CAT Marking Scheme 2025: Detailed Section wise Weightage & Marks Distribution

Overview: The CAT exam 2025 was conducted on 30 November 2025 in three slots across 170 cities. Knowing the CAT marking scheme 2025 will help you calculate your CAT scores and percentile and choose your college accordingly!

• Around 3.29 lakh candidates registered for CAT 2024, just like the CAT exam 2023.
• Although the CAT exam 2024 was easier than last year, it is important to track your performance to know your estimated CAT score and percentile.

CAT Percentile Predictor 2024 [Check your Score Here]

• To get an idea, you can use the CAT Percentile Predictor tool, which gives a fair idea about your CAT score and percentile.
• The CAT 2024 consists of 68 questions with (MCQs+ TITA), with +3 marks for every correct answer and -1 mark deducted for a wrong answer.

Let's explore more for an exact and better understanding of the CAT exam marking scheme 2025 and CAT exam marks.

Check | Participating institutes of IIM

CAT 2024 Slot 1,2 and 3 Detailed Analysis

What is CAT Marking Scheme 2025?

The CAT exam marking scheme 2025 explains how many points will be given for each correct answer and how many points will be removed if the applicant provides an erroneous response.

• The CAT 2024 exam reported 68 questions in total, divided into three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA.
• Marks for the correct answer in CAT exam:  +3 marks
• Marks deducted for incorrect answers in the CAT exam: -1 marks
• Marks for unanswered questions in the CAT exam: No marks awarded

Note* There is no negative marking for the TITA question.

The CAT 2025 Marking Scheme is listed in the following table:

Type of Questions	CAT Marking Scheme	CAT Negative Marking Scheme
MCQ	+ 3 marks will be awarded for the correct answer	-1 mark will be deducted for wrong answer
Non-MCQ	+ 3 marks will be awarded for the correct answer	0

Check | CAT Exam Question Papers

Download FREE Study Material for CAT Exam 2025 by SuperGrads

Learn More | CAT Exam Preparation 2025

CAT Marking Scheme 2025: Sectional Weightage

The sectional weightage of the CAT exam is as follows: 

CAT Exam Sections	Number of Questions asked as CAT 2024	Sectional Weightage
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	24	37%
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning	22	30%
Quantitative Ability	22	33%

Read More: SuperGrads CAT Toppers Interview

Changes in the CAT Marking Scheme Over the Years

The CAT exam pattern and CAT 2025 marking scheme have been changing over the years. Here is a detailed analysis of the past year's trends for the CAT exam marking scheme:

Years	Number of Questions	VARC Questions	QA Questions	DILR Questions
2024	68	24	22	22
2023	66	24	22	20
2022	66	24	22	20
2021	66	24	22	20
2020	76	34	26	24
2019	100	34	34	32
2018	100	34	34	32
2017	100	34	34	32
2016	100	34	34	32
2015	100	34	34	32
2014	100	34	34	32

Also Check: CAT Total Marks

Also Read | CAT Exam Cut Off 2025

CAT Passing Marks 2025 [Qualifying Marks]

Category	Overall Marks Required	Sectional Marks Required	Notes
General Category	No predefined marks; percentile-based	No predefined marks; percentile-based	Eligibility depends on percentile scores, typically above 85–90.
SC/ST/PwD Categories	Lower marks compared to general; percentile-based	Lower sectional marks; percentile-based	Cutoffs and passing criteria are relaxed for these categories.
Graduation Percentage	50% for General; 45% for SC/ST/PwD	N/A	Minimum graduation percentage required to apply for CAT.
Non-MCQs	No negative marking	No negative marking	Attempt all to maximize score.
Minimum Attempts	No minimum attempts; focus on accuracy	N/A	Balance accuracy and number of attempts to avoid penalties.

CAT Exam Pattern 2025

The CAT exam consists of three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. Each section has its own sectional timing and weightage. This CAT exam pattern is according to the CAT exam 2024(Slot 1):

CAT Exam Sections	Total No. of Questions	MCQs	Non-MCQs	Marks	Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	24	22	2	72	40 min
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DI & LR)	22	14	8	66	40 min
Quantitative Ability (QA)	22	16	6	66	40 min
Total	68	52	204		120 (2 hours)

Read More | CAT Exam Marks vs Percentile 

Conclusion

CAT Marking Scheme 2025 is the only method to assess every student's performance in the CAT exam. It, along with the CAT Syllabus, is useful for both teachers and students to estimate their final scores even before the actual results are out

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