CAT 2018 Question Paper PDF with Solutions: Download Now!
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
Registration - To be notified
CAT 2018 question paper PDF with solution is provided here for download to help the candidates understand the test structure and analyse the types of questions asked in the CAT exam.
CAT 2018 question paper
CAT 2018 question paper is of moderate difficulty. It comprised 100 questions from Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reason (DILR) and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). CAT 2018 uestion paper PDF with solutions is provided below for candidates to analyse the difficulty level of questions, weightage of topics and number of good attempts.
The structure of CAT 2018 question paper, slot 1 and slot 2, is same as that of previous years. The question paper of first slot of CAT exam was had easy VARC, moderate DILR and tough QA. section-wise difficulty level of the question paper of second slot of CAT 2018 was same as the first slot. Check out CAT question paper 2018 slot 1 and slot 2 analysis below.
Explore colleges based on CAT
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
Also Read: CAT 2018 exam analysis by Career Launcher
CAT 2018 question paper slot 1
Given below is the detailed explanation of CAT question paper 2018 slot 1 including section-wise distribution of sections, topics and difficulty level.
CAT question papers are released within a week of the exam in the form of a PDF as a response sheet and answer key. Candidates who have appeared for the test are able to access the CAT question paper and answer key. The question paper of every slot is released on the same day along with candidate response sheet and official answer to all question. If any candidate needs previous year CAT question papers for preparation purpose, then they can download them from Shiksha website. We have hosted last five years' CAT question papers for aspirants to download and practice. These official CAT question papers are available for download free. You can download the CAT question paper PDFs at this link: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/cat-exam-question-papers Candidates must check and practice the latest CAT question paper to know the latest exam pattern and difficulty level.
Section-wise break-up of CAT 2018 question paper slot 1
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
|
|---|---|
| No. of Questions |
34 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
7 |
| Difficulty Level |
Easy |
| Good Attempts |
28+ |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
|
| No. of Questions |
32 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
8 |
| Difficulty Level |
Moderate |
| Good Attempts |
16+ |
| Quantitative Ability |
|
| No. of Questions |
34 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
12 |
| Difficulty Level |
Difficult |
| Good Attempts |
15+ |
Download CAT previous year papers pdf:
VARC section:
The VARC section of CAT question paper 2018 slot 1 has 34 questions ( 27 MCQs and 7 non-MCQs). The questions of RC passages are inference based and easy in nature. The VA section has 4 Subjective Para Jumble questions, 3 odd sentence para-jumble questions and 3 summary questions.
Explore more MBA exams with upcoming dates
26 Feb '26
28 Feb '26
28 Feb '26
3 Mar '26
23 Feb '26 - 26 Feb '26
TANCET
5 Feb '26 - 2 Mar '26
7 Apr '26 - 8 Apr '26
Topics of RC passages:
- Genetics (4 questions)
- India’s view on its legacy of Second World War (5 questions)
- Plastic Pollution (5 questions)
- Elephant society (5 questions)
- Consumer behaviour studies (5 questions)
DILR section:
The DILR section of CAT question paper 2018 slot 1 has 32 questions (24 MCQs and 8 non-MCQs). DI section comprises questions from pie chart, set theory and denomination; while the LR section has questions from matrix on adjacent cells, male-female ratio and set theory.
QA section:
The QA section of CAT 2018 question paper slot 1 has 34 questions (22 MCQs and 12 non-MCQs). In comprises questions from number system, algebra, arithmetic, modern math, geometry and mensuration. The questions are calculation and logic intensive, not theory intensive and toughest among the QA questions of last four years.
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. 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.
Also Read:
- CAT exam pattern changed
- How Scaled CAT Score will be calculated for three slots
- How many questions to expect this year in CAT?
- How many questions to attempt in CAT to score 99+ percentile
- Changes in CAT question papers in last 10 years
| Free VARC Questions with Answers for Practice | Free DILR Questions wit Answers for Practice | Free Quantitative Aptitude Questions with Answers for Practice |
CAT 2018 question paper slot 2
Given below is the detailed explanation of CAT 2018 question paper slot 2 including section-wise distribution of sections, topics and difficulty level.
Section-wise break-up of CAT question paper 2018 slot 2
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
|
|---|---|
| No. of Questions |
34 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
7 |
| Difficulty Level |
Easy |
| Good Attempts |
28+ |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
|
| No. of Questions |
32 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
8 |
| Difficulty Level |
Moderate |
| Good Attempts |
16+ |
| Quantitative Ability |
|
| No. of Questions |
34 |
| No. of non-MCQ questions |
12 |
| Difficulty Level |
Difficult |
| Good Attempts |
15+ |
VARC section:
The difficulty level of VARC section CAT 2018 question paper slot 2 is same as slot 1 and so is the structure. There were 34 questions (27 MCQs and 7 Non-MCQs.) The RC passages are easy to read and inference based. Out of 24 RC questions, only 4-5 are tricky. The VA section has 4 Subjective Para Jumble questions, 3 Odd sentence para-jumble questions and three para-summary questions and easier than that of slot 1.
Topics of RC passages:
- Grover snails (4 questions)
- Meritocracy and diversified teams (5 questions)
- Use of technology in essential services (5 questions)
- Rings of Saturn and their age (5 questions)
- Human resource and learning (5 questions)
DILR section:
The DILR section of CAT question paper 2018 slot 2 has 32 questions (24 MCQs and 8 Non-MCQs). The theme of the sets is more conventional. There is one very direct DI set with basic calculations. LR sets were easy-moderate in terms of level of difficulty. DI questions comprises currency exchange & rate changes, smartphones & market share and box diagram of three companies. LR questions have been asked from arrangement, coding, set theory and accreditation.
QA section:
The QA section of the second slot question paper of CAT 2018 is the toughest section among all three, just like slot 1. This section has 34 questions (22 MCQs and 12 non-MCQs). Maximum questions are from Arithmetic (13-14), followed by Algebra (8). Other topics covered in CAT 2018 question paper of slot 2 are number system, geometry, mensuration and modern math.
Read More:
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
Read Full BioNews & Updates
Explore Other Exams
29 Jan '26 | XAT 2026 Cut Offs Release |
16 Jan '26 | XAT 2026 result |
9 Jan '26 | SNAP 2025 result announcement |
20 Dec '25 | SNAP 2025 session 3 |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Registration Window |
Aug '26 | NMAT 2026 Scheduling Window |
17 Oct '24 - 5 Dec '24 | IIFT 2025 registration and app... |
26 Feb '26 | MAT Feb 2026 PBT admit card |
1 Mar '26 | MAT Feb 2026 PBT |
Jul '26 | IBSAT 2026 Registration |
27 Dec '26 - 28 Dec '26 | IBSAT 2026 Exam Date |
17 Feb '26 | CMAT 2026 result |
31 Jan '26 - 2 Feb '26 | CMAT 2026 exam answer key obje... |
7 Apr '26 - 8 Apr '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam |
9 May '26 | MAH MBA CET 2026 exam 2 |
Feb '26 | TANCET registration window |
Mar '26 | TANCET admit card download |
Mar '25 | IRMASAT 2025 Final Result Anno... |
Feb '25 | IRMASAT Personal Interviews |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 21 hours ago
The following steps are involved in filling CAT application form:
· Registration and creating a login
· Filling basic details
· Filling academic details
· Filling work experience
· Uploading image and signature
· Selecting IIMs and courses
· Selecting test cities
·
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 21 hours ago
There is no option to pay the fee of CAT 2026 application form in cash. The only mode of fee payment is online which includes debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 21 hours ago
CAT 2026 registration and application link will be available at iimcat.ac.in website. Candidates will have to apply for the exam by visiting the exam website.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 21 hours ago
CAT 2026 application form will be released in the first week of August 2026. CAT 2026 registration dates will be announced in the last week of July through an official notification.
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Candidates have to wait for IIM Ranchi MBA CAT cutoff. Those who clear it become eligible for further scanning process. The candidates may have to visit the website and provide CATID (application sequence number), date of birth, and registered email as per CAT application. The waiting status appears
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
IIM Ranchi MBA aspirants need to have a valid CAT score. The entrance test is expected to be held on Nov 29, 2026. Candidates taking the exam will be able to download admit cards online. It is generally released online in the first or second week of November. Candidates should stay updated with adm
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
IIM Ranchi offer admission to its MBA courses based on CAT scores only. The candidates have to take this test and secure a valid percentile. IIMs release its cutoff based on which candidates are called for further selection rounds. There may not be any other provision for admission to the PG level c
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
The students who wants to get admission into the MBA course must obtain minimum 50% in their UG degree. They have to appear for any one of the national level entrance exams for MBA course admissions such as CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, MAH-CET and ATMA exam. The minimum cutoff required in CAT exam is 50%. I
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Students may get admission in IIM Bangalore with 95 percentile in CAT. But this is not enough to get a seat. The admission chances also depend on student's overall profile. This includes academic scores + performance in the selection rounds. Students can check the cutoff trends to know better.
A
Contributor-Level 10
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.