ITM Business School MBA Admissions 2025
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The CAT 2025 exam includes three main sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). IIM Kozhikode will set the paper, covering all topics from the CAT syllabus. CAT is known for its tough and concept-based questions, making it more challenging than other MBA entrance exams in India. To prepare well, students should first understand the full syllabus and key topics, including the section-wise weightage and difficulty level of CAT 2025.
Though the IIM is yet to provide a detailed CAT syllabus 2025 PDF, they mention the main subjects in the CAT exam. Candidates often refer to previous years' CAT question papers to know the topics covered in the CAT 2025.
CAT Exam Year | CAT Syllabus PDF Download Link |
---|---|
CAT 2025 | To be Available |
CAT 2024 | CAT 2024 Syllabus PDF |
CAT 2023 | CAT 2023 Syllabus PDF |
For a detailed overview and explanation of CAT syllabus 2025 topics and sub-topics, candidates are advised to read this article. Careers360 provides CAT previous year question papers. Also provides CAT syllabus topics in PDF format and helps candidates to check their covered and non-covered topics.
Candidates must be familiar with the CAT 2025 exam pattern to understand the CAT syllabus topics well. There are different questions in each section of the CAT exam. However, candidates will get 40 minutes to complete each section. The marking scheme of the CAT exam allows +3 marks for each correct answer and -1 marks for each wrong answer of MCQs. There is no negative marking for TITA questions.
The table below provides the category-wise distribution of CAT questions:
Particulars | Details |
---|---|
DILR | 22 |
VARC | 24 |
QA | 22 |
Total Number of Questions | 68 |
CAT Total Marks 2025 | 204 |
CAT 2025 Time Duration | 120 minutes (40 minutes for each section), for PwD candidates: 53 minutes, 20 seconds |
CAT 2025 Marking Scheme |
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Let us look at the following CAT exam pattern, which one can expect from the upcoming CAT 2025 question paper.
CAT 2025 Syllabus | Questions | Time |
Quantitative Ability | 22 | 40 |
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 40 |
Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation | 22 | 40 |
Total | 68 | 120 |
NOTE: IIM Calcutta revised the CAT question paper last year. According to last year's CAT paper, it has 68 questions with a total of 204 marks. It has 22 questions instead of 20 in DILR.
The CAT syllabus 2025 sets a framework for MBAs to effectively structure their preparation journey. Understanding the CAT syllabus is very important to secure placements in top business schools across India. The CAT exam syllabus is divided into three sections:
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Download CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF
Knowing the section-wise CAT syllabus 2025 is essential for making a strategic preparation plan. Additionally, it helps candidates identify their strong and weak areas to facilitate efficient CAT 2025 preparation. Here, we have provided a section-wise detailed CAT syllabus 2025.
The Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) section of the CAT exam consists of 22 questions. Last year, 2 questions were added from this section. Earlier, the DILR section had 20 questions. This section is divided into two parts: data interpretation (DI) and logical reasoning (LR), each comprising 10 questions. Generally, the questions are grouped into 3-4 sets, with only a few stand-alone questions based on LR topics.
Key topics in the DILR syllabus for CAT 2025:
CAT DILR Topics | |
---|---|
Blood Relations | Clocks and Calendars |
Series | Statements |
Syllogism | Proposition |
Venn Diagram | Data Arrangement |
Direction Sense | Data Structures |
Tables | Family Tree |
Binary Logic | Coding-Decoding |
Assumptions | Pie Charts |
Data Sufficiency | Puzzles |
Seating Arrangement | Sets & Caselets |
Bars & Line Graphs |
This section is more of hands on than simply studying. Interpretation of data in various formats is tested, as is the logical reasoning ability of candidates. Topics to focus on from CAT syllabus 2025 for DILR include the following:
For DILR, practice and more practice with the above topics from CAT syllabus 2025 will work at scoring well. Candidates need to home their solving speed, analytical and deduction capabilities for good scores. Hence CAT syllabus 2025 for DILR must be practised well.
The VARC section of the CAT exam has 24 questions. This section is divided into two main areas: verbal ability and reading comprehension. Generally, reading comprehension (RC) constitutes a significant portion of this section, comprising around 12–14 questions, while the remaining 10–12 questions come from verbal ability (VA) topics.
Here are the important topics in CAT VARC Syllabus 2025:
CAT VARC Topics | |
---|---|
Fill in the Blanks | Reading Comprehension |
Subject-Verb Agreement | Verbal Logic |
Sentence Completion | Paracompletion and Inference |
Verbal Reasoning | Article Usage |
Different Usages of the Same Word | Grammar |
Idioms | Analogies |
Errors in Tenses | Antonyms |
Foreign Language Words Used in English | Syllogisms |
Sentence Correction | One Word Substitution |
Prepositions | Types of Clauses |
Parts of Speech | Phrase Modifiers |
NOTE: Last year, Para-Jumble topics were completely removed from the CAT 2023 question paper. Hence, the CAT 2025 conducting body is expected to follow the same this year as well. Anyway, candidates are advised to study and practice Para-Jumble topics as well.
Also Read: Best Books for CAT VARC
CAT Syllabus: Download VARC Study Material
1. Reading Comprehension (RC): Since passages can be drawn from literature, science, social sciences, business, and technology, students should practice the following:
2. Vocabulary: An important aspect of the CAT 2025 exam, candidates are required to be familiar with a wide range of words and their meanings. Vocabulary-related questions may include:
3. Grammar and Usage: To accurately answer the CAT question paper for VARC, candidates require a strong grasp of grammar rules and a command over language usage. Topics to focus from CAT 2025 syllabus for VARC include
4. Critical Reasoning: This section requires the ability to evaluate arguments and make logical deductions. Topics include:
5. Paragraph Completion: To answer questions of this type, candidates need to select the most appropriate sentence that will complete a given paragraph both logically and cohesively.
6. Summary: These questions require condensing the main ideas of a passage into a concise summary. Candidates must retain the essential information in the summary.
7. Reading and Comprehending Different Text Forms: Essays, articles, editorials, literary excerpts, etc. may be given. Candidates must be adept at understanding various writing styles and textual structures. This requires much practice from the CAT syllabus 2025.
8. Contextual Understanding: These questions require the ability to understand the usage of certain words, phrases, or sentences within a passage and the context in which they are used.
The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section contains the most challenging questions in CAT. To score well in this section, candidates must have a thorough understanding of key mathematical concepts, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and mensuration.
Here are important topics and concepts in the CAT 2025 QA syllabus:
CAT QA Topics | |
---|---|
Logarithms | |
Trigonometry | |
Surds and Indices | |
Partnership (Accounts) | |
Binomial theorem | |
Mensuration | Inequalities |
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CAT 2024 Slot-wise Quant Breakup | |||
Area | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
Arithmetic | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Algebra | 7 | 5 | 7 |
Geometry | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Modern Math | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Numbers | 1 | 3 | 1 |
14 MCQs, 8 TITA |
Understanding the distribution of topics in the CAT exam will help candidates streamline their preparation strategy. Here is the section-wise weightage of the main topics of CAT 2025:
CAT Sections | CAT Key Topics | CAT Syllabus Weightage (Expected) |
---|---|---|
Reading Comprehension |
| 24% |
Verbal Ability |
| 10% |
Quantitative Aptitude |
| 34% |
Logical Reasoning |
| 16% |
Data Interpretation |
| 16% |
Check out how to crack CAT: Strategies from toppers to get deeper insights on tackling the CAT 2025 syllabus, putting theory into
CAT Last Minute Preparation Tips
IIM CAT syllabus has seen significant changes over the past few years. Details are below;
Changes in CAT Exam | CAT 2024 | CAT 2023 | CAT 2020 | CAT 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|
VARC questions | 24 questions | 24 questions | Further reduced to 24 | Reduced from 34 to 26 |
DILR questions | Increased from 20 to 22 questions | 20 questions | Cut down further to 20 | Reduced from 32 to 24 |
QA questions | 22 questions | 22 questions | Reduced to 22 | Reduced from 34 to 26 |
Questions in CAT exam | Increased from 66 to 68 | 66 | Further cut to 66 | Cut down from100 to 76 |
CAT exam Score | Increased from 198 to 204 | 198 | Reduced to 198 | Reduced from 300 to 228 |
If one looks at the competition, a record 3.29 lakhs students registered for the CAT 2024 with 2.93 lakhs appearing for it and thus, the need for a good CAT 2025 strategy can be seen. This not only mean an overall preparation strategy but also for individual sections. Candidates can refer to the following section wise strategy for CAT 2025 to kick start their own CAT preparation efforts.
The best books for CAT preparation are available online and offline, but choosing the right ones can be a challenge. If you are planning to appear in CAT 2025 then only refer CAT preparation books which have detailed explanation of each topic included in CAT syllabus and sample questions for practice. Read only from CAT books recommended by experts. We have prepared section-wise lists of best CAT books to help candidates choose the best books to prepare for the CAT exam.
CAT Books | Author/ Publisher Name |
---|---|
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | Gautam Puri |
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT | Arun Sharma |
PSC for VA for CAT | Nishit Sinha |
30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary Mass Market Paperback | Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis/ Simon & Schuster |
NCERT Mathematics books (Class 9-10) | NCERT |
Quantitative Aptitude | RS Aggarwal |
Quantum CAT | Arihant Publications |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman Lewis |
The CAT exam syllabus is considered one of the most challenging syllabi in India, as it tests a wide range of skills. The CAT syllabus tests the comprehension, logical, and quantitative skills of the candidates.
Yes. The CAT course syllabus has been the same over so many years. The questions asked from the syllabus of CAT have also been mostly the same. But last year, Para-Jumbled was completely removed from the VARC category.
The topics covered in the official CAT exam 2025 syllabus are:
As per the CAT syllabus, arithmetic and algebra dominate the CAT paper every year.
CAT has basic maths based on class 9 to 12 levels. CAT QA syllabus 2025 is more maths-based while DILR is more logical reasoning that requires very basic maths skills. Students who are weak in maths are advised to check the CAT past-year question papers to know the type of questions asked before starting their preparation.
CAT exam syllabus includes reading comprehension, data interpretation, logical reasoning, and quantitative aptitude.
The CAT exam can be divided into three sections such as, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA).
The following are important topics for CAT 2025:
Start by checking CAT syllabus 2025 and topics. Search for the best CAT books and study material. start studying after establishing a daily schedule. Also check CAT previous years question papers to understand the type of questions asked and practice. Make sure to use CAT mock tests and sample papers for regular practice purposes.
The ideal time to start CAT 2025 preparation is 6–8 months before the CAT exam date. Important factors that help crack CAT 2025 are an analysis of the CAT syllabus and topics, a good timetable for time management, a dedicated focus on strengths and goal accomplishments, and practicing with mock tests.
Reading comprehension forms a major portion of VARC. In additions topics like Sentence completion, Inferences, Odd one out, Syllogism and Analogies, One word substitution, Sentence Correction are also covered under CAT VARC syllabus.
Candidates preparing for CAT exam need to prepare for topics like Graphs, Tables, Blood Relation, Data Caselets, Clocks and Calenders, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism. These form part of the CAT syllabus for DILR.
Hi dear candidate,
The score of your CAT exam is valid for one year from the date of exam.
For example: If your CAT exam was held on 24th November 2024 then your score is valid till 31st December 2025 meaning that you can take admission in the academic year 2025 - 27.
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CAT ( Common Addmission Test ) is for those students who want to study MBA or other post-graduation program in mangement field. Who have Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% recognised university can apply for CAT .final year graduation students are also eligible to apply for CAT exam .
The CAT exam for mainly those students who want to study MBA or other business related courses.This exam is an entrance exam for getting admission into top mangement colleges.the exam tests skills like English,Maths and logical thinking. CAT exam is important because scoring well in CAT it's helps to students get into best college .
If there's a slight variation in your name between your government ID and school marksheets, it's best to use the name exactly as it appears on your 10th or 12th marksheet while filling out the CAT form, since academic records are the primary documents used for verification during admission. However, ensure that the variation isn’t too major if it is, you might consider getting an affidavit or correction done in the future. For now, stay consistent with your academic records to avoid any mismatch during document verification after the exam.
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