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The CAT 2025 exam will have a total duration of 2 hours, with 40 minutes allotted to each section. PwD candidates will get 53 minutes and 20 seconds per section.
Will CAT 2025 be easy?
CAT 2025's difficulty may vary based on the IIM administering the exam and the candidate's sections, thus it's hard to determine for sure. Candidates may, however, successfully prepare by examining previous trends and concentrating on important areas. The level of difficulty may be controlled with a well-rounded strategy that includes studying for mock exams, comprehending the syllabus, and knowing the exam pattern.
What is the marking scheme for CAT 2025?
Candidates will get +3 marks for each correct answer, -1 mark for wrong MCQ responses, and no negative marking for non-MCQs or unattempted questions.
What is the pattern change in CAT 2025?
The 68-question CAT exam structure for 2025 is expected to be similar to that of CAT 2024. Unexpected elements were noted, such as the DILR section's 22 questions rather than 20. Additionally, the VARC portion did not have any para-jumbled questions.
How is the CAT 2025 exam structured section-wise?
CAT 2025 includes three sections: VARC (24 questions), DILR (20 questions), and QA (22 questions), each with a mix of MCQs and non-MCQs.
CAT Exam Pattern 2025 provides a detailed overview of section-wise weightage, number of questions, duration, and marking scheme to help aspirants understand the structure and prepare effectively.
Anil Solonki31 Jul, 2025
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CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Common Admission Test (CAT) is conducted annually by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), which also sets the exam's pattern and syllabus. For 2025, the CAT exam is scheduled to be held on November 30, 2025. Like recent years, CAT 2025 is expected to retain the three-section structure.
This year’s exam will consist of 66 questions in total, a continuation of the format introduced after moving away from the earlier versions that featured 76 or even 100 questions. To perform well, candidates must familiarize themselves with the updated exam format and marking scheme based on recent trends, particularly the CAT 2025 model. This article covers all the important details of the CAT Exam Pattern 2025, including the section-wise question distribution, marking scheme, exam duration, and other essential updates.
CAT Exam Pattern 2025 Overview
Understanding the CAT exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. It not only familiarizes candidates with the paper structure but also enables them to devise a smart strategy to manage time and maximize attempts within the allotted duration.
Aspirants planning to appear for CAT 2025 must stay updated with the latest exam format and syllabus. According to the expected structure, CAT 2025 will be conducted in three sessions—morning, afternoon, and evening—on November 30, 2025, in a computer-based test (CBT) mode. Below is an overview CAT 2025 exam pattern:
CAT Exam Pattern 2025 Overview
Particulars
Details
Duration of CAT exam 2025
2 hours
CAT Slot Timing
Slot-1: 8:30 Am to 10:30 Am Slot-2: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM Slot-3: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Mode of Exam
CBT
CAT Question Paper Sections
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning DILR
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension VARC
Quantitative Aptitude QA
Total Number of Questions
66
Section-wise Time Allotment
40 minutes per section, 53 minutes and 20 seconds for PwD candidates
Latest CAT 2025 Section-Wise Questions and Mark Allotment
As per the updated CAT exam pattern, the test duration is now 2 hours, a change from the previous 3-hour format once followed by the IIMs. Below are the key features of the CAT 2025 exam pattern:
CAT 2025 will be held in three sessions – morning, afternoon, and evening.
The question paper will consist of 66 questions in total, including both MCQs and non-MCQs.
Each section is allotted 40 minutes, and once the time ends, candidates cannot revisit or modify answers from that particular section.
The section-wise structure of CAT 2025 is detailed in the table below. It covers the sequence of sections, question types (with or without negative marking), number of questions, and key features of each section:
Latest CAT 2025 Section-Wise Sections and Marks Allotment
Section
Type of Question
Total Questions
Section Highlight
MCQs
Non-MCQs
VARC
19
5
24
VA section with non-MCQs of para jumbles, out of context summary, and para summary
4 reading comprehension passages with MCQs
DILR
16
4
20
LR - 10 questions
DI - 10 questions
QA
16
6
22
Most questions from Arithmetic, and some from Geometry, Log, Algebra, and Roots
CAT Exam 2025: Time Distribution
As per the CAT 2025 exam pattern, candidates are required to strictly follow the time limit assigned to each section. Once the timer for a section runs out, the screen will automatically move to the next section, and no further changes or reviews can be made to the previous one.
The table below gives a detailed breakdown of the section-wise question count and time allocation in the CAT 2025 exam:
The marking scheme for CAT 2025 plays a vital role in calculating a candidate’s overall score. The scoring guidelines for the exam are outlined below:
+3 marks are awarded for each correct answer.
1 mark is deducted for every incorrect response in MCQ-type questions.
No negative marking applies to incorrect or unattempted non-MCQ questions.
The table below provides a clear breakdown of the CAT exam marking scheme:
Marking Scheme for CAT 2025 Exam
Types of CAT Questions
Marking for Correct Answers
Marking for Wrong Answers
MCQs
+3
-1
Non-MCQs
+3
0
Difficulty Level of CAT Exam in Previous Years
The CAT exam pattern is periodically revised by the IIMs, typically every 2 to 3 years, to align with evolving testing standards and candidate performance trends. Alongside these structural changes, the difficulty level of the exam also tends to fluctuate annually, impacting both preparation strategies and cut-off scores.
These changes may include variations in the number of questions, time duration, question types (MCQs and non-MCQs), and sectional time limits. Understanding past trends can help aspirants anticipate possible adjustments in future editions. The table below highlights the evolution of the CAT exam pattern over the last 10 years:
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