CAT Syllabus 2025: Section-Wise Important Topics for VARC, DILR & QA

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most significant MBA entrance exam in India. It is accepted by management institutes across the country, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and over 1,200 other management institutes. In total, about 2.0 lakh aspirants appear for CAT every year, making it one of the toughest entrance exams in the country.

To crack the CAT 2025, a detailed understanding of the exam syllabus, structure, and weightage is crucial. This blog provides an in-depth analysis of the CAT 2025 syllabus, including important topics by section, preparation techniques, a downloadable syllabus PDF, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you prepare effectively.

CAT Syllabus 2025: Highlights

Although the CAT exam syllabus isn't stated or prescribed by the IIMs, a detailed analysis of past years’ question papers schematically outlines certain topics and question types. The following highlights identify the syllabus outline:

Feature	Details
Exam Name	Common Admission Test (CAT)
Conducting Body	One of the IIMs (to be announced)
Exam Date (Tentative)	Last Sunday of November 2025
Mode of Exam	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Exam Duration	120 minutes (2 hours)
Sections	3 (VARC, DILR, QA)
Sectional Time Limit	40 minutes per section
Total Questions	~66 (22 VARC, 20 DILR, 24 QA)
Question Type	MCQs + TITA (Type in the Answer)
Marking Scheme	+3 for correct, -1 for incorrect MCQs
Negative Marking	No negative marking for TITA

CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF Download

Want to download the syllabus and keep it for offline reference? Here's a CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF comprising:

• Section-wise topic lists
• Topic Difficulty Level
• Expected Question Types
• Previous Year Trends
• Books and Resources for each section

*Download CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF

CAT VARC Syllabus 2025: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension

The VARC section tests the abilities of the candidate to comprehend written English, enforce grammar in English, vocabulary, and logical reasoning through language. Over the years, this section has witnessed relatively constant trends.

Expected Distribution:

• Reading Comprehension: 4-5 passages, 16 questions
• Verbal Ability (VA): 6 questions (para jumbles, summaries, odd sentence)

Key Topics in VARC:

Here are the key topics of VARC are mentioned below:

Topic	Description
Reading Comprehension	Passages from economics, psychology, politics, science, and fiction
Para Jumbles	Rearranging jumbled sentences logically
Para Summary	Choosing the best summary for a paragraph
Odd One Out	Identifying the sentence that doesn’t fit
Sentence Completion (Less frequent)	Filling blanks with appropriate words
Vocabulary (Indirectly tested)	Inference-based understanding, tone, and contextual meanings

Preparation Tips:

• Read newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, and journals like The Economist daily.
• Solve 25-30 RC passages every month.
• Focus on tone, intent, and inference rather than facts.
• Do para-based questions from the past year's papers and mock tests daily.

CAT DILR Syllabus 2025: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning

DILR is often considered the most unpredictable and challenging part of CAT. It has 4 sets, each containing 5 questions. Some sets may be a mix of DI and LR questions that test your analytical thinking, data handling skills under pressure.

Key Topics in DILR:

Here are the key topics in DILR are mentioned below:

Data Interpretation:

Topic	Examples
Tables and Charts	Pie charts, Bar graphs, Line graphs, Mixed graphs
Caselets	Text-based data problems
Venn Diagrams	Sets and logic problems
Data Sufficiency	Whether the data is sufficient to answer the question

Logical Reasoning:

Topic	Examples
Arrangements	Circular, Linear, Grid-based arrangements
Puzzles	Scheduling, matching, and groupings
Blood Relations	Family-based logical reasoning
Binary Logic	Truth-tellers and liars
Coding-Decoding	Symbol-based logic
Games and Tournaments	Round-robin, knockout format logic puzzles

Preparation Tips:

• Start with basic puzzles and Vedic logic.
• Solve 2-3 sets of DILR every day.
• Keep a log of difficult sets for revisions.
• Practice sets with a timer to get used to the real CAT pressure

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2025

The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section is math-oriented for topics of Class 9–12 level. Basics and the application of concepts are important for good scores.

Expected Distribution:

• Arithmetic: 35–40%
• Algebra: 20–25%
• Geometry & Mensuration: 15–20%
• Number System: 10–15%
• Modern Math: ~5%

Important Topics in QA:

Here is a list of important topics in QA are mentioned below:

Category	Key Topics
Arithmetic (Most Important)	Percentages, Profit & Loss Simple and Compound Interest Averages, Ratios, Proportions Time, Speed & Distance  Time & Work  Mixtures & Alligations
Algebra	Linear and Quadratic Equations  Inequalities  Functions and Graphs  Sequences and Series
Number System	LCM and HCF  Remainders and Divisibility  Base System  Factors and Multiples
Geometry & Mensuration	Triangles, Circles, Polygons  Coordinate Geometry Volumes and Surface Areas
Modern Math	Permutations and Combinations  Probability  Set Theory and Venn Diagrams

Preparation Tips:

• Make sure you know Arithmetic well; it carries maximum weightage.
• Solve at least 20–25 QA questions from mixed topics.
• Attempt mock tests at the CAT level to increase application speed.
• Give weightage to accuracy over attempting all the questions.

CAT 2025 Preparation Strategy

Here is a comprehensive 6-month roadmap that will enable you to crack CAT 2025 efficiently:

Phase 1: Foundation Building (Months 1–2)

• Get hold of the basics of Arithmetic, Algebra, RC, and puzzles.
• Practice 30–40 easy to moderate level questions daily.
• Start reading newspapers and opinion editorials.

Phase 2: Practice & Strengthening (Months 3–4)

• Go for advanced-level questions and mixed sets of DILR. 
• Give sectional tests (timed).
• Look at your own mistakes and maintain a note of concepts/formulas. 

Phase 3: Mock Tests & Revision (Months 5–6)

• Give mock tests at a rate of 2-3 per week.
• Analyse mock tests thoroughly.
• Work on speed and better time management.
• Begin your revision of weak areas and solve questions from past mocks that relate to your weak areas.

Resources for Preparation:

• Books:
  • Quantitative Aptitude by Arun Sharma
  • How to Prepare for VARC by Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay
  • Logical Reasoning and DI by Nishit Sinha
• Online Platforms:Unacademy, Byju’s, 2IIM, Cracku, IMS, TIME
• Mobile Apps:CATKing, Handa Ka Funda, Testbook

Alternative Option of the CAT Exam

If you're looking at options to the CAT exam, there are plenty of options like the SNAP or NMAT, which also give you access to an excellent business school. If you want self-paced learning, it's worth considering an Online MBA. An Online MBA is perfect for busy people who prefer to upskill, not stop their career. You'll acquire quality course material, and you'll be at home. Online MBAs are so convenient because you can find a course to shapes fit your lifestyle. Below is the list of Online universities offering an Online MBA course and specialization:

Top Online MBA Universities	Online MBA (Specialization)
MAHE Manipal Online MBA	Finance Management Marketing Management HR Management Business Analytics Data Science Operations Management Healthcare Management Pharmaceutical Management Information Systems Fashion Management
Parul University Online MBA	Marketing Management Finance Management HR Management IT Management Business Analytics Operation Management Retail Management Project Management Banking and Financial Services Healthcare Management & Supply Chain Management Agricultural Management Digital Marketing & Sales Management Digital Marketing
LPU Online MBA	Finance Management Human Resource Management Marketing Management Data Science Operations Management International Business Management Information Technology Digital Marketing Business Analytics Data Science and Analytics Banking & Financial Services Supply Chain Management Healthcare Management
UPES Online MBA	HR Management Finance Management Marketing Management Operations Management Oil & Gas Management International Business Power Management Business Analytics Logistic & Supply Chain Management Infrastructure Management Digital Business Supply Chain Management
SRM University Online MBA	HR Management Marketing Management Finance Management
Jain University Online MBA	HR Management Finance Management Marketing Management General Management System and Operations Management Marketing and Finance Management Marketing and HR Management Information Logistics and Supply Chain Management International Finance Management