1. Introduction: What Is the
CAT Exam & Why Syllabus Matters
The Common Admission Test (CAT)
is India's most competitive MBA entrance examination, conducted annually by one
of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on a rotational basis. CAT 2025
will be conducted by IIM Calcutta (expected) in November 2025, with results
declared in January 2026. More than 3.5 lakh candidates appear for CAT each
year, competing for approximately 5,000+ seats across 21 IIMs and 1,200+ other
B-schools that accept CAT scores.
Understanding the CAT syllabus
is the most critical first step in preparation. Unlike many competitive exams,
CAT does not have a formally prescribed official syllabus. However, based on
previous years' papers and analysis of question patterns from 2017 to 2024, a
well-defined de facto syllabus has emerged. This article presents the complete
CAT 2025 syllabus across all three sections, the exam pattern, marking scheme,
topic-wise weightage, and a strategic preparation roadmap — all compiled with
the latest available data.
1.1 CAT 2025 – Quick
Overview
|
Parameter |
Details |
|
Exam Name |
Common Admission Test (CAT)
2025 |
|
Conducting Body |
IIM Calcutta (expected;
rotates annually among IIMs) |
|
Exam Mode |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|
Exam Frequency |
Once a year |
|
Expected Exam Date |
Last Sunday of November
2025 (exact date TBA) |
|
Registration Period |
August – September 2025
(expected) |
|
Result Declaration |
January 2026 (expected) |
|
Total Duration |
120 minutes (2 hours) |
|
Total Sections |
3 (VARC, DILR, QA) |
|
Total Questions |
66 (approximate; varies
slightly year to year) |
|
Total Marks |
198 (at 3 marks per
question) |
|
Negative Marking |
Yes – 1 mark deducted per
wrong MCQ; no negative marking for TITA |
|
Medium |
English only |
|
Score Validity |
1 year (for IIM admissions) |
|
Accepting Institutions |
21 IIMs + 1,200+ other
B-schools |
|
Official Website |
iimcat.ac.in |
2. CAT 2025 Exam Pattern –
Complete Structure
CAT 2025 follows a
computer-based format with three distinct sections attempted in a fixed order.
Each section has its own time limit, and candidates cannot switch between
sections during the allotted section time. This makes sectional time management
a critical skill distinct from overall question-solving ability.
2.1 Section-wise Exam
Pattern
|
Section |
Full Name |
No. of Questions |
Duration |
MCQs |
TITA (Non-MCQ) |
Max Marks |
|
Section 1 |
Verbal Ability &
Reading Comprehension (VARC) |
24 |
40 minutes |
~19–21 |
~3–5 |
72 |
|
Section 2 |
Data Interpretation &
Logical Reasoning (DILR) |
20 |
40 minutes |
~14–16 |
~4–6 |
60 |
|
Section 3 |
Quantitative Ability (QA) |
22 |
40 minutes |
~14–16 |
~6–8 |
66 |
|
Total |
– |
66 |
120 minutes |
~47–53 |
~13–19 |
198 |
2.2 Marking Scheme
|
Question Type |
Correct Answer |
Wrong Answer |
Unattempted |
Notes |
|
MCQ (Multiple Choice) |
+3 marks |
-1 mark |
0 marks |
4 options; 1 correct;
negative marking applies |
|
TITA (Type in the Answer) |
+3 marks |
No penalty |
0 marks |
No options; candidate types
the answer; no negative marking |
|
Key Strategy |
Attempt all TITA questions
(no risk) |
Skip MCQs where unsure
(below 33% confidence) |
– |
TITA vs MCQ strategy is
critical for score optimization |
2.3 Year-wise Question
Distribution (2019–2024)
|
Year |
Total Questions |
VARC |
DILR |
QA |
TITA Questions (Approx.) |
Difficulty Level |
|
2019 |
100 |
34 |
32 |
34 |
27 |
Moderate |
|
2020 |
76 |
26 |
24 |
26 |
25 |
Moderate-High |
|
2021 |
66 |
24 |
20 |
22 |
18 |
Moderate |
|
2022 |
66 |
24 |
20 |
22 |
16 |
Moderate-High |
|
2023 |
66 |
24 |
20 |
22 |
14 |
Moderate |
|
2024 |
66 |
24 |
20 |
22 |
14–16 |
Moderate-High |
|
2025 (Expected) |
66 |
24 |
20 |
22 |
13–16 |
Moderate-High |
Note: CAT reduced its total
questions from 100 (2019) to 76 (2020) and then to 66 (2021 onwards) following
the pandemic-induced format revision. The 66-question format has been stable
since 2021 and is expected to continue in 2025.
3. CAT 2025 VARC Syllabus –
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
VARC is Section 1 of CAT and is
the most polarizing section among aspirants. Engineering graduates often find
VARC challenging due to limited exposure to complex reading and grammar. The
section has two distinct components: Reading Comprehension (RC) which forms the
dominant part, and Verbal Ability (VA) which includes non-RC questions. All RC
questions are MCQs with negative marking; most VA questions are TITA (no
negative marking).
3.1 VARC – Topic-wise
Syllabus & Weightage
|
Topic |
Sub-topics |
No. of Questions (Approx.) |
Question Type |
Difficulty |
|
Reading Comprehension (RC) |
Long passages (500–700
words), inference-based, tone/mood, author's view, title/theme, vocabulary in
context |
16–18 (4–5 passages x 3–4
Qs each) |
MCQ (with negative marking) |
Moderate–High |
|
Para Jumbles (PJ) |
Rearranging 4–5 sentences
to form coherent paragraph |
2–3 |
TITA (no negative marking) |
Moderate–High |
|
Para Summary |
Choosing best summary of a
given paragraph from 4 options |
2–3 |
MCQ |
Moderate |
|
Odd Sentence Out |
Identify the sentence that
does not fit in a paragraph |
1–2 |
TITA (no negative marking) |
Moderate |
|
Sentence Completion |
Fill in the blank to
complete a sentence meaningfully |
0–1 |
MCQ or TITA |
Moderate |
|
Critical Reasoning |
Strengthen/weaken
arguments, assumptions, conclusions |
0–2 |
MCQ |
High |
|
Grammar / Sentence
Correction |
Identify grammatical errors
or improve sentence |
0–1 |
MCQ |
Low–Moderate |
3.2 VARC – Year-wise RC vs
VA Split (2019–2024)
|
Year |
Total VARC Qs |
RC Questions |
VA Questions |
RC Passages |
Avg. Words per Passage |
|
2019 |
34 |
24 |
10 |
5–6 |
500–700 |
|
2020 |
26 |
18 |
8 |
4–5 |
500–700 |
|
2021 |
24 |
16 |
8 |
4 |
500–650 |
|
2022 |
24 |
16 |
8 |
4 |
500–650 |
|
2023 |
24 |
16 |
8 |
4 |
500–700 |
|
2024 |
24 |
16–18 |
6–8 |
4–5 |
450–700 |
|
2025 (Expected) |
24 |
16–18 |
6–8 |
4–5 |
450–700 |
3.3 VARC – High-frequency RC
Passage Themes
|
Theme |
Frequency |
Typical Source |
Preparation Resource |
|
Philosophy & Social
Science |
Very High |
Academic journals, essays |
Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy, Aeon.co |
|
Economics & Business |
High |
HBR, Economist, FT |
The Economist, Harvard
Business Review |
|
Science & Technology |
High |
Scientific American, Nature |
Scientific American,
Nautilus |
|
History & Culture |
Moderate |
Smithsonian, Atlantic |
The Atlantic, Smithsonian
Magazine |
|
Literature & Arts |
Moderate |
NYT, Guardian |
The Guardian, New York
Times |
|
Politics & Governance |
Moderate |
Foreign Affairs, The Wire |
Foreign Affairs, The Hindu |
|
Psychology & Behavior |
Moderate |
Psychology Today, TED |
Psychology Today articles |
3.4 VARC – Preparation
Strategy
|
Strategy |
Details |
Time Requirement |
|
Daily RC Practice |
Read 2 editorial/long-form
articles daily; summarize in 3–4 lines |
30–40 min/day |
|
Timed RC Sets |
Solve 1 full RC passage
(3–4 Qs) in 8–10 minutes; track accuracy |
20–30 min/day |
|
VA Practice |
Solve 5–6 Para Jumble +
Para Summary + Odd Sentence questions daily |
15–20 min/day |
|
Vocabulary Building |
Learn 10 new words daily
from context (not rote memorization) |
10 min/day |
|
Mock Test Analysis |
Analyze every VARC error in
full-length mocks; identify pattern |
1 hr/week per mock |
4. CAT 2025 DILR Syllabus –
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning
DILR is Section 2 of CAT and is
widely considered the most unpredictable and difficult section. Unlike QA and
VARC, DILR questions come in sets of 4–6 questions per data set or logical
puzzle. A candidate who picks a very hard set may waste 20+ minutes and gain 0
marks — making set selection and triage the most critical skill in this
section. DILR has no formal sub-division into DI and LR in CAT from 2021
onwards; sets are integrated.
4.1 DILR – Topic-wise
Syllabus & Weightage
|
Topic Area |
Specific Topics |
Approx. Sets/Questions |
Difficulty |
Key Skill Required |
|
Tables & Data Analysis |
Tabular data with
multi-variable constraints, comparative analysis |
1–2 sets (4–6 Qs) |
Moderate |
Data reading, arithmetic
speed |
|
Bar & Line Graphs |
Single/multiple variable
bar charts, line graphs with conditions |
1 set (3–4 Qs) |
Moderate |
Graph interpretation, ratio
calculation |
|
Pie Charts |
Percentage-based pie charts
with multi-step calculations |
0–1 set |
Moderate |
Fraction to percentage
conversion |
|
Caselets (Paragraph DI) |
Data given as paragraphs;
extract and solve |
1 set (4–5 Qs) |
High |
Careful reading, data
extraction |
|
Arrangements
(Linear/Circular) |
Seating arrangements with
constraints |
1–2 sets (4–5 Qs) |
Moderate–High |
Constraint satisfaction,
elimination |
|
Blood Relations |
Family trees with
conditional relationships |
0–1 set |
Moderate |
Mapping relationships |
|
Venn Diagrams / Set Theory |
Overlapping sets with
multiple conditions |
1 set (3–4 Qs) |
Moderate |
Set operations |
|
Games & Tournaments |
Round robin, knockout;
match results analysis |
1 set (4–5 Qs) |
High |
Systematic enumeration |
|
Network / Routes &
Directions |
Grid paths, shortest paths,
connectivity |
0–1 set |
High |
Spatial visualization |
|
Scheduling & Planning |
Tasks, timelines, resource
allocation |
1 set (4–5 Qs) |
Very High |
Constraint-based reasoning |
|
Number Series / Sequences
(LR) |
Pattern-based number/letter
sequences in logic |
0–1 set |
Moderate |
Pattern recognition |
4.2 DILR – Year-wise
Difficulty & Set Distribution (2019–2024)
|
Year |
Total Qs |
No. of Sets |
Easy Sets |
Moderate Sets |
Hard Sets |
Overall Difficulty |
|
2019 |
32 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
Moderate-High |
|
2020 |
24 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
High |
|
2021 |
20 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
High |
|
2022 |
20 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Moderate-High |
|
2023 |
20 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
Moderate |
|
2024 |
20 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
High |
|
2025 (Expected) |
20 |
5 |
1–2 |
2 |
1–2 |
Moderate–High |
4.3 DILR – Preparation
Strategy
|
Strategy |
Details |
Time Requirement |
|
Set Triage Skill |
Spend first 2–3 minutes
scanning all sets; attempt only the easiest 3 first |
Practice in every mock |
|
Daily Set Practice |
Solve 1–2 full DILR sets
(4–5 Qs each) daily from previous CAT papers |
30–40 min/day |
|
Time Discipline |
Strictly spend max 12–13
minutes per set; move on if stuck |
Practice with timer |
|
Diverse Set Types |
Practice all set types
equally; don't specialize only in tables or arrangements |
Weekly rotation |
|
Previous CAT Sets |
CAT 2017–2024 DILR sets are
the best practice material; attempt all |
Weekend deep practice |
5. CAT 2025 QA Syllabus –
Quantitative Ability
QA is Section 3 of CAT and
tests mathematical ability at approximately Class 10–12 level. Unlike DILR, QA
questions are independent (not in sets), making it easier to manage time.
Engineering graduates typically find QA easier, while non-engineers must invest
more time in building fundamentals. QA has the highest number of TITA (Type in
the Answer) questions among all three sections.
5.1 QA – Topic-wise Syllabus
& Weightage
|
Topic |
Sub-topics |
Approx. No. of Questions |
Difficulty |
Priority Level |
|
Arithmetic |
Percentages, Profit &
Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Ratio & Proportion, Mixtures,
Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Averages, Partnerships |
8–10 |
Low–Moderate |
Very High (Most questions) |
|
Algebra |
Linear & Quadratic
Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Logarithms, Progressions (AP/GP/HP),
Polynomials, Surds & Indices |
5–7 |
Moderate–High |
High |
|
Geometry |
Lines & Angles,
Triangles (similarity, congruence, area), Circles, Quadrilaterals, Polygons,
Mensuration (2D & 3D) |
3–5 |
Moderate–High |
High |
|
Number Theory |
LCM & HCF, Remainders,
Divisibility, Factorials, Units Digit, Number Properties, Base Systems |
2–4 |
Moderate–High |
Moderate-High |
|
Modern Math |
Permutation &
Combination, Probability, Set Theory, Sequences & Series |
2–4 |
High |
Moderate |
|
Coordinate Geometry |
Distance formula, Section
formula, Slope, Equation of line/circle |
1–2 |
Moderate |
Low-Moderate |
|
Trigonometry |
Basic ratios, Heights &
Distances (very rare in recent years) |
0–1 |
Moderate |
Low |
5.2 QA – Topic-wise
Distribution in Recent CAT Papers (2021–2024)
|
Topic |
CAT 2021 (Qs) |
CAT 2022 (Qs) |
CAT 2023 (Qs) |
CAT 2024 (Qs) |
Avg. Qs/Year |
Trend |
|
Arithmetic |
8 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
8.5 |
Consistently highest |
|
Algebra |
6 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5.5 |
Stable |
|
Geometry + Mensuration |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4.0 |
Stable |
|
Number Theory |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2.5 |
Slight increase |
|
Modern Math (P&C,
Prob.) |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1.5 |
Declining |
|
Total QA Questions |
22 |
22 |
22 |
22 |
22 |
– |
Insight: Arithmetic dominates
QA with 8–10 questions every year. Aspirants must master Arithmetic topics
first before moving to Algebra and Geometry. Modern Math (Permutation &
Combination, Probability) has seen a declining trend — spend proportionally
less time on these.
5.3 QA – Preparation
Strategy
|
Strategy |
Details |
Time Requirement |
|
Start with Arithmetic |
Master all arithmetic
topics with speed and accuracy before any other topic |
First 4–6 weeks of prep |
|
Daily Practice |
Solve 15–20 QA questions
daily; mix of easy, moderate, and hard |
45–60 min/day |
|
Speed Building |
For 99+ QA, target 28–30
correct in 40 min; practice mental math |
Ongoing throughout prep |
|
TITA Strategy |
Always attempt TITA
questions even if unsure; no negative marking |
Apply in every mock |
|
Weak Topic Identification |
After first mock series,
identify bottom 3 topics by accuracy; do deep practice |
2 weeks focused study |
|
Formula Sheet |
Maintain a personal formula
sheet; revise weekly |
1 hr/week |
6. Complete CAT 2025
Topic-wise Syllabus – Master Reference Table
|
Section |
Topic |
Sub-topics |
Priority |
|
VARC |
Reading Comprehension |
Inference, tone, author
view, title, vocabulary in context |
Must Do |
|
VARC |
Para Jumbles |
4–5 sentence rearrangement;
TITA |
Must Do |
|
VARC |
Para Summary |
Best summary selection from
4 options |
Must Do |
|
VARC |
Odd Sentence Out |
Identify misfit sentence;
TITA |
High |
|
VARC |
Sentence Completion |
Blank completion; meaning
& grammar based |
Moderate |
|
VARC |
Critical Reasoning |
Strengthen/weaken/assumption |
Moderate |
|
DILR |
Tables & Caselets |
Multi-variable data;
paragraph data |
Must Do |
|
DILR |
Bar & Line Graphs |
Comparative, trend analysis |
Must Do |
|
DILR |
Arrangements
(Linear/Circular) |
Constrained
seating/ordering |
Must Do |
|
DILR |
Games & Tournaments |
Knockout/round robin
results |
High |
|
DILR |
Venn Diagrams / Sets |
Overlapping categories with
conditions |
High |
|
DILR |
Scheduling & Planning |
Timeline/resource
allocation puzzles |
Moderate-High |
|
DILR |
Network & Routes |
Grid paths, shortest route |
Moderate |
|
QA |
Percentages |
% change, % of, successive
% |
Must Do |
|
QA |
Profit, Loss & Discount |
SP, CP, MP, discount chains |
Must Do |
|
QA |
Time-Speed-Distance |
Relative speed, boats,
trains, circular motion |
Must Do |
|
QA |
Time & Work |
Pipes & cisterns,
efficiency, combined work |
Must Do |
|
QA |
Ratio & Proportion |
Direct/inverse proportion,
mixtures, alligation |
Must Do |
|
QA |
Simple & Compound
Interest |
SI, CI, EMI, population
growth |
Must Do |
|
QA |
Averages & Mixtures |
Weighted average,
alligation method |
Must Do |
|
QA |
Linear & Quadratic
Equations |
Roots, sum/product of
roots, word problems |
High |
|
QA |
Inequalities |
Linear, quadratic, modulus
inequalities |
High |
|
QA |
Logarithms |
Log rules, change of base,
log equations |
High |
|
QA |
AP / GP / HP |
nth term, sum, geometric
mean, harmonic mean |
High |
|
QA |
Functions |
Domain, range, composition,
piecewise |
High |
|
QA |
Triangles |
Similarity, Pythagoras,
area formulas, special triangles |
High |
|
QA |
Circles |
Chord, tangent, arc, angle
properties |
High |
|
QA |
Mensuration 2D & 3D |
Area, perimeter, volume,
surface area |
High |
|
QA |
LCM, HCF & Number
Theory |
Remainders, factorials,
units digit |
Moderate-High |
|
QA |
Permutation &
Combination |
Arrangements, selections,
distribution |
Moderate |
|
QA |
Probability |
Classical, conditional,
Bayes (rare) |
Moderate |
|
QA |
Coordinate Geometry |
Line equations, distance,
slope |
Low-Moderate |
7. CAT Score vs Percentile –
How Scoring Works
CAT does not use raw marks
directly for percentile calculation. The raw score is normalized across
multiple test slots (CAT is typically held in 2–3 sessions in one day) to
account for difficulty variation between slots. The normalized score is then
used to calculate percentile. Percentile represents the percentage of
candidates who scored below you, not your percentage of marks.
7.1 CAT Scoring Formula
|
Parameter |
Formula / Detail |
|
Raw Score |
= (No. of correct answers ×
3) – (No. of wrong MCQ answers × 1) |
|
Normalized Score |
Scaled raw score adjusted
for slot difficulty using IRT (Item Response Theory) or equating method |
|
Percentile (Overall) |
= (No. of candidates with
score below you / Total candidates) × 100 |
|
Sectional Percentile |
Calculated independently
for VARC, DILR, and QA sections |
|
Total Score (Max) |
198 (66 questions × 3 marks
each, assuming all correct) |
|
Minimum Score (Min) |
-66 (66 questions × -1,
assuming all wrong MCQs – practically impossible) |
7.2 Approximate Score vs
Percentile Mapping (2024 Reference)
|
Normalized Score Range |
Approximate Overall Percentile |
IIM Eligibility (General) |
|
160–198 |
99.5–99.99 |
IIM Ahmedabad, IIM
Bangalore, IIM Calcutta |
|
140–159 |
99.0–99.4 |
IIM Ahmedabad (borderline),
IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode |
|
125–139 |
97.0–98.9 |
IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode,
IIM Indore |
|
110–124 |
94.0–96.9 |
IIM Shillong, IIM Udaipur,
IIM Raipur |
|
95–109 |
90.0–93.9 |
IIM Kashipur, IIM Bodh
Gaya, other new IIMs |
|
80–94 |
85.0–89.9 |
Baby IIMs, SPJIMR, NMIMS,
MDI Gurgaon |
|
65–79 |
75.0–84.9 |
Top private B-schools, IIT
B-schools |
|
50–64 |
60.0–74.9 |
Tier-2 B-schools accepting
CAT score |
|
Below 50 |
Below 60 |
Limited options; consider
retake |
7.3 Section-wise Score vs
Percentile Mapping (Approximate, 2024)
|
Section |
Score for 85 %ile |
Score for 90 %ile |
Score for 95 %ile |
Score for 99 %ile |
|
VARC (Max 72) |
~42–45 |
~47–50 |
~52–55 |
~60–64 |
|
DILR (Max 60) |
~27–30 |
~30–33 |
~35–38 |
~44–48 |
|
QA (Max 66) |
~36–39 |
~40–43 |
~46–49 |
~55–60 |
Note: These are approximate
estimates based on actual CAT 2024 difficulty levels and score distributions.
Exact mapping varies each year based on CAT difficulty and total number of
test-takers. Normalization adjustments across slots can shift these values by
2–5 marks.
8. CAT Exam Pattern Changes
– Year-wise Comparison (2019–2025)
|
Parameter |
CAT 2019 |
CAT 2020 |
CAT 2021 |
CAT 2022 |
CAT 2023 |
CAT 2024 |
CAT 2025 (Exp.) |
|
Total Questions |
100 |
76 |
66 |
66 |
66 |
66 |
66 |
|
Total Duration |
180 min |
120 min |
120 min |
120 min |
120 min |
120 min |
120 min |
|
VARC Questions |
34 |
26 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
|
DILR Questions |
32 |
24 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
|
QA Questions |
34 |
26 |
22 |
22 |
22 |
22 |
22 |
|
Sec. Time Limit |
60 min each |
40 min each |
40 min each |
40 min each |
40 min each |
40 min each |
40 min each |
|
Negative Marking |
Yes (1 mark) |
Yes (1 mark) |
Yes (1 mark) |
Yes (1 mark) |
Yes (1 mark) |
Yes (1 mark) |
Yes (1 mark) |
|
No. of Slots |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2–3 |
|
Overall Difficulty |
Moderate |
Moderate-High |
Moderate |
Moderate-High |
Moderate |
Moderate-High |
Moderate-High |
Key Insight: The shift from
180-minute/100-question format (2019) to 120-minute/66-question format (2021
onwards) fundamentally changed CAT strategy. With fewer questions and less time
per section, accuracy and set/question selection became more important than
speed alone.
9. CAT 2025 Preparation
Roadmap – Month-wise Plan
|
Phase |
Months (Approximate) |
Focus Area |
Activities |
|
Phase 1 – Foundation |
Jan–Apr 2025 (4 months) |
Concept Building |
Complete all QA topics
(Arithmetic first); VARC daily reading habit; DILR basic sets |
|
Phase 2 – Practice |
May–Jul 2025 (3 months) |
Topic-wise Practice |
Sectional mocks; 50+ QA
problems/week; 3 RC passages/day; 2 DILR sets/day |
|
Phase 3 – Mocks |
Aug–Oct 2025 (3 months) |
Full-length Mock Tests |
2 full mocks per week;
detailed error analysis; revision of weak areas |
|
Phase 4 – Revision |
Nov 2025 (1 month) |
Final Preparation |
Daily mocks; formula
revision; speed drills; no new topics |
|
Exam Day |
Late Nov 2025 |
Execution |
Arrive early; attempt
sections in order; use TITA first strategy in QA |
9.1 Section-wise Daily Time
Allocation (Recommended)
|
Phase |
VARC (min/day) |
DILR (min/day) |
QA (min/day) |
Mocks & Analysis |
Total Study Time |
|
Phase 1 (Foundation) |
30 |
30 |
60 |
0 |
2–2.5 hrs/day |
|
Phase 2 (Practice) |
40 |
40 |
50 |
30 |
2.5–3 hrs/day |
|
Phase 3 (Mocks) |
30 |
30 |
30 |
90 (mock + analysis) |
3–4 hrs/day |
|
Phase 4 (Revision) |
20 |
20 |
20 |
120 (mock + analysis) |
3–4 hrs/day |
10. Best Books &
Resources for CAT 2025 Preparation
|
Section |
Book / Resource |
Author / Publisher |
Best For |
|
VARC |
How to Prepare for Verbal
Ability and Reading Comprehension |
Arun Sharma & Meenakshi
Upadhyay (McGraw Hill) |
Comprehensive VA + RC
practice |
|
VARC |
Word Power Made Easy |
Norman Lewis |
Vocabulary building |
|
VARC |
The Economist, The
Atlantic, Aeon.co |
Online publications |
Daily RC practice with
high-quality passages |
|
DILR |
How to Prepare for Data
Interpretation for CAT |
Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill) |
Comprehensive DI sets |
|
DILR |
Logical Reasoning and Data
Interpretation for CAT |
Nishit Sinha (Pearson) |
LR sets and strategy |
|
DILR |
Previous CAT Papers
(2017–2024) |
IIM official + iimcat.ac.in |
Best DILR practice material |
|
QA |
Quantitative Aptitude for
CAT |
Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill) |
Most comprehensive QA book |
|
QA |
Quantitative Aptitude for
the CAT |
Nishit Sinha (Pearson) |
Good alternative with
explanations |
|
QA |
NCERT Mathematics (Class
9–12) |
NCERT |
Foundation building for
non-engineers |
|
All Sections |
CAT Previous Year Papers
(2017–2024) |
Official CAT / Testfunda |
Best exam simulation |
|
All Sections |
2IIM, Cracku, Testfunda,
TIME, IMS |
Online platforms |
Mock tests, sectional
tests, video solutions |
11. CAT 2025 Syllabus – Free
PDF Availability & Download Guide
IIM does not publish an
official CAT syllabus PDF. However, aspirants can download community-compiled
syllabus PDFs from reputed education portals. The syllabus in this article is
the most comprehensive and updated version based on analysis of CAT papers from
2017 to 2024.
|
Source |
What It Contains |
URL / Access |
|
IIM CAT Official Website |
Exam notification,
registration, pattern – but no formal syllabus |
iimcat.ac.in |
|
2IIM CAT Preparation |
Free topic-wise syllabus
guide + practice questions |
2iim.com/cat-syllabus |
|
Cracku CAT |
Section-wise syllabus +
free mock tests |
cracku.in/cat-syllabus |
|
Testfunda |
Syllabus + downloadable
notes |
testfunda.com |
|
TIME Institute |
Coaching-based syllabus
guide + books |
time4education.com |
|
IMS Learning |
Comprehensive syllabus PDF
+ preparation planner |
imsindia.com |
|
Career Launcher |
Syllabus overview + free
study material |
careerlauncher.com |
Important: Always
cross-reference syllabus information with the official CAT notification
released on iimcat.ac.in each year (typically August). IIM may introduce minor
pattern changes in the exam notification that override all unofficial sources.
12. CAT 2025 Score –
IIM-wise Minimum Percentile Reference Table
While this article focuses on
CAT syllabus, aspirants need to know target percentiles for different IIMs. The
following table provides a consolidated reference for CAT 2025 aspirants.
|
IIM |
Gen Min %ile |
EWS Min %ile |
OBC Min %ile |
SC Min %ile |
ST Min %ile |
Avg Package (LPA) |
|
IIM Ahmedabad |
99.5+ |
98+ |
97+ |
85+ |
75+ |
~34–36 |
|
IIM Bangalore |
99+ |
98+ |
97+ |
85+ |
75+ |
~34 |
|
IIM Calcutta |
99+ |
98+ |
97+ |
85+ |
75+ |
~32–34 |
|
IIM Lucknow |
97+ |
90+ |
90+ |
75+ |
65+ |
~28–32 |
|
IIM Kozhikode |
96+ |
88+ |
88+ |
72+ |
60+ |
~26–28 |
|
IIM Indore |
95+ |
85+ |
85+ |
70+ |
58+ |
~25–27 |
|
IIM Shillong |
93+ |
82+ |
80+ |
65+ |
52+ |
~18–22 |
|
IIM Udaipur |
94+ |
80+ |
80+ |
60+ |
40+ |
~17–18 |
|
IIM Kashipur |
92+ |
75+ |
75+ |
55+ |
35+ |
~16–18 |
|
IIM Bodh Gaya |
90+ |
82+ |
78+ |
55+ |
45+ |
~12–14 |
|
Baby IIMs (Avg) |
85–88 |
75–78 |
73–76 |
50–55 |
40–45 |
~10–12 |
13. Frequently Asked
Questions – CAT Syllabus 2025
|
# |
Question |
Answer |
|
1 |
Is there an official CAT
2025 syllabus PDF? |
No. IIM does not release a
formal CAT syllabus. However, the de facto syllabus based on 7+ years of CAT
papers is well-established. This article presents the most comprehensive
version. You can download compiled PDFs from 2IIM, Cracku, and other education
portals. |
|
2 |
Has the CAT syllabus
changed in 2025? |
No major changes are
expected. The 66-question, 120-minute format with three sections (VARC 24,
DILR 20, QA 22) has been stable since 2021. IIM typically announces any
changes in the official CAT notification released in August. |
|
3 |
How many questions are
there in CAT 2025? |
Expected: 66 questions
total (24 VARC + 20 DILR + 22 QA). Each section has a 40-minute time limit.
Total marks: 198 (3 marks per correct answer; -1 for wrong MCQs). |
|
4 |
What is TITA in CAT? |
TITA stands for Type In The
Answer. These are non-MCQ questions where candidates type their answer
directly. TITA questions carry no negative marking, making them must-attempt
questions regardless of confidence level. |
|
5 |
Which section of CAT is
most difficult? |
DILR is widely considered
the most unpredictable and difficult section. Set difficulty varies greatly,
and a poor set selection can waste 15–20 minutes with zero marks gained. VARC
is hardest for engineers; QA is hardest for non-engineers. |
|
6 |
How many RC passages come
in CAT VARC? |
Typically 4–5 RC passages
with 3–4 questions each, totaling 16–18 RC questions. The remaining 6–8 VARC
questions are VA questions (Para Jumbles, Para Summary, Odd Sentence Out). |
|
7 |
Is CAT 2025 going to be
online? |
Yes. CAT is a
Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted at designated test centers across India.
It is not an online exam from home; candidates must appear at their allotted
test center. |
|
8 |
Which topic has the highest
weightage in CAT QA? |
Arithmetic consistently has
the highest weightage in QA with 8–10 questions every year. Sub-topics
include Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work,
Ratio & Proportion, and Averages. |
|
9 |
Can I skip DILR if I'm weak
in it? |
No – all three sections are
mandatory and have independent time limits. You must attempt Section 2 (DILR)
for 40 minutes. However, within DILR, you can strategically skip hard sets
and focus on easier ones. The key is set selection, not section avoidance. |
|
10 |
What percentile do I need
for IIM Ahmedabad? |
IIM Ahmedabad requires
99.5+ overall percentile for General category, with 85+ percentile in each
section (VARC, DILR, QA). This effectively means you must be in the top 0.5%
of all CAT test-takers. |
|
11 |
How many mocks should I
take before CAT 2025? |
Target at least 20–25
full-length mocks (Slots 2–3 tests with all 3 sections). More importantly,
analyze each mock thoroughly – spending 2–3 hours on post-mock analysis is as
valuable as the mock itself. |
|
12 |
Is CAT harder than GMAT? |
Both test verbal and
quantitative ability but with different formats. CAT's DILR section has no
GMAT equivalent and is often considered harder. GMAT tests more critical
reasoning in Verbal. CAT is generally considered more unpredictable in its
set-based DILR format. |
|
13 |
What is a good CAT score
for non-IIM MBA colleges? |
Score of 80–90 percentile
opens doors to top non-IIM colleges like SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, NMIMS
Mumbai, IIFT Delhi, and various IIT business schools. 70–80 percentile gives
access to a large number of reputed private B-schools. |
|
14 |
How is CAT score normalized
across slots? |
CAT is conducted in 2–3
slots in one day. Since difficulty varies across slots, raw scores are
normalized using statistical equating methods (similar to IRT). The
normalized score is then used to calculate percentile, ensuring fair
comparison across slots. |
|
15 |
When should I start
preparing for CAT 2025? |
Ideally January–February
2025 for a November 2025 exam (9–10 months). A focused 6-month preparation
(June–November) is also feasible for candidates with strong fundamentals.
First-time test-takers with no quantitative background should start by
January. |
14. SEO Keywords – High
Volume & Relevant (100+ Keywords)
Primary Keywords
|
Keyword |
Est. Monthly Volume |
Difficulty |
|
CAT syllabus 2025 |
180,000–250,000 |
Very High |
|
CAT exam pattern 2025 |
80,000–120,000 |
Very High |
|
CAT 2025 syllabus PDF
download |
60,000–90,000 |
High |
|
CAT syllabus PDF free
download |
40,000–60,000 |
High |
|
CAT 2025 exam date |
200,000–300,000 |
Very High |
|
CAT 2025 registration |
150,000–200,000 |
Very High |
|
CAT syllabus section wise |
30,000–50,000 |
High |
|
CAT quantitative aptitude
syllabus |
25,000–40,000 |
High |
|
CAT VARC syllabus 2025 |
20,000–35,000 |
High |
|
CAT DILR syllabus 2025 |
18,000–28,000 |
High |
Secondary Keywords
|
Keyword |
Est. Monthly Volume |
Difficulty |
|
CAT 2025 preparation tips |
40,000–60,000 |
High |
|
CAT 2025 books |
35,000–50,000 |
High |
|
CAT marking scheme 2025 |
15,000–25,000 |
Medium |
|
CAT total questions 2025 |
12,000–18,000 |
Medium |
|
CAT score vs percentile |
20,000–30,000 |
High |
|
CAT 2025 mock test free |
50,000–80,000 |
High |
|
CAT reading comprehension
topics |
12,000–18,000 |
Medium |
|
CAT quantitative ability
topics |
15,000–22,000 |
Medium-High |
|
CAT logical reasoning
topics |
10,000–15,000 |
Medium |
|
TITA questions CAT |
8,000–12,000 |
Low-Medium |
|
CAT arithmetic topics |
10,000–15,000 |
Medium |
|
CAT algebra syllabus |
8,000–12,000 |
Low-Medium |
|
CAT geometry topics |
7,000–10,000 |
Low-Medium |
|
CAT number systems syllabus |
6,000–9,000 |
Low-Medium |
|
CAT para jumbles practice |
8,000–12,000 |
Low-Medium |
Long-tail Keywords
|
Long-tail Keyword |
Est. Monthly Volume |
Difficulty |
|
CAT 2025 section wise
syllabus with topics |
15,000–25,000 |
Medium |
|
CAT syllabus 2025 PDF
download free link |
20,000–30,000 |
High |
|
how many questions in CAT
2025 |
12,000–18,000 |
Medium |
|
CAT 2025 marking scheme
negative marking |
8,000–12,000 |
Low-Medium |
|
CAT VARC RC passages how
many 2025 |
5,000–8,000 |
Low |
|
CAT 2025 exam pattern
change from 2024 |
6,000–9,000 |
Low-Medium |
|
what topics come in CAT QA
section |
10,000–15,000 |
Medium |
|
CAT 2025 preparation plan 6
months |
8,000–12,000 |
Medium |
|
best books for CAT 2025
preparation VARC DILR QA |
15,000–22,000 |
Medium |
|
CAT score to percentile
conversion table 2024 2025 |
10,000–15,000 |
Medium |
|
CAT 2025 new format 66
questions changes |
5,000–8,000 |
Low |
|
how to prepare for CAT DILR
sets strategy |
8,000–12,000 |
Low-Medium |
|
CAT arithmetic topic list
all formulas |
6,000–9,000 |
Low |
|
CAT 2025 syllabus for non
engineers |
5,000–8,000 |
Low |
|
CAT 2025 total marks
calculation formula |
4,000–6,000 |
Low |
|
when to start CAT 2025
preparation timeline |
8,000–12,000 |
Medium |
|
CAT TITA questions no
negative marking strategy |
5,000–8,000 |
Low |
|
CAT 2025 number of slots
exam centres |
6,000–9,000 |
Low-Medium |
|
CAT vs GMAT syllabus
difficulty comparison |
5,000–8,000 |
Low-Medium |
|
minimum CAT score for top
IIMs 2025 |
12,000–18,000 |
Medium |
Question-Based / PAA
Keywords (People Also Ask)
|
Search Query |
Type |
Est. Volume |
|
What is the syllabus of CAT
2025? |
Informational |
80,000–120,000 |
|
How many questions are
there in CAT 2025? |
Informational |
30,000–50,000 |
|
Is CAT 2025 syllabus
changed? |
Informational |
20,000–30,000 |
|
What is TITA in CAT exam? |
Informational |
8,000–12,000 |
|
Which section is hardest in
CAT? |
Informational |
10,000–15,000 |
|
How to download CAT 2025
syllabus PDF? |
How-to |
15,000–22,000 |
|
What is the exam pattern of
CAT 2025? |
Informational |
25,000–35,000 |
|
How many RC passages in CAT
VARC? |
Informational |
8,000–12,000 |
|
What books to use for CAT
2025 preparation? |
How-to |
20,000–30,000 |
|
When will CAT 2025
registration start? |
Transactional |
50,000–80,000 |
|
What is a good CAT score
for IIMs? |
Informational |
15,000–22,000 |
|
Can I crack CAT 2025 in 6
months? |
Informational |
10,000–15,000 |
|
What is the negative
marking in CAT 2025? |
Informational |
12,000–18,000 |
|
How is CAT percentile
calculated? |
Informational |
15,000–22,000 |
|
Which topic has highest
weightage in CAT QA? |
Informational |
8,000–12,000 |
Topic-specific &
Comparison Keywords
|
Keyword |
Type |
Est. Volume |
|
CAT 2025 vs CAT 2024
pattern difference |
Comparison |
8,000–12,000 |
|
CAT arithmetic questions
list 2025 |
Topic-specific |
6,000–9,000 |
|
CAT para jumbles TITA
strategy |
Topic-specific |
5,000–8,000 |
|
CAT reading comprehension
passage types themes |
Topic-specific |
6,000–9,000 |
|
CAT permutation combination
probability tips |
Topic-specific |
5,000–8,000 |
|
CAT geometry mensuration
formulas PDF |
Topic-specific |
6,000–9,000 |
|
CAT number theory LCM HCF
remainders tricks |
Topic-specific |
5,000–7,000 |
|
CAT 2025 section time limit
40 minutes |
Informational |
5,000–8,000 |
|
CAT 2025 preparation for
working professionals |
How-to |
8,000–12,000 |
|
CAT 2025 important topics
to focus |
Informational |
10,000–15,000 |
|
CAT 2025 admit card
download |
Transactional |
80,000–120,000 |
|
CAT 2025 result date |
Transactional |
60,000–90,000 |
|
CAT 2025 answer key PDF |
Transactional |
25,000–40,000 |
|
CAT 2025 cutoff IIM wise |
Informational |
20,000–30,000 |
|
CAT mock test series 2025
free online |
Transactional |
30,000–50,000 |
Data Disclaimer &
Sources
|
Item |
Details |
|
Exam Pattern Source |
Based on official CAT
notifications (2019–2024) from iimcat.ac.in and official answer keys |
|
Syllabus Source |
Compiled from analysis of
CAT 2017–2024 question papers; IIM does not publish a formal syllabus |
|
Score vs Percentile Data |
Approximate estimates based
on CAT 2024 test-taker reports and normalized score distributions; not
official IIM data |
|
IIM Cutoff Data |
Based on RTI responses and
official IIM admission notifications; approximate minimums |
|
Book Recommendations |
Based on popularity, expert
consensus, and aspirant feedback; not sponsored by any publisher |
|
Monthly Search Volumes |
Approximate estimates;
actual volumes vary by month and search engine; peak volumes during Aug–Nov |
|
No Affiliation |
This article is not
affiliated with IIM, iimcat.ac.in, or any coaching institute |
|
Verify Annually |
Always check the official
CAT 2025 notification on iimcat.ac.in for the latest exam pattern and any
changes |
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