CAT Syllabus 2025 PDF: Download Section-wise Topics, Question Types & Weightage
The CAT 2025 syllabus is based on key topics drawn from the last 10 years of CAT question papers and is divided into three sections. The Verbal Ability section covers Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd One Out questions, while the Reading Comprehension section includes passages from literature, business, science, philosophy, and social sciences. The Data Interpretation syllabus features questions based on charts and graphs, and the Logical Reasoning syllabus includes arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, and Venn diagrams. The Quantitative Aptitude section comprises topics from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics. This article provides complete details of the CAT 2025 syllabus, including a beginner-friendly version. Candidates can also download the CAT 2025 syllabus PDF using the link below. The CAT 2025 exam is scheduled to be held on November 30, 2025.
CAT Exam Pattern 2025
CAT Syllabus and Pattern are highly related to each other. Before we learn about CAT 2025 syllabus, lets get an overview of CAT exam pattern. CAT Exam Pattern 2025 is divided in three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. Each section can be further divided into sub-sections. Since CAT exam is held in three slots, there are minor changes in the exam pattern for each slot. Also, from year to year, there are minor changes in CAT exam pattern, but the overall structure has remained the same.
CAT 2025 Exam pattern (expected) is given below.
CAT Exam Pattern 2025
| Section No. | Section Name | Duration | MCQs | TITA | Total |
| I | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 40 min | 20 | 4 | 24 |
| II | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 40 min | 12 | 10 | 22 |
| III | Quantitative Ability | 40 min | 14 | 8 | 22 |
| Total | 120 min | 46 | 22 | 68 |
What is CAT Syllabus?
CAT exam pattern and syllabus are related to each other. There is no fixed CAT 2025 Syllabus. It is based on CAT exam pattern and key topics covered in last 10 years CAT Papers. CAT exam syllabus overview is below.
- CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus includes Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd One Out.
- CAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus includes passages from literature, business, science, philosophy, and social sciences areas.
- CAT Data Interpretation syllabus includes questions on Charts and Graphs.
- CAT Logical Reasoning syllabus include questions on arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, and Venn diagrams.
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus topics from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics.
CAT Syllabus Books: Chapters in Arun Sharma CAT Preparation Books is a good way to understand CAT Exam Syllabus. But remember, there is no CAT syllabus 2025 official website. CAT official website (iimcat.ac.in) does not include CAT official syllabus. Check complete details about CAT 2025 Syllabus for each section below.
CAT Exam Syllabus: Section-wise Weightage
Here are details of Section-wise Weightage for CAT Exam Syllabus
- CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension has 66% of the weightage to Reading Comprehension passages and 33.33% to the Verbal Ability questions.
- CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus covers five key areas. Their weightages are as follow: Arithmetic (40%), Algebra (30%), Geometry (15%), Numbers (5–7%), and Modern Math (5–7%).
- CAT Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning section has almost equal with 50% each for DI and LR questions.
CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Exam Pattern
Before we discuss exam syllabus, it will be helpful to know the Exam Pattern and Type of questions that have appeared in this section in CAT 2024.
CAT 2024 VARC section saw four RC passages, Paragraph Completion, Summary, and Odd Sentence type of questions. Check slot wise details below.
CAT 2024 Slot 1 Exam Pattern for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
| Area | Topic | No. of Questions | Type |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-1: Success of Chinese liquor brand Moutai | 4 | MCQ |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-2: Contamination of space | 4 | MCQ |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-3: Languages have become endangered | 4 | MCQ |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-4: The need to regulate AI | 4 | MCQ |
| Verbal Ability | Paragraph Completion | 3 | MCQ |
| Verbal Ability | Summary | 3 | MCQ |
| Verbal Ability | Odd Sentence Questions | 2 | TITA |
| Total | RC & VA | 24 | MCQ & TITA |
CAT 2024 Slot 2 Exam Pattern for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
| Area | Topic | No. of Questions | Type |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-1: Spice Trade | 4 | MCQ |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-2: Unintended Consequences of Technology | 4 | MCQ |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-3: Peer Review of Research | 4 | MCQ |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-4: Carnivore-Human Conflict | 4 | MCQ |
| Verbal Ability | Paragraph Completion | 3 | MCQ |
| Verbal Ability | Summary | 3 | MCQ |
| Verbal Ability | Odd Sentence Questions | 2 | TITA |
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Exam Pattern for Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
| Area | Topic | No. of Questions | Type |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-1: Success of Chinese liquor brand Moutai | 4 | MCQ |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-2: Unintended Consequences of Technology | 4 | MCQ |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-3: Peer Review of Research | 4 | MCQ |
| Reading Comprehension | RC-4: Carnivore-Human Conflict | 4 | MCQ |
| Verbal Ability | Paragraph Completion | 3 | MCQ |
| Verbal Ability | Summary | 3 | MCQ |
| Verbal Ability | Odd Sentence Questions | 2 | TITA |
CAT Syllabus 2025 for Verbal Ability Section
Verbal Ability (VA) is a key part of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section in the CAT exam. VA tests a candidate’s command over the English language, logical reasoning in language-based questions, and ability to analyze written information.
Verbal Ability section includes topics such as Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd One Out, which test a candidate’s ability to structure information logically. CAT Verbal Ability section also has non-MCQ or TITA questions – read details below. CAT Verbal Ability questions constitute about 30-35% share in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Section in the CAT exam.
Base on previous year’s papers, CAT VARC Syllabus 2025 and type of questions is given below.
CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus 2025
| Topic Area | Description |
| Description | Candidates are given four to five jumbled sentences that must be arranged in the correct logical order to form a coherent paragraph. These questions test logical flow, coherence, and an understanding of transition words. |
| Para Summary | A short paragraph is provided, and candidates must choose the most accurate summary from the given options. This tests comprehension, the ability to differentiate between main ideas and supporting details, and logical reasoning. |
| Odd One Out | A set of our to five sentences is given, and candidates must identify the one that does not fit into the sequence. This assesses the ability to identify logical continuity and coherence in writing. |
| Sentence Completion (Fill in the Blanks) | Though rare in recent CAT exams, this question type involves filling in the blanks with the most appropriate word or phrase based on context and grammar. |
| Critical Reasoning (Inference-Based Questions) | Candidates are given short arguments or statements and must identify conclusions, assumptions, or inferences. These questions test logical reasoning and comprehension. |
| Grammar-Based Questions | While direct grammar questions are uncommon in CAT, error detection, sentence correction, and phrase substitution sometimes appear in mock exams or other MBA entrance tests like XAT or NMAT. |
CAT Syllabus 2025 for Reading Comprehension Section
Reading Comprehension (RC) is a very important part of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section in the CAT exam. RC section involves reading passages from different subject areas such as literature, business, science, philosophy, and social sciences, and answering a set of questions that test candidate’s understanding. These passages test a candidate’s ability to understand complex information, identify key ideas, draw inferences, and evaluate arguments.
- CAT RC passages are sourced from diverse areas, including:
- Social Sciences and Humanities – History, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, etc.
- Science and Technology – AI, Robotics, Space Science, Climate Change, etc.
- Business and Economics – Market Trends, Global Economy, Financial Systems, Corporate Strategies.
- Current Affairs and Politics – International Relations, Governance, Public Policy.
- Literature and Art – Literary Criticism, Classical Literature, Art History.
Based on CAT previous year’s papers, Question Types asked in Reading Comprehension section are as below.
- Main Idea-Based Questions – Identify the primary theme of the passage.
- Fact-Based or Detail-Based Questions – Ask for specific details from the passage.
- Inference-Based Questions – Require deriving conclusions beyond the explicit text.
- Tone and Attitude-Based Questions – Understanding the author’s perspective (e.g., optimistic, critical).
- Vocabulary-Based Questions – Word meaning, contextual usage.
- Title-Based Questions – Choosing the most appropriate title for the passage.
- Logical Structure-Based Questions – Understanding the flow and coherence of ideas.
While there is no fixed syllabus for RC in CAT, according to previous year CAT exam analysis, we can understand topics which often appear in RC section. Some of the topics are given in the table below.
CAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus 2025
| Topic Area | Description |
| Philosophy | These passages are based on books/articles on philosophy that describe thoughts of Aristotle, Kant, Plato. |
| Philosophy | These passages often explore topics such as cognitive processes, human behavior, decision-making, emotions, memory, perception, and psychological theories proposed by thinkers like Freud, Piaget, or Kahneman. They cover experiments in psychology, biases in thinking, mental health issues, and topics like consciousness and intelligence. |
| History | These passages are often based on Indian, British and American historical events. |
| Arts and Museum | Passages on Art and Paintings are often found in CAT RC section. |
| Society | These passages are on societal issues like gender diversity and social evils. |
| Culture | These passages are based on articles on different culture, people, languages etc. |
CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Section Exam Pattern
Before we discuss CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning syllabus, it will be helpful to know the Exam Pattern and Type of questions that have appeared in this section in CAT 2024.
Data Interpretation for CAT section tests a candidate’s ability to analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions from a given numerical data. The questions in CAT Data Interpretation section are typically based on tables, bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, caselets, and mixed data sets.
Logical Reasoning for CAT section evaluates a candidate’s ability to analyze patterns, identify relationships, and solve complex problems using logical reasoning. Common Logical Reasoning questions in CAT exam include arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, Venn diagrams, and logical sequences.
CAT 2024 Slot 1 Exam Pattern for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Section
| Area | Set Description | No. of Questions | Question Type |
| Data Interpretation | Stock price-based candlestick graph for 7 stocks | 4 | 3 MCQ, 1 TITA |
| Data Interpretation | Bar graph showing 3 people visiting different countries | 4 | 2 MCQ, 2 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | Tournament of 6 teams split into two groups, teams play within & across groups | 5 | 5 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | Web surfers assigning thirty stars | 4 | 3 MCQ, 1 TITA |
| Data Interpretation | Election between two candidates, comparatively lengthy set | 5 | 4 MCQ, 1 TITA |
CAT 2024 Slot 2 Exam Pattern for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Section
| Area | Set Description | No. of Questions | Question Type |
| Logical Reasoning | Rating – 8 Gymnasts | 5 | 2 MCQ 3 TITA |
| Data Interpretation | 6 firms, PAT, Es, PRD – 2 graphs | 4 | 4 MCQ 0 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | Schematic diagram of walkways – Lake | 4 | 2 MCQ, 2 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | 1 to 10 numbers to be arranged in 10 slots with conditions | 5 | 2 MCQ, 3 TITA |
| Data Interpretation | Ecommerce rating distribution – cumulative | 4 | 2 MCQ, 2 TITA |
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Exam Pattern for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Section
| Area | Set Description | No. of Questions | Question Type |
| Data Interpretation | Bar graph on App subscription | 4 | 4 MCQ |
| Data Interpretation | Line graph on Temperature of a room with AC in power mode | 5 | 2 MCQ 3 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | Network of roads and ATMs | 4 | 4 TITA |
| Logical Reasoning | Proteins, Carbohydrates in food items | 5 | 3 MCQ, 2 TITA |
| Data Interpretation | Table on GDP of 10 countries | 4 | 3 MCQ, 1 TITA |
| Total | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning | 22 | MCQ and TITA |
CAT Syllabus 2025 for Data Interpretation Section
CAT Data Interpretation syllabus 2025 includes topics that test a candidate’s ability to understand and interpret data in different forms. While there is no fixed CAT DILR syllabus 2025, the key topics covered in this section are in table below.
CAT Data Interpretation Syllabus 2025
| Topic Area | Description |
| Data Tables | Numerical data presented in tabular format, requiring calculations like percentages, ratios, and averages. |
| Bar Graphs | Comparative data displayed using vertical or horizontal bars, requiring analysis of trends and patterns. |
| Line Charts | Data trends represented over time, requiring interpretation of growth rates, slopes, and intersections. |
| Pie Charts | Data shown as a percentage of a whole, requiring calculations related to proportions and comparisons. |
| Pie Charts | Overlapping sets requiring calculations related to union, intersection, and complements. |
| Venn Diagrams | Overlapping sets requiring calculations related to union, intersection, and complements. |
| Mixed Graphs | Combination of two or more types of data representations, requiring multi-perspective analysis. |
| Data Sufficiency | Questions that test whether the given data is sufficient to answer a question rather than solving it directly. |
| Logical DI | Complex reasoning-based DI sets that require both mathematical and logical deduction. |
CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus 2025
CAT logical reasoning syllabus includes topics that test a candidate’s ability to answer logical questions. While there is no fixed CAT LR syllabus, the key topics covered in this section are in table below.
CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus 2025
| Question Type | Description |
| Seating Arrangements | Questions based on linear, circular, or rectangular arrangements, requiring logical placement of people or objects based on given conditions. |
| Blood Relations | Tests the ability to analyze family relationships and determine connections between individuals. |
| Syllogisms | Involves logical deductions based on given statements using concepts like “All,” “Some,” and “None.” |
| Coding-Decoding | Questions where words, letters, or numbers follow a pattern or code that must be identified to decode information. |
| Direction Sense | Requires understanding movement-based clues to determine direction and final positions. |
| Puzzles | Logical sets involving constraints and conditions that require systematic analysis to arrive at a solution. |
| Venn Diagrams & Set Theory | Questions involving overlapping sets, intersections, and unions, requiring logical grouping of data. |
| Input-Output | Based on sequences of inputs being processed through a logical pattern, requiring identification of underlying rules. |
| Clocks & Calendars | Questions related to time calculations, angles in clocks, and calendar-based date problems. |
| Logical Sequences | Requires identifying the missing element in a given pattern or sequence based on logical rules. |
| Data Sufficiency (Logical Reasoning) | Tests whether given statements provide enough information to answer a logical reasoning question. |
CAT Exam Pattern for Quantitative Aptitude Section
Quantitative Aptitude (QA) for CAT section assesses a candidate’s mathematical skills, problem-solving ability, and numerical aptitude. The questions in Quantitative Aptitude test the conceptual clarity, logical application, and time management skills. CAT Quantitative Aptitude section covers topics from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics. Read CAT Quantitative Ability exam pattern. Check Exam Pattern for previous years below.
CAT 2024 Slot 1 Exam Pattern for Quantitative Ability Section
| Section and Topics | No. of Questions | Type of Questions |
| Arithmetic | 8 | SICI, Time and Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Ratio Proportion, Mixtures & Alligations, Multiple operations, and Profit & Loss |
| Algebra | 7 | Quadratic equations, Inequality with graph, Functions, and Identity-based questions |
| Geometry | 3 | Quadrilaterals, Sphere with Cuboid |
| Modern Math | 3 | Logarithms, Sequences, Permutations |
| Number System | 1 | Remainders and Numbers |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) Section | 22 | 14 MCQ, 8 TITA |
CAT 2024 Slot 2 Exam Pattern for Quantitative Ability Section
| Area | No of Questions | Type of Questions |
| Arithmetic | 8 | SICI, Time and Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Ratio Proportion, Mixtures & Alligations, and Profit & Loss. |
| Algebra | 5 | Quadratic equations, Inequality, Modulus, Functions, and Identity-based questions etc. |
| Geometry | 3 | Circles, triangle in trapezium and co-ordinate geometry, etc. |
| Modern Math | 3 | Logarithms, Sequences, Permutations etc. |
| Numbers | 3 | remainders, Indices, Surds. |
CAT 2024 Slot 3 Exam Pattern for Quantitative Ability Section
| Area | No of Questions | Type of Questions |
| Arithmetic | 8 | SICI, Time and Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Ratio Proportion, Mixtures & Alligations, Multiple operations, and Profit & Loss. |
| Algebra | 7 | Quadratic equations, Inequality with graph, Functions, and Identity-based questions, etc |
| Geometry | 3 | Quadrilaterals, Sphere with cuboid |
| Modern Math | 3 | Logarithms, Sequences, Permutations etc. |
| Numbers | 1 | Remainders and numbers. |
CAT Syllabus 2025 for Quantitative Aptitude Section
Once you know about the QA question Pattern in CAT exam, your next step for preparation is to scan the CAT Syllabus for Quantitative Ability section. Please note that CAT QA Syllabus 2025 is not pre-defined by IIMs and is based on latest topics that appeared in past CAT exams.
CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2025
| Topic | Syllabus |
| Arithmetic | Averages; Ratio & Proportion; Speed, Time and Distance; Time and Work; LCM and HCF; Percentages, Profit and Loss; Interest (Simple and Compound); Number System |
| Algebra | Linear & Quadratic Equations; Inequalities; Functions; Progressions; Algebraic Expressions to Polynomials; Complex numbers; Sequences and series; Permutations and combinations |
| Geometry/ Mensuration | Triangles, Lines and Angles (Supplementary, Complementary, Obtuse, Acute, and Right), Quadrilaterals, Circles; Theorems (Pythagoras, Midpoint, Apollonius, Basic Proportionality, Internal and External Angular Bisector), Co-ordinate Geometry, Quadrant System, Areas of Hexagonal Polygon, Triangle, and Rectangle. Square, Rhombus, Trapezoid, Volume, Total Surface Area, and Lateral Surface Area of Different Solids like Cubes, Cuboids, Cylinders, Pyramids, Cones, Spheres, Hemispheres, and Frustum |
| Trigonometry | Trigonometric ratios, identities, and heights and distances, Sine, Cosine |
| Modern Math | Sequence and Series, Binomial Theorem, Set Theory, Probability, Permutation & Combination |
Conclusion
In conclusion, CAT 2025 Syllabus and Exam Pattern are related to each other. CAT 2025 Syllabus is based on important topics for three sections that were covered in last 10 years CAT Papers. CAT VA Syllabus includes Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd One Out. CAT RC Syllabus includes passages from literature, business, science, philosophy, and social sciences areas. CAT DI syllabus includes questions on Charts and Graphs. CAT LR syllabus includes questions on arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, and Venn diagrams. CAT Quant syllabus covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics. Check complete details about CAT 2025 Syllabus in the above article. CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF Download is available on MBAUniverse.com. Also read: CAT 2025 exam, CAT exam pattern 2025, CAT exam preparation 2025
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
CAT Exam pattern is divided in three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. Each section can be further divided into sub-sections. Since CAT exam is held in three slots, there are minor changes in the exam pattern for each slot. Also, from year to year, there are minor changes in CAT pattern, but the overall structure has remained the same.
Overall, the exam pattern has become more focused on conceptual clarity, time efficiency, and reasoning ability. Over the last five years, the CAT pattern has undergone several notable changes in its pattern, number of questions, and difficulty level. Check key changes in exam pattern below.
1. Total Number of Questions:
- In 2019 and 2020, CAT had 100 questions (VARC: 34, DILR: 32, QA: 34).
- From 2021 onwards, the number of questions was reduced to 66 (VARC: 24, DILR: 20, QA: 22), making the test shorter but more intense.
- This pattern has continued through CAT 2023 and is expected to remain in CAT 2025.
2. Time Duration:
- Until 2019, CAT had a 3-hour duration (60 minutes per section).
- From 2020 onwards, the exam duration was reduced to 2 hours, with 40 minutes per section, which increased the pressure on time management.
3. Sectional Pattern & Difficulty Level:
- The VARC section has seen a greater emphasis on Reading Comprehension, with fewer Verbal Ability questions like Odd One Out and Para Summary.
- DILR has become more reasoning-focused, with tougher logic-based sets and fewer straightforward data interpretation questions.
- QA has shifted towards Arithmetic, making it more accessible for non-engineering background candidates.
4. Question Types – MCQ vs. TITA:
- The TITA (Type in the Answer) questions have fluctuated but generally make up 25-30% of the total paper.
- The number of MCQs has reduced, making the paper more unpredictable, as TITA questions do not have negative marking.
5. Slot-wise Variations & Normalization:
- Since CAT is conducted in multiple slots, the level of difficulty has varied across different slots, requiring score normalization to ensure fairness in percentile calculations.
CAT 2025 Exam pattern (expected) and CAT previous year paper pattern is given below.
CAT Syllabus 2025 FAQs
Request call back
