The CAT exam pattern has remained the same for the last three years, and no change is expected this year, either. It includes three sections: VARC, QA, and DILR. It’s computer-based, with a total duration of about 2 hours, featuring both multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions.
The CAT exam pattern has remained consistent over the past three years, and there are no anticipated changes for the upcoming year. The exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Quantitative Aptitude (QA), and Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR). It is a computer-based test with a total duration of approximately 3 hours. The exam includes both multiple-choice and non-multiple-choice questions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the exam duration was decreased from 180 to 120 minutes in CAT 2020. The time per section was also reduced from 60 to 40 minutes. In CAT 2021, the number of exam slots was expanded from two to three, and the number of questions was reduced from 76 to 66. CAT 2025 will be conducted by IIM Kozhikode on November 30, 2025 . If you are preparing for the exam, check how did the CAT exam pattern change over the years .
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CAT Test-Taking Window: How Did it Change Over the Years?
The table below lists the number of slots and windows in which the CAT was held throughout the previous few years. The exam is now conducted over the course of one day in three sessions: morning, noon, and evening.
Year | Test-taking Window | Slots |
|---|---|---|
2024 | 1 day | 3 slots |
2023 | 1 day | 3 slots |
2022 | 1 day | 3 slots |
2021 | 1 day | 3 slots |
2020 | 1 day | 3 slots |
2019 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2018 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2017 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2016 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2015 | 1 day | 2 slots |
2014 | 2 days | 4 slot |
2009-13 | 20 days window | 40 slots |
Also Read: CAT Weightage Chart 2025
A Brief Insight Into the CAT Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
The table below reflects the CAT exam pattern that is being followed currently. The candidates who had taken the exam last year believed that the total number of questions in each section and the duration allotted for these sections was fair.
Sections | Total Number of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
VARC | 24 | 40 minutes |
DILR | 20 | 40 minutes |
QA | 20 | 40 minutes |
Total | 66 | 120 minutes |
Changes in the CAT Exam Pattern Over The Years
If we look at history, from 2014 to 2019, the CAT exam model stayed more or less constant. Apart from some modifications in the types of questions along with their distribution, the test structure and pattern did not show any significant change.
For instance, in CAT 2018, the volume of Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions was higher than the number of MCQs that required choice selection. However, TITA questions were reduced again in CAT 2019. However, in both Slot #1 and Slot #2, the VARC segment was comparatively more difficult than the other two sections.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the exam control body to revise the CAT exam pattern. The focus then was to allow maximum candidates at the limited exam centers while strictly adhering to the social distancing norms. Some of the changes that were introduced in CAT 2020 have still been followed in later iterations of the exam.
Also Read : Career Scope after Completing Distance MBA
Let's take a closer look at the transformation of the CAT exam pattern over the years.
Year | Total Number Of Questions | Duration | Different Sections | Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Total 68 questions (24 in VARC, 22 in DILR, 22 in QA) | 120 Minutes | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Calcutta |
2023 | Total 66 questions (24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, 22 in QA) | 120 Minutes | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Lucknow |
2022 | Total 66 questions (24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, 22 in QA) | 120 Minutes | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Bangalore |
2021 | Total 66 questions (24 in VARC, 20 in DILR, 22 in QA) | 120 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Ahmedabad |
2020 | Total 76 questions (24 in one section and 26 in the other two sections) | 120 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Indore |
2019 | Total 100 questions (32 in one section and 34 in the other two sections) | 180 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Kozhikode |
2018 | Total 100 questions (32 in one section and 34 in the other two sections) | 180 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Calcutta |
2017 | Total 100 questions (32 in one section and 34 in the other two sections) | 180 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Lucknow |
2016 | Total 100 questions (32 in one section and 34 in the other two sections) | 180 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Bangalore |
2015 | Total 100 questions (32 in one section and 34 in the other two sections) | 180 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC | IIM Ahmedabad |
2014 | Total 100 Questions (50 per sections) | 170 minutes | QA & DI, LR & VARC | IIM Indore |
2013 | Total 60 Questions (30 per section) | 140 minutes | QA & DI, LR & VARC | IIM Indore |
2012 | Total 60 Questions (30 per section) | 140 minutes | QA & DI, LR & VARC | IIM Kozhikode |
2011 | Total 60 Questions (30 per section) | 140 minutes | QA & DI, LR & VARC | IIM Calcutta |
2010 | Total 60 Questions (30 per section) | 150 minutes | QA, DILR, VARC | - |
CAT Marking Scheme - Did It Change?
The CAT marking scheme has remained unchanged for the past six years. For each accurate response, three marking points are awarded. On the other hand, for each incorrect answer, one marking point is deducted. No marks are deducted for TITA questions or questions that are not attempted by the candidates. If we talk about the CAT 2020 paper, the total awardable marks were 228.
If you closely notice the trends of CAT in the last 11 years, you will observe that the CAT test structure went through an enormous change in the 2013-2014 edition, when it comes to the number of questions, along with the duration. While the total number of questions in CAT 2013 was limited to 60 and the time limit was 140 minutes, it increased to 100 in the CAT 2014 edition. The time limit reflected the increase, too, and was raised to 170 minutes.
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FAQs
The total marks for CAT 2025 may increase from 198 to 204 if the number of questions in the DILR section of CAT 2025 is increased from 20 to 22 as in CAT 2024. However, if the no such changes are incorporated in the exam pattern the total marks will remain the same.
Yes, the CAT exam pattern has a minor change last year where the number of questions in the DILR section was increased from 20 to 22. This also led to an increase in the total marks of the exam. Other minor changes included the presence of quantitative based DI questions in the question paper.
The official CAT 2025 exam pattern will be out along with the CAT 2025 notification, which is expected to be released in July 2025. In the notification, you will be informed about the official CAT exam pattern and any changes that will be incorporated in the exam for the current academic year.
Yes, there will be negative marking in the CAT VARC section, but only for the MCQs. As per the CAT marking scheme, negative marking is only applicable to MCQs, whereas TITA questions do not have any negative marking. There are TITA questions in nearly all sections of the exam but mostly in the VARC section.
The CAT 2025 exam pattern is expected to be the same as last year. No change is expected, as a minor change was already brought about in CAT 2024 (an increase in the number of DILR questions from 20 to 22). Thus, the CAT exam pattern for 2025 is expected to be:
- VARC: 24 questions, 40 minutes
- DILR: 22 questions, 40 minutes
- QA: 22 questions, 40 minutes
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