CAT Syllabus 2025: Section-wise Important Chapters, Download IIM CAT Syllabus PDF

The CAT exam syllabus 2025 covers Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). It is mandated by IIM, the exam-conducting institute.  

The CAT exam syllabus for MBA is extensive, requiring in-depth study over time. Also, the difficulty level of CAT questions makes it tough to score well. The CAT exam date is November 30, 2025, so plan to complete the course as soon as possible to allow enough time for practice and revision of the major CAT topics. See below for further information about the CAT syllabus and exam pattern.

CAT Exam Section wise Syllabus 2025

There are three sections in the CAT exam syllabus and pattern. Here's a detailed, section-by-section breakdown of the CAT 2025 syllabus

CAT VARC Syllabus 2025

The VARC portion is the first section of the CAT exam and contains 24 questions. The component is broken into two sub-parts: verbal ability and reading comprehension. Because of the existence of 12-14 RC-based questions, the difficulty level of the questions is usually moderate to high. Take a look at some crucial VARC concepts for the CAT exam syllabus.

CAT VARC Topics 2025
Fill in the blanks	Para completion and inference	Verbal logic
Verbal reasoning	Subject-verb agreement	Parajumbles
Sentence completion	Foreign language words used in English	Different usage of same word
Grammar	Reading comprehension	Articles usage
Syllogisms	Analogies	Types of clauses
Jumbled paragraphs	Sentence correction	One word substitution
Parts of speech	Preposition	Idioms
Phrases modifiers	Errors in tenses	Antonyms

CAT DILR Syllabus 2025

Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) is the second segment of the CAT exam, with 20 questions to be answered in 40 minutes. There are two sub-sections: data interpretation and logical reasoning. Both have ten questions each. The majority of the questions in LR are asked in groups of three or four; only a few are asked on their own.

CAT DILR Topics 2025
Blood Relations	Sets & Caselets	Syllogism
Series	Seating Arrangement	Venn Diagram
Proposition	Binary Logic	Data Structures
Coding-Decoding	Family Tree	Tables
Assumptions	Data Arrangement	Pie Charts
Direction Sense	Statements	Data Sufficiency
Puzzles	Clocks and Calendars	Bars & Line Graphs

CAT QA Syllabus 2025

The CAT question paper concludes with a section on quantitative aptitude. It is frequently the most difficult question. To master this area, candidates must understand the principles of Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Mensuration. It is a calculation-heavy portion that requires a great deal of practice to master. Consider the following critical topics and key points from the CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus:

CAT QA Topics 2025
Geometry	Binomial theorem	Simple interest and compound interest
Trigonometry	Geometric Progression	Probability
Mean, mode, median	Number System	Square Root and Cube Root
Algebra	Time-Speed-Distance	Logarithms
Mensuration	In-equations: Quadratic and linear equations	Percentages
Profit & Loss	Surds and Indices	Work and Time
Partnership (Accounts)	Ratios and Proportions	Inequalities

Also Read: What Should Be an Ideal 1-Month Timetable to Study for CAT 2025?

CAT Syllabus 2025 PDF Download Link

You can download the latest CAT syllabus PDF from the table below.

Particulars	Link
CAT Exam Syllabus PDF Download Link	Download

Also Read:

• Where can I find Free PDF Materials to Study for CAT 2025?
• When to Start Giving CAT 2025 Mock Tests?

CAT Section-wise High Weightage Chapters

The CAT IIM syllabus has three components, each with a different weight on the test. Although the CAT syllabus 2025 is divided into three sections, there are actually five sections because the VARC and DILR portions feature two more subsections. Read the section-wise weightage of the CAT syllabus below.

CAT VARC Important Chapters 2025

The CAT verbal ability syllabus and reading comprehension section contains 24 questions, 19 of which are not multiple-choice questions.  The majority of the questions come from the CAT's reading comprehension syllabus.  The list below comprises some of the important parts of the VARC CAT syllabus and weightage.

CAT 2025 DILR Important Chapters 2025

The CAT logical reasoning syllabus is also vital to emphasize for any contender. There will be 22-24 questions from DILR's CAT curriculum.  Of the 24 questions, 6-8 are TITA-based.  The CAT syllabus for DILR is provided here.

Topics	No. of Questions (Expected)
Arranging People into Countries & Categories​​	6
Bar Graph on Percentages	4
Tabular DI- Smoothies	6
Table – Relation (Acquaintance,​​Friend & Stranger)​​	4
Games & Tournament	4
Rating	6
Bar Graph	4
LR Set (Number Based Reasoning)	6
Javelin Tournament	6
Mixtures	4
Review of Academic Questions	6
Gantt Chart	4

CAT QA Important Chapters 2025

The MBA CAT quantitative syllabus for the written exam is challenging. The QA component of the MBA IIM CAT syllabus contains a huge number of topics, with significant diversity between chapters. This section contains 22 questions, of which 14 are not multiple-choice. Some of the key themes from prior years' exams are given in the form of a CAT quant syllabus below.

How to Prepare for CAT VARC, DILR and QA?

CAT exam preparation 2025 for CARC, DILR, and QA is the only way to do well and prepare according to the official curriculum.  Candidates interested in taking the exam should create a CAT syllabus preparation strategy based on their familiarity with the topics covered.

• Reading CAT comprehension practice should be the first step in VARC preparation, especially in the early stages.
• The VARC component is dominated by RC. Reading CAT exam books, novels, journals, and reports containing a lot of facts might help you develop this.
• The DILR section of the CAT focuses on tables, graphs, charts, and series of data.
• This section's 24 questions will be evenly divided between DI and LR, so you must concentrate on both.
• Pick up each subject from the CAT syllabus for IIM and boost your conceptual comprehension.
• Begin by answering basic questions, then progress to moderately challenging questions, and eventually, difficult questions.

Also Read: Which Topics are Most Important for CAT 2025 Quantitative Aptitude?

Conclusion

The CAT 2025 syllabus has three basic areas: VARC, DILR, and QA, which each assess analytical thinking, comprehension, logical reasoning, and quantitative skills. The pattern has stayed similar over time, making prior trends an accurate guide. 

Success in the CAT is dependent not only on understanding the syllabus but also on strategic practice, time management, and CAT exam mock test analysis. A concentrated preparation approach across all parts, with a special emphasis on the weakest areas, would help applicants maximize their percentile and increase their chances of admission to top IIMs and other famous business schools.