CAT WhatsApp Group
CAT Topic-Wise Weightage 2025: Common Admission Test (CAT) is known for its high competence. Also widely accepted MBA entrance exam across India in Management colleges. Due to a rise in applicants, CAT is getting tougher, and institutions are raising the cut-offs. So aspirants must keep up with the changes and competition. CAT 2025 registration has already started, and there is no time to waste. Students must prepare with dedication and plan a strategy. But for this, you must know the syllabus and weightage for a better plan to score high. In this blog, we will check the CAT 2025 syllabus, sectional, and topic-wise weightage. Let’s get into it to boost your confidence.
CAT Topic-Wise Weightage 2025
CAT 2025 doesn’t have many changes coming to the question paper difficulty level. Also, topics and sectional weightage remain the same. However, in CAT 2024, there is a slight change in the number of questions.
In 2023, a total of 66 questions were given and in 2024, it changed to 68. So, time management plays a key role at this time.
Let’s check the sectional-wise questions.
| Section | Total Questions | Duration | Difficulty Level |
| VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension) | 24 | 40 mins | Moderate to Difficult |
| DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning) | 22 | 40 mins | Moderate to High |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 mins | Moderate |
This clear distribution ensures that candidates give balanced attention to all sections.
Also Read, CAT Important Topics 2025, Check VARC, LRDI, Quant Topics
CAT Syllabus with Weightage
The CAT syllabus includes mathematics, logical reasoning, data interpretation, and verbal ability topics. While there is no officially published syllabus, the past year’s analysis gives clarity.
| Section | Major Topics | Weightage |
| CAT VARC Weightage | Reading Comprehension, Para-jumbles, Para Summary, Odd-One-Out | 36% |
| CAT DILR Weightage | Puzzles, Data Tables, Graphs, Games & Tournaments, Arrangements | 32% |
| CAT Quant Weightage | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Modern Math, Numbers | 32% |
The focus should be on strengthening fundamentals because questions often test conceptual clarity rather than just formulas.
Also Read, CAT Section-wise Preparation Strategy 2025, Study Material
CAT Section-Wise Weightage 2025
Candidates need to distribute their time based on the sectional pattern of the exam. Each section is equally important since CAT has no option to switch between them during the exam.
- VARC – 24 Questions- 72 Marks
- DILR – 22 Questions - 66 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude – 22 Questions- 66 marks
The CAT marking scheme is uniform across all sections: +3 marks for correct answers, -1 for incorrect, and no negative marking for TITA questions.
CAT Quant Topic Wise Weightage
The Quantitative Aptitude section often decides the overall score of many aspirants. It includes a mix of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, numbers, and modern mathematics.
From the below table, one can take note of the topics with high volume. The topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry carry high weight age. So, aspirants should prioritize the topics with high weight age in the CAT exam.
| Topic Name | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number System | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Logarithms, Surds and Indices | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Inequalities and linear equations | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| PnC and Probability | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Quadratic Equations | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Averages, Ratios and Proportion | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Time, Work and Distance | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Profit, Loss and Interest | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Geometry | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Progressions and Series | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Functions and Graphs | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Students should prioritize Arithmetic and Algebra, as these two topics together cover more than half of the Quant section.
CAT DILR Topic-Wise Weightage
The DILR section is known to be logical and long. It requires not just conceptual knowledge but also time management, fast thinking, and understanding ability. Let’s check the
| Topic | Approx. Questions | Trend |
| Puzzles & Arrangements | 8-10 | Frequently asked |
| Data Interpretation (Tables, Graphs, Charts) | 8-9 | High weightage |
| Games & Tournaments | 4-5 | Moderate frequency |
| Logical Reasoning (Selection, Sequencing, Binary Logic) | 4-5 | Often seen |
| Total | 22 |
The key to mastering this section lies in practicing diverse sets of problems. Aspirants should attempt at least 3 sets in the exam to ensure a decent score.
CAT VARC Topic-Wise Weightage
The VARC section checks reading and analytical skills. A major chunk of questions comes from Reading Comprehension (RC).
| Topic | Number of Questions | Weightage % |
| Reading Comprehension (4 passages, 4 Qs each) | 16 | 66% |
| Para Summary | 2-3 | 12% |
| Para Insertion | 2-3 | 12% |
| Odd-One-Out / Completion | 2 | 10% |
| Total | 24 |
RC remains the dominating area, making it the most important topic for scoring high in VARC. Aspirants should work on comprehension, inference, and critical reasoning.
Which Topics Have Highest Weightage in CAT Exam
Looking at the CAT section-wise analysis, certain topics stand out as high-weightage areas:
- Reading Comprehension (VARC) – 16 questions
- Arithmetic (Quant) – 8 questions
- Algebra (Quant) – 5-7 questions
- Puzzles & Arrangements (DILR) – 8-10 questions
These topics not only carry maximum marks but also act as score boosters for candidates. Focusing more on them ensures a higher overall percentile.
How Many Questions from Each Topic in CAT 2025
Here’s a simplified breakdown of expected questions from each section in CAT 2025:
| Section | Major Topics | Expected Questions |
| VARC | Reading Comprehension | 16 |
| Verbal Ability (Para-summary, Para-insertion, Odd-One-Out) | 8 | |
| DILR | Puzzles & Arrangements | 8-10 |
| Data Interpretation (Graphs, Tables, Charts) | 8-9 | |
| QA | Arithmetic | 8 |
| Algebra | 5-7 | |
| Geometry & Mensuration | 3 | |
| Numbers | 1-3 | |
| Modern Maths | 2-3 |
This table reflects how RC and Arithmetic problems dominate the question paper. Hence, students preparing for CAT 2025 must give the required time for these sections.
CAT Topic-Wise Weightage 2025: Conclusion
As per the above detailed discussion, as a CAT aspirant, you might have got a clear understanding of the weightage. It’s not difficult to crack CAT 2025; a dedicated and strategic plan is needed. Practice and work on your weekly sections, boost your confidence, and take mock tests for time management. Puzzles, RCs might take more time to understand, but consistent practice and reading can help you to solve them in time.
Start your preparation with high-weightage concepts and then move to weaker topics. Start your CAT 2025 practice today.
