CAT stands for common admission test for MBA. It is conducted annually by IIMs in India.CAT 2025 syllabus covers so many topics because its syllabus is vast.
Although IIM is a conducting body of the CAT exam, it does not provide an official CAT 2025 Syllabus for students, it releases the latest questions papers & CAT mock test to inform candidates about the topics they must cover for the CAT exam.
What is the syllabus for CAT Exam
The CAT Exam syllabus includes all the crucial topics.some of the topics are very important to make questions for the CAT exam. Primarily these topics are categorized into three parts:
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
In the Quantitative Ability (QA) section, candidates can expect the questions of mathematics based on the X/XII -grade level. Important topics in CAT the QA section include arithmetic, algebra, numbers, geometry, & mensuration. The VARC section is divided into two parts: verbal reasoning & reading comprehension. Additionally, the CAT Exam syllabus for DILR requires candidates to analyze & interpret the information provided in the form of tables,i.e. puzzles, bar graphs & solve data-driven reasoning exercises.
Key points for CAT 2025 Syllabus
A comprehensive understanding of the CAT 2025 Syllabus is important and effective for exam preparation. The official CAT notification provides the paper pattern, test format & test series along with the date of CAT exam. Candidates intending to appear for the CAT exam should understand the important details of the CAT 2025 Syllabus for MBA.
Important points for CAT exam
CAT Exam syllabus sections |
|
no. of question from each section of CAT Exam syllabus | VARC- 24 questions DILR- 20 questions QA- 22 questions |
Total number of questions | 66 |
Type of questions | Both MCQs and non-MCQs |
Section-wise exam duration | 40 minutes per section 53 minutes 20 secs for PwD candidates |
Total marks | 198 |
Topics of CAT Exam Syllabus
The table below provides a list of topics which is covered section wise in the CAT syllabus:
AT Session | AT Exam Syllabus Topics |
VARC | VA
|
RC
| |
DILR |
|
QA |
|
CAT Exam Syllabus for VARC Section
The VARC section is the 1st part of the CAT question paper. The VARC section consists of two sub-sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. The Reading Comprehension section contains 24 questions which are done within 40 minutes. This section carries high weightage.
The VARC topic are shown below
CAT VARC Syllabus Topics | |
Idioms | Jumbled paragraphs |
Fill in the blanks | Antonyms |
Para jumbles | Sentence completion |
Errors in tenses | Verbal logic |
Parts of speech | Analogies |
Preposition | Articles usage |
Types of clauses | Different usage of one word |
Phrases modifiers | Sentence correction |
Subject-verb agreement | Para completion and inference |
Syllogisms | Foreign language words used in English |
One word substitution | Verbal reasoning |
CAT 2025 Syllabus For MBA- VARC Preparation Tips
VARC is the most challenging section of the CAT exam paper. Candidates must following these tips:
During CAT preparation, candidates need to understand each VARC topic with clarity under the guidance.
For challenging or difficult topics students need to pay extra attention and solve multiple questions to gain a solid command.
Candidates should divide the VARC section into two equal parts: first attention to Reading Comprehension & 2nd for other remaining topics.
Candidates must avoid guessing or answering grammar-related questions randomly.
If candidates find out a question is tricky, it’s wise to move on to the next one rather than spending more time on a single question.
CAT Exam Syllabus for DILR Section
The DILR is the 2nd section of the CAT syllabus. These sections contain a total of 20 questions. Candidates are allocated 40 minutes to attempt all the questions.
This section of the CAT exam can be further divided into two subsections: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. Here are the topics of the DILR CAT syllabus:
CAT DILR Syllabus Topics | |
DI Topics | LR Topics |
Bar Graphs | Order and Ranking |
Column Graphs | Binary Logic |
Venn Diagrams | Arrangements |
Data Caselets | Games and Tournaments |
Pie Charts | Team Formations |
Tables |
|
Line Charts |
|
Scatter Plot |
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Routes and Network |
|
Bubble Chart |
|
Radar Chart |
|
CAT Exam Syllabus For DILR Preparation Tips
For securing good marks in the DILR section, candidates must understand the basic concepts of each topic and solve all the questions-based on regularly. Here are some valuable tips for candidates should remember when preparing for DILR:
The mastering Syllogism, as it is a high-scoring topic. With the help of Venn diagrams can also aid in solving tricky questions.
Complex reasoning questions can raise confusion. Therefore, candidates should keep revising all the topics during the preparation and to ensure a clear understanding.
Candidates must practice questions on a regular basis.
CAT Exam Syllabus for QA Section
Quantitative Aptitude is the 3rd section of the CAT exam, and it consists of 22 questions. The table below show the significant topics and key highlights of the CAT Quantitative Aptitude(QA) syllabus:
CAT QA Syllabus Topics | ||||
Arithmetic | Geometry | Algebra | Number System | Modern Math |
Profit & Loss | Angles | Series | Real Numbers | Probability |
Time & Work | Circles | Quadratic Equations | LCM | Permutation |
Chain Rule | Lines | Functions |
|
|
Percentage | Polygons | Surds & Indices | Irrational Numbers | Combination |
Time Speed & Distance | Triangles | Inequalities | Unit’s Digit | Set Theory |
Averages | Area & Volume | Logarithm | HCF | Binomial Theorem |
Ratio & Proportion | Coordinate Geometry |
| Remainders |
|
Simple & Compound Interest |
| Complex Numbers | zeros |
|
CAT Exam Syllabus For MBA: QA Preparation Tips
The QA section in the CAT exam constitutes multiple topics. To master all the topics of the QA section, candidates must follow the preparation tips mentioned below:
Candidates must focus on mastering the fundamental concepts..
Memorize fractional percentage equivalents up to 25 multiplication, tables up to 40, cubes up to 20 & squares up to 30, . This strategy is important to quickly solve questions without long calculations.
note down all the essential formulas.
CAT Exam Syllabus Important Topics
Here are the CAT 2025 syllabus topics that carry high weightage during the exam:
CAT 2025 Syllabus Important Topics
VARC
Reading comprehension
Para jumble
Odd sentences
Para summary
DLRI
Data interpretation
Logical reasoning
QA
Arithmetic
Geometry
Algebra
Modern Math