CAT Syllabus 2025 PDF (Available): Read and Download Subject-wise Syllabus

CAT Exam Pattern 2025 is divided in three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. Each section can be further divided into sub-sections. Since CAT exam is held in three slots, there are minor changes in the exam pattern for each slot. Also, from year to year, there are minor changes in CAT exam pattern, but the overall structure has remained the same.

CAT 2025 Exam pattern (expected) is given below. 

There is no fixed CAT Syllabus 2025. It is based on key topics covered in last 10 years CAT Papers. CAT exam syllabus overview is below.

• CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus includes Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd One Out.
• CAT Reading Comprehension Syllabus includes passages from literature, business, science, philosophy, and social sciences areas.
• CAT Data Interpretation syllabus includes questions on Charts and Graphs.
• CAT Logical Reasoning syllabus include questions on arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, and Venn diagrams.
• CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus topics from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics.

Chapters in Arun Sharma CAT Preparation Books is also a good way to understand CAT Exam Syllabus. Check complete details about CAT Syllabus 2025 for each section below.

Before we discuss exam syllabus, it will be helpful to know the Exam Pattern and Type of questions that have appeared in this section in CAT 2024.

CAT 2024 VARC section saw four RC passages, Paragraph Completion, Summary, and Odd Sentence type of questions. Check slot wise details below.

Verbal Ability (VA) is a key part of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section in the CAT exam. VA tests a candidate’s command over the English language, logical reasoning in language-based questions, and ability to analyze written information.

Verbal Ability section includes topics such as Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd One Out, which test a candidate's ability to structure information logically. CAT Verbal Ability section also has non-MCQ or TITA questions – read details below.  CAT Verbal Ability questions constitute about 30-35% share in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Section in the CAT exam.

Base on previous year’s papers, CAT Verbal Ability Syllabus and type of questions is given below.

Reading Comprehension (RC) is a very important part of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section in the CAT exam. RC section involves reading passages from different subject areas such as literature, business, science, philosophy, and social sciences, and answering a set of questions that test candidate’s understanding. These passages test a candidate’s ability to understand complex information, identify key ideas, draw inferences, and evaluate arguments.

• CAT RC passages are sourced from diverse areas, including:
• Social Sciences and Humanities – History, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, etc.
• Science and Technology – AI, Robotics, Space Science, Climate Change, etc.
• Business and Economics – Market Trends, Global Economy, Financial Systems, Corporate Strategies.
• Current Affairs and Politics – International Relations, Governance, Public Policy.
• Literature and Art – Literary Criticism, Classical Literature, Art History.

Based on CAT previous year’s papers, Question Types asked in Reading Comprehension section are as below.

• Main Idea-Based Questions – Identify the primary theme of the passage.
• Fact-Based or Detail-Based Questions – Ask for specific details from the passage.
• Inference-Based Questions – Require deriving conclusions beyond the explicit text.
• Tone and Attitude-Based Questions – Understanding the author's perspective (e.g., optimistic, critical).
• Vocabulary-Based Questions – Word meaning, contextual usage.
• Title-Based Questions – Choosing the most appropriate title for the passage.
• Logical Structure-Based Questions – Understanding the flow and coherence of ideas.

While there is no fixed syllabus for RC in CAT, according to previous year CAT exam analysis, we can understand topics which often appear in RC section. Some of the topics are given in the table below.

Before we discuss CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning syllabus, it will be helpful to know the Exam Pattern and Type of questions that have appeared in this section in CAT 2024.

Data Interpretation for CAT section tests a candidate’s ability to analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions from a given numerical data. The questions in CAT Data Interpretation section are typically based on tables, bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, caselets, and mixed data sets.

Logical Reasoning for CAT section evaluates a candidate’s ability to analyze patterns, identify relationships, and solve complex problems using logical reasoning. Common Logical Reasoning questions in CAT exam include arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, Venn diagrams, and logical sequences. 

CAT Data Interpretation syllabus 2025 includes topics that test a candidate’s ability to understand and interpret data in different forms. While there is no fixed CAT DI LR syllabus, the key topics covered in this section are in table below.

CAT logical reasoning syllabus includes topics that test a candidate’s ability to answer logical questions. While there is no fixed CAT LR syllabus, the key topics covered in this section are in table below.

Quantitative Aptitude (QA) for CAT section assesses a candidate's mathematical skills, problem-solving ability, and numerical aptitude. The questions in Quantitative Aptitude test the conceptual clarity, logical application, and time management skills. CAT Quantitative Aptitude section covers topics from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics. Read CAT Quantitative Ability exam pattern. Check Exam Pattern for previous years below. 

Once you know about the QA question Pattern in CAT exam, your next step for preparation is to scan the CAT Syllabus for Quantitative Ability section. Please note that CAT exam QA syllabus is not pre-defined by IIMs and is based on latest topics that appeared in past CAT exams.

CAT Syllabus 2025 PDF free download is available on MBAUniverse.com. Simply click on download PDF button below, complete a quick registration, and your CAT Exam Syllabus PDF will download automatically. This CAT Exam Syllabus PDF download is free on MBAUniverse.com.

In conclusion, CAT Syllabus 2025 is based on important topics for three sections that were covered in last 10 years CAT Papers. CAT VA Syllabus includes Para Jumbles, Para Summary, and Odd One Out. CAT RC Syllabus includes passages from literature, business, science, philosophy, and social sciences areas. CAT DI syllabus includes questions on Charts and Graphs. CAT LR syllabus includes questions on arrangements, puzzles, blood relations, syllogisms, and Venn diagrams. CAT Quant syllabus covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems, and modern mathematics. Check complete details about CAT 2025 Syllabus in the above article. Also read: CAT 2025 exam, CAT exam pattern 2025, CAT exam preparation 2025.