CAT 2017 Question Paper PDF with Answer Key & Solutions
Common Admission Test 2025 ( CAT )
Exam On - 30 Nov '25
CAT 2017 question paper PDF with answer key & solution is provided here to help the candidates understand the test structure and analyse the types of questions asked in the CAT exam.
CAT 2017 Question Paper can be considers moderately difficult. The first slot of CAT question paper IS however, a bit more difficult than the question paper of second slot. CAT 2017 question paper with solutions is provided in this article below for candidates to practice and analyses their hold over various CAT topics.
The structure of CAT 2017 question paper is same as that of CAT previous year papers, i.e. there are three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). Given below is the overall structure of CAT question paper.
Explore colleges based on CAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.Also Read:
- How Scaled CAT Score will be calculated for three slots
- How many questions to attempt in CAT to score 99+ percentile
- Changes in CAT question papers in last 10 years
- CAT exam: 10 popular myths busted
CAT Question Paper 2017
CAT question paper 2017 has 100 questions. Given below is the table indicating section wise difficulty level and number of good attempts.
| Section |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC |
34 |
Easy-moderate |
26-27 |
| DILR |
32 |
Difficult |
12-14 |
| QA |
34 |
Easy-Moderate |
25-26 |
| Total |
100 |
Moderate |
63-67 |
CAT 2017 Question Paper: Slot 1
The first slot of CAT question paper 2017 is of a higher difficulty level. Among the three sections, DILR section was the toughest and most time consuming. Discussed below are all three sections of CAT 2017 question paper slot 1.
Q: What is the structure of CAT question paper?
Q: Which CAT slot has the toughest question paper?
Q: What are the benefits of solving CAT question papers?
Section wise break up of CAT 2017 question paper, slot 1
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
|
|---|---|
| No. of Questions |
34 |
| No. of MCQ questions |
24 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
7 |
| Difficulty Level |
Easy-Moderate |
| Good Attempts |
26-27 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
|
| No. of Questions |
32 |
| No. of MCQ questions |
24 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
8 |
| Difficulty Level |
Difficult |
| Good Attempts |
12-14 |
| Quantitative Ability |
|
| No. of Questions |
34 |
| No. of MCQ questions |
22 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
12 |
| Difficulty Level |
Easy-Moderate |
| Good Attempts |
25-26 |
Download CAT previous year question paper PDFs
- CAT 2023 Question Paper
- CAT 2022 Question Paper
- CAT 2021 Question Paper
- CAT 2020 Question Paper
- CAT 2018 question paper
- CAT 2017 question paper
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 1: VARC section
The VARC section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 1 has five RC passages; three passages of 539-600 words and two passages of 299 and 363 words each. Out of five RC passages have six questions and two passages have three questions, each. Three questions are information based and three other are inferential in nature. Overall, six RC questions are easy; and six questions are difficult as there are close choices for answer. The remaining 18 questions are easy to moderate.
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
18 May '25
5 Apr '25 - 25 May '25
12 Nov '24 - 31 May '25
8 Jun '25
15 Apr '25 - 19 Apr '25
22 Apr '25
22 Apr '25
22 Apr '25 - 23 Apr '25
23 Apr '25
3 Apr '25 - 2 Jun '25
| CAT Sections |
CAT VARC Topics |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension |
24 |
| Verbal Ability |
Para-jumble |
4 |
| Summary |
3 |
|
| Para-jumble (Odd sentence out) |
3 |
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 1: DILR section
The questions of DILR section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 1 range from sets on survey of students, burgers & fries, routes between two cities, flight operations and square matrix of pillar heights. DI questions do not require much calculation; however, one question is difficult to crack. Logical Reasoning questions are of easy to moderate level.
| CAT Sections |
CAT DI Topics |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation |
Happiness index- difficult |
4 |
| Matrix- moderate |
4 |
|
| Routes - moderate |
4 |
|
| Flight operation - Moderate |
4 |
|
| Logical Reasoning |
Projects - Difficult |
4 |
| Burgers/Fries - Easy |
4 |
|
| Children survey - Easy |
4 |
|
| PCM - difficult |
4 |
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 1: QA section
In the third and final section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 1, there are 34 questions. The questions of this section are easier than the ones of 2016 and 2015 papers. Most of the questions test the fundamentals of maths. Algebra questions were on Inequalities and Quadratic equations and Arithmetic questions on Profit Loss and TSD.
Q: From where can I download CAT question papers?
Q: How many RC questions does CAT have?
The CAT VARC section is dominated by RC questions. Out of 24 questions about 14-16 are based on Reading Comprehension passages and the rest of them are based on parajumbles, para completion, etc.
CAT has about 12-16 RC question. In CAT 2022, there were four RC passages each having four questions. The ideal attempt was estimated at 13. Since, it is not mandatory to solve all the questions, candidates can maximize their scores by leaving out the questions related to the passage they find the toughest. There is negative marking in CAT so candidates must ensure that they mark only the correct options or do not mark any option at all.
| CAT Sections |
CAT Quants Topics |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability |
Number System |
4 |
| Algebra |
10-11 |
|
| Arithmetic |
11 |
|
| Modern Math |
2 |
|
| Geometry and Mensuration |
6-7 |
| Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice | Free DILR Questions with Answers for Practice | Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice |
CAT 2017 Question Paper, Slot 2
The difficulty level of CAT question paper 2017, Slot 2 is a bit more difficult than the slot 1 question paper. Overall, the question paper can be considered moderate in terms of difficulty level with VARC on the easier side but with close options, DILR tricky and QA easy. Take a look at the overall break-up of the question paper.
Also Read:
| CAT Sections |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading comprehension |
34 |
Easy-moderate |
25-27 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
32 |
Difficult |
12-14 |
| Quantitative Ability |
34 |
Easy-Moderate |
25-26 |
| Total |
100 |
Moderate |
64-68 |
CAT 2017 Question Paper, Slot 2: Section-wise break-up
Take a look at the section wise break up of CAT question paper 2017 of second slot.
| CAT Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
|
|---|---|
| No. of Questions |
34 |
| No. of MCQ questions |
24 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
7 |
| Difficulty Level |
Easy-Moderate |
| Good Attempts |
25-27 |
| CAT Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
|
| No. of Questions |
32 |
| No. of MCQ questions |
24 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
8 |
| Difficulty Level |
Difficult |
| Good Attempts |
12-14 |
| CAT Quantitative Ability |
|
| No. of Questions |
34 |
| No. of MCQ questions |
26 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
8 |
| Difficulty Level |
Easy-Moderate |
| Good Attempts |
25-26 |
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 2: VARC section
The VARC section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 2 is on the easier side. The Reading Comprehension (RC) passages are easy to read but the questions carry close options that may deceive candidates. There are five passages and 24 questions. Three passages are of 500-550 words and two are of 25-350 words. Out of 24 questions, around 16 are inference based and the rest are fact based. Check the table below for more details.
| CAT Sections |
CAT VARC Topics |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension |
Reading Comprehension |
24 |
| Verbal Ability |
Para-jumble |
4 |
| Summary |
3 |
|
| Para-jumble (Odd sentence out) |
3 |
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 2: DILR section
The DILR section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 2, has questions in the form of sets. Two sets are easy and one is lengthy. Rest of the sets are solvable but requires concentration. Check the table below for topic wise weightage of questions.
| CAT Sections |
CAT DILR TopicS |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation |
Chess |
4 |
| Pizza |
4 |
|
| Dorms |
4 |
|
| Asset Management |
4 |
|
| Airplane |
4 |
|
| Biometric |
4 |
|
| Tea |
4 |
|
| Elective |
4 |
CAT 2017 question paper, slot 2: QA section
The QA section of CAT question paper 2017, slot 2 comprises questions, which test the candidate’s grasp of fundamentals of Mathematics. Arithmetic and Algebra dominate this section with 22 questions. Geometry and Mensuration together have 4-5 questions.
| CAT Sections |
CAT Quants Topics |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability |
Number System |
4 |
| Algebra |
12 |
|
| Arithmetic |
12 |
|
| Modern Math |
2 |
|
| Geometry and Mensuration |
4 |
Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio
News & Updates
Explore Other Exams
Jan '25 | XAT 2025 Cut Offs Release |
17 Jan '25 | XAT 2025 result |
8 Jan '25 | SNAP 2024 result announcement |
21 Dec '24 | SNAP 2024 session 3 |
13 Jan '25 - 17 Jan '25 | NMAT 2024 Exam Window (second ... |
5 Jan '25 - 10 Jan '25 | NMAT 2024 Scheduling Window (s... |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
5 Apr '25 - 25 May '25 | MAT 2025 Registration Process ... |
5 Apr '25 - 2 Jun '25 | MAT 2025 Registration Process ... |
15 Feb '25 - 24 Feb '25 | IBSAT 2024 Selection Process (... |
28 Dec '24 | IBSAT 2024 Result |
13 Feb '25 | CMAT 2025 Result |
31 Jan '25 - 2 Feb '25 | CMAT 2025 Answer Key Release a... |
1 Apr '25 - 3 Apr '25 | MAH MBA CET 2025 exam |
3 Mar '25 - 5 Mar '25 | MAH MBA CET 2025 form correcti... |
23 Apr '25 | TANCET 2025 Result Declaration |
7 May '25 - 6 Jun '25 | TANCET Scorecard Download Wind... |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
To have a good chance of getting admitted to IIM Kozhikode, aiming for a 90th percentile in the CAT (Common Admission Test) is a good target, says Shiksha. However, to secure a spot, especially in the highly competitive general category, you'll likely need to aim higher, potentially around the 95th
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered Yesterday
It is unlikely you will receive a call from IMI Kolkata with a 79.40 percentile in CAT. While the overall cut-off for IIMs can vary, most new IIMs, including IMI Kolkata, typically require a minimum of 85 percentile in CAT.
Elaboration:
IIM Cutoffs:
For older IIMs, general category candidates usually
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
As per the information available on the university's official website, IFTM University does accept CAT scores for MBA admission. However, it is not compulsory for applicants to have a valid CAT score. The programme's eligibility criteria require applicants to have passed Graduation with a minimum of
H
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, Future University does accept the scores of the CAT for admissions to the MBA course. Not only CAT, the university also accepts several entrance examinations for admissions to MBA courses, such as MAT, CMAT, CUET PG, etc. Moreover, the university does provide scholarships to BBA students on t
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, for candidates desireous of taking admission to MBA programme of TISS Mumbai must appear for CAT exam. TISS Mumbai MBA admission 2026 will be conducted through CAT 2025 scores. Candidates seeking admission to academic year 2026-27 must appear for CAT 2025 on gievn date and time and apply for TI
M
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 days ago
Tata Institute of Social Sciences offers the following MBA programs through CAT score:
School of Management and Labour Studies - Mumbai Campus
- Master of Arts in Human Resources Management & Labour Relations
- Master of Arts in Organisation Development, Change and Leadership
School of Health Systems Studie
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 days ago
For admission to TISS Mumbai for MBA program, candidates must appear for CAT exam. Candidates are shprtlisted for TISS MBA selection rounds on the basis of CAT scores. IIM conducts CAT exam every year for admission to top B-schools in India. TISS MBA admission through CAT will commence in fist week
N
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, if a candidate has secured the 80 percentile in the CAT exam, they are eligible to get a scholarship. The university offers scholarships on the basis of performance in national-level entrance exams, and the CAT is one of those. Check out the concession on tuition fees provided by the university
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
DTU is one of the best colleges for placements in Delhi. The institute accepts CAT exam scores for admission for MBA course. In 2024, the overall last round closing percentile for admission for the General AI category candidates was 85. In 2023 and 2022, the cutoff percentile has remained 85. It sho
S
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 3 days ago
Delhi Technological University accepts CAT percentiles for admission to the MBA course. As per the DTU MBA cutoff 2024, the overall CAT cutoff percentile for the General All India category candidates was closed at 85. For other sections i.e. Quants, VA-RC, DI-LR, the cutoff percentile were 50 for th
S
Beginner-Level 5
Till 2014, there were only two sections in CAT. Quantitative Aptitude was clubbed with Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning was clubbed with Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension. In 2015, the Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning were clubbed together and Quantitative Aptitude and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension made two individual sections. Since 2015, the sectional segregation has remained the same but the number of questions have come down from 100 to 66. The exam duration has also been reduced. Until 2019, the CAT exam was of 180 minutes and the total number of questions were 100. However, in 2020, the question paper structure was revised due to COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the total number of questions came down to 76. In 2021 and 2022, the number of questions were further lowered to 66. For the last two years, CAT is conducted for 2 hours, and the number of questions is 66. In CAT 2024 however, the number of questions were increased to 68.
The latest CAT question paper structure is: Total questions: 68 Number of sections: 3 Order of sections - 1. VARC 2. DILR 3. Quantitative Aptitude Sectional time limit: 40 minutes VARC questions: 24 DILR questions: 22 Quantitative Aptitude questions: 22.