CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions 2025
Sheetal Gaur25 Nov, 2025
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Understanding the CAT total marks and number of questions is essential for planning your preparation strategy. The CAT exam pattern changes frequently, and based on the latest trends, the CAT 2025 full marks are expected to be 204, with a total of 68 questions across three sections.
This guide explains the CAT marking scheme, section-wise question distribution, past year trends, and expected pattern for CAT 2025.
CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions (Quick Overview)
Here is a quick summary of the CAT marking structure:
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Total Marks in CAT 2025: 204
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Total Questions: 68
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Exam Duration: 120 minutes
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Sections: VARC, DILR, QA
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Marks per Question: +3
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Negative Marking: -1 for MCQs
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No Negative Marking: For TITA (non-MCQ) questions
The table below presents the key highlights of CAT total marks and several questions:
| CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions Highlights | ||
| CAT Sections | Total Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 72 |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 66 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 66 |
| Total | 68 | 204 |
Expected CAT 2025 Total Marks & Number of Questions
Based on the pattern used in 2023 and 2024:
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Total Marks (expected): 204
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Total Questions (expected): 68
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Marking Scheme: No change expected
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Exam Duration: 120 minutes
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Sectional Timing: 40 minutes each
Unless IIMs officially announce a change, the 2024 format will likely continue.
CAT Exam Duration & Sectional Time Allocation
Candidates get:
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120 minutes for the entire exam
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40 minutes per section
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No switching between sections
This strict sectional timing requires targeted practice for speed and accuracy.
CAT Scoring Pattern (Marks per Question in CAT)
Understanding how marks are awarded helps avoid negative marking.
| Section | Total Questions | Marks per Question | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | +3 | -1 (MCQ only) |
| DILR | 22 | +3 | -1 (MCQ only) |
| QA | 22 | +3 | -1 (MCQ only) |
TITA Questions: No negative marking.
CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions Part Year Trends
Over the years, the CAT exam has undergone several paper pattern changes, both in terms of the number of questions and total marks. The table below presents changes in previous years’ CAT exam pattern to help candidates expect further modifications:| CAT Past Year Exam Pattern Changes | |||||
| Conducting IIM | Year | Total Questions | Total Marks | Duration | Difficulty Level |
| IIM Kozhikode | 2024 | 68 | 204 | 2 hours | Moderate |
| IIM Lucknow | 2023 | 66 | 198 | 2 hours | Moderate |
| IIM Bangalore | 2022 | 66 | 198 | 2 hours | Moderate |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 2021 | 66 | 198 | 2 hours | Moderate to High |
| IIM Indore | 2020 | 76 | 228 | 2 hours | Moderate to High |
| IIM Kozhikode | 2019 | 100 | 300 | 3 hours | Moderate to High |
| IIM Calcutta | 2018 | 100 | 300 | 3 hours | Moderate to High |
| IIM Lucknow | 2017 | 100 | 300 | 3 hours | Moderate |
| IIM Bangalore | 2016 | 100 | 300 | 3 hours | Moderate to Difficult |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 2015 | 100 | 300 | 3 hours | Moderate to Difficult |
| IIM Indore | 2014 | 100 | 300 | 2.5 hours | Moderate to Easy |
| IIM Indore | 2013 | 60 | 180 | 2 hours 20 mins | Moderate to Easy |
| IIM Indore | 2012 | 60 | 180 | 2 hours 20 mins | Moderate to Easy |
| IIM Calcutta | 2011 | 60 | 180 | 2 hours 20 mins | Moderate |
CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions FAQs
How many marks for each question in CAT?
How many questions will come in CAT 2025?
What is the exam duration of the CAT?
What is the passing marks for CAT?
Does TITA question carry negative marking in CAT?
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