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CAT Exam Preparation 2025: Syllabus, Pattern, Eligibility & Study Tips

Shreshtha Mishra • 5 Mins read • 30 Sep 25

cat exam preparation

Common Admission Test (CAT) is the means of entering the best B-schools in India, including the IIMs. Since there are lakhs of aspirants who turn up each year, an intelligent study plan, knowledge of the latest syllabus and pattern of the CAT exam, and regular practice are key to achieving success. Regardless of whether you are a novice or a professional, or a non-engineer, the correct approach will aid you to maximise your score.

What is the CAT Exam?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is an entrance test that is computer-based and conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and is conducted on a yearly rotation basis of the test. It is one of the competitive exams in India and admission to MBA, PGD and other management courses in the IIM and 1,200 business schools across the country. The CAT exam is designed to challenge the ability of an exam taker in such areas as Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). The examination is not only on the knowledge but also on the speed, the accuracy and time management when faced with pressure.

Eligibility Requirements for CAT Exam Preparation

Application requirements should be filled out by all applications, who may then strategise on how to pass the CAT Exam so that they can be in a position to know how they will go about their own preparations. Here, the eligibility conditions assume the form of the following table.

Criteria	Details
Qualification	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
Minimum Marks	50% (General), 45% (SC/ST/PwD)
Final Year Students	Eligible
Age Limit	No age restriction

CAT Syllabus Details for CAT Exam Preparation

The CAT exam's latest syllabus and pattern include three sections – Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR). The books that are to be utilised in the CAT quantitative aptitude and practice should be selected well. For VARC, aspirants should also focus on how to improve reading comprehension for the CAT VARC through daily practice and reading.

The table below mentions the detailed section-wise syllabus of CAT.

Section	Major Topics	Subtopics/Details
Quantitative Aptitude	Arithmetic	Percentages, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Ratio & Proportion, Mixtures & Alligations, Time-Speed-Distance, Time & Work, Averages
	Algebra	Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations, Inequalities, Functions, Progressions (AP, GP, HP), Logarithms, Surds & Indices
	Geometry & Mensuration	Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles, Polygons, Coordinate Geometry, Areas, Volumes, Surface Areas
	Number System	Divisibility Rules, Factors, Multiples, LCM & HCF, Remainders, Base Systems, Modular Arithmetic
	Modern Mathematics	Permutations & Combinations, Probability, Set Theory, Venn Diagrams, Sequences & Series
VARC	Reading Comprehension (RC)	Passages from literature, science, business, economics, philosophy, and current affairs; questions on inference, tone, summary, vocabulary, and main idea
	Verbal Ability	Para Jumbles, Para Completion, Odd-One-Out, Sentence Correction, Summary-based Questions, Fill in the Blanks
	Vocabulary & Grammar (Indirect)	Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, Word Usage, Contextual Vocabulary
DILR	Data Interpretation (DI)	Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagrams, Caselets, Data Sufficiency
DILR	Logical Reasoning (LR)	Seating Arrangements (Linear & Circular), Blood Relations, Syllogisms, Puzzles, Directions, Coding-Decoding, Series, Binary Logic, Games & Tournaments

Exam Pattern Details for CAT Exam Preparation

The CAT test is a 2-hour computer-based test. Knowing the pattern is the first step in how to create a study plan for the CAT exam. This helps candidates design their CAT exam preparation timeline for beginners and working professionals for efficient time allocation. The table below mentions the exam pattern of CAT.

Section	No. of Questions	Time Limit	Marking Scheme
VARC	24	40 min	+3 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQs)
DILR	20	40 min	Same
QA	22	40 min	Same
Total	66	120 min	198 Marks

CAT Exam Preparation Tips

These are the preparation tips for all the candidates preparing for CAT.

Be aware of the Pattern and Syllabus of the exam. - Before starting preparation, go through the CAT exam's latest syllabus and pattern thoroughly. This will help you in getting ideas of what to read and in getting yourself ready adequately.
Write an effective Study Plan. -You would train to compile a study plan, which would fit your schedule when you take the CAT exam. plan in bits- firstly, mindfulness of ideas, secondly, rehearse in questions to the topic, and finally, you should have mocks and revision time.
Strengthen Your Basics -Strengthen your background in Quantitative aptitude, especially your weak points in mathematics. In the case of VARC, one needs to be trained in the habit of reading, and in the case of DILR, one needs to be trained in puzzle solving.
Use the Right Study Material -The materials will be of the best quality, the latest books on the subject of CAT quantitative aptitude, passages to practice, pass the test of RC on VARC, series of sections to pass the DILR test. You must not use too random books or sources.
Practice Time Management -Cat does not only refer to the process of answering questions, but also the process of answering quickly and correctly. Having a time limit requirement to work more quickly and precisely.

CAT Exam Preparation: FAQs

Ques. How to create a study plan for the CAT exam?

Ans: to keep your preparation apart from concept mastery, practice, analysis of the mock test, and daily and weekly schedules.

Ques. What is the CAT exam preparation timeline for beginners?

Ans A 9–12 month timeline is ideal. The last 3 months would be spent on mock tests and corrections.

Ques. What are the best books for the CAT quantitative aptitude?

Ans: The book by Arun Sharma and the guide by R.S Aggarwal.

Ques. How to improve reading comprehension for CAT VARC?

Ans Other reads and writes subjects are fast and precise, frequently on regular RCs.

Ques. Moreover, is it online CAT coaching or offline coaching?

Ans: The Internet is cheap and is not cumbersome; face-to-face mentoring is procedural. It is a matter of preference.