Home Articles CAT Syllabus 2025: Section-Wise Topics, Weightage and Exam Pattern

CAT Syllabus 2025: Section-Wise Topics, Weightage and Exam Pattern

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CAT Syllabus 2025: Section-Wise Topics, Weightage and Exam Pattern

The CAT test will be held in November 2025 and will be held online in 170 cities. CAT registration will take place in August 2025 and will remain open until September 2025. Since it is one of the toughest exams globally, students must start their CAT preparation as early as possible. However, it is important that you shouldn't start your CAT preparation without analyzing the CAT syllabus, comprehending the CAT exam pattern, and analyzing the CAT 2024 examination.

Common Admission Test, or CAT, is an entrance test that is held every year by one of the IIMs in India in a computer-based format. The CAT is designed to test student’s verbal ability, quantitative ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation skills.

The IIM Kozhikode is responsible for conducting the CAT 2025 exam. Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) introduced the CAT as a means of selecting candidates for their business administration courses. The CAT 2025 Syllabus and exam pattern describe the category of questions and sections that would be covered in the exam.

CAT Syllabus 2025 | Section Wise Highlights

  • VARC: The VARC part of the CAT examination syllabus relevant to MBA research includes a number of topics related to Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. However, to properly tackle Reading Comprehension and Parajumbles, test-takers need to focus on their knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary as well. The section has 24 questions, around 12 to 14 of which are related to Reading Comprehension. Even though the CAT does not have direct grammar questions, the whole preparation process should be aimed at improving reading comprehension skills.
  • Quantitative Aptitude: Quantitative Aptitude in CAT course contains all the topics of Class 9 and 10 Mathematics, such as Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry, and Mensuration. However, these are not at elementary level. The candidates must make sure that they study all of Arithmetic since most of the questions are based on this subject only. Algebra and Geometry cannot be avoided as they have high weightage assigned to them.
  • DILR: The CAT exam DILR syllabus contains topics that involve analytical reasoning to understand data presented in the form of Puzzles, Pie Charts, Tables, Bar Graphs, Coding-Decoding, Series, Family Trees, Blood Relations, Syllogism, etc. As the questions are provided in sets, practicing all kinds of DILR topics is important.

Recommended: CAT Notification 2025: Registration, Exam, Eligibility, Syllabus, Preparation and Selection Process

CAT 2025 Syllabus: VARC

Check out the CAT syllabus 2025 for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) available in the table below. 

VARC Syllabus Topics

Fill in the blanks

Para completion and inference

Verbal logic

Verbal reasoning

Subject-verb agreement

Parajumbles

Sentence completion

Foreign language words used in English

Different usage of 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

CAT 2025 Syllabus for Quantitative Aptitude

Check out the CAT syllabus 2025 for Quantitative Aptitude provided in the table below. 

CAT Quanatative Aptitude Syllabus

Geometry

Ratios and Proportion

Inequalities

Trigonometry

In-equations 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 2025 Syllabus: DILR

Check out the CAT syllabus 2025 for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) given in the table below. 

CAT DILR Syllabus

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

CAT 2025 HIghest Weightage Topics

Students can check out the highest weightage topics in the CAT exam by going through the table available below. 

VARC

DILR

Quantitative Aptitude

Reading Comprehension

Logical Puzzles

Arithmetic

Para Jumbles

Caselets (without graphs)

Algebra

Para Summary

Venn Diagrams & Set Theory

Geometry

Odd Sentence Out

Games & Tournaments

Number System

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern 2025

Along with the syllabus of CAT 2025, candidates are advised to go through the exam pattern of CAT and analyze the same carefully to turn their preparation strategies into a right direction. Candidates can refer to the following table to check out the complete examination pattern along with the marking scheme.

Section

Number of Questions

Type of Questions

Time Allotted

Marking Scheme

VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)

24

MCQs + TITA (non-MCQs)

40 minutes

3 for correct, 1 negative (MCQs only)

DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)

20

MCQs + TITA

40 minutes

3 for correct, 1 negative (MCQs only)

QA (Quantitative Aptitude)

22

MCQs + TITA

40 minutes

3 for correct, 1 negative (MCQs only)

CAT 2025 Preparation Strategies

  • Check what you can already do and what you know in each of the three areas. Consider what you are good at and what you need to work on. This check will help you organize your study plan.
  • For engineering students, the QA section might not be tough. Start with practicing fundamental concepts of mathematics of 10th grade, i.e., arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and number systems.
  • Practice consistently to master math. Practice different types of problems on a regular basis to improve your speed and accuracy.
  • Practice tests on a regular basis to see how you're doing and become familiar with the kinds of questions that arise on the exam.
  • VARC is generally an easy section for non-engineering students as they are from various streams of study. Make reading a habit by reading magazines, newspapers, and novels to enhance your vocabulary and knowledge. Attempt to practice reading comprehension passages and verbal ability questions on a regular basis to enhance your speed and accuracy.
  • Create a basic and practical study schedule for each section of the CAT exam. Give more time to the sections where you are weak and ensure invest time wisely for each section.
  • Mock tests are extremely important for CAT preparation. Mock tests will help you in being aware of the type of exam, time management, and your weak areas as well.
  • Joining a study group or a coaching class can provide you with additional zones to ask doubts and study actively.  Candidates can also participate in group discussions to know what are some smart approaches to prepare for the CAT 2025.
  • Time management is one of the most crucial steps one will take while studying. Students must not divide time unequally for any section and be prepared to solve all the sections.

Recommended: How to Prepare for CAT 2025 Without Coaching?

Best Books for CAT 2025 Preparation

Candidates should choose the best books to prepare for the CAT 2025. The following table contains some of the best and commonly popular books to cover CAT syllabus 2025.

Section

Book Title

Author / Publisher

VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)

How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT

Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay

Word Power Made Easy

Norman Lewis

The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability for the CAT

Nishit K. Sinha

RC 99 for CAT (practice RCs)

Aristotle Prep

DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)

How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT

Arun Sharma

Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT

Nishit K. Sinha

CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

Arihant Experts

QA (Quantitative Aptitude)

How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT

Arun Sharma

Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT

Sarvesh K. Verma

Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams

R.S. Aggarwal

Mock Tests & Overall Practice

Previous Years’ CAT Papers with Solutions

Arihant / TIME / IMS

Test Series & Sectional Mocks

TIME / IMS / Career Launcher

Note: Applicants must start the preparation for CAT 2025 now as this is the ideal time to start preparing for the exam. Within a duration of 6 months, one can easily prepare with the right preparation strategies and ace the exam.

Recommended: CAT Preparation Strategy 2025 for Beginners: How to Prepare for CAT in 6 Months?

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