The CAT Examination Syllabus is the cornerstone of preparation for India's most prestigious MBA entrance exam. With over 3.3 lakh aspirants competing annually, mastering the CAT Examination Syllabus demands strategic planning, conceptual clarity, and relentless practice.

To effectively navigate the CAT Examination Syllabus, consider the following strategies:

1. Develop a Well-Structured Study Plan: Split specific periods for each section Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA).

2. Strengthen Conceptual Understanding: Focus on solidifying basic concepts in all sections. Refer to standard textbooks and online resources to clarify doubts and reinforce learning.

3. Regular Practice and Mock Tests: Engage in regular practice through sectional tests and full-length mock tests.

4. Time Management: Build strategies to handle time effectively during the exam with practice solving questions in timed conditions to enhance speed and accuracy.

5. Stay Updated and Adaptable: Stay updated on any exam pattern or syllabus modification. Be flexible in your preparation strategy to include new information or techniques.

CAT Exam Overview

CAT, or Common Admission Test, is a nationwide entrance examination annually conducted by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to admit students to their prestigious management programs. While the IIMs are in the fray, more than 1,200 B-schools in India offer admission through the CAT scores into their MBA and PGDM programs.

To know more details, click here for the CAT Examination Syllabus.

CAT Examination Syllabus- Exam Pattern Overview

The cat exam pattern tests time management, accuracy, and problem-solving agility.

Key Changes in 2025

• Increased emphasis on TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) questions in QA to reduce guesswork.

• RC passages in VARC may feature technical or data-driven content.

• DILR sets to include real-world business scenarios (e.g., market trends and financial data).

Confused about the CAT 2025 Exam Pattern? Check the latest changes & updates.

CAT Examination Syllabus- Section-Wise Breakdown

Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)

This section tests comprehension, vocabulary, and logical reasoning in English.

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)

This section evaluates analytical and decision-making skills.

Quantitative Ability (QA)

 QA tests mathematical proficiency and numerical agility.

CAT Examination Syllabus- Topic Weightage Trends (2020–2024)

Understanding trends helps prioritize high-yield topics in the Cat Examination.

CAT Examination Syllabus- Recommended Books

Align your prep with these resources

VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension)

• How to Prepare for VARC- Arun Sharma: Covers advanced RC (Reading Comprehension) strategies and VA (Verbal Ability) shortcuts.

• Word Power Made Easy- Norman Lewis: Builds vocabulary through root-word techniques.

DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning)

• CAT DILR- Gautam Puri-Includes 50+ CAT (Common Admission Test)-level caselets and puzzles.

• Logical Reasoning- K. Sinha- Simplifies binary logic and sequencing.

QA (Quantitative Aptitude)

• Quantitative Aptitude- RS Aggarwal- Explain core concepts with 1000+ practice questions.

• QA for CAT- Nish Sinhait- Focuses on TITA (Type In The Answer) strategies and time management.

CAT Examination Syllabus- Preparation Timeline

A structured 4-month plan to ace the CAT Examination Syllabus

1. Basics: Master arithmetic formulas, grammar rules, and LR puzzle types.

2. Advanced Topics: Math, Algebra, and RC speed reading techniques.

3. Mock Tests: Take 2-3 mocks weekly. Analyse errors using topic trackers.

4. Revision: Revisit high-weightage topics and solve previous years’ papers

Struggling with CAT Preparation? Follow this 4-month strategy.

CAT Examination Syllabus- Sample Questions

Test your understanding with these examples

CAT Examination Weightage- Topic-wise Prioritization

Allocate study hours based on this weightage table

CAT 2025 Cut-offs for Top MBA Colleges (Projected)

Based on 2023–2024 trends, here are the expected percentile  requirements for leading institutes

College	Expected CAT 2025 Cut-off (General)
IIM Ahmedabad	99.5+
IIM Bangalore	99+
IIM Calcutta	99+
FMS Delhi	98.5+
XLRI Jamshedpur	95+ (XAT score accepted)
SPJIMR Mumbai	85+
MDI Gurgaon	95+
IIM Lucknow	97+
IIM Kozhikode	95+
NMIMS Mumbai	85+
New IIMs (e.g., IIM Bodh Gaya)	80–85+

Note: Cut-offs vary by category (SC/ST: 60-75%, OBC: 85-92%, EWS: 90-95%).

CAT 2025-26 Selection Process

The selection process for 2025-26 admissions typically follows these Stages:

CAT Score Shortlisting:

• IIMs release first shortlists based on CAT percentile, sectionals, and academic scores.

• Sectional Cut-offs: Usually 80-85 percentile for the General category.

Written Ability Test (WAT) / Group Discussion (GD):

• IIMs like ABC (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta) use WAT to assess structured thinking.

• Topics: Current affairs (e.g., AI ethics), business scenarios.

Personal Interview (PI):

• Focus areas: Career goals, domain knowledge, and situational judgment. 

Final Composite Score:

• Weightage: CAT (40-60%), PI-WAT (25-30%), Academics (10-20%), Work Ex (5-10%).

• Diversity factors: Gender, academic background, international experience.

Admission Offer:

•  Final offers released in April- May 2026.

Additional Preparation Tips for CAT 2025

Section-Specific Strategies

VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension):

• RC Speed-Reading: Practice skimming passages in 2-3 minutes. Highlight keywords (e.g., however, therefore).

• Vocabulary: Use apps like Vocab24 for root-word learning (e.g., Bene = Good or Benevolent).

DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) :

• Set Selection: Identify easy sets first (e.g., straightforward tables over complex puzzles).

• Approximation: Round off numbers (e.g., ₹1,234 to ₹1,200) for faster calculations.

QA (Quantitative Aptitude):

• Backup Methods: Learn verification hacks (e.g., plugging options in algebra questions).

• Error Logging: Track mistakes in a spreadsheet to identify recurring weak areas.

Time Management Hacks

Mock Test Strategy:

• First 15 mins: Solve known question types.

• Next 20 mins: Attempt moderate-difficulty problems.

• Last 5 mins: Review flagged TITA questions.

Daily Routine:

• 2 hrs concept study + 1 hr practice + 30 mins revision.

Health & Mindset

• Stress Management: Practice meditation (e.g., 10-minute mindfulness sessions).

• Peer Groups: Join Telegram groups like CAT 2025 Warriors for mock test discussions.

Get detailed insights on the CAT examination syllabus.

CAT Mock Test Analysis: Benchmarks for Success

Track your progress with these metrics:

Parameter	Ideal Benchmark
Accuracy	VARC: 85%, DILR: 75%, QA: 80%
Time per Section	Strictly 40 minutes per section.
Weak Areas	Revise topics scoring below 60% in mocks.

Advanced Preparation Strategies

1. RC Diversification: Read journals like Harvard Business Review for technical passages.

2. DI-LR Interlinkage: Practice sets combining both skills (e.g., sales data + seating arrangements).

3. QA Time Hacks: Use approximation (e.g., 33.33% is 1/3) for faster calculations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overlooking TITA: Many aspirants ignore TITA practice, losing easy marks.

• RC Over-Reading: Don’t read passages word-for-word. Skim for main ideas.

• DI Overcomplication: Simplify calculations using ratios instead of exact values.

Conclusion

The CAT Examination Syllabus is your blueprint for success. By aligning your prep with the CAT examination weightage, leveraging recommended books for the CAT examination, and adopting a disciplined mock-test routine, you can secure a 99+ percentile. Remember that consistency and flexibility are the secrets-stay current with the newest CAT 2025 trends and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much is the CAT examination syllabus fee in 2025?

The CAT examination syllabus application fee for 2025 is ₹2,500 for general category candidates and ₹1,250 for reserved category candidates.

2. When is the CAT examination syllabus expected to be applied in 2025?

The CAT examination syllabus for 2025 is tentatively scheduled to be applied on November 30, 2025

3. Which institution is responsible for the CAT examination syllabus and its conduct in 2025?

The CAT examination syllabus 2025 is expected to be conducted by IIM Kozhikode.

4. What is the marking scheme for the CAT examination syllabus 2025?

For Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): +3 marks for correct answers and -1 mark for incorrect answers.For Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions: No negative marking

5. Will the CAT examination syllabus for 2025 be similar to previous years?

While the CAT examination syllabus 2025 is expected to follow the general format of previous years, any changes or updates will be communicated.