CAT Topic-wise Weightage is different for different CAT 2025 sections like Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).
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VARC- CAT topic-wise weightage in VARC includes around 5-10 questions from Number System and Arithmetic, 7-8 questions from Geometry and Mensuration, 6-7 questions from Algebra, and 1-3 questions each from all other chapters.
- DILR- CAT topic-wise weightage for DILR includes 6-8 questions from graphs, 5-6 questions from Arrangement, 3-5 questions from Data Sufficiency, 2-5 from Tables and Caselets, and 1-3 questions each from remaining topics.
- QA- CAT topic-wise weightage for QA includes 5-10 questions from Number System and Basic Arithmetic, 7-8 questions from Geometry and Mensuration, 6-7 questions from Algebra, and 1-3 questions each from remaining topics for CAT QA section.
Key Summary
- CAT syllabus is distributed in 3 sections with a weightage of 34% for QA, 32% for DILR and 34% for VARC.
- VARC has a CAT topic wise weightage of 5-10 questions from Number System and Arithmetic, 7-8 questions from Geometry and Mensuration, 6-7 questions from Algebra, and 1-3 questions each from all other chapters.
- QA has CAT topic-wise weightage of 5-10 questions from Number System and Basic Arithmetic, 7-8 questions from Geometry and Mensuration, 6-7 questions from Algebra, and 1-3 questions each from remaining topics for CAT QA section.
- DILR has a CAT topic wise weightage of 6-8 questions from graphs, 5-6 questions from Arrangement, 3-5 questions from Data Sufficiency, 2-5 from Tables and Caselets, and 1-3 questions each from remaining topics.
Also Read:
CAT Topic Wise Weightage 2025
CAT topic weightage is different for different CAT sections. As per the CAT paper analysis from past years, 34% weightage is given to CAT QA. DI and LR each has a CAT weightage of 16%. 24% weightage in CAT 2025 is given to Reading Comprehension and 10% to Verbal Ability.
| Section | Important Topics | Weightage in Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Geometry, Arithmetic, Algebra, Mensuration, Number System | 34% |
| Data Interpretation | Tables, Pie Charts, Graphs, Venn Diagram | 16% |
| Logical Reasoning | Seating Arrangement, Blood Relation, Syllogism And Caselets | 16% |
| Reading Comprehension | Questions based on passages, order of sentences, para meaning. | 24% |
| Verbal Ability | Para summary, Para jumbles, Inferences and Sentence Completion | 10% |
CAT Topic Wise Weightage for VARC
As per the CAT topic wise weightage from past years, RC in CAT VARC is expected to carry a weightage of 16-24 questions. 2-4 questions each are expected from Para Jumbles, and Para Summary. Remaining topics of CAT VARC are expected to carry a weightage of 1-2 questions each.
| Topic Name | Total Number of Question (Expected in 2025) |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 16-24 |
| Para Jumbles | 2-4 |
| Para Summary | 2-3 |
| Sentence Elimination | 1-2 |
| Fill in the Blanks | 1-2 |
| Vocabulary | 1-2 |
CAT VARC Topic Wise Weightage 2024
| Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 16 |
| Para Jumbles | 3 |
| Para Summary | 3 |
| Odd Sentence Out | 2 |
CAT VARC Topic-Wise Weightage 2023
| Topic Name | Total Number of Questions Asked |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 16 |
| Para Summary | 3 |
| Para-Jumbles | 2-3 |
| Odd Sentence Out | 2 |
CAT VARC Topic-Wise Weightage 2022
| Slot | Topic | Total Number of Questions | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1, 2, and 3 | Reading: Comprehension Passages | 16 | 68% |
| Para Summary | 3 | 12 | |
| Para Jumbles | 3 | 12 | |
| Para Completion or Odd Sentences Out | 2 | 4 |
CAT VARC Chapter Wise Weightage 2021
| Topic Name | Total Number of Questions | Weightage in Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Reading: Comprehension-Based Questions | 16 | 48% |
| Odd Sentences Out | 2 | 8% |
| Para-Summary | 3 | 12% |
| Para-Jumbles | 3 | 12% |
Ques. What is the approximate weightage of RC vs VA? Should I spend 70% of my VARC prep time on RCs alone?
Ans. RC typically dominates the VARC section, accounting for about 66% of the questions (16 questions out of 24). So, spending a majority of your preparation time (60 - 70%) on RC is advisable.
Ques. How many RC passages and questions are expected in CAT 2025?
Ans. The CAT pattern is highly consistent. 4 RC passages, each followed by 4 questions. Totaling 16 RC questions. It is unlikely to change to 5 passages in CAT 2025.
Ques. Which RC genres should I focus on? Are the philosophy and science passages mandatory?
Ans. It is advised to focus on all diverse genres because the passages generally span around Economics/Business, Science/Technology, philosophy/abstract and History/art/culture.
Ques. Are there direct grammar or vocabulary questions in the VARC section?
Ans. Direct grammar and vocabulary questions are not asked in the CAT exam. But strong vocabulary and grammar knowledge are essential for accurately solving RC, para summaries and para jumbles questions.
CAT Topic Wise Weightage for DILR
As per the CAT DILR topic wise weightage from past years, 6-8 questions are expected from Graphs, 5-6 from Arrangement, 3-5 from Data sufficiency, 2-5 from Tables and Caselets, and 1-3 questions each from Blood Relation, Puzzles, Clock and Calenders, etc.
| Topic | Total Number of Questions (Expected in 2025) |
|---|---|
| Graphs | 6-8 |
| Arrangement | 5-6 |
| Data Sufficiency | 3-5 |
| Tables and Caselets | 2-5 |
| Blood Relation | 1-3 |
| Puzzles | 1-2 |
| Clock and Calenders | 1-2 |
| Assumptions and Binary Logic | 1-2 |
| Syllogism and VennDiagram | 1-2 |
CAT DILR Topic Wise Weightage 2024
| Topic Area | Specific Topic of the Set | Total Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Bar Graph | 8 |
| Candle Stick Chart | 4 | |
| GDP of Countries | 4 | |
| Lengthy Data Set | 5 | |
| Line Graph | 5 | |
| Rating-based Set | 4 | |
| Set with 2 Graphs | 4 | |
| Table with Missing Values | 4 | |
| Logical Reasoning | Arrangements | 9 |
| Games and Tournaments | 5 | |
| Network of Roads | 5 | |
| Puzzle (Rating-based) | 5 | |
| Schematic Diagram | 4 |
CAT DILR Topic Wise Weightage 2023
| Slot | Topic Name | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graph | 5 |
| Token Value | 5 | |
| Linear Arrangements | 5 | |
| DI- Metro Lines | 5 | |
| 2 | Diagram-based LR Set- Widget Supplies | 5 |
| LR- Salesmen + 4 Companies | 5 | |
| DI- Cosmetic Sales | 5 | |
| DI- Company Revenue and Cost | 5 | |
| 3 | LR- Arrangements/ Rankings/ Team Formation | 5 |
| LR- Games and Tournament- 4 People | ||
| DI Based on Graph- Gender + Colour | ||
| DI- Ratio based |
CAT DILR Topic Wise Weightage 2022
| Slot | Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University Teams | 5 |
| Token Value | 5 | |
| DI- Metro Lines | 5 | |
| LR Set- 15 girls get together | 5 | |
| 2 | DI- Company Revenue and Cost | 5 |
| LR- Salesmen + 4 Companies | 5 | |
| DI- Cosmetic Sales | 5 | |
| Diagram based LR Set- Widget Supplies | 5 | |
| 3 | DI Based on Graph- Gender + Colour | 5 |
| LR- Games and Tournament- 4 People | 5 | |
| DI- Ratio based | 5 | |
| LR- COVID Cases | 5 |
CAT DILR Topic Wise Weightage 2021
| Slot | Topic | Total Number of Question |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LR- Arranging People into Countries & Categories | 6 |
| Bar Graph – Percentages | 4 | |
| Table – Girls making a smoothie | 6 | |
| LR Table- Relationships | 4 | |
| 2 | DI- Rating | 6 |
| LR- Games and Tournaments | 4 | |
| Bar Graph – Stacked Horizontal | 4 | |
| LR- Number Based Reasoning | 6 | |
| 3 | LR- Games and Tournaments (Javelin) | 6 |
| Mixtures | 4 | |
| DI- Gantt Chart | 4 | |
| Content Creation | 6 |
As you have got all the data on previous year’s weightage, you might be interested in preparation strategy.
Ques. Is DILR more calculation intensive or logic intensive ?
Ans. Logic Reasoning is very logic intensive. While DI sets may involve simple percentages/ratios calculations but it more focuses on data representation, deduction, and its application, not complex calculation.
Ques. How many DILR sets should I solve for 95 percentile?
Ans. Solving 2 sets (8-10 accurate questions) typically secures a high percentile in DILR if the section is moderate to difficult. Solving 3 sets (12-15 questions) with accuracy is usually enough to score 99 percentile.
CAT Topic Wise Weightage for QA
According to CAT topic wise weightage for QA rom past years, students can expect 5-10 questions from Number System and Basic Arithmetic, 7-8 questions from Geometry and Mensuration, 6-7 questions from Algebra, and 1-3 questions each from remaining topics like Arithmetic, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Interest, etc.
| QA Topic’s Name | Total Number of Questions (Expected in 2025) |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 1-2 |
| Profit Loss | |
| Time, Speed and Distance | 1-2 |
| Time and Work | 1-2 |
| Interest | 1-2 |
| Number System and Basic Arithmetic | 5-10 |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 7-8 |
| Algebra | 6-7 |
| Trigonometry/logarithm/SET | 1-3 |
| Permutation-Combination | 1-2 |
| Probability | 1-2 |
CAT QA Topic Wise Wightage 2024
| Main Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 8 |
| Algebra | 7 |
| Geometry | 3 |
| Number System | 2 |
| Modern Math | 2 |
CAT QA Topic Wise Wightage 2023
| Topic Name | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArithmeticTime, Speed, Distance, Time and Work, Ratio, Simple Interest & Compound Interest, PLD, Mixture, Clock | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Algebra Log/Equations, Surds/Sequence/Series | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Number System | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Modern Maths | 1 | NA | NA |
CAT QA Topic Wise Weightage 2022
| Topic Name | Slot 1 | Weightage in Percentage | Slot 2 and 3 | Weightage in Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 8 | 36% | 9 | 41% |
| Algebra | 8 | 36% | 7 | 32% |
| Geometry | 3 | 14% | 4 | 18% |
| Modern Maths | 2 | 9% | 1 | 5% |
| Number System | 1 | 5% | 1 | 5% |
CAT QA Topic Wise Wightage 2021
| Topic Name | Slot 1 and 2 | Weightage in Percentage | Slot 3 | Weightage in Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 11 | 50% | 11 | 50% |
| Algebra | 5 | 22.8% | 7 | 27.3% |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 3 | 13.6% | 4 | 18.2% |
| Number System | 2 | 9.1% | NA | NA |
| Modern Maths | 1 | 4.5% | 1 | 4.5% |
Ques. Which single topic should I absolutely master in QA?
Ans. Arithmetic consistently has the highest weightage with 8-10 questions (35-40%). Focus on percentages, time, speed and distance, Time and work, profit and loss and Ratio & proportion in the arithmetic section first.
Ques. Can I skip the number system and modern Math? Are they low weightage enough to ignore?
Ans. It is not advised to ignore them completely, even though with lower individual weightage (approximately 5 - 10% each) skipping them is losing out easiest TITA questions. Focus on divisibility, remainders, factors and modern math basics such as permutations & combinations and Probability.
What Should be Your Strategy for CAT EXAM Preparation?
As part of your CAT Preparation 2024 Strategy, you are required to solve previous year’s practice papers and mocks. However, before you begin giving mocks, you will need to develop your concept first.
- Start taking short notes on all the important topics on QA.
- In this case, you can organise your notes in this order: 1) Basic Formula, 2) Advanced Formula, 3) Important Problems.
- All the theoretical formulas of Arithmetic will come under the Basic Formula.
- After you finish all the basic chapters, you will move on to the Advanced part. In this part, you will encounter some formulas you have not read before. So, all these formulas will come under the Advanced Formula. You must put your reference problems beside the advanced formula.
- Under the Important Problems section, try to make notes on all the difficult problems you came across while solving. Now you may ask how you will understand what is a difficult problem for you. If it is taking more than 4 minutes, you will have to understand that the problem is difficult.
Also Read:
CAT 2025 Exam Pattern
CAT Exam pattern 2025 includes 24 questions from VARC and 22 questions each from DILR and QA. Each section has a sectional time limit of 40 minutes. The total number of questions in CAT 2025 is 120, with a maximum of 204 marks.
| Section | No. of Questions | Time Limit (in minutes) | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 40 | 72 |
| DILR | 22 | 40 | 66 |
| QA | 22 | 40 | 66 |
| Total | 68 | 120 | 204 |
CAT Marking Scheme
For each correct answer, 3 marks will be awarded. There is a negative marking of one mark for MCQs. TITA-type questions do not have any negative marking.
| Type of Question | MCQ | TITA |
|---|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +3 | +3 |
| Wrong Answer | –1 | 0 |
| Unattempted | 0 | 0 |
Also Read:
CAT Previous Years Papers
Aspirants must go through the CAT previous years’ papers to understand the exam pattern and weightage. Candidates can check the CAT previous years’ papers with answer keys in the tables below.
CAT 2024 Question Papers and Answer Keys PDF
| Slots | Sections | Question Papers with Answer Keys PDF |
|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | VARC | Download Here |
| QA | Download Here | |
| DILR | Download Here | |
| Slot 2 | VARC | Download Here |
| QA | Download Here | |
| DILR | Download Here | |
| Slot 3 | VARC | Download Here |
| QA | Download Here | |
| DILR | Download Here |
CAT Previous Years’ Papers- 2020-23
| CAT Question Paper | Download Pdf |
|---|---|
| CAT 2023 Question Paper | Download Pdf |
| CAT 2022 Question Paper | Download Pdf |
| CAT 2021 Question Papers | Download Pdf |
| CAT 2020 Question Paper | Download Pdf |
Also Read:
CAT Topic-wise Weightage FAQs
Ques. What are important topics to prepare for to get 70 percent in the CAT?
Ans. To qualify for the exam, percent doesn't hold any value. The exam authority accepts scores in the percentile. For admission into IIMs, you will require the 99 percentile to be considered eligible for counselling. For the 99 percentile, you will have to score within a range of 110-120 out of 198.
Ques. What is DILR Weightage in CAT?
Ans. As per the CAT exam pattern and section-wise weightage from past years, the CAT DILR will include a total weightage of 22 questions in the CAT 2025 question paper. Questions in CAT DILR will be distributed among various topics, like graphs, Arrangement, Data Sufficiency, Tables and Caselets, etc.
Ques. What is Algebra weightage in CAT?
Ans. As per the CAT previous years’ papers and exam pattern, around 6-7 questions will be asked from CAT Algebra topic.
Ques. What is Cat topic-wise weightage 2025 Maths?
Ans. CAT topic-wise weightage 2025 for Mathematics is discussed in the table below.
| QA Topic’s Name | Total Number of Questions (Expected in 2024) |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | 1-2 |
| Profit Loss | |
| Time, Speed and Distance | 1-2 |
| Time and Work | 1-2 |
| Interest | 1-2 |
| Number System and Basic Arithmetic | 5-10 |
| Geometry and Mensuration | 7-8 |
| Algebra | 6-7 |
| Trigonometry/logarithm/SET | 1-3 |
| Permutation-Combination | 1-2 |
| Probability | 1-2 |
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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