The total marks in the CAT are a crucial factor that influences candidates’ preparation and performance. Typically, the CAT total marks in 2025 are expected to be 204 based on the latest changes in CAT 2024. Previously, the CAT exam used to have a different scoring pattern. It includes varying numbers of questions and marks in each section. Students must be familiar with these changes to align their study plans accordingly. Read further to learn about total marks in CAT of the past years and other relevant data to understand competition trends in detail.
Total Marks in CAT-Overview
Familiarity with the CAT exam is essential before gaining insights into the total marks in CAT. CAT stands for Common Admission Test. Indian Institutes of Management conducts a computer-based CAT exam every year for the students seeking admission into the various management programmes of IIMs. Over 3 lakhs of students register every year for this management entrance exam. The CAT exam is divided into three subjects i.e. VARC, DILR, and QA.
The CAT exam pattern changed slightly in 2024, with the total marks increasing to 204 from the previous 198. Thus, the same pattern is anticipated for the 2025 exam. As per the CAT marking scheme, 3 marks shall be awarded for every correct answer and 1 mark shall be deducted for every wrong answer in MCQs. Let’s discuss the subject-wise and total marks in CAT in the table below for the reference of the candidates.
CAT Total Marks Overview
| Section | Maximum Marks |
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 72 |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 66 |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 66 |
| Total CAT Marks | 204 |
Total Marks in CAT- Previous Year Trends in Scoring Pattern
The total marks in CAT have undergone several major changes. These adjustments aim to make the exam more challenging and relevant to the latest education and industry requirements. Let’s discuss the key changes in total marks in CAT over the past decades:
Total Marks in CAT 2014
The total marks in CAT 2014 were 300 from two sections i.e. Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability & Logical Reasoning. Each section has 50 questions, for a total of 100. Each question carries 3 marks with a negative marking of 1 mark for wrong answers. The exam duration was 170 minutes.
Total Marks in CAT 2015
The total marks in CAT 2015 were 300 from sections i.e. Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. The total number of questions was 100. 3 marks were awarded for correct answers and a negative mark of 1 mark for wrong responses only in MCQs. The exam duration was 180 minutes.
Total Marks in CAT 2016
The total marks in CAT 2016 were 300 from sections i.e. Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. A total of 100 questions were asked. Each question carries 3 marks with a negative marking of 1 mark for wrong answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 180 minutes.
Total Marks in CAT 2017
The total marks in CAT 2017 were 300 from sections i.e. Quantitative Ability (QA), Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. The total number of questions was 100. 3 marks were assigned for correct answers and a negative mark of 1 mark for wrong answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 180 minutes.
Total Marks in CAT 2018
The total marks in CAT 2018 were 300 from sections i.e. Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension and Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning. A total of 100 questions were asked. 3 marks were allocated for correct responses and a negative mark of 1 mark for incorrect answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 180 minutes.
Total Marks in CAT 2019
The total marks in CAT 2019 were 300 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. The total number of questions was 100. Each question carries 3 marks with a negative marking of 1 mark for wrong answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 180 minutes.
Total Marks in CAT 2020
The total marks in CAT 2020 were 228 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. A total of 76 questions were asked. 3 marks were allocated for correct responses and a negative mark of 1 mark for incorrect answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 120 minutes.
Total Marks in CAT 2021
The total marks in CAT 2021 were 198 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. The total number of questions in the exam was 66. 3 marks were given for correct responses and a negative mark of 1 mark for incorrect answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 120 minutes.
Total Marks in CAT 2022
The total marks in CAT 2022 were 198 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. A total of 66 questions were asked. 3 marks were assigned for correct responses and 1 mark was deducted for incorrect answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 120 minutes.
Total Marks in CAT 2023
The total marks in CAT 2023 were 198 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. The total number of questions was 66. 3 marks are awarded for correct answers and 1 mark is deducted for wrong answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 120 minutes.
Total Marks in CAT 2024
The total marks in CAT 2024 were 204 from sections i.e. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability. The total number of questions was 68. Each question carries 3 marks with a negative marking of 1 mark for wrong answers only in MCQs. The exam duration was 120 minutes.
Total Marks in CAT- Previous Year Trend (2014-2024)
Familiarity with previous total marks in CAT helps you understand the pattern and changes in the marking system over the last decade. This offers insights into the fluctuation in the exam format, difficulty level, scoring structure, etc. It gives a clear picture of exam trends and allows you to prepare adequately for the upcoming CAT exams. Thus, the following table indicates the CAT total marks from 2014-2024 for reference purposes:
CAT Total Marks- Previous Year Trend (2014-2024)
| CAT Year | CAT Total Marks |
| 2024 | 204 |
| 2023 | 198 |
| 2022 | 198 |
| 2021 | 198 |
| 2020 | 228 |
| 2019 | 300 |
| 2018 | 300 |
| 2017 | 300 |
| 2016 | 300 |
| 2015 | 300 |
| 2014 | 300 |
CAT Total Marks vs Percentile
It is important to understand the relationship between your CAT total marks and percentile to anticipate your percentile on the CAT exam. This will also assist you in determining whether you will clear the CAT cutoff marks for your target B-school. Here we have provided CAT total marks vs percentile 2024 across all three slots for the ease of the aspirants.
CAT Total Marks VS Percentile 2024
| Percentile | Slot-1 | Slot-2 | Slot-3 |
| 100%ile | 150 | 140 | 140 |
| 99.5%ile | 97 | 95 | 96 |
| 99%ile | 91 | 85 | 88 |
| 98%ile | 80 | 74 | 77 |
| 95%ile | 67 | 62 | 65 |
| 90%ile | 55 | 50 | 53 |
| 85%ile | 46 | 41 | 44 |
| 80%ile | 40 | 35 | 38 |
CAT Marking Scheme
Apart from knowing CAT total marks, aspirants must also be familiar with the CAT marking scheme. This will help them understand the weightage and make the right decision while answering the questions. There is a negative marking for wrong answers in the CAT exam. Check the latest CAT marking scheme below:
- 3 marks shall be awarded for every correct answer.
- 1 mark shall be deducted as a negative marking for a wrong answer.
- There shall be no negative marking for TITA and unattempted questions.
CAT Marking Scheme 2025
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks Per Question | CAT Negative Marking (Only MCQ) |
| Section I: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 3 | -1 |
| Section II: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 3 | -1 |
| Section III: Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 3 | -1 |
CAT Marking Scheme: 3 X Number of Correct Answers- 1 X Number of Incorrect Answers (MCQs)
Total marks in CAT- FAQs
The CAT total marks in 2025 are expected to be 204 as per the latest changes in the pattern.
There shall be a negative marking of 1 mark for every incorrect answer in CAT MCQs.
To calculate CAT total marks, 3 marks were awarded for correct answers and 1 mark was deducted for wrong responses only in MCQs.
The CAT total questions in 2025 are expected to be 68 as per the latest changes in the pattern.