The CAT syllabus 2025 is a comprehensive outline of the topics that candidates need to master to crack the Common Admission Test (CAT). While the CAT exam syllabus is not officially prescribed by the IIMs, it has remained consistent over the years and is derived from the recurring patterns observed in previous CAT exams.

Understanding the CAT syllabus section-wise is crucial for strategic preparation. The exam is divided into three key sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Each section covers specific topics, and mastering them is essential for securing a high percentile.

CAT Exam Syllabus Overview 2025

The CAT syllabus 2025 is structured around three major sections:

1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

Each section carries its own weightage and contributes to a total of approximately 66–68 questions distributed across VARC (24), DILR (20–22), and QA (22)

CAT Exam Pattern – Key Details

Parameter	Details
Duration	120 minutes (40 minutes per section)
Sections	VARC, DILR, QA
Question Types	MCQs (+3/-1), TITA (no negative)
Total Questions	66–68
Section-wise Distribution	VARC: 24, DILR: 20–22, QA: 22

This structure forms the backbone of the cat exam syllabus for MBA, guiding both strategy and resource allocation.

CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF Download

Candidates looking for CAT Syllabus PDF 2025 can download PDF guide from below –

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CAT VARC Syllabus 2025

VARC forms a large chunk of the CAT syllabus section‑wise and tests language proficiency through comprehension and verbal reasoning exercises. Expect 24 questions spread across reading passages and verbal reasoning tasks

CAT 2025 VARC Syllabus Topic-Wise

Topic	Subtopics	Approx. Questions
Reading Comprehension	Passages: literature, business, science, philosophy; inference, tone, structure	16
Para Jumbles	Sentence ordering into coherent paragraphs	2–3
Para Summary	Choosing apt summary for a short paragraph	2–3
Odd Sentence Out	Identifying discordant sentence in a paragraph	1–2
Sentence Completion	Completing sentences with logical connectors	1

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VARC Preparation Strategy

• Read editorials and essays daily to sharpen comprehension.
• Solve 3–4 RC passages and 10+ VA questions regularly.
• Practice using official CAT past papers and mock VARC sets.
• Analyze errors to identify lexical and contextual weaknesses.

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CAT DILR Syllabus 2025 (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)

DILR is a high-impact portion of the cat syllabus for mba, combining data analysis and logical thinking under time constraints. The section carries approx. 20–22 questions.

DILR Topic-Wise Syllabus, Important Topics

Topic	Subtopics Covered	Sets
Data Interpretation (DI)	Tables, bar/line/pie graphs, scatter plots, radar/gantt charts, caselets, data sufficiency	2–3
Logical Reasoning (LR)	Seating arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, directions, coding-decoding, games	2–3

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CAT 2025 DILR Preparation Strategy

• Practice at least one DI and one LR set daily, starting with simpler problems.
• Gradually increase difficulty and time yourself.
• Learn to skip time-consuming sets and prioritize accuracy.
• Use past CAT papers to understand patterns (cases vs standalone questions).

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CAT Quantitative Aptitude (QA) Syllabus 2025

Quantitative Aptitude (QA) is a core part of the CAT syllabus 2025, testing mathematical understanding across arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and modern math. There are approx. 22 questions

CAT QA Syllabus Topic-Wise

Topic	Subtopics Covered	Approx. Questions
Arithmetic	Percentages; Profit & Loss; Time, Speed & Distance; Time & Work; Averages; Ratios; SI & CI; Mixtures & Alligation	8–10
Algebra	Linear & Quadratic Equations; Inequalities; Functions; Sequences & Series (AP, GP); Logarithms	4–5
Geometry & Mensuration	Triangles, Circles, Polygons; Coordinate Geometry; Mensuration; Trigonometry	3–4
Modern Math	Permutation & Combination; Probability; Set Theory; Venn; Binomial Theorem	2–3
Number System	Divisibility; HCF & LCM; Indices & Surds; Base systems	1–2

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CAT QA Preparation Strategy

• Focus on Arithmetic first, as it forms the majority of the QA section.
• Maintain formula sheets and revise regularly.
• Solve topic-wise exercise sets from reputed CAT prep books.
• Take timed mock tests and revise weak areas.

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Preparation Timeline – Section-wise Approach

Time Frame	VARC Focus	DILR Focus	QA Focus
Month 1–2	Build reading habits; VA drills	Introductory DI & logic puzzles	Cover arithmetic fundamentals
Month 3–4	RC practice + VARC mocks	Mix of DI and LR set practice	Start algebra and geometry foundational work
Month 5	Sectional VARC mocks + error logs	Solve full DI+LR sets	Topic-wise QA tests with time limits
Month 6	Refinement, vocabulary, speed drills	Focus on weak set types	Advanced topics & mock improvement
Month 7	Full-length mocks with VARC emphasis	DILR level-up: puzzles & strategies	Integrate QA into full mocks
Final Month	Revision + govern flow across sections	Balanced mock tests	Formula rounds, speed, and accuracy drills

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FAQs on CAT Exam Syllabus Section‑Wise