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Cracking the CAT 2025 is crucial for admission into India’s top management institutes. With rising competition and increasing difficulty levels, aspirants must focus on CAT important topics by analysing the topic-wise weightage and mastering the CAT 2025 marking scheme. A thorough understanding of high-weightage topics in QA, VARC, and DILR, along with smart preparation strategies, can significantly boost scores. Reviewing CAT's previous year question papers helps identify recurring concepts, ensuring efficient preparation for top B-school admissions in India. This guide covers the expected CAT 2025 preparation topic-wise weightage and marking scheme in detail.
One of the preliminary steps for the candidates before setting their CAT preparation strategy is to have a very good understanding of the CAT 2025 exam pattern. The CAT exam pattern is dynamic, and the candidates may expect a few possible changes on the CAT exam day. As per the CAT 2024 exam, the official CAT exam pattern is provided below for the reference of the candidates. This year, IIM Kozhikode will be conducting the CAT exam.
Particulars | CAT 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 |
Number of Questions | 68 |
Total Marks | 204 |
Mode of the CAT 2025 exam | Computer-Based Mode (CBT) |
The CAT marking scheme remained the same for the CAT 2024 examination. There has not been any official updates about any changes in the CAT exam pattern yet. This means that the candidates can expect the CAT 2025 marking scheme to be the same as that of the previous years. The official CAT 2025 marking scheme is provided below for the reference of the candidates.
Component | Details |
Correct Answer | +3 marks |
Incorrect Answer | -1 mark (only for MCQs) |
Non-MCQ | No negative marking |
Unattempted Questions | No marks awarded or deducted |
Sectional Timing | 40 minutes per section (VARC, DILR, QA) |
Total Duration | 120 minutes |
There are two types of questions asked in the CAT exam: CAT multiple choice questions (MCQs) and CAT Type in the Answer (TITA) questions.
There exists a sectional time limit in the CAT examination. The candidates will only be given 40 minutes to answer all the questions in a section. This makes CAT time management essential.
There is no negative marking for the TITA questions, while the candidates will lose a mark for the wrong responses given for the MCQs.
There is no mark deducted for unanswered questions.
Aspirants aiming for a high score in CAT 2025 must prioritise topics that consistently deliver high accuracy for well-prepared candidates. These areas follow predictable question patterns, allowing quick and confident attempts. Mastering them across VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude boosts your overall score and maximises efficiency during the exam. Below are section-wise high-accuracy topics for CAT 2025 preparation.
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
Reading Comprehension passages with factual or narrative tone
Para Jumbles without options (TITA)
Odd One Out (Sentence Elimination)
Summary-based questions with clear main ideas
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
Table-based DI with direct calculations
Bar Graph and Pie Chart combination sets
Arrangement and Scheduling puzzles with fixed variables
Caselets involving simple percentages and ratios
Quantitative Aptitude
Arithmetic: Percentages, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion
Algebra: Linear Equations and Simple Quadratic Equations
Geometry: Triangles and Circles (direct property-based)
Number Systems: Divisibility and Remainders
Effective revision of CAT 2025 high-weightage topics is crucial for maximising your score. By focusing on frequently tested areas in Quantitative Aptitude, VARC, and DILR, you can strengthen accuracy and speed in the final stretch. A smart revision plan helps reduce last-minute stress, reinforces key concepts, and ensures you perform confidently on exam day. Here are 5 detailed tips for revising CAT high-weightage topics effectively.
Make a Section-Wise Priority Chart – Rank the most important topics for QA, VARC, and DILR using past year CAT papers, such as Arithmetic in QA, Reading Comprehension in VARC, and Data Interpretation sets in DILR.
Revise Through Topic-Wise Practice Tests – Attempt small, focused tests for each high-weightage topic to strengthen problem-solving ability and time management.
Revisit Shortcuts and Formulas – For QA, go over key formulas, theorems, and calculation tricks to answer questions faster with better accuracy.
Review and Correct Past Errors – Revisit mistakes made in previous mock tests for high-weightage topics and solve them again to avoid repeating them.
Practice in Timed Conditions – Solve high-weightage questions with a set time limit to improve speed, accuracy, and decision-making under pressure.
Understanding the most frequently asked question types in CAT helps aspirants focus their preparation on high-yield areas. In Quantitative Aptitude, topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry often dominate. VARC consistently features Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, and Odd Sentence Out. DILR regularly tests candidates on Data Interpretation sets, Logical Puzzles, and Games & Tournaments. Mastering these ensures better accuracy and higher scores in CAT 2025.
1. Quantitative Aptitude (Quant)
Arithmetic (Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work)
Algebra (Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Progressions)
Geometry & Mensuration (Triangles, Circles, Coordinate Geometry)
Number System (Divisibility, LCM & HCF, Base System)
Modern Math (Probability, Permutation & Combination, Set Theory)
2. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Reading Comprehension (Inference-based, Main Idea, Author’s Tone)
Para Jumbles (Sentence Rearrangement without Options – TITA)
Para Summary (Identifying Core Message)
Odd One Out (Sentence Exclusion based on theme)
Critical Reasoning (Assumptions, Strengthen/Weaken Arguments)
3. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts)
Logical Puzzles (Arrangements, Scheduling, Seating Plans)
Games and Tournaments (Ranking, Points Table Analysis)
Caselets (Word-based DI without charts)
Venn Diagrams and Set Theory-based DI
A comprehensive analysis of the CAT previous year question papers is necessary for the candidates to understand the section-wise CAT topic-wise weightage for the 2025 examination. The candidates are also advised to solve the various CAT previous year questions, CAT sample papers and other important CAT resources to find the most important CAT topics from which the candidates can expect questions in the CAT examination. Careers360 has conducted an extensive CAT past paper analysis to find out the section-wise analysis. The candidates are provided with the topic-wise CAT weightage in the tables given below. The candidates are also advised to note that the number of questions is predicted based on the past trends in the CAT exam and may vary in the actual CAT 2025 question paper.
The CAT VARC section is one of the highest-scoring sections of the CAT examination. But this section particularly poses a challenge for the candidates with low language skills. In the CAT examination, the candidates are asked 24 questions, and this section has the highest weightage in terms of the number of questions asked in the CAT examination. The candidates are strongly advised to enhance their CAT VARC preparation in the remaining CAT preparation days to ensure that they secure a good score in the CAT VARC section. The expected CAT topic-wise weightage for 2025, following the previous year's trends, is listed below.
Section | Topic | Total Questions |
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension | Reading Comprehension | 16 (4 questions x 4 passages) |
Para Summary | 3-4 | |
Odd One Out | 1-2 | |
Para Completion | 2-3 | |
Para Jumbles (Not asked in CAT 2024) | 0-2 |
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning topic of the CAT exam is observed to have a steady increase as far as the difficulty levels of the examination are concerned. The candidates have reported that the CAT DILR questions have become increasingly confusing and lengthy in recent times. Hence, going through the complete CAT DILR syllabus as well as the CAT DILR important topics will help the candidates to enhance their CAT DILR 2025 preparation. In the CAT question paper, the candidates can expect 22 questions to be asked from this section alone. This included 2 sets of 5 questions and 3 sets of 4 questions. The expected CAT DILR topic-wise weightage for 2025 is given below after going through the CAT DILR sections of the previous year's question papers. Going by the previous year trends, the data interpretation questions might have a greater weightage than the logical reasoning questions.
Section | Topic | Total Questions |
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | Linear Arrangements – Ordering Logic (LR) | 4-5 |
Selection and Distribution | 4-5 | |
Quantitative Aptitude-Based Reasoning | 4-5 | |
Questions on Graph (Single and Mixed) | 6-8 | |
Table-based Data Interpretation | 2-4 |
Regarded as one of the most difficult sections of the CAT examination, a dedicated CAT quantitative aptitude practice is essential for candidates who wish to secure a good CAT percentile under the CAT quantitative aptitude section. The only way to score well is by practising as many CAT Quantitative Aptitude questions as possible. The marks scored by the candidates in the CAT quantitative aptitude section are often considered decisive for the admission of the candidates. By performing the CAT previous year analysis of the quantitative aptitude section, the CAT topic-wise weightage of the quantitative aptitude section is noted down and presented below for the reference of the candidates.
Section | Topic | Number of Questions |
Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic | 8-9 |
Algebra | 6-7 | |
Geometry | 2-3 | |
Modern Maths | 2-3 | |
Number System | 2-3 |
Since the CAT quantitative aptitude syllabus is very vast and noting the important CAT quant topics becomes difficult, Careers360 has designed a set of topics from the CAT syllabus for the quantitative aptitude section that the candidates should focus on to bring the most out of their CAT quantitative aptitude preparation.
Section | Important Topics |
Arithmetic | Mixtures and Alligations |
Time, Speed and Distance | |
Ratio and Proportion | |
Time and Work | |
Percentages | |
Algebra | Surds and Indices |
Logarithms | |
Linear and Quadratic Equations | |
Sequence and Series | |
Geometry | Triangles |
Coordinate Geometry | |
Modern Maths | Permutations and Combinations |
Number Systems | Remainders |
Factors and Exponents |
Now that the candidates have gone through the CAT topic-wise weightage from the previous year's question papers, it is also important that they are aware of the most important insights from the previous year's question papers. It is advisable that the candidates are already aware of these key insights because this will help them to have a good understanding of what they can expect from the actual CAT 2025 examination.
The greatest weightage in the CAT examination is given for the Reading Comprehension topic of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section. The candidates are asked 16 questions from this section alone, which constitutes almost 24% of the total CAT questions. Hence, CAT RC preparation is essential for the candidates.
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section is getting increasingly difficult each year due to the presence of higher-order thinking DILR questions. Due to this, the candidates may face challenges solving the CAT DILR section due to the presence of complicated questions. The candidates are expected to solve mixed-type DILR questions, which include questions designed by combining two topics of DILR to score better in the examination.
As far as the CAT quantitative aptitude section is concerned, the candidates can expect more questions from the algebra and arithmetic sections, with the arithmetic section given a slightly higher edge. Both these sections, when combined together contribute more than half of the total number of questions asked under the CAT arithmetic section alone.
Now that the candidates are aware of the various CAT topic-wise weightages and the key insights of the CAT examination, it is also necessary for the candidates to focus on the CAT preparation tips that will guide them on how to make the most out of the CAT topic-wise weightage. A few of the tips and tricks are provided below for the reference of the candidates.
The candidates should list the high-weight moderate difficulty topics after going through the CAT topic-wise weightage and then prioritise them to make effective use of the time left. Covering these topics will be slightly easier and can help the candidates complete more topics within the given time. The candidates are also encouraged to design a CAT preparation timetable which they must follow to accomplish their targets.
The candidates should also prioritise learning the topics that have the highest weight once they are done with the high-weight moderate difficulty topics, and they are done with the moderate difficulty topics. This should be done irrespective of the difficulty levels. If a candidate finds it difficult to solve a particular topic, they should start from the basics and slowly build the conceptual understanding. The candidates should never neglect a highly probable CAT topic.
The candidates are strongly advised to solve the CAT TITA questions and the multiple choice questions separately because TITA (Type In The Answer) questions do not carry negative marking, so candidates can attempt them without the fear of getting penalised for their responses. This will help the candidates to take educated guesses while answering the CAT TITA questions. On the other hand, multiple choice questions involve elimination techniques and smart guessing, but they carry a negative mark for wrong answers. So more care must be taken while answering such questions.
Mock tests play an important role in helping candidates improve their weak areas in the CAT examination. The candidates are very much encouraged to attempt a lot of CAT mock tests to understand their current learning level. Based on the CAT mock test analysis, the candidates should restructure their CAT preparation plan.
Candidates looking for a complete mock test practice can refer to the CAT mock test designed by Careers360. This mock test provides advanced CAT mock test analytics, such as the time taken for answering the questions, best best-performing sections of the candidates, the accuracy level of the candidates, expert-written answers to all the questions and much more. The link for attending the CAT mock test designed by Careers360 is provided below.
Title | Attempt Link |
CAT Mock Test |
Careers360 equips CAT 2025 aspirants with comprehensive preparation resources. They provide mock tests, previous year question papers, topic-wise practice exercises, and expert strategies. Students can use these tools to sharpen their quantitative, verbal, and logical reasoning skills, track their progress, and approach the exam with confidence and clarity.
eBook Title | Download Links |
3000+ Most Important Words - Vocabulary Builder | |
500+ Most Important Idioms and Phrases | |
300+ Most Important Phrasal Verbs | |
Permutation & Combination - Video Lectures and Practice Questions | |
Mastering DILR Questions with Expert Solutions | |
CAT 2025 Exam's High Scoring Chapters and Topics | |
Mastering CAT Exam: VARC, DILR, and Quant MCQs & Weightages | |
CAT 2025 Mastery: Chapter-wise MCQs for Success for VARC, DILR, Quant | |
CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers | |
CAT DILR Questions with Solution, Download LRDI Questions for CAT | |
CAT 2025 Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Study Material |
For CAT 2025, Reading Comprehension in VARC, Arithmetic and Algebra in QA, and Graph-based plus Logical Reasoning sets in DILR hold the highest weightage. These areas not only appear frequently but also contribute significantly to your overall score, so prioritise them in your prep.
The CAT exam is divided into three sections—VARC, DILR, and QA—with 40 minutes allotted for each section (53 minutes 20 seconds for PwD candidates), making the total duration 120 minutes. Understanding this structure is crucial for managing time effectively during the test.
Yes, there's a penalty of -1 mark for each wrong answer in multiple choice questions (MCQs), but no negative marking for Type In The Answer (TITA) questions or unattempted ones. Being aware of this helps you attempt TITA questions more freely.
You should focus more on high-weightage topics with moderate difficulty, like Arithmetic and RC, and plan your study schedule accordingly. Allocate more time to these areas first before moving to complex or low-weightage sections.
CAT 2025 follows +3 marks for every correct answer, -1 mark for incorrect MCQs, and no negative marking for TITA (Type in the Answer) questions.
There are three sections – Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR).
Generally, VARC and QA have a slightly higher number of questions than DILR, but exact weightage varies every year.
No, topic-wise weightage is not fixed, but some topics like Arithmetic, Reading Comprehension, and Logical Puzzles appear frequently.
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!
Hello Aspirant,
I saw a cat. The cat found an old map inside a drawer of the king's palace.
Here's why:
"a cat": It's the first time we mention the cat, so it's indefinite.
"The cat": Now we're talking about that specific cat we just mentioned, so it's definite.
"an old map": It's the first time we mention a map, and "old" starts with a vowel sound, so "an."
"a drawer": It's one of possibly many drawers, not a specific one known to us yet.
"the king's palace": This is a specific, unique place, so "the."
Hello Kapish
You can find the last 5 year questions of DILR for CAT at Careers360 website. Moreover, you can find the previous year papers of all the subjects i.e. DILR, Quants and VARC. I am attaching the link through which you would be able to access the same.
Here's the link:
CAT Previous Year Papers by CAREERS360
Sample paper of DILR:
CAT Sample Paper (DILR) by CAREERS360
Thank You!!!
Hello Divya,
Yes, candidates with an online BBA can sit for both CAT and GMAT provided that the degree is from a recognized (UGC approved in India or accredited abroad) institution. The leading B-schools in both India and abroad do not look down upon online degrees as long as the degree is from a recognized body, they will mostly be looking at your test scores, academic performance, work experience, and profile holistically. What matters is the legitimacy of the institution and how you showcase your abilities, not whether your degree was obtained online or in-person.
Yes, someone with an online BBA can sit for both CAT and GMAT, provided the degree is from a UGC recognized university. Top B-schools in India (like IIMs) and abroad generally accept online degrees if they are valid, and you won’t be marked down just because it’s online. What matters more is your entrance exam score, academic record, work experience, and overall profile.
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