It is important to know the CAT exam interface before taking the real exam. But why would I take out my time to study and analyze the CAT exam pattern is a good question to ask. The reason that most students are scared or anxious is because they have no clue what kind of questions will be asked in the CAT exam. Not knowing how much time you have to answer 1 question creates a tense environment in which one may lose track of time.
Students who take out their time before the exam to know what will be the CAT exam pattern in 2025 are 2 steps ahead of others. You must know the types of questions which are going to be asked in the upcoming CAT 2025 exam. The best method to know the CAT exam pattern 2025 is to check out the live CAT 2025 mock test link available on the official CAT 2025 website.
But the mock test link on the official website is only an estimated representation of the actual CAT exam 2025. For students to be clear on the CAT pattern 2025, they must read expert articles, blogs, toppers reviews, and take some good quality moc tests. To break down the CAT exam pattern 2025 in a digestible form, here is what it includes.
- 3 sections
- 68 MCQs
- 120 minutes to answer all the questions for normal students
- 204 total marks to target
- Correct answer carries 3 marks
- -1 for an incorrect answer
- Sectional limit – 40 minutes
Join iQuanta’s diversified student community for free and prepare with other 4.1L+ peers. Get access to 24*7 doubt-solving, mentorship, free webinars, etc all at one single platform.
CAT Exam Pattern 2025
Similar to last year’s CAT paper, the CAT 2025 is also going to be held online. Now, does it mean that the CAT exam pattern 2025 is internet based? No. The internet based test is a different kind of test also known as IBT. CAT 2025 is CBT which means the test will be carried out in a digital format on a computer screen.
| Computer Based CAT Exam Pattern 2025 | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Format | CBT |
| Internet Usage | Not allowed |
| Questions Will Appear On | A computer screen |
| Answers To Mark By | Clicking on the correct option on your screen |
CBT CAT Exam Pattern 2025
Students by any chance must not carry a pen or a paper to the CAT exam hall as it is not allowed. The reason for not allowing stationery is because applicants will not write the CAT 2025 exam on a paper or question booklet. Instead, the format is CBT which involves a computer screen and other digital assets to answer the CAT 2025 questions.
- Candidates will have to read the question on a computer terminal or screen.
- To answer, you will have to click on the right option till it is selected.
- For some questions, you will have to type the answer if no options are given.
- Your CAT 2025 computer screen will have a timer.
- You can check the time left to complete a section of the CAT 2025 exam on the timer.
- Your CAT 2025 workstation will be based out of your assigned exam centre.
CAT Exam Pattern 2025 All Sections
A total of 3 sections will be present in the CAT paper of 2025. No more than 3 sections will be there so students must not cover anything outside the syllabus. One section is based on English language comprehension skills. It will include questions on Reading comprehension and verbal abilities such as sentence completion, fill in the blanks and so on.
The section on English language questions is called VARC. Likewise, CAT 2025 has 2 more sections, one on math known as Quantitative Aptitude and one more on data pattern recognition or data analysis which is called the Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning section. Therefore, the 3 sections in the CAT exam pattern 2025 are VARC, DILR and QA in short forms.
| CAT 2025 Exam Sections | |
| Name of the Section | Objective/Purpose |
| VARC | Tests your language proficiency through vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension type questions in the English language. |
| DILR | Checks your skills to analyze and break down data sets into digestible information, data sets include charts, bar graphs, logical problems, etc. |
| QA | To test mathematical skills of calculation, multiplication, and more from chapters such as arithmetic to algebra from classes 9th and 10th NCERT syllabus. |
CAT Exam Pattern Question Format 2025
Both MCQ and non-MCQ type questions will be asked in the test. Students must prepare accordingly by learning how to solve such questions in less time. You will have 40 minutes per section with no extra time (extra time allotted to PwD candidates). If you are not able to solve all questions within the allotted time, there is no time to come back to the section. Students will have to proceed with the next section as per rules.
Experts suggest using the elimination technique to answer the MCQ type questions faster. For example, in a given Quant question, you are not sure as to the exact answer but assume the answer will be close to a decimal value higher than 1 then instead of wasting time with lengthy calculations, you must cancel out all options which are not close to your estimated answer leaving you with 1 to 2 choices which you can further eliminate for the closest possible answer.
- MCQs have 4 options with 1 option being correct. These questions are easy to answer but may be challenging if there is a discrepancy in the question or there are more than 1 correct answers.
- Non-MCQs, also simply called the Type In The Answer or TITA questions, are different from MCQs. For such questions, you will have to type the answer in a text box on your computer screen rather than selecting an option. To be correct in your answer, you must understand the question’s reference to a concept and know how to deal with such problems.
- Avoid guessing the answer in the MCQs as it will result in negative marking (loss of 1 mark) if you are wrong in your reasoning. TITA are not subject to negative marking but need more time to solve and a deeper knowledge of CAT concepts.
How Many Questions in CAT Exam Pattern 2025?
The number of questions in the CAT 2025 paper will be 22 each for DILR and QA. The VARC section will have 24 questions, i.e., 2 extra questions. So, the VARC section may take longer to complete too due to more reading and lengthy questions. You must solve each section in under 40 minutes anyhow. Whether it is a complex math problem, a difficult data set or a lengthy passage, you only have 40 minutes per section.
| Breakdown of CAT 2025 Exam Pattern – Questions in Each Section | |
| Section Title | Number of Questions |
| VARC | 24 |
| DILR | 22 |
| QA | 22 |
| Total CAT 2025 Questions | 68 |
CAT Exam Pattern 2025 Marking Scheme
Before you believe that it will be easier to score marks by guessing, you must consider its downside, negative marking. MCQ type questions must be answered correctly with accuracy and speed. Only then you can score your desired marks. If a student resorts to guesswork, they will tend to lose more marks than if you answer with clarity.
Here is a clear marking scheme of the CAT 2025 paper to develop your answering strategy. In all cases, avoid guesswork but use the elimination technique carefully. Don’t panic due to less time, rather focus on answering easy questions before the difficult ones. This way you will gain more marks and confidence to deal with more complex problems.
- Each correct answer carries +3 marks. Consider 3 marks per correct question as your stepping ladder towards success. Work hard to achieve more clarity over concepts and develop crucial exam skills to score more positive marks in CAT 2025.
- You lose 1 mark per incorrect answer. This means that you should avoid guessing or marking randomly to beat time. There is no negative marking for unanswered questions. Leave a question or 2 blank if you cannot find the answer but avoid marking wrongly for MCQs.
IIM CAT Exam Pattern 2025 Live Mock Test Link
IIM Kohzhikode has recently put up a live mock test link for CAT 2025 aspirants. You will require your CAT credentials, user ID and password made at the time of registration to access the live mock test. This test will provide a clear picture on what you may expect of the CAT exam pattern but the live mock test is not the ultimate resource. It includes questions, question formats, time slots and more.
The CAT exam pattern 2025 live mock test link helps students answer CAT related questions in a timed scenario, improving their problem solving skills, speed and accuracy. Don’t believe that CAT 2025 will have the same set of questions posed in the live mock test. It will be based on the same concepts but the questions will be different. Each year the paper is set to include diverse questions while some common themes are repetitive.
Experience CAT Before CAT
To give athe real feel of the CAT exam iQuanta is organising an All India Free Offline Mockt Test at its headaqurters and other offline centres. Taking the offiline CAT mock will help you gear up for the exam and experiencing how it feels right from entreing the security check in to getting seated at yiur designated seat and giving the test. The CAT mock is free for all aspirants. So register now to take the mock test for free.
