CAT 2025 Exam Pattern: The CAT exam pattern includes 68 multiple-choice questions (22 each from DILR and QA, and 24 questions from VARC). Candidates can attempt any number of questions as all of the questions are optional, which are to be attempted in 2 hours in a sectional order. The CAT exam is a computer-based exam conducted offline.
According to the marking scheme, the candidates will get +3 marks for correct answers, -1 marks for incorrect answers and 0 marks for unanswered questions. Therefore, the aspirants should carefully select and attempt the questions to secure admission to one of the top IIMs.
The Common Entrance Test 2025 is a widely accepted management entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management as a mode of entrance. This year’s CAT exam is expected to be conducted on 30th November, 2025.
The CAT exam paper pattern 2025 consists of 68 multiple-choice-based optional questions, divided among three sections of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehensions, Quantitative Assessment and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning.
The candidates will be awarded +3 marks for every correct answer, -1 mark will be awarded for every wrong answer, and 0 marks for every unattempted question. The overall time for the test is 2 hours (120 minutes), and the maximum score is 204. However, the candidates are judged on a percentile system.
CAT is an offline computer-based paper in the English language, which is given at 375 test centres spread across the country. Candidates must visit the official CAT website regularly to stay updated on the latest examination details.
CAT Exam Pattern 2025 Table
Below are the latest changes in the CAT Exam 2025 Pattern:
No. of Questions: The total number of questions in the CAT Exam has been adjusted to 68, which is a slight increase from the previous years. The distribution includes 24 questions in the VARC section, 22 questions each in the DILR and QA sections.
Question Types: The exam comprises both multiple-choice questions and non-MCQs. Non-MCQs are also known as TITA (Type in the Answer) questions. The Para Jumble type of question has been removed from the VARC section in 2025.
Sectional Time Limit: Each of the three sections has a strict time limit of 40 minutes, making a total test duration of 2 hours (120 minutes). Once the time for a section ends, candidates cannot return to it.
Marking Scheme: As per the latest changes, the correct answers carry +3 marks, and incorrect answers incur a -1 negative marking penalty. However, there is no negative marking for unattempted questions or for TITA-type questions.
Exam Mode: The CAT 2025 exam continues to be a computer-based offline test conducted at various centers across India, with the paper in English.
Other Changes: The total marks for the exam have increased to 204, with the DILR section's marks rising to 66 due to the increased number of questions. Additionally, there is a minor increase in the exam fee for General and Reserved category candidates.
CAT 2025 Exam Time Duration
The CAT Exam Time Duration for 2025 is structured with a strict sectional time limit. Each of the three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude has a time limit of 40 minutes. Aspirants must complete each section within this time, as the test screen automatically moves to the next section when 40 minutes are over and no changes or submissions are allowed after that.
CAT Exam 2025 Marking Scheme
The CAT 2025 Exam, conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management, follows a specific marking scheme to evaluate candidates' performance in the examination. The CAT exam paper pattern consists of 68 optional MCQs and TITA distributed into three sections, including Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
The following is the CAT Exam Question Pattern 2025:
Frequently Asked Questions
CAT uses a marking system with +3 for correct answers and -1 for wrong answers; total marks vary as the exam is percentile-based.
The 2025 pattern includes three timed sections and a total of 68 questions, with some adjustment in question in cat exam pattern 2025.
The exam has three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (24 questions), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (22), and Quantitative Ability (22).
It features both multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions that test quantitative skills, verbal ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation.
There are 68 optional questions in the Common Admission Test.