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CAT 2025 Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Negative Marking & Preparation Strategy

CL Team September 02 2025
2 min read

1. Exam Overview

  • Date: 30 November 2025 (Sunday)
  • Conducting IIM: IIM Kozhikode
  • Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT), held in three sessions
  • Registration: 1 Aug – 13 Sep 2025; fee: ₹2,600 (Gen/OBC/EWS), ₹1,300 (SC/ST/PwD)
  • Admit Card: Available from 5 November
  • Test Cities: Choose up to 5 from ~170 options
  • Correction Window: 22–25 September 2025 for minor edits

2. Exam Pattern & Logistics

Sections:
  • VARC: 24 questions (21 MCQs + 3 TITA) – 40 minutes
  • DILR: 22 questions (14 MCQs + 8 TITA) – 40 minutes
  • QA: 22 questions (14 MCQs + 8 TITA) – 40 minutes
  • Total: 68 questions, 120 minutes, no section switching
Marking:
  • +3 for correct answers (MCQ & TITA)
  • –1 for incorrect MCQs
  • No penalty for TITA or unanswered questions
Total Possible Marks: 204

  • Score is normalized across sessions to compute percentile.

3. Attempt Strategy & Percentile Goals

Target PercentileApprox. Correct Attempts
99+ VARC: 16–18, DILR: 12–14, QA: 15–17 (Total ≈ 50+)
95+ VARC: 13–15, DILR: 9–11, QA: 12–14 (Total ≈ 40–45)
90+ VARC: 10–12, DILR: 7–9, QA: 10–12 (Total ≈ 35–40)

  • Aim for high accuracy—avoiding negative marking is crucial.

  • Solid performance in one section can buffer weaker performance elsewhere.

4. Recommended Books & Resources

  • VARC:

    • How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT – Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay

    • Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis

    • Read high-quality newspapers and editorials daily

  • DILR:

    • How to Prepare for Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for CAT – Arun Sharma

    • Practice past CAT DI-LR sets and mock test series

  • QA:

    • Quantitative Aptitude for CAT – Arun Sharma

    • Quantum CAT – Sarvesh Verma

    • NCERT Math (Grades 6–10) for foundational concepts

5. Preparation Blueprint

  • Fundamentals First: Strengthen core concepts using NCERT and basic-level books.

  • Mocks & Analysis: Start mock tests early; analyze time, accuracy, and error patterns.

  • Section-Wise Drills:

    • VARC: Solve 2 RCs daily

    • DILR: Practice varied sets; focus on selection strategy

    • QA: Rotate between topics like Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry

  • Time Management:

    • Limit per question: ~2 minutes for easy, ~3 for moderate, move on if slower

  • Revise Smart, Not Hard:

    • Maintain a shortcuts and formulas notebook

    • Revisit previous mocks to reinforce strategies

6. Final Tips

  1. Stick to a disciplined daily schedule (start with 3–4 hours → ramp up).

  2. Incorporate at least one official CAT mock walkthrough.

  3. Prioritize accuracy over quantity.

  4. Monitor sectional balance—DILR can be a decisive differentiator.

  5. Funnel preparation through depth (revision, mock correction) rather than breadth (only volume).

7. Conclusion

CAT 2025 demands not just hard work but smart planning. By understanding the official exam structure, scoring framework, and logistics—and pairing that with strategic preparation—you’re well-positioned to target a top percentile. Best of luck—your IIM dream is well within reach!