Overview of CAT Marks and Question Distribution

CAT 2025 exam maintains a structured format with three core sections VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude comprising a total of 68 questions and a maximum of 204 marks. Each section must be attempted within a strict 40-minute window (extended for PwD candidates), and questions carry +3 marks for correct answers, with -1 for MCQ errors and no penalty for non-MCQs or unattempted questions. Over the years, CAT has seen variations in the total number of questions and marks, though the marking scheme remains consistent. Aiming for a high percentile in CAT 2025 requires effective time management and smart question selection. To aim for a percentile above 99, candidates should try to attempt around 42 to 48 questions, maintaining a minimum accuracy of 85%. Detailed data on section-wise good attempts, raw scores, and expected percentiles help students plan their strategies better. Understanding these patterns is key to cracking CAT 2025 with confidence.

CAT 2025: Total Marks and Section-Wise Question Distribution

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 follows a specific pattern with three major sections. Each section has a set number of questions, and each correct answer carries 3 marks. The table below presents the detailed breakup of the number of questions and total marks per section.

CAT Sections	Number of Questions	Marks Per Question	Total Marks
VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)	24	3	72
DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning)	22	3	66
Quantitative Aptitude	22	3	66
CAT Total	68	-	204

CAT 2025 Marking Schemes

CAT 2025 follows a straightforward marking scheme. Understanding this will help candidates plan their answering strategy effectively during the exam. Here's a quick breakdown of the CAT marking scheme:

Component	Details
Total Marks	204 marks
Marks per Question	+3 marks for every correct answer
Negative Marking (MCQs)	-1 mark for every incorrect answer
Negative Marking (Non-MCQs)	No negative marking
Unanswered Questions	No negative marking

CAT 2025 Section-Wise Good Number of Attempts

MBA CAT exam 2025 will feature a total of 68 questions divided into three distinct sections. While attempting all questions is not compulsory, aiming for a strong number of correct attempts in each section is important to achieve a high percentile. The table below outlines the estimated number of good attempts for each section:

CAT Section	Number of Questions	Number of Good Attempts
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)	24	18
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)	22	15
Quantitative Aptitude	22	16
Total	68	47

CAT Exam: Total Marks and Number of Questions Over the Years

CAT exam pattern has seen several changes in the number of questions and total marks, although the marking scheme has remained consistent. Understanding these changes helps aspirants prepare better by analyzing trends and difficulty levels.

CAT Year	Number of Questions	Total Marks
2025	68	204
2023	66	198
2022	66	198
2021	66	198
2020	76	228
2019	100	300
2018	100	300
2017	100	300
2016	100	300
2015	100	300
2014	100	300

CAT 2025 Exam Duration and Section-wise Time Limit

CAT 2025 exam follows a strict time-bound structure with a total duration of 120 minutes for general candidates and 160 minutes for PwD candidates. Each of the three sections in the exam must be attempted in a fixed order, with no option to switch between them. This sectional time-limit strategy requires focused preparation and efficient time management.

Section	No. of Questions	Time Limit	Time Limit for PwD Students
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	40 minutes	53 minutes and 20 seconds
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	20	40 minutes	53 minutes and 20 seconds
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	40 minutes	53 minutes and 20 seconds
Total	66	120 minutes	160 minutes

CAT 2025: Good Attempt Analysis for High Percentile Goals

To achieve a high percentile in CAT 2025 candidates need a smart approach with balanced attempts across all three sections. A good attempt typically ranges between 35-48 questions depending on the target percentile and accuracy. Since CAT is held in multiple slots with varying difficulty levels, these figures may shift slightly. Below is a detailed table showing expected good attempts, accuracy, raw scores, scaled scores, and percentile estimates.

Good Attempt in CAT 2025 for 99 Percentile and Above

Section	CAT Good Attempts	Accuracy Level	CAT Raw Score	CAT Scaled Score	CAT Percentile
VARC	14-16	85%	36-40	45-55	99+
DILR	12-14	85%	32-34	44-50	99+
QA	14-16	85%	36-40	46-54	99+
Overall	42-48	85%	104-114	135-159	99+ to 100

Good Attempt in CAT 2025 for 95-98 Percentile

Section	CAT Good Attempts	Accuracy Level	CAT Raw Score	CAT Scaled Score	CAT Percentile
VARC	13-15	85%	34-38	40-45	95-98
DILR	8-10	90%	26-30	32-36	95-98
QA	14-16	85%	35-40	40-44	95-98
Overall	35-41	85%	95-100	112-125	95-98

Good Attempt in CAT 2025 for 90-94 Percentile

Section	CAT Good Attempts	Accuracy Level	CAT Raw Score	CAT Scaled Score	CAT Percentile
VARC	11-13	90%	29-35	36-40	90-94
DILR	7-9	90%	17-22	22-28	90-94
QA	10-12	85%	26-32	32-48	90-94
Overall	28-34	85%	72-89	90-116	90-94

Read More:

• CAT Exam Registration 2025
• CAT Answer Key 2025
• CAT Exam Syllabus 2025
• CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

How important is accuracy in CAT 2025? +

Ans: Accuracy is critical in CAT due to negative marking for incorrect MCQs. Even with fewer attempts, a high accuracy rate (above 85%) can yield a competitive score. Blind guessing should be avoided, especially in MCQs, where each incorrect answer deducts one mark. Focusing on solving fewer but high-confidence questions is a smarter strategy.

What is a safe score for getting a 99 percentile in CAT 2025? +

Ans: While exact scores vary based on difficulty level, a raw score of around 104–114 out of 204 can place you in the 99+ percentile bracket. This typically translates to 42–48 questions attempted with 85% accuracy. However, even a score in the mid-90s percentile range can get you into reputed B-schools if your profile is strong.

Can I select the section order while attempting CAT 2025? +

Ans: No, CAT does not allow candidates to choose or change the section order. You must follow the predefined sequence:

• VARC
• DILR
• QA

Each section has a fixed time limit of 40 minutes, and once it ends, you automatically move to the next section. There’s no option to go back or skip sections.

Is it possible to crack CAT 2025 without coaching? +

Ans: Yes, many candidates successfully crack CAT without coaching by relying on self-study, online resources, and mock tests. With the availability of free and paid content on platforms like YouTube, Unacademy, and various forums, you can build your concepts and test-taking skills. However, discipline, consistency, and a well-structured study plan are vital for self-preparation.

How does CAT percentile differ from raw and scaled scores? +

Ans: CAT percentile indicates the percentage of candidates you’ve scored better than, while the raw score is the sum of your actual marks based on correct and incorrect answers. Scaled scores are normalized to ensure fairness across different exam slots with varying difficulty. So, even if your raw score is the same as someone from a different slot, your scaled score may differ depending on your slot’s overall performance.

How many attempts can I take for CAT in a lifetime? +

Ans: There is no limit on the number of attempts for the CAT exam. Candidates can appear for CAT as many times as they wish, provided they meet the eligibility criteria each year. Many students attempt CAT more than once to improve their scores and target better B-schools.

What type of Non-MCQs appear in CAT 2025? +

Ans: Non-MCQs, also known as TITA (Type In The Answer) questions, require candidates to type the answer using an on-screen keyboard without options. These appear mostly in QA and VARC sections. The good part is that there’s no negative marking for TITA questions, making them safe to attempt, but they can be tricky due to the absence of choices.

Related News