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CAT 2025 Topic-wise Weightage and Marking Scheme: Section-wise Breakdown of QA, VARC, and DILR
Edited By Komal Miglani | Updated on Jul 15, 2025 11:52 AM IST | #CAT
Ongoing Event
CAT Application Date : 01 Aug' 2025 - 13 Sep' 2025
CAT 2025 Topic-wise Weightage & Marking Scheme - Clearing the Common Admission Test or the CAT examination is essential in determining the selection of candidates to the best management institutes of the country. Each year, the number of candidates who appear for the CAT examination is on the rise, and so is the difficulty level. This makes it important for the candidates to understand the CAT important topics by going through the CAT topic-wise weightage. Apart from a clear understanding of the CAT 2025 high-weightage topics, the candidates should also be attentive to the CAT marking scheme. A profound knowledge of both these concepts is essential for the candidates to ensure a good CAT score, which will pave the way for their admission to the top B schools of India. The candidates are encouraged to go through the CAT previous year question papers to understand the important topics of all three CAT sections and prioritise them in their CAT 2025 preparation journey. This article of Careers360 focuses on the expected CAT 2025 topic-wise weightage of all three sections and also provides insights into the CAT 2025 marking scheme.
This Story also Contains
- CAT 2025 Exam Pattern Overview
- CAT 2025 Marking Scheme
- CAT 2025 Topic-Wise Weightage of QA, VARC and DILR
- CAT Topic-wise Weightage: Key Insights from Previous Years
- How to Use Topic-wise Weightage for CAT 2025?
- CAT 2025 Preparation Resources by Careers360
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern Overview
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) |
CAT 2025 Marking Scheme
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.
CAT 2025 Topic-Wise Weightage of QA, VARC and DILR
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.
CAT Topicwise Weightage: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
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 |
CAT Topicwise Weightage: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
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 |
CAT Topicwise Weightage: Quantitative Aptitude
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 |
CAT Quantitative Aptitude: Important Topic to Focus On
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 |
CAT Topic-wise Weightage: Key Insights from Previous Years
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.
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.
Download NowHow to Use Topic-wise Weightage for CAT 2025?
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.
Focus More On High-Weightage and Moderate-Difficulty Topics
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.
Allocate Preparation Time Based On Topic Importance
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.
Practice TITA and MCQ Formats Separately
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.
Use Mock Test Analysis To Improve Accuracy In Top-Weighted Areas.
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 |
CAT 2025 Preparation Resources by Careers360
The aspirants can study the various CAT resources prepared by experts of Careers360 using the links provided below.
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the most important topics I should focus on for the CAT 2025 exam?
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.
2. How is the CAT 2025 exam structured and timed?
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.
3. Is there any negative marking in CAT 2025?
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.
4. How should I plan my preparation using the topic-wise weightage?
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.
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Have a question related to CAT ?
Important topics for NIFT CAT are mostly based on your creativity, observation, design thinking, and visual communication skills. So here's list of important topics you should focus on:
- Observation and drawing skills: Human figures & gestures, nature & Scene drawing are important
- Creative Visualisation: In this you'll have to convert 2d shapes into 3d, making imaginary scenes from a theme, and story illustration from given situations.
- Design & Concept Development: You'll be making logo, posters with creative slogans, book cover design and many more designs.
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Babita Rawat 11 August,2025
Hello Aspirant,
On the CAT form, you should put your name exactly as it is on your class 10 marksheet, as that will be the official educational record. Then during document verification, you can bring a Gazette notification or affidavit for name change so that documents can match your Aadhaar.
gopi 09 August,2025
Hello aspirant,
The CUSAT CAT 2025 inaugural real-time spot admission will take place at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) from August 4–6. For admission to a variety of undergraduate (B.Tech) and graduate (MSc) programs, the Common Admission Test, or CUSAT CAT, is an entrance exam. Every year, it features sections in mathematics/biology, chemistry, and physics.
For complete information, you can visit our site through following link:
https://www.careers360.com/exams/cusat-cat
Thank you
Sajal Trivedi 03 August,2025
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, if your caste is listed under Central OBC and you come under the category of Non-Creamy Layer, then you shall be eligible for the OBC-NCL reservation in the CAT exam and IIM admissions, irrespective of its being categorized as OEC in Kerala. Remember to get a valid OBC-NCL certificate obtained as per the format prescribed by the Government of India.
gopi 30 July,2025
Hey Vijay:)
Thanks for reaching out!
OEC,(Other Eligible Communities) is a state-specific reservation category used in Kerala,and it is not recognised as a separate category in central-level exams like the CAT.
For Central govt exams candidates must choose from the recognised categories: General,SC,ST,OBC-NCL,EWS or PwD.If your community is listed under OEC-SC or OEC-ST in Kerala,you should check whether it falls under SC or ST in the central list and apply accordingly.
Similarly,If your OEC community is in the central OBC list and you meet the non-creamy layer(NCL)rules,you can apply as OBC-NCL, otherwise you need to apply under the general category.
You can verify caste's status in the central list on the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) website.
Hope this clears your doubt!
Taabia Fathima 30 July,2025
Popular CAT Questions
Directions for question :
M/s Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, one of the top four audit and accounting firms in the world with headquarters at London, UK, and with an operational presence in 153 countries, hires Management Trainees (MT) from all the premier management institutes of India thrice every year, in the months of January, May and September.
Each new group of Management Trainees (MT) have to go through a four month rigorous training schedule, after which they have to pass through a test consisting of a written assessment and a case-analysis. The top hundred ranked Management Trainees (MT) based on the performance in the test are confirmed as Management Executives (ME). The rest are given the opportunity of undergoing the training for four months one more time along with the next batch of Management Trainees (MT) and then passing through the subsequent test consisting of the written assessment and case-analysis. The Management Trainee (MT) who fails to get confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) the second time is fired.
The scatter-graph below depicts the number of Management Trainees (MT) at Deloitte taking the tests from January 2020 till May 2022, and the vis-à-vis hired Management Trainees (MT) at Deloitte who were fired :
It is also known that for the month of September 2019 at Deloitte, 96 hired Management Trainees (MT) failed to be confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) the first time, and that 36 hired Management Trainees (MT) were fired.
Question :
In which test did the minimum number of Management Trainees (MT) get confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) in the second attempt ?
Option: 1
September 2020
Option: 2
May 2021
Option: 3
January 2021
Option: 4
January 2022
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The bar-graph given below shows the foreign exchange reserves of Nepal (in million Rupees) from 2014 to 2021. Answer the following questions based on the graph :
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What was the percentage increase (rounded to the nearest integer, if deemed necessary) in the foreign exchange reserves in 2020 over 2016 ?
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