The CAT pattern has evolved a lot over the years, and since 2022 has been constant. It is expected that this year also the CAT pattern will remain same. CAT exam pattern defines the number of questions that are asked from each section, the total number of questions, sectional marks, and the total marks of the CAT exam. The exam pattern for CAT is decided and set by the conducting IIM every year and is mentioned in the CAT notification. As per the broader pattern the CAT exam has 68 questions in total and 204 total marks (as per 2024). Each section has a time limit of 40 minutes, and the total duration is 2 hours.
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This article aims to help the candidates answer questions like → “Will the CAT exam pattern change this year or remain same?” The simple answer till the CAT notification 2025 is out, is that the CAT 2025 pattern will not change this year. The VARC section will have 24 questions, DILR section will have 22 questions, and the QA section will have 22 questions. Read the article to know more about the CAT exam pattern.
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CAT 2025 Expected Exam Pattern
Candidates can check the detailed CAT exam pattern for the upcoming CAT exam in the table below.
CAT Exam Sections | Number of Questions in CAT Exam | Sectional Time limit | Time limit for PwD students |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes | 53 minutes and 20 seconds |
Total | 68 | 120 minutes | 160 minutes |
How has the CAT exam pattern changed over the years?
The CAT pattern has seen several significant changes over the years. In earlier years, the total number of questions were 100 and the exam duration was also higher. We have provided a detailed analysis of the exam pattern over the years and how it has evolved in the last 15 years.
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Year | Number of Question | Difficulty Level | CAT exam time duration | CAT Sections | Conducting Body |
2025 | 68 | Moderate to Difficult (Expected) | 2 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Kozhikode |
2024 | 68 | Moderate to Difficult | 2 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Calcutta |
2023 | 66 | Difficult | 2 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | |
2022 | 66 | Moderate | 2 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | |
2021 | 66 | Moderate to High | 2 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | |
2020 | 76 | Moderate to High | 2 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | |
2019 | 100 | Moderate to High | 3 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | |
2018 | 100 | Moderate to High | 3 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | |
2017 | 100 | Moderate | 3 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Lucknow |
2016 | 100 | Moderate to difficult | 3 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Bangalore |
2015 | 100 | Moderate to difficult | 3 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Ahmedabad |
2014 | 100 | Moderate to Easy | 2.50 hours | QA & DI, LR & VARC | IIM Indore |
2013 | 60 | Moderate to Easy | 2.20 hours | QA & DI, LR & VARC | IIM Indore |
2012 | 60 | Moderate to Easy | 2.20 hours | QA & DI, LR & VARC | IIM Indore |
2011 | 60 | Moderate | 2.20 hours | QA & DI, LR & VARC | IIM Calcutta |
2010 | 60 | Easy to Moderate | 2.50 hours | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Lucknow |
Key Milestones in CAT Pattern Changes
Given below are the key milestones and significant changes that happened in the following years, and marked some revolutionary changes, changing the fate of this prestigious MBA examination.
- 2009: Transition from paper-based to computer-based test.
- 2014: Increased flexibility; candidates could switch between sections.
- 2015: Major structural change — 3 sections introduced, sectional time limits imposed, and TITA (non-MCQ) questions added.
- 2020: COVID led to reduced duration and number of questions (first time 2-hour format).
- 2021 onwards: Continued with reduced number of questions (66 total), with only slight adjustments.
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Conclusion
In conclusion based on the last 2 years trend it is expected that the CAT 2025 exam pattern will remain the same and not change. However, if due to any significant reasons, the conducting IIM decides to change or improve the CAT exam pattern, the candidates will be updated on this page and the CollegeSearch. Follow us for more updates on CAT exam. The CAT 2025 exam is set to be held on 30th November 2025, with registrations that began on August 2, 2025.
