CAT Exam Syllabus for MBA
CAT Exam Syllabus 2025 Introduction: The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is a highly competitive entrance exam for admission into prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools in India. Conducted annually, the CAT exam assesses candidates on their Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR).
While the official CAT syllabus is not predefined, it is based on past trends and covers fundamental concepts from Mathematics, English, and Logical Reasoning. The CAT 2025 syllabus remains largely unchanged from previous years, but candidates should stay updated on any modifications in the exam pattern or question distribution.
In the following sections, we will provide a detailed breakdown of the CAT syllabus, including:
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
- Marking Scheme & Exam Pattern
CAT Exam Syllabus PDF Download: Many candidates seek a CAT exam syllabus PDF download to systematically plan their preparation. A comprehensive syllabus PDF helps track topics, focus on high-scoring areas, and organize study schedules efficiently.
How Many Students Give CAT Exam 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
📊 CAT Exam Statistics (2020-2024)
| 🗓️ Year | 📌 Registration & Appearance | 👥 Gender Distribution |
| 2024 | ✅ Registered: 3,29,000 🎯 Appeared: 2,93,000 📊 Attendance: 89% |
👨 Male: 1,86,000 👩 Female: 1,07,000 🏳️⚧️ Transgender: 5 |
| 2023 | ✅ Registered: 3,30,000 🎯 Appeared: 2,88,000 📊 Attendance: 88% |
❌ Data Not Available |
| 2022 | ✅ Registered: 2,55,501 🎯 Appeared: 2,22,184 📊 Attendance: 87% |
👨 Male: 1,44,417 👩 Female: 77,763 🏳️⚧️ Transgender: 4 |
| 2021 | ✅ Registered: 2,29,969 🎯 Appeared: 1,91,660 📊 Attendance: 83.4% |
👨 Male: 1,24,808 👩 Female: 66,850 🏳️⚧️ Transgender: 2 |
| 2020 | ✅ Registered: 2,27,835 🎯 Appeared: 1,90,144 📊 Attendance: 83.4% |
👨 Male: 1,15,143 👩 Female: 75,000 🏳️⚧️ Transgender: 1 |
🔥 Key Highlights
- CAT 2024 saw the highest attendance rate (89%), with 2.93 lakh candidates appearing.
- A 30% increase in registrations from 2022 to 2024, reflecting a growing interest in MBA programs.
- Female participation has been increasing, contributing around 36-40% of total candidates.
- Attendance percentage remains stable over the years, averaging 83-89%.
CAT Exam Selection Process 2025:
The CAT 2025 selection process consists of multiple stages, ensuring a fair and competitive admission procedure for the IIMs and other top B-schools in India. The selection process varies across institutions but generally includes the following key steps:
- Step 1: CAT Written Exam
- Step 2: Shortlisting for WAT, GD, & PI
- Step 3: Final Selection & Merit List
CAT Exam Pattern 2025:
- The duration of the test was 120 minutes (160 minutes for PwD candidates).
- The time allotted for each section was 40 minutes (53 minutes and 20 seconds for PwD candidates).
- The following table represents section-wise breakup of number of questions:
| Section | No. of questions |
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 |
| Total | 68 |
CAT Exam Syllabus and Eligibility Criteria 2025
CAT Exam Syllabus Eligibility 2025:
Educational Qualification:
- Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
- Final-year students can also apply.
Age Limit:
- No age limit for appearing in the CAT exam.
Nationality:
- Indian citizens and foreign nationals with valid qualifications can apply.
Number of Attempts:
- No restriction on the number of attempts.
Reservation Criteria:
- SC: 15%, ST: 7.5%, OBC-NCL: 27%, EWS: 10%, PwD: 5%.
CAT Exam Syllabus 2025 Full Information
CAT Exam Syllabus 2025: Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Grammar
- Fact Inference Judgment
- Fill in the Blanks
- Para Jumble
- Para Completion & Inference
- Sentence Completion
- Verbal Reasoning Word Usage (Vocabulary)
- Syllogisms
- Idioms
- Analogies
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Correction
- Contextual Usage
- Verbal Logic
- Antonyms
- One-Word Substitution
- Different Usage of the Same Word
CAT Exam Syllabus 2025: Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Data Interpretation:
- Bar Graph
- Combination of Graphs
- Caselet
- Data Sufficiency
- Line Graph
- Pie Chart
- Tables
Logical Reasoning:
- Assumptions
- Blood Relations
- Binary Logic
- Clocks and Calendars
- Constraint-based puzzles
- Data Arrangement
- Family Tree
- Matching Puzzles
- Propositions
- Statements
- Seating Arrangement
- Sets
- Syllogism
- Venn Diagram
CAT Exam Syllabus 2025: Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA)
Arithmetic:
- Number System
- HCF, LCM
- Ratio & Proportion
- Simplification
- Percentage
- Average
- Age Calculation
- Time & Work
- Distances
Algebra:
- Theory of Equations
- Quadratic Equation
- Permutation & Combination
- Sequence & Series
Geometry:
- Angles
- Lines
- Triangles
- Circles
Mensuration:
- Areas and Volumes
- Rectangles
- Squares
- Triangles
- Circles
- Cubes
- Cones
- Spheres
- Pipes and Cistern
Calculus:
- Maxima and Minima
- Function
Trigonometry:
- Trigonometric Ratios
- Heights and Distances
CAT Exam Syllabus Study Material PDF Free Download:
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People Also Ask About CAT Exam Syllabus 2025
What are the main sections in the CAT exam syllabus?
The CAT 2025 syllabus is divided into three sections:
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
Is there any official syllabus for the CAT exam?
- No, the IIMs do not officially release a CAT syllabus, but the exam follows a standard pattern based on previous years.
What are the important topics in the CAT syllabus?
Some of the most important topics for CAT 2025 include:
- VARC: Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Sentence Completion
- DILR: Graphs, Puzzles, Caselets, Seating Arrangements
- QA: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System
How much time is given for each section in CAT 2025?
The CAT exam pattern divides 120 minutes as follows:
- VARC – 40 minutes
- DILR – 40 minutes
- QA – 40 minutes
Is there negative marking in CAT?
- Yes, negative marking applies:
- -1 for wrong answers (MCQs only)
- No negative marking for TITA (Type in the Answer) questions
What is the difficulty level of the CAT syllabus?
- The CAT exam is considered moderate to difficult, with QA and DILR being the toughest sections for many aspirants.
Can I download the CAT syllabus PDF?
- Yes, many coaching institutes provide CAT syllabus PDF downloads, but no official syllabus PDF is released by IIMs.
How to prepare for CAT 2025?
- Read newspapers for VARC improvement
- Practice Data Interpretation daily
- Strengthen basics in Quantitative Aptitude
- Take mock tests regularly
