Major Changes in CAT 2025 Exam Pattern? Check Latest Marking Scheme, Question Type as Per Official Notification

The much-awaited CAT 2025 notification has been out, bringing clarity on the exam's structure and key details. Aspirants of MBA across India are particularly keen to know if there will be any changes in the CAT 2025 exam pattern, a crucial factor in their preparation strategy.

CAT is a highly competitive entrance exam that serves as a gateway for admission to prestigious IIMs and other top B-schools. Over the years, the CAT exam pattern has undergone subtle modifications, though major structural shifts remain rare. As candidates prepare for CAT 2025 exam, they should note that the exam pattern stays mostly same as CAT 2024, with possible small changes or improvements.

In CAT 2024, conducted by IIM Calcutta, the total number of questions increased from 66 to 68, primarily due to additional questions in DILR section. Another notable change was the absence of parajumble questions in VARC segment, altering the preparation strategy for many aspirants. Given the consistency in recent patterns, CAT 2025 follows a similar framework. Check CAT 2025 exam pattern available in the article.

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern

CAT 2025 exam pattern follows the same structure as previous years, with three sections, fixed sectional timings, and a mix of question types. Check the following table, the detailed CAT 2025 exam pattern is given below:

CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
Exam Component	Details
CAT exam mode	Computer Based Test
CAT exam slots	Morning: 08:30 AM- 10:30 AM
	Afternoon: 12:30 PM to 02:30 PM
	Evening: 04:30 PM- 06:30 PM
Question Types	MCQs & TITA (Non-MCQ)
Total Sections	3 (VARC, DILR, QA)
Total Questions	68 (VARC: 24, DILR: 22, QA: 22)
Tota Marks	204 marks
Total Duration	120 minutes
Sectional Time Limit	40 minutes per section (Non-PwD)
PwD Candidates	Additional time as per guidelines

CAT 2025 Marking Scheme

CAT aspirants must check the detailed overview of the section-wise marking scheme to strategize effectively for CAT 2025 exam:

CAT 2025 Marking Scheme
Section	Number of Questions	Marks per Question	Negative Marking (MCQs Only)
VARC	24	+3	-1
DILR	22	+3	-1
QA	22	+3	-1

CAT Exam Pattern: Changes Over the Years

CAT has undergone several modifications in its exam pattern, question distribution and duration over the years. Below is a detailed breakdown of how the exam pattern has evolved since 2014, helping aspirants understand the trends and prepare strategically for future attempts:

Past Trends: Changes in CAT Exam Pattern
Year	Total Questions	Duration	Sections
2024	68	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2023	66	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2022	66	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2021	66	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2020	76	120 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2019	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2018	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2017	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2016	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2015	100	180 minutes	QA, DILR, VARC
2014	100	170 minutes	QA & DI, LR & VARC

Important Links:

• CAT Exam Registration 2025
• CAT Exam Syllabus 2025
• CAT 2025 Admit Card
• CAT Result 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CAT 2025 exam time duration and sectional structure? +

Ans: Check the CAT 2025 sectional time structure with exam duration given below:

CAT 2025 Sectional Time Structure
CAT Exam Sections	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)	22	40 minutes	53 minutes and 20 seconds
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	22	40 minutes	53 minutes and 20 seconds
Total	66	120 minutes	160 minutes

What is CAT exam preparation 2025 strategy? +

Ans: To maximize performance in CAT 2025, aspirants should adopt a structured and disciplined approach. Below are recommendations for comprehensive preparation:

• Complete all topics systematically: Avoid skipping any area, as questions can appear from any part of the syllabus.
• Prioritize high-weightage topics: Focus on Arithmetic, Algebra (QA), RC-based questions (VARC), and Puzzle-solving (DILR).
• Use authentic study material: Refer to standard books, online resources, and previous years’ papers.
• Take regular full-length mocks: Aim for 2-3 tests per week to build stamina and time management.
• Analyze mock test performance: Identify weak areas and refine strategies accordingly.
• Practice sectional tests: Strengthen individual sections (VARC, DILR, QA) with timed drills.
• Dedicated weekly revision slots: Every week, fix time to go back over important formulas, quick-solving methods, and problems you got wrong before.
• Create summary notes: Condense key concepts for quick reference.
• Solve previous years’ papers: Understand question patterns and difficulty trends.
• Master essential formulas: Focus on Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time-Speed-Distance, Geometry.
• Practice mental math: Improve calculation speed for faster problem-solving.
• Learn shortcut techniques: Adopt approximation, elimination, and unit-digit methods.
• Solve diverse DILR sets: Prioritize puzzles, seating arrangements, and data interpretation.
• Read daily for VARC: Engage with newspapers, editorials, and RC passages.
• Practice Para Jumbles & Summaries: Enhance logical sequencing skills.

What is CAT 2025 Syllabus? +

Ans: CAT aspirants must check CAT 2025 syllabus structure:

CAT 2025 Syllabus
Section	Topics
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)	Reading Comprehension (RC) Para Jumbles Para Summary Odd Sentence Out Critical Reasoning
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)	Set Theory (Variables) Puzzles (Seating, Arrangement) Data Caselets Bar/Line/Pie Charts (DI) Coding-Decoding Logical Series
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)	Number System Algebra Arithmetic (Percentages, P&L, TSD) Geometry & Mensuration Modern Math (Permutations, Probability)

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