CAT Exam Pattern Changes 2025: Previous Years' CAT Exam Pattern, Total Marks, CAT Syllabus

The CAT Exam Pattern changes 2025 are expected to have almost no changes, as the exam is likely to follow the previous year's exam pattern. The number of questions is likely to stay around 66-68; any other major changes are unlikely to occur. As per the official notification, no changes are seen in sections, sessions, and timing.

In 2021, 2022, and 2023, CAT had 66 questions; VARC-24, DILR-20, and QA-22. CAT 2024 had a total of 68 questions, DILR had 22 questions, and the remaining were the same. For CAT 2025, most likely, the number of questions will decrease to 66 or will remain 68.

• There will be no changes in duration; it will continue to be 120 minutes(2 hours).
• No changes are mentioned regarding the marking scheme.
• The sectional time of 40 minutes will also continue without any changes.
• Candidates are suggested to prepare for the 68-question format.

Also Read

• CAT Exam Pattern 2025
• CAT Previous year papers & Answer keys

Key Summary

• CAT Exam Pattern Changes 2025 is expected to remain as same as CAT 2024.
• The total number of questions may range from 66-68.
• It is expected that DILR or QA might see an increase or decrease by 2 questions.
• The official notification of CAT has already been out. There are no changes mentioned concerning the sections, duration, marking scheme, etc.
• Considering the past 4 years' trends, the DILR or QA section might have 20-22 questions, while it is expected that there will be no changes in VARC.
   

CAT Exam Pattern Changes 2025

CAT Exam Pattern Changes 2025: CAT Section-Wise Questions

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Check Recommended CAT Books for VARC, DILR, and QA

CAT Exam Pattern Changes 2025: Download CAT Exam Pattern PDF

• The CAT pattern can be checked on the official CAT website.
• CAT has 66-68 questions to be answered in 120 minutes.
• The test is divided into three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA.
• Each section has 20-24 questions to be answered in 40 minutes.
• The questions are MCQ and TITA type.
• MCQs carry negative marking for wrong answers, while TITA has no negative marking.
• There is no negative marking for unattempted questions.

Also Read

CAT Study material for VARC, DILR, and QA

CAT Exam Pattern Changes 2025: Total Marks in CAT

• CAT is written for a total of 198-204 marks.
• CAT 2024 was for 2024 total marks, requiring to attempt 68 questions.
• 2021-2023 CAT had total marks of 198.
• The 2020 and prior CAT were written for 298-300 marks.
• It is expected that CAT2025 will continue the total marks of 204.

Get clarification of your CAT-related queries with this official link: CAT FAQs

What is the CAT Syllabus 2025?

• Officially, CAT never releases specific topics.
• There is no specified syllabus breakdown by topics.
• Considering the past papers, notable topics are listed down by several coaching institutions, prep book authors, and exam prep websites.
• These topics have similarities with CAT questions, ranging from 70-80%.
• As seen in the below Quora and Reddit responses, the topics generally are advanced comprehension and vocabulary, critical DI and reasoning questions, and challenging QA.
• The concept and logic of questions have remained somewhat the same over the past 4 years.
• Difficulty level fluctuates every year.

Source: Reddit

Source: Quora

CAT 2025 Exam Date

• CAT 2025 is scheduled for November 30, 2025. CAT is usually scheduled on Sundays. The CAT 2025 will also be conducted on Sunday.
• CAT will be conducted in three sessions as usual.

CAT Exam 2025 Registration Date

• Registration for CAT 2025 has started from Aug 1, 2025.
• Candidates' registration links are now open