CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Section-Wise Breakdown, Total Marks, and Time Duration

CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Section-Wise Breakdown, Total Marks, and Time Duration

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CAT Application Date:01 Aug' 25 - 13 Sep' 25

Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 25 Aug 2025, 05:09 PM IST

CAT exam pattern 2025 is expected to maintain the same pattern as previous years. The CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in computer-based mode and will comprise of three sections: Verbal ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). The exam will be conducted for a duration of two hours (120 minutes), with a 40-minute time limit for each section. The total number of questions is expected to be around 66 or 68. The total marks in the CAT exam are 204. The CAT exam will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode. Keep reading to find more information CAT 2025 exam pattern.

This Story also Contains

  1. CAT Exam Pattern 2025
  2. CAT 2025 Exam Pattern: Major Highlights
  3. CAT Paper Pattern and Syllabus
  4. CAT Exam Structure
  5. CAT Exam Pattern 2025 - Important points
  6. CAT Exam Duration 2025
  7. CAT Total Marks
  8. CAT Qualifying Marks
  9. CAT Exam Pattern 2025: What Kind of Questions Will Be Asked in the CAT 2025?
  10. CAT Marking Scheme 2025
  11. CAT Entrance Exam Pattern Changes Over the Years
  12. CAT Marks vs Percentile 2025 (Expected)
  13. Difference Between CAT Exam Pattern 2025 and Other MBA Entrance Exams
CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Section-Wise Breakdown, Total Marks, and Time Duration
CAT Exam Paper Pattern

CAT Exam Pattern 2025

In past few years, the CAT exam pattern has been modified several times by the conducting IIMs. However, since 2015, the CAT paper pattern has remained unchanged in terms of total marks, and total time duration. The CAT exam 2025 will be held on November 30, 2025, in three different shifts. The CAT exam paper pattern is a mind-driven exam designed to test a candidate's ability to solve reasoning and mathematical questions accurately in the least amount of time.

The CAT exam 2025 is all about using logical reasoning and aptitude skills. Those who are going to take CAT 2025 must familiarise themselves with the updated CAT entrance pattern. It will help them understand the CAT exam structure and the marking scheme. The total marks of the exam is about 204. Read this article to know all about CAT exam pattern and syllabus 2025, including CAT paper timing, sectional time limit, total CAT marks, etc.

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What is the pattern of a CAT exam?

CAT 2025 is a computer-based entrance exam divided into 3 sections with a total of 68 questions: VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section will have a duration of 40 minutes.

What is the total score of the CAT exam?

For the CAT 2025 exam, the total marks will be 204. As per the CAT marking scheme, each question is worth 3 marks.

What is a good score in CAT?

In CAT, Generall a 99+ percentile is excellent, for top IIMs, while those who will score 95+ percentile is good for other top-tier MBA colleges. For decent colleges, a 70-85 percentile might be sufficient to grab a MBA seat.

CAT 2025: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages
Comprehensive CAT prep guide with focused practice on Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
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CAT 2025 Exam Pattern Overview:

  • Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
  • Total Questions: 68
  • Sections:
    • VARC: 24 questions
    • DILR: 22 questions
    • QA: 22 questions
  • Total Marks: 204
  • Time Limit: 120 minutes (160 minutes for PwD candidates)
  • No Negative marking for unanswered questions.
  • The scores are scaled to account for variations in difficulty across different slots.
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CAT 2025 Exam Pattern: Major Highlights

The CAT exam paper PDF will help with better CAT exam preparation. Before appearing for this national-level MBA entrance exam, one should know what the CAT 2025 pattern is. The CAT pattern and the test procedure will be announced, along with the CAT exam 2025 date and the notification. Candidates planning to opt for CAT 2025 must familiarise themselves with the latest CAT entrance exam pattern along with the CAT syllabus 2025. Last year, the CAT exam pattern for the MBA included 68 questions.

Check out the best CAT Study Material

As per the previous year's CAT question paper pattern, the exam will be held in three slots, that is, in the morning, afternoon, and evening on the same day, as a computer-based test (CBT). The CAT exam paper pattern for MBA admission is summarised in the table below.

CAT Paper Pattern and Syllabus

ParticularsCAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus

CAT exam time duration

2 Hours (120 Minutes) & (160 Minutes for PwD)

Name of the Section

  • Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  • Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Section-wise CAT exam time duration

  • 40 Minutes for Each Section (VARC, DILR, QA).
  • 53 Minutes 20 Seconds for PwD candidates for each section.

CAT slot timings

  • CAT slot 1 timing: 8:30 am - 10:30 am (Morning Session)
  • CAT slot 2 timing: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm (Afternoon Session)
  • CAT slot 3 timing: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm (Evening Session)

How many questions in CAT exam

68 Questions

Total marks of CAT exam

204 CAT marks

Mode of the CAT 2025 exam

Computer-Based Mode (CBT)

CAT Marking Scheme

  • For every right answer, +3 will be awarded
  • For every wrong answer in MCQs, -1 will be deducted
  • No negative marks for Non-MCQs

CAT Exam Structure

The CAT Exam 2025 structure consists of 3 main sections. These sections are Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section of the CAT exam will have around 20 to 24 questions. The total number of questions in the CAT exam is estimated to be 66 across all sections.

The CAT 2025 exam will be a 2-hour computer-based exam. All candidates are expected to answer all questions within a time frame of 40 minutes per section. As per the past year trends and question papers, the CAT exam may consist of MCQs and non-MCQs. Keep in mind that the number of questions in each section might vary each year.

CAT Exam Pattern 2025 - Important points

  • Candidates can use an on-screen calculator for computation during CAT 2025.
  • By using an on-screen clock, candidates can check the time
  • Sheets will be provided to candidates for rough work, which has to be submitted after the conclusion of the CAT Exam.
  • Candidates will not be allowed to switch from one section to another while answering questions in one section.
  • The CAT official mock test has been released on the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in. It generally reveals the overall and section-wise exam pattern of CAT. The three sessions in which CAT 2025 will be conducted are:

    • Morning session (8:30 am - 10:30 am)
    • Afternoon session (12:30 pm - 2:30 pm)
    • Evening session (4:30 pm - 6:30 pm).

CAT Exam Duration 2025

The CAT 2025 exam will be held in three different shifts, with a duration of 120 minutes (2 hours) for each CAT slot. The CAT 2025 entrance exam is expected to be held on November 30. The CAT exam will be administered in the morning, afternoon, and evening sessions as per the norms. Check out more details about the CAT exam 2025 slots.

CAT 2025 Time Duration

As per trends and CAT paper patterns, candidates have to solve every section in 40 minutes. After the conclusion of 40 minutes (sectional time limit), no changes or corrections will be allowed after that. The checkout section-wise number of CAT questions and the sectional time limit are listed in the table below.

CAT Exam SectionsNumber of questionsTime limitTime limit for PwD students
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)2440 minutes53 minutes and 20 seconds
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)2240 minutes53 minutes and 20 seconds
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)2240 minutes53 minutes and 20 seconds
Total68120 minutes160 minutes

CAT Exam Slot Timings

CAT Exam SlotsCAT Exam Time
CAT Slot 18:30 AM to 10:30 AM
CAT Slot 212:30 PM to 2:30 PM
CAT Slot 34:30 PM to 6:30 PM

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CAT Total Marks

The CAT 2025 exam will be conducted in three slots of 2 hours (120 minutes) each on a single day. The CAT total marks are 204 in total. However, candidates cannot switch between the CAT exam sections. The onscreen clock will help candidates to keep a check on the time during the CAT exam.

CAT Qualifying Marks

CAT 2025 qualifying marks will be available with the release of the CAT cutoff for the next academic session. The CAT qualifying marks will be released by the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) and by other top MBA colleges that accept CAT scores for MBA/ PGDM admissions. To appear for the selection rounds of MBA admission, the first criterion is to satisfy the qualifying CAT marks criteria.

How many total marks are in the CAT exam?

The total marks for the Common Admission Test (CAT) exam will be 204 marks in total.

How many questions in CAT exam?

The total number of CAT total questions will be 68. The entire CAT question paper will be divided into three sections (VARC, DILR, and QA). As per the CAT MBA pattern, VARC will have 24 questions, DILR will have 22 questions, and QA will have 22 questions.


People also search: Download past 10-year CAT question paper

CAT Exam Pattern 2025: What Kind of Questions Will Be Asked in the CAT 2025?

As per the CAT question paper, given below are the section-wise questionsthat can be covered in the CAT 2025 test pattern.

  • VARC Section: 4 RC passages with 18 MCQs; VA 8 Non-MCQs are subdivided into Para Summaries and Context Sentences. VA came after RC. There is no Para-jumble questions. Students found questions from odd one out, summary, fill in the blanks. This year, VARC has 22 questions.
  • DILR: Data Interpretation: 3 Questions, Logical Reasoning: 2 Questions. There are sum based on LR.
  • QA: High on Arithmetic and Algebra. 2 questions on Geometry, 1 sets, 1 AP, etc.

How many times CAT exam is conducted in a year?

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) conducts the Common Admission Test (CAT) exam once a year.


YearNo. of QuestionsSectionsDurationConducting IIM
202568VARC, DILR, QA2 hoursIIM Kozhikode
202468VARC, DILR, QA2 hoursIIM Calcutta
202366VARC, DILR, QA2 hoursIIM Lucknow

CAT Marking Scheme 2025

CAT test pattern 2025 includes the answer to the searched question, "Is there a negative marking in CAT?" Under the CAT marking scheme, candidates get to know the CAT exam total marks awarded for each correct answer and how many marks will be deducted if the candidate answers the question incorrectly.

  • For each correct answer, three marks will be awarded.
  • CAT Negative Marking: For each wrong answer, one mark will be deducted.
  • For unanswered CAT questions, no marks will be deducted. Also, for non-MCQs, no marks will be deducted.

The following table summarises the marking scheme for CAT 2025:

CAT exam section nameNumber of questionsMarks per questionCAT Negative Marking (Only MCQs)
VARC243-1
DILR223-1
Quantitative Aptitude223-1

CAT Entrance Exam Pattern Changes Over the Years

Year

Number of Questions

Sections

Marking Scheme

Duration

Conducting Body

2024Total 68 questions (24 in VARC, 22 in DILR, 22 in QA)

Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude

3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer, No negative for non-MCQs.2 hoursIIM Calcutta
2023Total 66 questions (24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, 22 in QA)

Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude

3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer

2 hoursIIM Lucknow
2022Total 66 questions (24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, 22 in QA)

Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude

3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer

2 hoursIIM Bangalore
2021Total 66 questions (24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, 22 in QA)

Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude

3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer

120 minutesIIM Ahmedabad
2020

Total 76 questions (24 in one section and 26 in the other two sections)

Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude

3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer

120 Minutes

IIM Indore

2019

Total 100 questions (32 in one section and 34 in the other two sections)

Verbal & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude

3 positive marks for each correct answer and minus 1 mark for each wrong answer

180 Minutes

IIM Kozhikode

How many levels are there in CAT exam?

As per the CAT MBA test pattern, there are three exam sections including VARC, DILR, and QA. The CAT VARC section includes 24 questions with a weightage of 72 marks. CAT DILR section comprise 22 questions with a weightage of 66 marks and the QA section will have 22 questions with a weightage of 66 marks.

Other Relevant Topics:

How has the CAT exam paper pattern evolved over the years?

In the last few year's CAT question paper pattern has been changed multiple times. By referring to the table below, the candidates will be able to get a clear idea of how the CAT 2025 paper pattern has evolved over the years.

The paper pattern of CAT contains three sections such as,

  • Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
  • Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
  • Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

There is no difference in the sections for each year. Also, there is no difference in the CAT question paper pattern for the MBA marking scheme.

Changes in CAT exam pattern over the years

Year

Number of Question

Difficulty Level

CAT exam time duration

Conducting Body

202468Easy to Moderate2 hoursIIM Calcutta
202366Difficult2 hoursIIM Lucknow
202266Moderate2 hoursIIM Bangalore

2021

66

Moderate to High (Expected)

2 hours

IIM Ahmedabad

2020

76

Moderate to High

2 hours

IIM Indore

2019

100

Moderate to High

3 hours

IIM Kozhikode

2018

100

Moderate to High

3 hours

IIM Calcutta

2017

100

Moderate

3 hours

IIM Lucknow

2016

100

Moderate to difficult

3 hours

IIM Bangalore

2015

100

Moderate to difficult

3 hours

IIM Ahmedabad

2014

100

Moderate to Easy

2.50 hours

IIM Indore

2013

60

Moderate to Easy

2:20 hours

IIM Indore

2012

60

Moderate to Easy

2.20 hours

IIM Indore

2011

60

Moderate

2.20 hours

IIM Calcutta

Check out How to Prepare for CAT

CAT Syllabus 2025

CAT conducting body will not release the official CAT exam syllabus. However, based on the CAT MBA exam pattern, candidates can check the topics on which the questions are asked.

Section-Wise CAT Syllabus 2025

Section

Topics

Verbal and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

  • Verbal Ability
  • English Usage or Grammar
  • Close Passage
  • Synonyms Antonyms
  • Facts-inferences-judgments
  • Jumbled Paragraph (Para Jumble)
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Verbal Reasoning

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

  • Algebra
  • Higher Maths
  • Geometry
  • Trigonometry
  • Mensuration
  • Arithmetic

CAT Mock Test 2025

The candidates can take the official CAT Mock Test. CAT conducting body will release the official CAT 2025 mock test on iimcat.ac.in. It will help to face the actual exam without any fear and also help to answer the questions within the given time.

By appearing in the mock test, the aspirants can get an idea of how to move between different sections. Before appearing in the CAT exam mock test, students must know the CAT test pattern 2025, and they must also go through the CAT sample papers.

How to answer the questions in the CAT 2025 question paper?

Before starting the CAT exam, the students should have to know how to answer questions. Candidates should use the following options when answering questions:

  • Save and Next: Candidates should select the answer, save it, and move on to the next one.
  • Clear Response: Candidates will have the option to delete the answer to the question they answered.
  • Mark for Review and Next: If the candidate is unsure about the answer, in such a case they have the option to mark it as a review, then answer it, and then move on to the next question.

NOTE: When answering CAT questions, one should use the mouse provided. Using the system keyboard will lock the computer screen.

What does each colour on the panel represent?

Panel Colour

What it Indicates

Red

The question was not answered and is not marked for review.

Green

The question was answered and not reviewed.

Grey

Question not viewed or visited.

Violet

The question is marked for review and not yet answered.

Violet with Green tick

The question was marked and answered for review.

CAT%20Mock%206

Previous Year CAT Exam Analysis

As per the CAT paper analysis, the exam was moderate to difficult in terms of difficulty level but the VARC and QA section was moderate in all three slots. QA section was difficult as compared to VARC and DILR. Check below question wise break of the CAT 2025 paper pattern:

CAT Section

Number of Questions

Type

Difficulty Level

VARC

24

4 Para summary, 4 Passages of 4 Questions each, 2 Para completion, 2 Odd one out

Moderate

DILR

22

2 Sets of 5 Questions, 3 Sets of 4 Questions

Easy-Moderate

QA

22

Algebra - 5-6, Arithmetic- 10-11, Geometry- 3, Number System- 2, Modern Maths- 1

Moderate

Overall CAT Difficulty LevelModerate

CAT Marks vs Percentile 2025 (Expected)

As per experts, the CAT 2025 will be moderate to difficult, check out below the CAT score vs percentile based on CAT cutoff marks vs percentile.

CAT 2025 Slot 1

Percentile

VARC

DILR

QA

Overall

99

39-40

31-32

30-31

90

95

31-32

24-25

23-24

66

90

25-26

19-21

17-18

56-57

85

22-23

16-18

14-15

45-46

80

20-21

13-14

12-13

40-41

70

16-17

11-12

10-11

35-36

CAT 2025 Slot 2

Percentile

VARC

DILR

QA

Overall

99

41-42

27-28

28-29

87

95

33-34

22-23

22-23

63

90

26-27

18-19

16-17

55-56

85

23-24

15-17

13-14

44-45

80

21-22

12-14

11-12

39-40

70

17-18

11-12

10-11

35-36

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Difference Between CAT Exam Pattern 2025 and Other MBA Entrance Exams

Almost all MBA entrance exams, such as the XAT, CMAT, NMAT, MAT and SNAP, share the same common features. But they do have some minute differences. Let us look at the following differences in each of the MBA exam patterns.

Exam Name

Time Duration

No. of Questions

Sections

Overall Score

CAT

120 Minutes

68

3

204

CMAT

180 Minutes

100

5

400

XAT

180 Minutes

95

4

95

NMAT

120 Minutes

108

3

36-360

MAT

120 Minutes

150

5

150

SNAP

60 Minutes

60

3

60

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the total number of questions in CAT 2025?
A:

The CAT 2025 exam consists of 68 questions divided into three sections:

  • VARC – 24 questions
  • DILR – 22 questions
  • QA – 22 questions
Q: Is there negative marking in CAT? Will CAT patterns change in 2025?
A:

Yes, a -1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer. CAT pattern is similar to the last year and there is no such change.

Q: Is CAT a difficult exam? What is CAT total marks?
A:

CAT is considered to be the most difficult MBA entrance exam in India. The difficulty of CAT 2025 is expected to be moderate to high. The CAT total mark is 204. 

Q: Will the CAT syllabus 2025 be officially announced? How many papers are there in CAT?
A:

No, IIMs do not officially announce the syllabus of the Common Admission Test. The subjects of the CAT exam include topics of Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). 

Q: What is the mode of CAT 2025? Is CAT easy to crack?
A:

CAT is normally conducted as a computer-based test. CAT is a challenging exam undoubtedly but candidates can crack the same with hard work and effective strategy. 

Q: What is the section time limit in CAT 2025?
A:

According to the changed CAT pattern, Non-PwD candidates will have to solve a specific question within 40 minutes and PwD candidates will have 53 minutes and 20 seconds to solve a section.

Q: Can I take CAT 2025 as per my choice of slot?
A:

No, there is no such provision to choose a CAT slot. The CAT slot will be allotted by the exam conducting body on a first come first serve basis. Candidates will have to appear for the CAT 2025 in only the slot allotted. 

Q: How much is 99 percentile in CAT?
A:

The overall score for the 99 percentile in CAT 2025 will around 86+ marks.

Q: How many questions in CAT 2025? is CAT MCQ based?
A:

As per the CAT exam pattern, there will be a total of 68 questions. CAT exam paper has both MCQs and TITA questions- MCQs have about 75% weightage in the question paper.

Q: What is the exam pattern for CAT exam 2025?
A:

The CAT exam will be held in computer-based mode (CBT), and the CAT question paper will be divided into 3 sections and a total of 68 questions asked from VARC, DILR, and QA.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello

As you said you by mistakenly done that,  you don't need to get worry regarding that ,

Just inform the help desk and carry the correct certifications , the state certificate will not disqualify you .

The steps you can follow is -

1. You can check if the correction window is available or not

2. Contact the CAT desk immediately.

Hope this helps

In CAT registration, you cannot create a new user ID with the same mobile number, even if you use a different email ID. Each mobile number and email can be linked to only one account. If you already registered once, the system will not accept a duplicate with that number. To register again, you must use a new mobile number and new email ID. If you lost your old login, you can recover it through the forgot password/user ID option on the CAT portal.



Yes, you can fill the CAT form even if you currently have a backlog. CAT eligibility requires you to be in your final year of graduation or already graduated backlogs don’t stop you from applying.

While filling the form:

  • Enter the aggregate percentage/CGPA of marks you have obtained up to the latest semester for which results are declared (in your case till 4th semester).

  • There will be an option to mention that you have a backlog.

  • If you clear the backlog later, you’ll just need to show the updated marks during admission.

Hello Aspirant,

Yes, you can apply for the CAT exam as a final-year student. You must declare your backlog on the online application form. You do not write about it on the final-year student certificate; that document is to certify your enrollment status. You must clear all backlogs before the final admission process to any MBA college.

Hello,

Thank you for your question!

KL- MAT syllabus: Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English/Verbal Ability, and General Awareness (similar to MAT/CMAT pattern).

CAT scores are valid in many private universities including KL University, but always check the year’s admission notification.

CAT vs other exams: CAT is toughest (IIMs + top B-schools), while MAT/CMAT/ATMA are relatively easier and accepted by many mid-level private universities.

Hello it will clear your doubt!