CAT Syllabus 2025 | How To Score 99+ Percentile in CAT (Tips by Toppers) PDF Download

The first step towards your CAT 2025 preparation is to have complete information and knowledge of CAT Syllabus and the important topics.

CAT 2025 Syllabus: An Overview

• The CAT exam is divided into 3 sections: VARC, DILR and Quantitative aptitude. 
• Further, the exam has 2 types of questions: MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) and TITA questions, where you have to type the answer in the space given. 
  Take a look at the sections in the table below:

1. CAT Syllabus for Quantitative Ability (QA): Weightage

• Quantitative Ability (QA) is the Mathematics section in the CAT exam. 
• In CAT, there are basically 22 questions of Quantitative Aptitude or Quant.
• Although the CAT syllabus for Quant is very wide, we can segregate all the topics under these 6 subtopics, i.e, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number Systems, Modern  Maths and Miscellaneous Syllabus.

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

1. CAT Arithmetic Syllabus

• The CAT Arithmetic syllabus includes important math topics that often appear in the Quant section of the exam. Since Arithmetic is a big part of the CAT 2025 syllabus, it's very important to understand it well. Usually, students can expect around 8-9 questions from this topic.

CAT Arithmetic Topics Include

2. CAT Algebra Syllabus

• It is also one of the most important parts of the CAT exam Syllabus. Generally, around 4-5 questions are usually asked in the exam. To improve understanding, it is recommended to study all the key Algebra topics in the CAT 2025 syllabus.

CAT Algebra Topics Include

3.  CAT Geometry Syllabus

• In the exam, students can expect about 4-5 questions from this section. Geometry is slightly more challenging at first while practicing, but with regular practice, it can be mastered easily. It has a huge weightage when it comes to the overall CAT exam syllabus.

CAT Geometry Syllabus Include 

4.  CAT Number System Syllabus

• The detailed syllabus for the topic Number System is given in the table below. Students generally can expect 1-2 questions from this topic.

CAT Number System Include

5. CAT Modern Maths Syllabus

• This topic generally carries less weightage in the CAT exam syllabus. Students can expect 1-2 questions from this topic.

CAT Modern Maths Topics Include

6.  CAT Miscellaneous Syllabus

• The CAT exam syllabus includes some miscellaneous topics that don’t usually appear in the exam, but one question sometimes appears in some slots.

CAT Miscellaneous Topics Include

Hence the topic - wise distribution of questions in Quant are as follows

This EduRev Course offers comprehensive coverage of the entire syllabus for CAT Quantitative Aptitude.

2. CAT Syllabus for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): Sectional Weightage

CAT 2025 Syllabus for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) consists of 22 questions which are further divided into 2 parts:
(i) Data Interpretation
(ii) Logical Reasoning

CAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus

• Logical Reasoning is one of the most important parts of this section. There are 5 sets in each slot in this section, and at least 2-3 sets were from the logical reasoning section. So, take this part seriously; otherwise, avoiding this part will prove to be a blunder in the exam.

• The CAT DILR syllabus is given separately in the tables below. This section comes after the VARC section. It is notoriously famous for its difficulty level. Review each topic mentioned in the CAT exam syllabus to ace this section.

• CAT Logical Reasoning Topics Include

  Seating Arrangement	Sequence and Series
  Syllogism	Calenders
  Blood Relations	Venn Diagrams and Set Theory
  Rankings	Binary Logics
  Quantitative Reasoning	​​​​Games and Tournaments
  Team Formations	Generic Puzzles
  ​Routes and Networks	Cubes and Dices

CAT Data Interpretation Syllabus

• Data Interpretation is a very important component of the CAT exam syllabus 2025. 
• It focuses on the ability to analyze and interpret data presented in various formats such as tables, charts, and graphs. Typically, candidates can expect around 1-2 sets of data interpretation questions in each exam slot. 
• A good amount of practice is needed to score well on these types of questions.
• You can achieve comprehensive coverage of the entire syllabus for Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) through this EduRev Course
• Data Interpretation Topics Include

  Tables	Data Sufficiency
  Data Caselets	Bar Graphs
  Line Graphs	Pie Charts

3. CAT Syllabus for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): Sectional Weightage

The  VARC section contains 24 questions and is further divided into 2 parts: 

(i) Verbal Ability

(ii) Reading Comprehension 

• CAT VARC Syllabus is mainly divided into reading comprehension, parajumbles, parasummary, para completion, and odd sentence. The paper now comprises questions from mainly these 5 topics alone.
• CAT VARC Majorly Include
  

  ​Reading Comprehension	Para Jumbles- Odd Sentence Out
  ​Para Jumbles- Correct Arrangement	Para Completion
  Para Summary

• The total questions based on Reading Comprehension are 16 and are of MCQ type with negative marking. There are usually 4 RCs with 4 questions each.
• The verbal Ability part has individual questions that cover different areas of English language grammar and usage. The questions are of both MCQ and Non-MCQ type.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Can I cover CAT syllabus in 2-3 months?

Yes, you can complete CAT syllabus in about 2-3 months, if you prepare in a planned, focused, and efficient way.

Q. Does the syllabus for CAT change every year?

Since there is no official syllabus prescribed for CAT, there is no such change in the topics. However, the weightage of different areas has witnessed modifications after every few years.

Q. Is the CAT syllabus same as that of other MBA entrance tests?

Yes, the syllabus for CAT is similar to that of other management entrance tests like XAT, MAT, etc.

Q. Which section of CAT is the toughest?

CAT is generally difficult in nature. However, in terms of time, VARC mostly takes more time-consuming than other sections. This is because of the tricky and long Reading Comprehension passages.

Q. Which section of CAT holds highest weightage?

There is very less difference in the weightage allotted to different sections of CAT. Of all three sections, VARC carries the highest marks.

Q. By which month should I complete CAT syllabus and start practising mock tests?

Although there is no fixed timeline for CAT preparation schedule, most aspirants aim to complete the syllabus by September. In the rest two months, you can devote time to mock tests.

Q. Do I need to be a graduate in English to ace CAT?

No, you do not need to have knowledge of college-level for the verbal section. But you must have good vocab to nail the section.

Q. Do I need to be a graduate in Mathematics to crack CAT?

No, the syllabus for CAT is quite basic and doesn't require graduation-level knowledge.

Q. Can I prepare for CAT just by taking mock tests?

No, this approach proves ineffective. You must gain a strong understanding of concepts before taking mocks.

Q. Is there negative marking in CAT?

Yes, CAT carries a negative marking for MCQs, but there is no penalty for wrong answers in the Non-MCQ part.