & Distance (Trains, Boats & Streams)

  • Averages

• Algebra:

  • Linear Equations,

  • Quadratic Equations

  • Polynomials

  • Inequalities,

  • Modulus, Functions

  • Logarithms,

  • Surds & Indices

  • Sequences & Series (AP, GP, HP)

• Geometry & Mensuration:

  • Lines & Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles, Polygons

  • Coordinate Geometry

  • Mensuration (Area, Volume, Surface Area of 2D & 3D figures)

• Number System:

  • Properties of Numbers, Divisibility Rules, HCF & LCM

  • Remainders, Unit's Digit, Factorials

• Modern Math:

  • Permutation & Combination

  • Probability

  • Set Theory

Preparation Tip for QA: Strengthen your fundamentals. Practice a wide range of problems from each topic. Focus on accuracy first, then speed. Memorize important formulas and theorems. Arithmetic and Algebra usually carry the highest weightage, so prioritize them.

General Preparation Strategy for CAT 2025/26

1. Understand Your Strengths & Weaknesses: Take a diagnostic test to identify areas where you need to focus more.

2. Create a Study Plan: Allocate dedicated time for each section based on its weightage and your proficiency.

3. Conceptual Clarity: Don't just memorize formulas; understand the underlying concepts.

4. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Solve a mix of easy, medium, and difficult questions daily.

5. Take Mock Tests: Regularly attempt full-length mock tests to simulate exam conditions, improve time management, and analyze your performance.

6. Analyze Mock Tests: This is crucial. Review every question (even those you got right) to understand your mistakes and identify areas for improvement.

7. Revision: Regularly revise concepts and formulas. Create short notes or flashcards.

8. Stay Updated: Keep an eye on official CAT notifications for any changes in the exam pattern or syllabus.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CAT Syllabus

• Q1: Is the CAT syllabus fixed every year?

  • While the core topics remain consistent across VARC, DILR, and QA, the exact distribution of questions and the difficulty level can vary slightly each year. It's important to refer to the latest official notification.

• Q2: Are there any specific books for CAT syllabus preparation?

  • Many popular books cover the CAT syllabus, such as those by Arun Sharma, Nishit Sinha, and Sarvesh K. Verma. Additionally, NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10) are excellent for strengthening QA fundamentals.

• Q3: How much time is required to cover the CAT syllabus?

  • Ideally, a dedicated preparation of 6-9 months is recommended to cover the entire syllabus thoroughly, practice adequately, and take sufficient mock tests.

• Q4: Is there negative marking for all questions in CAT?

  • No, typically only MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) have negative marking (-1 for each incorrect answer). TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) questions usually do not have negative marking.

• Q5: Can I download the official CAT syllabus PDF?

  • IIMs usually release a detailed information bulletin which includes the syllabus. You can check the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) for the latest PDF download.