CAT Exam Pattern 2025: Section-wise Paper Pattern & Marking Scheme

CAT Exam Pattern 2025: CAT exam pattern 2025 is expected to be same as last year’s IIM CAT pattern. The CAT 2025 will have 66 questions (MCQ and TITA). The CAT question paper will have three sections.

IIMs prescribe the CAT exam pattern that all registered aspirants must have access to. The CAT exam will be a computer-based test, and there will be a total of three sections in the examination. Candidates appearing for the exam must be well-versed with the syllabus and exam pattern before starting their preparation.

*Steps to practice unlimited questions are mentioned below in this article.

The question paper comprises 22-23 questions from VARC & QA sections and 20-21 questions from the DILR section (see detailed breakdown below). Before starting the preparation, it is important for candidates to know the exam pattern. It will help them know the sections, number of questions, marking scheme, duration, and more information about the exam. Read on to get more details.

IIM CAT Exam Pattern 2025

The CAT question paper is divided into three sections: VARC, DILR & QA. Furthermore, each section contains MCQ and Non-MCQ questions. Candidates must solve both MCQ and Non-MCQ type questions. It is highly important for aspirants to understand all aspects of the IIM CAT exam to formulate a detailed preparation strategy.

The exam pattern is the first and foremost step toward streamlining the preparation plan. We have tabulated the important details regarding the CAT paper pattern below:

CAT Marks Distribution

The below table represents the total number of MCQ and Non-MCQ questions for each section of the CAT exam. Let us have a glimpse of the detailed section-wise total number of questions and maximum marks from the table below:

Steps To Practice Unlimited CAT Exam Questions

To take the CAT practice test on Embibe, candidates must follow the steps below:

• 1st Step: Visit Embibe’s official website, i.e., embibe.com.
• 2nd Step: Use the mobile number/email to log in.
• 3rd Step: Click on the “Getting a Government Job” menu bar.
• 4th Step: Select the Goal “Management” from the Dropdown and click “Next”.
• 5th Step: Select “CAT” and click “Next”.
• 6th Step: Select the preferred language and click “Done”.
• 7th Step: Click “Practice” from the header section.
• 8th Step: Scroll down to the “Subjects” section.
• 9th Step: Click on any CAT subjects.
• 10th Step: Scroll down to click on the chapters from the selected subject to begin the practice.

Overall & Sectional Duration of CAT Exam 2025

Candidates appearing for the Common Admission test can verify the overall and sectional duration. Each section must be completed within 40 minutes, while PwD category candidates will be given 53 minutes and 20 seconds to answer the section correctly. Aspirants will not be allowed to switch between sections. After the completion of one section, the candidate will be able to move to the next one.

However, candidates can switch between questions within the same sections. With the help of having prior knowledge of the CAT exam pattern and syllabus, it is possible to know the subject, topics, and marking scheme.

The time varies for different category aspirants varies widely. Let’s have a look at the below table for the CAT exam sectional time distribution:

IIM CAT Marking Scheme

Through the marking scheme, candidates will get to know the total marks awarded for each correct answer and the marks that must be deducted for the wrong answer. Check the CAT marking scheme below:

• For each correct answer, three marks are awarded.
• For each wrong answer, one mark will be deducted.
• No marks will be deducted for unattempted questions.
• No marks will be deducted for Non-MCQs.

CAT Syllabus 2025

The topics to be covered in these sections are given below:

Important Points Regarding CAT Paper Pattern

• CAT consists of 66 questions, and the total marks will be 198 marks divided into 3 sections as VARC will have 24 questions, DILR will have 20 questions & QA will have 22 questions.
• The CAT exam will include both MCQ as well as Non-MCQ questions.
• Candidates must make use of a screen calculator for calculation during the exam.
• Screen lock will appear on the screen as the exam is logged in.
• Candidates will be provided with rough work, which should be submitted at the exam hall while leaving the hall.
• The computer screen will open only after the invigilator provides the notification.
• All computer screens in the exam hall run simultaneously.
• Candidates must accommodate themselves on the computer designated to them.
• The exam has to be attempted in a prescribed order, and the candidate should not switch between sections.

It is to be noted that candidates have to clear all three sections separately to pass the CAT 2025.

Also, check:

FAQs on CAT Exam Pattern 2025

Following are the frequently asked questions and their answers related to CAT Exam Pattern 2025:

We hope this article on the CAT Exam Pattern 2025 helps you. If you have any questions, feel to check our app. We will surely help you.

Stay tuned to Embibe for the latest IIM CAT exam 2025 updates.